Jingle Rails at the Indianapolis Eiteljorg Museum

Jingle rails, jingle rails, jingle all the way…

Updated 11/2022

That’s right, Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure at the Eiteljorg Museum is in town! Chugging down the tracks through Indianapolis and the sights of the American West, Jingle Rails at the Eiteljorg Museum is a delightful model train holiday exhibit that passes through replicas of famous landscapes.

Such replicas include Lucas Oil Stadium and the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Indianapolis, the Gateway Arch, Cadillac Ranch, the Ferris wheel at Pacific Park Pier in California, and so many more.

New for 2022: family activities area in our newly expanded Allen Whitehill Clowes Sculpture Court.

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Recognized as a ‘10 Best’ Indianapolis holiday attraction by USA Today.

Also, check out my post on the Carmel Christkindlemarkt, another Indianapolis family-fun holiday attraction!

Our kids have enjoyed this exhibit, and adults have fun in the interactive exhibit as much as the kids do!

Jingle Rails Information:

• It runs from November 19, 2022 – January 16, 2023, and is included in the general admission price to the Eiteljorg Museum.
• Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day
• Tickets are $18 for Adults, $14 for Seniors, and $10 for Children
• Visitors can get validated parking at the end of their visit to the museum store by presenting their receipt and parking ticket.
• Access Card Admission is available for the Jingle Rails exhibit for $2.00 admission per person.

Jingle Rails design 

Jingle Rails has been operating for ten seasons, designed and created by Paul Busse and Applied Imagination. My favorite feature of this exhibit is that it is built from all-natural products. While walking through, around, and under, you will notice that tracks are built from wood materials. The exhibit hosts were super informative and eager to share integrated details, such as the grape leaves used to build the roof on the model for the Grand Canyon Lodge.

Other materials used throughout the displays are the bark, acorns, pine cones, tree roots, honeycombs, and much more. Scenes are also decked out in holiday lights, adding fun and spirit to the Christmas festivities.

Featured on ‘12 ways to celebrate Christmas in the Midwest’ by the magazine Midwest Living.

With kids in tow, we covered Jingle Rails in about an hour. The exhibit has a lot to see, but you’ll have plenty of time to check out the rest of the museum too! Our 9-year-old would tell you that his favorite part was the FIND ME! scavenger hunt booklets they had available for the kids (I’m pretty sure he did ALL of the booklets).

The Eiteljorg Museum

While you are there, check out the new New Western Art Galleries. Amid all the beautiful artwork are the Element of Art Studio for the kids and a large jigsaw puzzle that took five of us to put together (I love the family-friendly touches displayed throughout the museum!).

The Family Center

The downstairs of the Eiteljorg is dedicated specifically to kids and families. We checked out the entire Family Center and spent a good chunk of time here. I would say that those under ten would enjoy this area the most. It is interactive and hands-on, featuring a totem pole, weaving stations, and a stagecoach.

Other holiday activities

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Other posts you might enjoy:

Why Indianapolis is Great for Families!

Carmel Christkindlmarkt – A German Christmas market in Indiana!

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