Holiday Express Train & Bruce the Spruce at Tower City Center
Take a ride on Tower City's very own trackless Holiday Express Train and experience the center from a new point of view! Along your journey, you will see Bruce the Talking Spruce and be entertained by citizens from the City of North! {Find Out More}
When: December 1-30, 2018; See site for times
Where: 230 W. Huron Rd., Cleveland, OH 44113
Cost: Train tickets are $3 per rider

The Garden Express at the Cleveland Botanical Garden
The Garden Express takes riders through the outdoor gardens, among twinkling lights and lively decorations. {Find Out More}
When: November 23, 2018-January 5, 2019; See site for times
Where: 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106
Cost: GLOW Tickets: $16 per adult, $12 per child, FREE for Garden and Holden Arboretum members and children under age 2

Potted Potter Express Train at Crocker Park
Enjoy a magical ride around Crocker Park this holiday season aboard the Potted Potter Express Train. {Find Out More}
When: November 18-December 31, 2018; See site for times
Where: 228 Market St., Westlake, OH 44145
Cost: $3 per person per ride

All Smiles Aboard Railroad
All Aboard! Be sure to catch the All Smiles Aboard Trackless Train running through Eastwood Mall  {Find Our More}
When: Daily (hours vary)
Where: 5555 Youngstown-Warren Road Niles, OH 44446
Cost: Tickets for children and adults are $3.50. Children under 6 months are free with paying adult.

Santa Train Ride with the Lorain & West Virginia Railway Train Depot
Take a trip to the North Pole with the Lorain & West Virginia Railway! Enjoy complimentary, warm hot chocolate in our vintage railway station, which is decorated for the season, then board the train for a short ride and a chance to visit Santa. {Find Out More}
When: November 23-25 & December 1, 7-8, 2018
Where: Lorain & West Virginia Railway Train Depot, 46789 OH-18, Wellington, OH 44090
Cost: $15 per adult, $10 per child & senior

Santa Express Train Rides at Ohio Station Outlets
Ride the train to Santa’s Place! After a group story, each child will have the opportunity for one-on-one time with Santa, including photos and a small treat. Bring your camera! For those who do not want to ride the train, Ohio Station offers walk-in meet and greets with Santa. {Find Out More}
When: November 24-December 24, 2018
Where: 9911 Avon Lake Rd., Lodi, OH 44214
Cost: $8 per person ages 2+, $5 per adult and child age 5 and younger

FREE Train Rides! Lake Shore Live Steamers
Miniature train engines pull passengers through the woodlands of Penitentiary Glen Reservation past the rim of the gorge! Trains run weather permitting. {Find Out More}
When: Saturday, December 1, 2018; 1pm-3pm
Where: 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094
Cost: FREE

Polar Express Train Ride

The Polar Express at The Dennison Depot

Put on your favorite pair of pajamas and hop aboard the Polar Express for a magical journey to the North Pole! Your adventure begins on board our decorated train as Storytellers read the story aloud. As the train heads north toward the North Pole, festive elves will entertain you with songs, games, and activities. Hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies specially made by Mrs. Claus just for you are served on board. When the train arrives at the North Pole you will see Santa and his workshop out your train window. (Passengers do not get off the train.) The train stops long enough to pick up Santa, who will visit with children on the way back and gift them all with a special jingle bell taken from the reindeer’s harness. {Find Out More}
When: December 7-9 & 14-16, 2018; Fridays: 6pm & 8pm, Saturdays & Sundays: 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, & 8pm
Where: Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, 400 Center St., Dennison, OH 44621
Cost: $42 per person for balcony seating, $48 per person for coach seating, and $70 per person for First Class seating. Private compartments (seats up to five) are $395.

The Polar Express Train Ride with Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Pajama-clad families board the train for a fun-filled evening excursion which includes hot cocoa and cookies. The wonder continues as the train pulls into a glistening North Pole Village filled with caroling elves. There’s even a special visit aboard from Santa himself! {Find Out More}
When: November 10 – December 21, 2018 (No runs November 21-22, 2018)
Where: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Akron Northside Station, 27 Ridge St., Akron, OH 44308
Rockside Station, 7900 Old Rockside Rd., Independence, OH 44131
Cost: Varies

