Next time you visit the North Shore, consider adding a little whimsy to your accommodations and book a stay at Northern Rail Traincar Inn, a Minnesota railroad themed inn where you can sleep in an actual boxcar.

As you approach the Northern Rail Traincar Inn, you may think you’ve just pulled up to a small-town train depot.

Northern Rail Traincar Inn/Google

But as you look more closely at the line of box cars running behind the structure, you’ll notice that something’s a little different.

Northern Rail Traincar Inn/Google

They have windows, heat, and air conditioning - unlike your typical box cars.

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That’s right - the inn’s rooms are actual box cars, which line both sides of a shared hallway.

Northern Rail Traincar Inn

The railroad theme even carries through to the art decorating the walls.

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Many of the hotel’s rooms - which, themselves, have themes like “Fishing” or “Safari” - occupy half a box car, but the hotel does offer a couple of larger suites where you can have a whole boxcar to yourself.

Northern Rail Traincar Inn

Some rooms even offer sitting areas with fireplaces to lend a little north woods ambience to your stay.

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When you’re not exploring the area, you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained in the inn’s ample library of games, books, and movies.

Northern Rail Traincar Inn

The inn’s common area, where breakfast is served, doubles as a great spot for gathering.

Northern Rail Traincar Inn/Google

Northern Rail Traincar Inn is also the perfect place to set up your base camp to explore all that Minnesota’s North Shore has to offer, from the cool little town of Two Harbors to the trails of Gooseberry Falls State Park.

Northern Rail Traincar Inn/Google

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Northern Rail Traincar Inn

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Have you had a chance to stay or Northern Rail Traincar Inn or any other themed hotel or bed and breakfast in the North Star State? Do you have a favorite?

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Address: Northern Rail Traincar Inn, 1730 Co Hwy 3, Two Harbors, MN 55616, USA