Model train enthusiasts are gonna love this place! And so will the kids.
Northlandz Miniature Wonderland in Flemington, New Jersey is one of the world’s largest train displays. And it’s impressive! With over 100 trains and eight miles of track throughout the massive model, there is so much to see and take in. But is it worth the price of admission? Let’s find out.
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Before You Visit Northlandz: What To Know Before You Go
Northlandz Location and Parking
Northlandz Miniature Wonderland is located in the heart of Hunterdon County on US-202 in Flemington, New Jersey, about an hour from Philadelphia and New York City. If you’re coming from PA, you’ll have to utilize the Dory Dilts Road jughandle and enter the parking lot from River Road.
Outside the building is a large parking lot with plenty of space for visitors.
Admission
Fair warning: It’s not cheap to visit Northlandz.
At the time of publication, the indoor display costs $40 for adults and $30 for kids. Riding the train outside costs an additional $25.
They occasionally have discounts and holiday deals, like a 4-pack for $120, and I’ve also seen discounted tickets on Groupon.
It’s all relative to whether or not you feel the price is worth it. I personally think it’s expensive for what it is, but others may see the value.
Inside Northlandz: What To Expect
World’s Largest Miniature Wonderland*
It’s hard to describe how large the display is, but it’s MASSIVE! At one point, I thought we were almost at the end, but a sign told us we were only 25% the way through. It’s that big!
To see everything, visitors follow a one-way path with ramps and crosswalks that give you various perspectives of the display.
Over 100 trains are running around 8 miles of track. They go around canyons, across bridges, and through tunnels.
There are city scenes, farming, mining, and several amusement parks. I like the use of mirrors to make some areas seem more significant.
Throughout the models, there are random facts about the area the display replicates or stories about how long it took to assemble a particular section.
Some displays are interactive, with buttons to push to make parts move. I had seen reviews of the buttons not working; however, they were all functional during our visit.
*Northlandz advertises itself as the World’s Largest Miniature Wonderland, but that title belongs to Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, Germany.
Toy Displays
In addition to the huge model train display, several classic toy collections are placed alongside the path. The most impressive piece was the dollhouse, which had to have over three dozen rooms. We didn’t count, but it felt neverending!
Barbies, Legos, and other fun collections are placed throughout the main exhibit. It’s a fun addition (and a visual break) from the trains.
Other Things to Experience at Northlandz
Gift Shop
As you enter the building, you’ll immediately enter the gift shop. There are tons of toys and train-related items for sale. There are small restrooms in the front of the building (I didn’t see other restrooms inside the display, so make sure to use these before you enter).
Indoor Play Area
About 3/4 way through the train exhibit is an open space with several ride-on toys for the kids and plenty of chairs for those who need a seated rest break.
Outdoor Train Ride
As noted above, in addition to the indoor train exhibit, visitors can purchase a separate ticket to ride on the full-size outdoor train. The engine is an 1890s steam train replica that takes visitors through the 16-acre property. The train only runs on weekends and holidays.
Northlandz Review: Is It Worth It?
I think Northlandz is very impressive. The sheer size of the display and the amount of work that went into all of the mountains, buildings, and various structures is evident.
It’s hard to appreciate the display’s size until you see it in person. It was so much bigger than I expected it to be! It took us well over an hour to walk through the entire thing, and we kind of rushed through the last bit.
That being said, is it worth the price of admission? Yes and no. We really enjoyed the display. But I wouldn’t revisit it at the price they are charging. However, if you can get a discount and pay closer to $25 a person, I think that could be worth it.
Other Things to Do Near Northlandz
If you are visiting Northlandz from Philadelphia or New York City, you might as well make a day of it! There are plenty of other fun things to do in Hunterdon County and nearby.
Check out the Hunterdon Arboretum or Duke Gardens if the weather is nice. Or, head into Clinton for some lunch and shopping. It’s such a cute small town along the Raritan River.
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