The Seashore Trolley Museum: a Unique Kennebunkport Experience

Spending time in Kennebunkport is wonderful, and it’s a quinessential Maine town. So many of the activities here are centered around the beach and the water, but did you know there is a wonderful scenic railway and museum too? The Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport is all about the history of the interconnected communities of Southern Maine and the trolley culture that brought them together. Paired with a wonderful trolley ride through the gorgeous forests of the Kennebunks, the Seashore Trolley Museum is a great addition to your visit.

Have you gotten to enjoy the trolley ride and stories from the Seashore Trolley Museum? If not, add it to your list of fun things to do when you’re in Kennebunkport or even just visiting Portland. We’ve got the full scoop on what you’ll get to do at the Seashore Trolley Museum, how to plan your time here and in the area, and more ideas for how to enjoy the Kennebunks. If you have any questions or need additional recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you put together a fun plan for visiting Maine.

Highlights of Visiting the Seashore Trolley Museum

You have lots of options for things to do in Kennebunkport, but so many of them take place on or around the water. I think that’s great but not everyone is down for going out on a lobster boat or kayaking on the Kennebunk River, so planning a little adventure to the Seashore Trolley Museum is a great idea. While I do love the exhibits and learning about the history of the area and the old trolley lines in the museum, the highlight is absolutely the trolley ride. Similar to the Downeast Scenic Railroad, the trolley line runs through the forest on the historic rails that connected the towns of Maine. There’s something about riding along the route and hearing the stories from the trolley conductors that is both pleasantly nostalgic and uniquely fun.

Once you’ve completed the ride on the historic trolley line, which takes about 45 minutes, then you get to check out the trolley barns and yards where all kinds of historic railcars are either on display or being restored. It’s quite the process to take the old, often long-abandoned trolley cars and return them to their former glory. Skilled craftsmen and artisans work on the trolley cars to fix everything from the mechanisms to the upholstery. This isn’t work that you can just hire out, but it’s very nuanced and when you see the fully restored cars at the Seashore Trolley Museum you’ll understand just how much skill and care goes into them. I think the Seashore Trolley Museum is a great place to visit with kids. The ride on the rail line, chatting with the conductors and then the grand miniature train town all are really unique things to do.

Yes, there is a HUGE model train town that is still being worked on today. You can spend a fair amount of time following the train line and reading about the different types of models in this separate building (included with your admission). I think it’s really fun, but then I enjoy geeking out over things like this.

Tips for the Seashore Trolley Museum

When you’re planning your visit to the Seashore Trolley Museum, you should allot at least 90 minutes. This will give you time to ride the historic trolley line, visit the trolley barns, check out the museum exhibits and spend time enjoying the model train area. I would suggest getting to the museum a bit after it opens. Many people arrive right at the 10 o’clock hour to get onto the first trolley ride of the day, but there are lots of rides given all day long, so don’t fret about being on the first car out. You’ll have plenty of time to ride the trolley and enjoy the museums, so don’t rush it.

If you’re visiting the Seashore Trolley Museum with kids, I would recommend allowing them to lead your experience. There are lots of things to do and see, so to keep the kiddos interested follow their lead as you explore together. My kids love miniatures and models and can spend an hour just looking at all the details, so if that’s the case with your family too, maybe save the model area for last. Depending on your plans and when you arrive, you can also enjoy a picnic at the Seashore Trolley Museum. There are some great places to sit, and on a nice summer day it’s the perfect Kennebunkport picnic spot.

Seashore Trolley Museum Need-to-know

Although there is a fair amount of walking to do when you visit the Seashore Trolley Museum, it’s all pretty level and easy to navigate, making it a good spot for all ages. There are some stairs if you plan on visiting the trolley restoration barn, but that’s it really. There are both stairs and an elevator in the model trolley building so you can see it from above. The museum visitor center and the model building are both wheelchair accessible, and then they also have a Mobilift to make several of the running trolley cars accessible as well. **If wheelchair accessibility is needed, contact the museum in advance to confirm trolley cars and their Mobilift compatibility.

Bring your camera and tune your photographer’s eye into the details of the historic trolleys. The antique features and the craftsmanship make for wonderful photography subjects and you go about the museum grounds. There are also some unusual trolley station buildings that have been brought in from Boston, which are really fascinating. And if you’re visiting in fall, the colors make for gorgeous pictures while you’re both riding the trolley and roaming the grounds.

Getting to the Seashore Trolley Museum

It’s only about ten minutes from the downtown area of Kennebunkport and Kennebunk, so adding a visit to the Seashore Trolley Museum is pretty easy. If you have time for it, it’s a great spot on either a rainy or sunny day. There is plenty of parking even if it’s busy, so don’t stress trying to get there early to get a spot. Just arrive when you like and have a mellow, learning-filled visit.