Philadelphia families, all aboard! One of the region’s most beloved traditions is back: the Garden Railway at Longwood Gardens is now on view through January 10, 2027, filling the gardens with the cheerful rumble of miniature trains and a big dose of wonder for kids and grown-ups alike.
This multi-level world in miniature features large-scale model trains — steam, diesel, electric and specialty engines — rumbling along nearly 500 feet of track. The route winds through a seasonally changing palette of plants, so the landscape looks fresh in autumn color now and turns extra magical as the holidays arrive. Look closely and you will spot delightful models that recreate many of Longwood’s own most beloved features, shrunk down to train size. It is the kind of display where grandparents and toddlers end up pointing at the same tiny detail at the same time.
The Garden Railway is free with Gardens admission and runs during regular Gardens hours, weather permitting. Timed admission tickets are required, and timed member reservations apply on busy days, so booking ahead at longwoodgardens.org is a smart move. Make a day of it: pair the trains with the Chrysanthemum Festival this fall, or come back after November 20, when A Longwood Christmas lights up the night around them.
Photo: Sue Hare / Longwood Gardens
