Chugga chugga, clickity clack clickity clack, choo choo!! So many times have I read those lines to my little man, who has been a big fan of trains his whole life. Lucky for him, his momma knew a fun attraction near the lake house.
Welcome to the Lumberjack Steam Train and Camp 5 Museum, in Laona, Wisconsin!
Do your kids like trains? Do you like history? Then this place is a win win for you!
The Lumberjack Steam Train is a steam engine that was built in 1916. The train, and the depots, are very authentic. You can purchase you tickets at the desk (or online at https://www.lumberjacksteamtrain.com). They use old school paper tickets, which the kids thought was super cool since that’s how it worked in Polar Express.
Once you have your tickets you can explore the train and find your seats. They have two full passenger cars, and open observation car, and several cars that had bunkhouses below and seats above. This is of course where my son wanted to sit, so up we climbed to get to our seats.
After a traditional “all aboard!” The train lurches forward and a person goes around to punch everyone’s tickets. The train goes a couple miles through the woods and even over a bridge (not a big fan of a rickety track, old train, and water, but I can be brave), before stopping at the Camp 5 Depot.
Camp 5 was a logging camp in the great woods of Wisconsin. You can plan on about two hours at Camp 5 to explore before jumping back on the train for the ride back.
There is museums with logging and local history, a petting animal area, the old slaughter house, a nature center, blacksmith shop, and general store. There is a forest tour available (already included in your train ticket) along with a small concessions area.
While I am a self proclaimed nerd and could have spent the whole time in the museum, Wyatt wanted to hit the store up first in search of candy. Not only was there candy but gifts, novelties, antiques, etc. We bought some games to play back at the cabin and Wyatt has been kicking Nona’s butt in marbles ever since.
Then we headed to the nature center. There was lots of things kids could touch and feel in there like animal furs, and we of course, had to touch them all. There was some nice slices of trees to count rings on and I was able to explain to Wyatt how each tree ring was a year. He said he wasn’t counting but that the tree was old since there was so many rings.
Next we took off toward the slaughterhouse. Now I have been around farms my whole life so a slaughterhouse didn’t make me woozy at all. However, it was a rainy day and Wyatt and I were the only ones in there and I will admit it was a bit creepy! They had nice plaques explaining everything and even had fake animals hung up. I can imagine with so many lumberjacks they went through a lot of meat!
While at Camp 5, we also got to check out the museum, even if it was a speed tour with an impatient six year old. There was things for kids to try out like carrying water and lots of interesting history of the camp to read about. Don’t forget to swing by the blacksmith on your way out!
Lastly, we had to stop for a quick bite to eat at the Choo Choo cafe. This is really an outdoor concession stand selling concession style food. However, a good hotdog from the concession stand never disappoints. Finally we could hear the train coming down the track and got set to head back. Wyatt ran to “his” seat and we settled in for the short ride back.
Overall, despite the rain, we had a great time. There are so many activities for the kids to play, or take part in, it’s a nice experience for both little hands, and older minds, at the same time. Wyatt gives the Lumberjack Steam Train and Camp 5 two thumbs up!
Wandering Momma 