Nostalgia Rides
What better way to learn about transit history than to experience it firsthand? Throughout the year, the Transit Museum offers opportunities to ride our beloved vintage fleet of trains to destinations all over the city. See our trains up close and experience them the way they were intended—in operation on the rails. Sit on the seats, hold onto the straps and handrails, read the vintage advertisements, and travel through time. New York Transit Museum Nostalgia Rides transport straphangers to another age, using the same equipment that city dwellers rode over the last 120 years.
Rides are generally announced a few months in advance of ride dates. Sign up for our e-newsletter and follow us on social media at @nytransitmuseum to learn about future rides first!
2025 Nostalgia Rides
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.
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.
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)
Free with your subway fare!
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
Free with your subway fare!
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.
Free with your subway fare!
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.
2024 Nostalgia Rides
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.
120 Years of the Subway – The Inaugural Run
October 27th, 10am
October 27th, 2pm
November 16th, 10am
November 16th, 2pm
Sold out!
Celebrating 60 Years of the Brightliners
September 14th, 10am
September 14th, 2pm
Sold out!
To the Rockaways by Rail
Sunday, August 11th, 2024
Sold out!
Beach Bound: Coney Island
Saturday, July 20th, 2024
Sold out!
FAQ
Children ages 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
- Nostalgia Rides run rain or shine. Equipment, route, timing, and duration are subject to change.
- Ticketed rides last approximately 90-120 minutes. Some rides have destination stops while others are round trip excursions. Routes and timing can depend on active train service, maintenance work in the system, and other planned service changes.
- Restrooms are not available on subway cars. While some cars feature air conditioning, many vehicles do not.
- Photography and video recording are permitted. However, tripods, stands, selfie sticks, and external lights may not be used. All photographs taken are for personal use only and permission to photograph may be revoked at any time.
- Accessibility: If you require wheelchair access or have any other accessibility questions, please email [email protected]. Read and download our Nostalgia Ride social narrative to learn more about what to expect on our vintage train rides.