Jingle Rails chugs into the Eiteljorg Museum for the holidays
It wouldn't be Christmas in Indy without a peek at the stunning Jingle Rails exhibit at the Eiteljorg Museum! Jingle Rails is a holiday experience our CityMoms talk about often, and it has become an annual tradition. The Eiteljorg is going above and beyond to create a safe and magical experience for families. So before you 'chug' on over, peep all the details YOU should know for your visit here…
{Please note, all photos were taken pre-COVID. Masks are required for all guests who plan to enjoy the Eiteljorg.}
The rundown:
Jingle Rails is {as the Eiteljorg Museum likes to say} "an enchanting holiday attraction, featuring model trains that crisscross miniature replicas of famous landscapes — from the skyline of Indianapolis to the impressive sights of the American West — that visitors can walk through, around and under."
Or as my daughter Emerson would explain: SO FUN! As one of our favorite holiday traditions, we look forward to Jingle Rails every year, but the best part is it’s truly the perfect activity for all generations to enjoy together.
The exhibit is large - but not overwhelming. It's divided into sections true to the Eiteljorg's Western influence: Old West, Yosemite National Park, Montana/Dakotas, Nevada/Las Vegas, a replica Hollywood and more, with a number of Indianapolis influences as well like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, downtown Indy, and Indiana State Fair.
Not to worry - we kept our hands to ourselves and used our eyes for this exhibit.
Look close: Each section is an elaborate display made entirely out of all-natural materials. We spotted beech bark, catalpa pods, pine needles, mushrooms, leaves and so many others. {Emerson is my crafty kid and her imagination was running wild with ideas - Applied Imagination, if you need a child artist to join your crew, call me! She's a heck of a force with a glue gun.}
And not to forget the Rails in Jingle Rails. Each display has a train transporting through or above it - even if young ones aren't interested in the display sights, the trains will most definitely keep them occupied.
NEVER EXPERIENCED THE EITELJORG? Check out our first-timer's guide
New for the 2021 Jingle Rails exhibit: San Francisco! This new landscape pod feels so natural among its neighbors and yet it’s only in its first year. Peek a moving trolley car, replica of Alcatraz, the famous ‘Painted Ladies’ houses, and more.
A few things to keep in mind as you prep for a visit:
This exhibit is open longer than all other holiday-focused exhibits in the Indy area, running thru January 16, 2023.
Guests are required to have masks, and public spaces are being regularly cleaned and sanitized for your safety.
Guests are welcome to stay and 'play' at the Museum following your visit to Jingle Rails - and don't miss lunch in the Eiteljorg Cafe! The newly-reimagined R. B. Annis Western Family Experience has now also reopened on the lower level of the Eiteljorg and makes an excellent addition to your visit.
MORE INFO: Recognized by USA Today as a “10 Best” Indianapolis holiday attraction, Jingle Rails is now open at the Eiteljorg Museum. It is included with regular museum admission, and runs thru January 16, 2023. Parking is free at the White River State Park Parking Garage {bring your parking ticket inside for validation}. Want to save? Order online at eiteljorg.org and use code citymoms for an additional 15% off your ticket order.
