We found ten Christmas trains within a drive of New York City with 2026 dates posted: one Polar Express ride, eight Santa trains and one model-train holiday display. The closest, Holiday Train Show, is in Bronx. Each card has the dates, times, the ages it suits, the price as the operator lists it and whether you need to book ahead.
By date
Filter by kind of ride, then tap one for dates, ages, price and how to book.
Model trains · to Jan 10 · Bronx, NY20NovFriNorth Pole Express
Santa train · to Dec 23 · Essex, CT · about 95 miles away21NovSatSanta ExpressSanta train · to Dec 20 · Flemington, NJ · about 45 miles away27NovFriSanta Claus SpecialsSanta train · to Dec 24 · Jim Thorpe, PA · about 90 miles away27NovFriSanta ExpressSanta train · to Dec 23 · Thomaston, CT · about 80 miles away27NovFriTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train RidePolar Express · to Dec 20 · Phillipsburg, NJ · about 60 miles away28NovSatBreakfast with Santa trainSanta train · to Dec 20 · Woodstown, NJ · about 100 miles away28NovSatSanta TrainsSanta train · to Dec 20 · Kutztown, PA · about 95 miles away5DecSatSanta Claus ExpressSanta train · to Dec 6 · Kempton, PA · about 95 miles away5DecSatRide With Santa on NJ TransitSanta train · 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. · Wayne, NJ · about 20 miles away · Sold outNothing matches that filter yet.
Train rides
Dates, ages, price and booking notes come from each railroad, zoo or park’s own page. The area line shows where you board.
Essex Steam Train · Essex, CT · about 95 miles away
Black River & Western Railroad · Flemington, NJ · about 45 miles away
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway · Jim Thorpe, PA · about 90 miles away
Good to know: Runs Nov 27–30 and Dec 4–6, 11–13 and 18–24
Railroad Museum of New England (Naugatuck Railroad) · Thomaston, CT · about 80 miles away
Delaware River Railroad Excursions · Phillipsburg, NJ · about 60 miles away
Woodstown Central Railroad · Woodstown, NJ · about 100 miles away
Allentown & Auburn Railroad · Kutztown, PA · about 95 miles away
Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad · Kempton, PA · about 95 miles away
Tri-State Railway Historical Society · Wayne, NJ · about 20 miles away
Know one we missed?Send us the railroad’s or venue’s page and we’ll check the dates and add it.Suggest a trainModel trains
Most let you walk through at your own pace, so you can stay as long as little ones are interested.
New York Botanical Garden · Bronx, NY
Good to know: Model trains run past nearly 200 New York landmarks built from bark, leaves and other plant parts.
More to come.Model train shows often post late. We recheck every week through December.Email me when one’s addedBefore you go
TicketsBook as soon as you canPolar Express and Santa trains often sell out weeks ahead, weekend evenings first.
DressPajamas are part of itMany Polar Express rides invite kids to come in pajamas. Bring a warm layer for the platform.
TimingPick a ride before bedtimeEarly departures are easier with toddlers. Late lights trains are better for older kids.Keep planning
November: things to do in NYCEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in NYCEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in NYCFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in NYCIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Ice skating in NYCHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in NYCParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in NYCKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in NYCParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in NYCBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in NYCChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in NYCWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in NYCDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Phillipsburg, NJ · about 60 miles away: Next: Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Fri Dec 4 and 8 more. Price: $48 adults, $38 children (subject to change).
North Pole Express (Essex, CT · about 95 miles away): Nov 20 – Dec 23. Santa Express (Flemington, NJ · about 45 miles away): Next: Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28 and 8 more. Santa Claus Specials (Jim Thorpe, PA · about 90 miles away): Nov 27 – Dec 24. Santa Express (Thomaston, CT · about 80 miles away): Nov 27 – Dec 23. Plus four more on this page.
Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden: Nov 14 – Jan 10.
Many do. Four of the ten here ask you to book ahead or warn that seats sell out. Each card says what the operator posts about tickets.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 29, 2026, and we recheck them every week through December. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in NYC that weekend, holiday trains included.
