Kick off the holiday season with train rides through Spiegel Grove, the opening of the “Hayes Train Special model” train display and discounted admission on Friday, Nov. 28, at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums.
The “Hayes Train Special,” a beloved tradition at Hayes Presidential, opens for the season at 9 a.m. Model trains wind through a winter wonderland reminiscent of President Rutherford B. Hayes’ day with interactive buttons that let visitors get involved with the multi-tiered display.
Admission to the train display, which is in the museum auditorium, is free. A donation box will be available for those who wish to make a gift to Hayes Presidential for the display.
After seeing the display, stay in the train state of mind and enjoy a trackless train ride around Spiegel Grove, the estate of President Rutherford and First Lady Lucy Hayes and an accredited arboretum. Rides are by Gottfried Entertainment.
Rides are from 1 to 4 p.m. and last about 5 minutes. Tickets are $3 for ages 3 and older and free for ages 2 and younger. Tickets are available at rbhayes.org and at the museum front desk.
Train rides are sponsored by GEM Rudolph Libbe Group.
Admission to the museum and Hayes Home tours require paid admission, but Hayes Presidential is giving a 20-percent discount on site passes, which include a guided tour of the Hayes Home and self-guided museum admission, throughout the day.
The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours of the Hayes Home are every hour on the hour with the first tour at 10 a.m. and the last tour at 4 p.m.
For admission prices (Listings show the prices before the 20-percent discount is taken.), visit
https://www.rbhayes.org/visit-us/visitor-information/.
The “Hayes Train Special” and trackless train rides are part of A Presidential Christmas, a series of holiday events at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums. Partial funding for A Presidential Christmas is by Wright Leather Works.
For information on A Presidential Christmas events, visit
https://www.rbhayes.org/news/2025/10/30/general/a-presidential-christmas-all-the-holiday-info-you-need-here/.
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