Train gardens are a thrill for children and adults, and there are plenty to visit throughout Maryland.
Train gardens are elaborately constructed miniature worlds created by model train enthusiasts around the
holidays. Electric trains snake their way through little cities, zoos, amusement parks and sparkling hills of ice and snow. According to the Fire Museum of Maryland, Captain Eugene Daly of Baltimore City’s Engine Co. 28 on Gilford Avenue, is believed to be the first in the area to set up a Christmas Train Garden in 1917, during World War I. Today many train gardens are on display in shopping centers, museums and fire departments for the public to admire.It is advisable to check their website, Facebook, or give a call before heading over to ensure the display is still open.
Train gardens to visit in Maryland
Updated for 2023
Aviation Museum’s Free Holiday Plane & Train Garden
The Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum in Middle River offers as a holiday gift for the region its Free 10th Annual Holiday Plane & Train Garden, an O-gauge exhibit, open Nov. 25 through Jan. 14, on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sunday, 11am to 4pm. The Holiday Garden is at 2323 Eastern Blvd, (at Eastern and the historic Martin Blvd cloverleaf). Among the garden displays are the Middle River Lighted Boat Parade, the 150 year old St Stephens AME Church, Baltimore’s Hochschild Kohn Holiday Parade, Hampden’s 34th Street, Fort McHenry, Ladew Gardens, Dominos Sugar and a more surprises. Check www.mdairmuseum.org for full season schedule and weather closings. Although admission is free adults will need show their IDs.
2323 Eastern Blvd., Middle River, MD
Queen Anne’s Railroad Society Festival of Trains
Kids of all ages will be thrilled by the displays, sounds and lights from 9 different scales of trains. Santa visits on Sundays from noon – 2pm.
Dates, location and hours: December 2 & 3 and 9 & 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kent Narrows Outlet Stores
61 Piney Narrows Road, Chester, MD 21619
The Shops at Kenilworth, Towson
It’s the most wonderful time of the year at The Shops at Kenilworth! Stop by the Food Court from Saturday, November 18-Sunday thru January 7th during all mall hours to see the annual Train Garden display! *Please note the mall will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day and with limited hours on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. A special thanks to our media sponsor, The St. Paul’s Schools and GBMC Healthcare.
800 Kenilworth Dr., Towson, MD 21204
410-321-1909
St. Clement’s Island Museum, Colton’s Point
Enjoy a holiday exhibit of antique and collectible dolls (like Barbie, American Girl and more), classic trains and other retro toys in this festive holiday display inside the museum. $3 for adults, $1.50 for children. Free for ages 5 and younger. Complete your holiday shopping inside the Museum Store with affordable art, jewelry, books and other local items. Don’t forget to come to our FREE Family Holiday Open House Dec 3 for fun kids’ activities and more to kick off the season! Learn More: https://www.facebook.com/events/399547108987314
Dates, location and hours: Dec. 1-Jan. 1, 2023, 10am-5 pm, closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
38370 Point Breeze Rd, Colton’s Point, MD 20626
301-769-2222
B&O Railroad Museum
Climb aboard The Polar Express to create a Christmas memory that you and your family will cherish forever! Come in your pajamas as a family to watch the live performance of The Polar Express. Once on the train, the classic Christmas tale will be performed and little ones will have the opportunity to meet Santa and receive their first gift of Christmas! Santa’s helpers will greet you upon arrival to the North Pole, where you can take pictures with Santa and have lots of holiday fun.
November 24-26 & December 1-3, 8-10 & 15-19, 2023
Museum admission is required. Advance ticket purchase recommended.
901 W Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21223
410-752-2490
Rescue Fire Company Train Garden
86 years of holiday fun! This year’s theme, Harvesters at the Holidays, pays tribute to the farmers and watermen that call Dorchester County home. The display features miniature towns, cities, farms, forests, factories and highways, all decked out in holiday revelry, and crisscrossed by model trains. Opens Dec 1 for the month. Hours: Mon – Fri 6-9pm. Sat and Sun 1-4pm, 6-9pm. Donations requested.
307 Gay Street, Cambridge, Maryland 21613
443-521-0207
Holiday Train Garden at the Fire Museum of Maryland
Watch as O-scale model trains wind through a 20th-century town, complete with local businesses, a subway and even a “working fire” being battled by a miniature fire crew. Train garden included with museum admission. Open Nov 25-26. Dec 2-3, 9-10, 16, 17, 23 and 26-30. Tickets at the door.
Adults $15, seniors and firefighters $13, children ages 2-18 $7, under age 2 are free.
1301 York Road, Lutherville, MD 21093
410-321-7500
Homestead Gardens
Train display open during business hours.
743 W Central Ave., Davidsonville
410-798-5000
5 tips and tricks for your first train garden visit
- To make sure kids aren’t overwhelmed by all the lights, bells and whistles, talk about what to expect before you go. Explain that the lights may go on and off and there may be a lot of people. Many train gardens even have videos posted online so you can watch together to help young children get ready for the trip.
- It is sometimes hard for little ones to get a good view of the trains if there are large crowds blocking the displays. Avoid the crowd by going on off-hours if you can. This way, you can get an up-close view of all the train displays and you won’t feel like you need to rush. It’s usually safe to assume that weekdays, during the hours schools are in session, will have smaller crowds. It might also help to go earlier in the month to avoid large holiday crowds. You can also call ahead to find out the best time to visit.
- Bring cash. Many train gardens are free, but some may ask for donations. Still others may have raffle tickets or treats for sale.
- Pack light. The popular train gardens get crowded, and there’s not always a lot of room to make your way around the displays. Leave the giant diaper bag in the car so you won’t end up whacking a fellow visitor with it.
- Make friends with the organizers. The people who construct and help run the train garden displays are generally proud of their work and enjoy young children. After a few friendly words, they’ll be more than willing to point out the best parts of the garden or show you some hidden secrets about the display that others might not pick up on.
- Everyone over the age of 2 should wear a mask and be sure to take plenty of hand sanitizer. Bathrooms may not necessarily be open to the public, so be sure to make a pit stop at home before heading out to visit.
written by Lisa McCray