Children's Museums

The Best Friend Train Museum

Name: The Best Friend Train Museum
Address: 42 John St, Charleston, SC 29403, Charleston, SC, US
Telephone: (843) 853-8000
Rating: 4.1

★★★★☆ 4.1 (33 reviews)

📍 42 John St, Charleston, SC 29403

📞 (843) 853-8000

🌐 bestfriendofcharleston.org/museum

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	10 AM–5 PM
Tuesday	10 AM–5 PM
Wednesday	10 AM–5 PM
Thursday	10 AM–5 PM
Friday	10 AM–5 PM
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Closed

⭐ Want to stand out? Get featured ⭐

About The Best Friend Train Museum

The Best Friend Train Museum is a children's museum in Charleston, SC. The Best Friend of Charleston was the first steam locomotive built in the United States, constructed in Charleston in 1830. Rated 4.1 out of 5 stars by 33 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Historic Train Museum
Main Attraction: The Best Friend of Charleston locomotive
Best For: All ages
Admission: Free
Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-2pm

💡 Did You Know?

🏛️The Best Friend of Charleston was the first steam locomotive built in the United States, constructed in Charleston in 1830
🏛️The original Best Friend locomotive was on loan to Norfolk Southern Corporation from 2010-2014 before being returned to Charleston
⭐The museum features an interactive experience where children can touch and blow the whistle of the real historic train engine
⭐The museum contains a hidden detail about the tender car that reveals an interesting secret not documented on the informational placards
⭐Admission to the Best Friend Train Museum is completely free

💬 What Visitors Say

💬Plan for 30 minutes to an hour depending on whether kids interact with exhibits. The museum is a single room, so it's easily manageable as a quick stop between other downtown Charleston attractions like the Children's Museum.
💡Ask the museum attendant about the 'secret' detail on the tender car of the reproduction train—there's an interesting hidden fact not mentioned in the placards that makes the visit more memorable.
💬Admission is completely free, but consider bringing cash or confirming credit card donations are accepted if you'd like to support the museum.
💡Kids will enjoy hands-on interaction with the real train engine, including blowing the whistle. Bring coloring supplies or plan to use the provided coloring activities to extend the visit.
💡Check out the monthly children's activities and informative talks at Best Friend Park for deeper learning about the historic 1830 locomotive and Charleston's railroad history.