The holidays are here and trains are a quintessential part of the experience. While Cincinnati boasts several high-profile holiday train displays, if you head over the river (and through the woods), you’ll discover one of the city’s most delightful holiday attractions.
Holiday Toy Trains at the Behringer-Crawford Museum runs now through Jan. 8, and is an under-the-radar gem that’s worth a visit this holiday season!
The Behringer-Crawford Museum (BCM) is located in the historic 19th Century Devou family home in Covington’s picturesque Devou Park. The museum serves as a center for the collection, presentation, study and enjoyment of Northern Kentucky’s natural, cultural, visual and performing arts heritage.
BCM has a lot to offer in terms of the history of transportation, and it’s even more enticing during the holidays with the addition of the Holiday Toy Train. Holiday Toy Trains at BCM stands out as one of the best holiday attractions in the area, as it’s interactive, accessible and extremely (little) kid friendly.
You’ll find the bulk of the display on the second floor of the museum (there are several floors, but there is an elevator! A stroller may be tight, but there are places to park it while you check out the trains.). We spent most of our time pushing the buttons to interact with the set, finding hidden characters and dancing with the life-size Santa.
The exhibit includes over 250 feet of model train tracks, vintage Lionel and Plasticville trains, Thomas the Tank Engine and more than 30 moving, interactive displays. Each display has buttons which kids can press to activate railroad crossings, horns, lights and more! These buttons are perfect for little hands, and will keep kids engaged and entertained throughout the exhibit.
Once you’ve gone through the trains, wander around the rest of the floor, which features several other holiday exhibits — all included in the price of admission. The Charles Dickens Victorian Village display is really cool and definitely provides a great opportunity to teach kids about the acclaimed author.
BCM is good, old-fashioned fun – and truly one of the most delightful hidden gems in the city. Follow the signs up the hill and into the park to view this season’s Holiday Toy Train Display — and start a new family tradition this year!
Holiday Toy Trains at the Behringer-Crawford Museum runs now through Jan. 8, 2023 — but note, the museum is closed on Mondays. Admission is $9/adults, $8/seniors and $5 for children 3-17 (kids under 3 are free!). And for Cincinnati Grandparents: on Wednesdays, one grandchild is admitted free with each paying grandparent.
The Behringer-Crawford Museum is located at 1600 Montague Rd. in Devou Park, Covington, KY 41011.
