The holidays are chugging into town, and southeast Michigan is full of train-themed fun. Climb aboard a real one or check out some cool displays. See what’s in store!
Henry Ford Museum Lionel Train Display
- Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
- Cost: $25/adults, $18.75/ages 5-11
During its Holidays in Henry Ford Museum event, this family lure turns its halls into a wonderland with Christmas trees covered in hundreds of ornaments – and a giant Lionel train display.
It boasts 435 feet of track lined with tiny versions of historic buildings and figures, plus seasonal engines, handcars and lights. Originally owned by Richard Kughn, former CEO of Lionel Trains, this display has called Dearborn home since 1983.
Flat Rock Model Train Depot & Museum
- Address: 28700 Arsenal Road, Flat Rock
- Cost: $6/adults, $5/students; free/under 10
An elaborate holiday display rolls into this nonprofit spot, teeming with Lionel and American Flyer trains. Its main table of choo-choos also gets some added miniature holiday pizzazz. And kids can even crawl into a tunnel to hear little trains rumble overhead — or run some of the action.
Rochester Hills Museum
- Address: Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills
- Cost: $5/adults, $3/students
All Aboard! That’s the name of this massive display that model train enthusiasts from the Stoney Creek Model Railroad put together.
From deserts to villages, visitors will see multiple trains running together across different scenery, which changes every four feet, over bridges and through tunnels.
Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad
- Address: 6140 Bray Road, Flint
- Cost: $24/adults, $23/seniors, $22/kids 2-12, free/under 2
Travel north to Flint for Christmas at Crossroads Holiday. Here, little train lovers can climb aboard an authentic Baldwin steam locomotive for a 40-minute journey along the shores of Mott Lake — and Crossroads Village, a historic town that’s transformed into an 1800s-era Christmas village.
Holiday Express Train Rides
- Address: Joy Park, 24001 Joy Blvd., Clinton Township
- Cost: $17/residents, $22.50/non-residents
Clinton Township Parks and Recreation and the Michigan Transit Museum team up to bring local families a holiday train ride complete with a reading of The Polar Express, hot chocolate, cookies, carols and more.
The trains are enclosed but not headed so be sure to dress for the weather.
This post was originally updated in 2015 and is updated regularly.
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