NOSTALGIA RIDES

What better way to explore transit history than by experiencing it firsthand? Throughout the year, the New York Transit Museum offers special opportunities to ride our beloved vintage fleet of trains throughout the system and to destinations across the city. 

See these historic trains up close and experience them just as New Yorkers did decades ago. Sit on original seats, grip old handholds and leather straps, read vintage advertisements, and immerse yourself in the rhythms of another era. 

Our Nostalgia Rides transport straphangers through time, using the very same equipment that city dwellers traveled in over the past 120 years. Each season offers a variety of rides, with journeys to the Bronx, Coney Island, the Rockaways, and even through Manhattan—featuring different trains from our rotating fleet. 

New rides are generally announced one to two months in advance. Sign up for our e-newsletter and follow us on social media at @nytransitmuseum to learn about future rides first! 


2025 Nostalgia Rides

Upcoming:

View from inside train during 2023's Coney Island Nostalgia Ride.

Beach Bound: Coney Island
Saturday, July 19th, 10am-4pm ET
Departs from 96th Street-Second Avenue in Manhattan and runs non-stop to Coney Island – Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn.


SOLD OUT!


To the Rockaways by Rail
Sunday, August 10th, 10am-4pm ET
Departs from 96th Street-Second Avenue in Manhattan and runs non-stop to Rockaway Park-Beach 116th Street in Queens.


Tickets

Stay tuned for more vintage train rides coming up this year! Sign up for our e-newsletter and follow us on social media at @nytransitmuseum.


Previous:

Four vintage trains lined up at Parade of Trains

Parade of Trains
Saturday, June 7th, 11am – 4pm ET
Sunday, June 8th, 11am – 4pm ET
Brighton Beach station (B/Q platforms) and Kings Highway station (Manhattan-bound B/Q platform)


Train of Many Colors, led by Redbird, running on the 7 line

Nostalgia Ride to Mets’ Home Opener
Friday, April 4th, 12pm ET
Departs from 34 St-Hudson Yards and make stops at Times Sq-42 St, 5 Av, Grand Central-42 St, Vernon Blvd-Jackson Av, Hunters Point Av, Court Sq, Queensboro Plaza, 61 St-Woodside, Junction Blvd, and Mets-Willets Point.


1917 Lo-V train on tracks in front of Yankee Stadium

Nostalgia Ride to Yankees Home Opener
Thursday, March 27th, 12pm ET
Departs from uptown 4 train platform at Grand Central-42 St and runs non-stop to 161 St-Yankee Stadium


Vintage R1/9 train cars with wreath

Holiday Nostalgia Rides
Every Sunday in December, 10am – 5:30pm
Operating between 2nd Avenue – Houston Street on the uptown F line and 96th Street – 2nd Avenue on the Q line.

View route and schedule here.



R32 train arriving at station platform.

Celebrating 60 Years of the Brightliners
September 14th, 10am
September 14th, 2pm


Additional Information and Policies

Ticketing

Some Nostalgia Rides require tickets and registration. See program pages for more information. For ticketed Nostalgia Rides, members receive discounts. To receive the member ticket price, click the register button and sign in on the ticketing page to verify membership. Visit our member tickets page to learn more about member program discounts. Not a member? Join now to access all the perks of membership! 

All ticket sales are final. If you cannot attend the program on the date you reserved, the total price of unused tickets will be treated as a donation to the Transit Museum and is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Tickets are non-refundable, cannot be transferred to another tour date, and cannot be used by another individual.   

Age Requirements

Children ages 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times. 

Program Experience

Nostalgia Rides happen rain or shine. Equipment, route, timing, and duration are subject to change. Ticketed rides last about 90-120 minutes. Some include destination stops, while others are round-trip excursions.  

Restrooms are not available on the trains. While some vintage cars are air-conditioned, many are not. 

Your safety is important to us! 

  • Please walk carefully on platforms and stay behind the yellow line. Do not sit directly on the platform. 
  • Please keep arms inside the train. Walking between train cars is not allowed. 
  • The first car of the train is a magical place for everyone. Please consider our youngest visitors and allow children to look out the front window. 
  • Help us preserve these vintage cars for future generations! Do not eat or drink while on board and leave all original elements where they belong.  

Attendees assume for themselves and anyone in their party including minors under the age of 18 all risk of injury, harm, or death, and agree to release, indemnify, defend, and forever discharge New York Transit Museum and our partner organization(s) for this event from all liability, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses, and causes of action.  

Photography & Filming 

Personal photography and short video clips are permitted at Museum programs. Continuous audio or video recording of our programs is not permitted. Tripods, monopods, stands, selfie sticks, Go Pros, and external lights may not be used. All photographs taken must be for personal, non-commercial use and permission to photograph may be revoked at any time.  

Professional photography and recording are not permitted, unless authorized with advanced approval by the New York Transit Museum’s Press and Marketing Department. Professional photography and recording include taking photographs or videos for publication, advertising, or commercial purposes. To contact the Press and Marketing Department, please email [email protected].   

Any materials (images or recordings) provided or shared by the Museum or presenters during programs are for personal use only. These images may not be used by media or for commercial purposes, including in blog posts, social media, news coverage, or promotional materials of any kind. All such images remain the intellectual property of the New York Transit Museum unless otherwise stated. 

Accessibility

Some but not all of our Nostalgia Rides use stations that are ADA accessible. For accessibility questions, please go to nytransitmuseum.org/accessibility or email [email protected].  

Pets, or comfort, therapy, or emotional support animals are not permitted at Museum programs. Only service animals as defined by the ADA are permitted. 

For information on American Sign Language interpreter requests, Assistive Listening Devices, or other accessibility matters please visit nytransitmuseum.org/accessibility or email [email protected]. If you secure tickets, please request any accommodations via email at least two weeks in advance. 

Review and download the Nostalgia Ride Social Narrative to learn more about what to expect at these popular events.  

Questions? Email[email protected].