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The Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal is a perfect diversion from Midtown's holiday crowds. Photo by Janet Bloom

Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal – Midtown East

Thursday, November 14, 2024-Friday, January 31, 2025
Located in the heart of the city at Grand Central Terminal, the New York Transit Museum's holiday train show features O-gauge trains traveling along 34 feet of track spread out over a two-level layout.

RELATED: 49 Holiday Activities Every NYC Kid Must Do

The New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show is the largest and most elaborate in NYC. Photo by the author

New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show – Bronx Park

Saturday, November 16, 2024-Monday, January 20, 2025
This train show is the city's tour de force. See beloved sights as NYC is re-created in miniature with nearly 200 iconic landmarks crafted from a botanical bounty of materials like pine cones, acorns, and seeds. Set beneath the gleaming dome of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the NYBG Holiday Train Show is a particularly magical attraction come evening, and a select number of after-hours events are planned. Book your tickets in advance or risk being left in the cold!

RELATED: Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for NYC Families

The New-York Historical Society resurrects its popular Holiday Express train display. Photo by Drew Kristofik

Holiday Express at the New-York Historical Society – Upper West Side

Friday, November 15, 2024-Tuesday, February 4, 2025
The New-York Historical Society is back with its popular Holiday Express display showcasing its Jerni Collection of trains, buildings, figures, and decor. The installation highlights American and European toymakers' designs dating as far back as the turn of the 19th century and highlights the Golden Age of Toy Trains with its display from firms including German manufacturers, Märklin and Bing, as well as the American toymakers Lionel and Ives.

Holiday Train Display at PaleyLand – Midtown West

Wednesday, November 20, 2024-Sunday, January 7, 2024
This multimedia museum gets a makeover for the holiday season with its transformation to PaleyLand and the fun includes plenty of photo-ops, face time with Santa, and interactive fun. Train lovers won't want to miss its magical winter wonderland featuring a classic train display on the experience's second floor.

Macy's Santaland – Midtown West

Friday, November 29-Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Still not loco-ed out? Macy's Santaland has a gorgeous Lionel Train display (serviced annually by a Lionel expert!), and it's FREE to ooh and ahh at as you watch it chug around the holiday decorations while waiting to see the man of the season. Don't forget to reserve a time and date to chat with Santa, or maybe book a breakfast meeting with Saint Nick!

Holiday Nostalgia Train Rides – East Village to Harlem

Sundays December 1, 8, 15, 22, and 24, 2024
Every year, the MTA and the New York Transit Museum roll out vintage subway trains decked in holiday finery. The Holiday Nostalgia Rides bring vintage back into regular service from the Second Avenue/Houston stop up to the 96th Street/Second Avenue stop traveling over the F and Q lines. If your little one can't get enough of riding the subway or bus (ah, the sweet innocence of youth), this is a once-a-year treat that's well worth the trip.

Bonus: If you'd rather ride a holiday train than gawk at one, head to the Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo, where a festive locomotive takes you on a couple of loops of the Fountain Circle.

This post, originally published in November 2009, is updated annually.