Holiday Model Train Displays

Model Train Open Houses in Youngstown
The annual model train open house presented by the Youngstown Model Railroad Association. {Find Out More}
When: November 3-4, 10-11, 2018 & December 1-2, 2018; 12pm-6pm
Where: 751 N. Four Mile Run Rd. Austintown, OH 44515
Cost: $5 Donation per person, Children 11 and under FREE with adult

FREE Toy Train Town & Gingerbread Village at Crocker Park
The Northern Ohio Garden Railway Society – NOGRS will build a customized train set that will be on display throughout the season. Toy Train Town will be located between CycleBar and The Gap near Market Square. {Find Out More}
When: November 17-December 28, 2018
Where: 228 Market St., Westlake, OH 44145
Cost: FREE

Christmas at Beech Creek Botanical Garden
Enjoy lots of hands-on holiday activities, fun areas to explore, sweet treats, and things to learn! Join the Garden for their annual Festival of Trees & Gardens of Lights, special Grinch visits, Storybook Trail, Snowflake Theater, and more! The Plant Science Center transforms into Candyland for the holiday season and is full of fun and educational exhibits about candy and plants. Enjoy sweet treats and have fun watching the Candyland Train! Take part in special events and workshops for children and adults. Celebrate the winter season in a fun and unique way by bringing the whole family to Christmas at Beech Creek Gardens! {Find Out More}
When: TBA; Fridays & Saturdays: 10am-8pm, Sundays: 12pm-5pm
Where: 11929 Beech St. NE, Alliance, OH 44601
Cost: $5 per person, FREE for children ages 0-2 and BC members

FREE Trains Display at Puritas Nursery
See the annual display of holiday model trains. {Find Out More}
When: Daily, November 23-December 31, 2018 (Closed on Christmas)
Where: 19201 Puritas Ave., Cleveland, OH 44135
Cost: FREE

FREE Orrville’s Home for the Holidays
Enjoy a seasonal mix of entertainment and holiday open house events in Downtown Orville. The Depot will be decorated for the holidays and cocoa, cookies, popcorn, and their holiday fruit punch will be served. The gift shop will be open. {Find Out More}
When: Friday, November 23, 2018; 5pm-8pm
Where: Orrville, OH 44667
Cost: FREE

Christmas at the Depot
Come for Christmas cookies, cocoa and have your picture taken with Santa & Mrs. Clause. Listen to a reading of The Night Before Christmas and see operating model train layouts. The gift shop will be open. {Find Out More}
When: Saturday, November 24, 2018; 12pm-5pm
Where: The Orrville Railroad, 145 Depot St., Orrville, OH 44667

Trains in the Town Hall at North Bloomfield Historical Society
The 4th Annual Model Train Extravaganza promises to be bigger and better with new Area 54 display and LEGO contest. {Find Out More}
When: Wednesdays and Saturdays, December 1-30, 2018; Sat: 2pm-5pm, Wed: 7pm-9pm
Where: 2072 North Park, North Bloomfield, OH 44450
Cost: FREE

Window Train Display in Downtown Wadsworth
Walk downtown and enjoy a trio of trains, including Thomas, in a beautifully decorated window display through the end of the year. Push the button to watch the three trains chug around the tracks. {Find Out More}
When: November 16, 2018-January 1, 2019; anytime day or night
Where: American Legion Post 170, 129 S.  Main St., Wadsworth, OH 44281
Cost: FREE

You may be interested in: Our Review of the Wadsworth Train Display including tips of other fun things to do while visiting Downtown Wadsworth

Christmas Xtravaganza Model Railroad & Toy Show
Browse memorabilia, trains, and toys. {Find Out More}
When: Sunday, December 2, 2018; 9am-3pm
Where: Medina Fairgrounds, 735 Lafayette Rd., Medina, OH 44256
Cost: $6 per adult, FREE for children ages 12 and under

Christmas Train & Toy Show at Lakeland Community College
Come to the Christmas Train and Toy Show and see more than 200 dealers with model trains of all gauges, antique toys, diecast toys, and operating train layouts. There will be a Toys for Tots collection. {Find Out More}
When: Sunday, December 9, 2018; 10am-3:30pm
Where: 7700 Clocktower Dr., Kirtland, OH 44094
Cost: $6 per adult, $3 per child ages 6-12, FREE for children ages 5 and under, and $15 per family

Know of a great train display or place to ride on a train that we've missed? Submit the details here and we will add it. Thanks for helping us all make memories this holiday season!

Want more holiday fun? Check out our Holiday Fun Guide with 150+ holiday things to do in Northeast Ohio.