
Some places are hard to describe in words, or even in pictures or videos. Northlandz Train Museum, the world’s largest miniature wonderland, is a perfect example of one of those places.
The exhibits are so massive and impressive that you really need to see them to believe. The museum is home to 52,000 square feet of mini models that took more than 300,000 hours of construction time; 35-foot canyons, 400+ bridges, over 200 tunnels, 16 mountains, 250,000 trees, 250 art pieces, and 200 pipe organs.
Don’t be fooled when you walk through the front door and see the gift shop: that’s just the beginning. Once you purchase your tickets you’ll see a beautiful Christmas train display in front of you that is up year-round. Turn left and you’ll start the one-way, one-mile self-guided tour that’ll take you through a series of hallways and ramps that lead you from the valleys to the mountains through the bridges and tunnels and everything in between.
This museum is an incredible walk through history, whether or not you’re nostalgic about train sets. The detail of each display is magnificent. There are more than 100 trains traveling along 8 miles of railway tracks. Look down, up and everywhere because there are sights and sounds at every turn. Sometimes, trains seemingly come out of nowhere, and you hear them coming ’round the mountain or up from the sky.
This is not a touch museum, but there are some displays throughout your walk where kids (or kids at heart) can push buttons so that sirens blare, roller coasters roll, the carousel turns, the skyway moves and the mine warning sound goes off.
There are lots of other memorable sights to see, like old-fashioned dolls and teddy bears, a case of Elvis statues, a picture of Rod Stewart who visited the museum years ago, military uniforms and artifacts, a City of Scranton set up, Hess trucks and Lionel trains, famous bridges from around the world, and various inspirational quotes.
There are markers when you get to the 25%, 50% and 75% completion areas so you have an idea of how much distance you’ve traveled. A fun surprise at the halfway mark is a vending machine with a few massage chairs, if you need a break (plus a fun gardenscape with dinosaurs AND a unicorn). Make it 3/4s of the way through and your kids can stop to play in an area designed just for them.

It’s a lot to take in on one visit. Expect to spend at least an hour and probably more going through the museum.
You can plan your child’s birthday party here if you want a more up-close experience. Northlandz welcomes school groups and scout troops.
Once you see the gift shop again you’ll know you’re at the end of your journey. There’s also a room off of the main lobby where you can buy products to add to your own train collection, or bring your trains and tracks to the hobby shop for repairs.
Outside, you can climb aboard the Northlandz 1890s Steam Engine Replica Train to ride through the neighborhood.
Throughout the year, Northlandz hosts a Music & Car Show, meet-and-greets with Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, holds Spooky Halloween Celebrations, leads a Veterans Day ceremony, and brings on its Santa Claus Train.
Northlandz is located at 495 Rte. 202 in Flemington. The model railroad layout and museum is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. Indoor tickets range from $30 for kids to $40 for adults, with discounts available for individuals with disabilities, military, teachers and seniors. An annual indoor pass is $60 and includes 10% off at the gift shop. The outdoor train ride is $15 for kids or $20 for adults. Group rates are available.
For a preview of the museum’s exhibits, visit our Instagram page.
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