New York is full of amazing museums. Who doesn’t know about the Museum of Natural History or the Metropolitan? These are worldwide icons – but New Yorkers know there are some great finds in smaller museums hiding outside of the city. In fact, some of the best small museums in New York are hiding in the charming central New York town of Norwich – three, in fact. Celebrating local history, New York artists, and the history of transportation, these three museums are not to be missed for any Empire State buffs.

Norwich is a great place for a day trip in central New York - especially if you like exploring history at these three unique museums.

Tomwsulcer/Wikipedia

  1. Chenango County Historical Society

Management/TripAdvisor This building is sort of the centerpiece of the town of Norwich, filled with local exhibits celebrating the area’s history. Chenango County Historical Society & Museum, 45 Rexford St, Norwich, NY 13815, USA

The society gives tours regularly, making it a popular destination for educational field trips for local schools.

Chenango County Historical Society and Museum/Facebook

The local artists’ gallery spotlights unique creations made by crafters in the region. You never know what will be on display here!

Chenango County Historical Society and Museum/Facebook

  1. Northeast Classic Car Museum

Northeast Classic Car Museum/Facebook While most of Norwich’s museums are its little secret, this one is known by automotive buffs nationwide. Northeast Classic Car Museum, 24 Rexford St, Norwich, NY 13815, USA

This museum contains thousands of vintage cars, motorcycles and other vehicles from the area and from major motion pictures and TV shows.

Northeast Classic Car Museum/Facebook

The odds are, if you remember a favorite vehicle from your childhood, it just might be in retirement here!

Northeast Classic Car Museum/Facebook

  1. Bullthistle Model Railroad Society

Bullthistle Model Railroad Society Norwich used to be near a very active railroad scene, and this museum pays tribute to that history.

You’ll find hundreds of model trains, many of them accurately modeled after the actual trains that ran these tracks.

Bullthistle Model Railroad Society

The star attraction, of course, is the model train layouts which will delight any train hobbyists who visit!

Bullthistle Model Railroad Society

Have you been to Norwich’s museum district? What are your favorite small museums in New York? Let us know in the comments section. You can find out more information about these museums at the websites of Bullthistle Model Railroad, Northeast Classic Car Museum, and Chenango County Historical Society. If you’re interested in another unique New York adventure, why not explore haunted Albany?

Tomwsulcer/Wikipedia

Management/TripAdvisor

This building is sort of the centerpiece of the town of Norwich, filled with local exhibits celebrating the area’s history.

Chenango County Historical Society & Museum, 45 Rexford St, Norwich, NY 13815, USA

Chenango County Historical Society and Museum/Facebook

Northeast Classic Car Museum/Facebook

While most of Norwich’s museums are its little secret, this one is known by automotive buffs nationwide.

Northeast Classic Car Museum, 24 Rexford St, Norwich, NY 13815, USA

Bullthistle Model Railroad Society

Norwich used to be near a very active railroad scene, and this museum pays tribute to that history.

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Address: Bullthistle Model Railroad, 33 Rexford St, Norwich, NY 13815, USAAddress: Chenango County Historical Society & Museum, 45 Rexford St, Norwich, NY 13815, USAAddress: Northeast Classic Car Museum, 24 Rexford St, Norwich, NY 13815, USA