Transportation

Destination North Pole?  Book a ticket departing from one of these friendly New Jersey locations for a short trip to see Santa, elves, Mrs. Claus, and of course the North Pole!  You can't get closer than this to experiencing the Santa Express... But make sure to book your tickets soon to ensure your spot on these special train rides.

What is a Halloween train, you ask? Across NJ, railroads take you for a fun Halloween ride, with destinations like corn mazes, pumpkin patches and festivals. Some rides are scary, some not so scary, so  whether you've got wee ones or older kids ready for a thrill, there's spooky Halloween fun on the rails of New Jersey.

Northlandz, Home of the Great American Railway (Flemington, NJ)

This is a dream come true for model train lovers! Northlandz is the world’s largest miniature railway.  100 miniature trains travel 8 miles of track and an impressive landscape with thousands of small buildings and mountain ranges.  The museum is closed Tuesdays.  Admission is $13.75 for adults, $9.75 for kids.

Black River Railroad Historical Trust  (Flemington, NJ)

Black River Railroad Historical Trust has the widest variety of old fashioned train trips in antique and vintage train cars as well as World War II train stations.  Their special event rides also provide a wide variety of experiences: Easter Bunny Express, Pumpkin Junction, Santa Claus Express, Train Robbery, and Railroad days when kids can see railroad maintenance equipment and try out different locomotive horns.  Kids ages 3 and under ride free, adults are $14, kids are $7.

The New Jersey Museum of Transportation (Farmingdale, NJ)

This is the place to check out and take a ride on one of the oldest steam preservation railroads in the US.  Hop on board and take a ride on the old trains through Allaire State Park.  Rides are every half hour from noon to 4:30 on weekends.  The fare is just $4 per person (special events prices vary).  Or check out the museum’s calendar and catch one of their special event rides like the reenactment of an old Western train robbery or a haunted train ride around Halloween time.

The Whippany Railway Museum (Whippany, NJ)

This small collection of old trains is fun to look at, but especially worth the trip during one of the museum’s special train ride events.  There is the usual Easter Bunny Express, Pumpkin Festival, and Santa Claus Special, but during the summer there is a series of real Caboose rides to tempt your young train lover.  The museum is open Sundays only, noon to 4pm.  Admission is $1 for adults $0.50 for kids. For their special rides, check the museum’s calendar.  Rides are about $12 per adult, $8 per child.

If you have a young child and are looking for a ride on a miniature train on a real track, don’t forget to check out some of the local zoos that have short ten to fifteen minute train rides for just a few dollars.  Van Saun Park and Zoo and Turtle Back Zoo are great places for young kids to experience the thrill of an old fashioned train ride on a smaller scale.

{Updated September 13, 2010}

Ex-Governor Corzine isn’t the only New Jerseyan who feels a need for speed! At these racing venues, check out everything from punch buggies and monster trucks to jet cars and hot rods.  Ready to let the kids rev up on their own?  Hit the go kart tracks for some family racing rivalry–but remember, buckle up for safety!