As my children get older, the list of holiday events they’re interested in gets shorter and shorter. (Ah, the tween and teen years!) They are lukewarm to Santa. They will tolerate a light show. But one of the holiday events they still look forward to every year is Jingle Rails at the Eiteljorg Museum.

Jingle Rails: A Holiday Tradition

Now in its 15th year, Jingle Rails is a delight for everyone, but especially for train lovers of all ages.

Step inside this whimsical exhibit, and you’re surrounded by model G-scale electric trains. Above and below, you’ll see and hear the trains whooshing by on more than 1,200 feet of railroad track. The trains meander through tunnels and past scenes of the Indianapolis skyline and the landmarks of the American West. Look closer to see all of the cool details, like the backdrops that are created out of all-natural materials, such as tree bark, pinecones, seed pods and acorns. New this year, a miniature of the Madam Walker Theatre joins the railroad backdrop.

Why Your Family Should Visit Jingle Rails This Holiday Season

Jingle Rails has been an annual family tradition for as long as we’ve lived in Indiana. My children love seeing the trains, of course, but there are many other reasons to want to visit Jingle Rails.

Take Your Jingle Rails Visit Up a Notch and Play “I Spy”

At the entrance of Jingle Rails, be sure to pick up an activity guide, which has an I Spy game on the back. My kids love trying to find all of the things on the I Spy game that are located all around Jingle Rails. They usually compete to see who can check off all of the boxes first! After you’ve found all of the items, you can take your activity guide to the Eiteljorg store for a prize.

Take Selfies and Experience Family Activities

During Jingle Rails, the museum is festively decorated with holiday lights. It’s the perfect backdrop for family selfies! Take a pic by the iconic Jingle Rails train cutout sign, or by the life-size inflatable train on the museum’s front lawn.

Families with little ones will want to stay and play at the Jingle Rails play area designed just for kids. You’ll find train-themed toys, books, puzzles, Magna-Tiles and coloring pages, plus comfy chairs for the grown-ups. It’s a nice place to say “yes” to touching things, when you have to say “no” so many times to touching the Jingle Rails trains and scenery!

Don’t Forget to Check Out the Family Education Center, Located  Downstairs

A hidden gem of the Eiteljorg Museum is located just steps away from Jingle Rails, and is included with museum admission. The R.B. Annis Western Family Experience is an immersive space designed for kids and families have designated areas for pretend play and hands-on activities. Kids will have fun with activities like a making a meal in a play kitchen, tending horses in a horse stable, making a garden, checking out what’s in a a microscope and more.

Visit on Special Days for Even More Fun

This year, the museum offers new special programs that you’ll want to check out:

• On four Saturdays – Nov. 23, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14 – visitors can shop at a new Winter Market featuring Indiana artists at booths offering handmade pieces and products.
• Families with sensory-sensitive kids can experience Jingle Rails with sound and light features reduced during a Sensory-Friendly Morning program, 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday Dec. 8.
• On Dec. 14 and 21, the museum holds family-friendly art-making activity workshops at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Jingle Rails Hours and Prices

Location

Jingle Rails is located inside the Eiteljorg Museum (500 W Washington St, Indianapolis).

Hours

Jingle Rails is open during regular museum hours:

• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday
• 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday

Jingle Rails and other exhibits will be open later hours, until 7 p.m., on certain dates during the holiday season:

• Saturday Dec. 14 and Sunday Dec. 15
• Thursday Dec. 19 through Sunday Dec. 22
• Thursday Dec. 26 through Sunday Dec. 29.

Prices

Jingle Rails is included with regular museum admission. For a discount, order advance tickets online at Eiteljorg.org/JingleRails. Museum members and children ages 4 and younger are free. Indiana college, university and trade school students also receive free admission by showing campus ID.