Check out the gorgeous 1880 steam engine at this delightful railroad museum in the heart of the Black Hills.

My kiddos love trains, and I mean love. We've spent hours playing with our wooden Thomas trains, building cities and castles with trains running to and from them while listening to real train sounds on YouTube. When I found out there was a railroad museum in the Black Hills, I knew we had to stop here. The girls loved this place, and that's even considering we visited just outside of the season for taking an actual ride on the train.

This railroad museum features a beautifully restored steam engine called the 1880 train. And what better way to bring out a sense of childhood wonder in anyone, than a gorgeous, old steam train? The nickname for this route, the Black Hills Central Railroad, was "the 1880 train" as it was believed riding through the Black Hills offered the feel of riding the rails back in the late 1800s. The first train to run this route was back in 1957, and the train still offers scenic trips to this day. I was so disappointed we had just missed the rail season, but it was lovely just getting up close to these beautiful trains. The museum normally offers two-hour scenic train rides throughout the summer tourist season, with unbelievable views of the Black Hills.

If childhood wonder is something you believe everyone deserves to continue experiencing, make sure to put this glorious railroad museum on your must-visit list for South Dakota. After you've enjoyed all the choo-choos you can, head across the street to Smiling Bear Espresso Bar for the most delicious chokecherry latte (or hot cocoa) you'll ever taste.