CINCINNATI – The holidays and Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC) go together like hot cocoa and marshmallows. Sure, both are great on their own, but they’re even better together. Starting November 18 you can experience the holidays at the Duke Energy Children’s Museum.
Every year, CMC is the perfect place to spend the holidays making merry memories with your family. Even though the restoration of Union Terminal has necessitated some changes to CMC’s standard holiday offerings, there’s still plenty of cheer to go around.
Once you walk in the doors you can’t miss the tree and pre-World War II Lionel train layout. The layout is a new addition to CMC’s collections that offers a glimpse at history in motion as original locomotives and cars steam past hand-built buildings, trees and vehicles.
The Duke Energy Children’s Museum has become a winter wonderland. Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends are zipping around a G-Gauge train layout while locomotives steam through a mountain winter scene nearby. You can even play conductor with an interactive Lionel train layout that lets you flash the lights, open building doors and lift railroad crossing gates. And proof that learning through play is not a recent phenomenon, historic toys will also be on display.
You can also explore holidays from cultures around the world, including Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Chinese New Year and La Posada. Learn about the stories and traditions behind these holidays and view items representative of the celebrations.
Santa is back Friday, November 25, as he makes his jolly arrival by horse-drawn sleigh to light the tree and start listening to your wish list. This year he’s setting up his shop just outside the Duke Energy Children’s Museum where children can sit with Jolly Old St. Nick to plead their case to get added to the nice list. You can pose for family photos and purchase a professional photograph in a variety of keepsake frames, or snap your own picture.
The holidays are a perfect time to purchase a CMC membership, and they make great gifts. To help you wrap up your holiday shopping, we’re offering an incredible discount on memberships: buy one membership, get the second one 50% off.
Santa’s not the only one sporting a beard at CMC this holiday season. Be sure to catch Vikings: Beyond the Legend during your visit and view the largest collection of Viking artifacts ever displayed in North America.
You can experience the holidays at the Duke Energy Children’s Museum free with your CMC membership or with admission to the Duke Energy Children’s Museum.
For more information, visit www.cincymuseum.org