Our #1 holiday must-do? Jingle Rails at the Eiteljorg Museum
The holidays are here, and there’s so much to do and see around Indianapolis! We’ve done them all, so trust us when we say:
The Eiteljorg Museum’s Jingle Rails exhibit is a must.
Now in its thirteenth year, Jingle Rails is an Indianapolis holiday tradition that offers visitors of all ages a wonderland of G-scale model trains chugging around Indianapolis and the American West. Nearly 1,200 feet of track and more than 30 scenes from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to the Grand Canyon and Golden Gate Bridge will enchant you and your family.
Don’t miss this detail: Every scene is made entirely from natural materials!
Here are five reasons Jingle Rails is our #1 holiday must:
1. Fun for all ages, really!
Jingle Rails may seem like an activity for older kids and adults (queue visions of tiny toddler hands wrecking the displays), but it really is fun for all ages. Toddlers will love watching the trains come and go, while older kids will enjoy looking for landmarks they recognize, like Lucas Oil Stadium and Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Parents and grandparents will marvel at the sheer size of the exhibit and the intricacy of the iconic scenes.
Bonus: Kids 4 and under are always free!
2. It is interactive and educational!
While Jingle Rails is all about holiday fun, it’s more than just look and see. An “I spy” activity will keep older kids engaged as they go from display to display to find hidden clues. Check out bonus content and videos to learn more about each collection with a scan of the QR codes throughout the exhibit.
Pro-tip: Don’t miss the near-full-size train for a unique holiday photo-op! It is a great alternative for kiddos who don’t do great with Santa (IYKYK).
3. Affordable, repeatable (and indoors!) for those cold days.
As Hoosiers, we don’t mind bundling up when the season calls for it - but some days, towing little ones to outdoor activities is a hard no. When the weather gets too cold, Jingle Rails is the perfect indoor activity to keep the kids active without breaking the bank. You’ll discover something new with each visit, making this an experience worth visiting again and again.
There’s something for you, too - don’t miss the curated all-things-winter collection, Snow Days.
4. NEW: Get your hands on holiday fun, literally!
New this year, the Eiteljorg Museum has added family activities in the Allen Whitehill Clowes Sculpture Court (connected to the Jingle Rails exhibit). The space is set up with cozy seating, natural light, and tons of hands-on activities. Take a break while the kids dive into train-themed children’s books, train tables, and magnetic tiles to assemble wooden trains.
Also nearby? The Eiteljorg Museum Café! Their seriously delish menu has something for everyone when you’re ready to take a break.
5. Wait, there’s more?!
Do not miss the R.B. Annis Western Family Experience - just downstairs from Jingle Rails. This newly redesigned, kid-friendly exhibit engages kids through play. Little ones can tend the garden, feed the horses, and climb atop a stagecoach through interactive discovery areas based on five diverse families. The space also offers a quiet sensory room, a restroom, plenty of seating, and space for nursing mothers.
Pro-tip: There’s only one way in and out, making it easy to keep kiddos corralled while giving them the freedom to play.
