The holidays are a great time to make a visit to Henry Ford Museum. In addition to a fabulously decorated giant Christmas tree, the museum is filled with hustling, bustling, sights and sounds that are all part of the joy and wonder of the season. Our family tries to make a trip before Christmas to see Santa, but if not, we are sure to stop in during the break from school.

When Santa isn’t out greeting folks during Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village, he’s warm and comfortable in the museum listening to the Christmas wishes of children who stop by for a visit and a little chat.

I’m hoping five-year-old Lillian has outgrown her fear of that jolly man. Last year, she informed me I would have to tell him her Christmas list. Since I didn’t comply, she ended up delivering the news of her heart’s desire from as far away as possible. She was quite pleased with herself, and—take my word for it—that was a marked improvement from earlier years. I probably shouldn’t even say this, but this year, I’m feeling pretty optimistic. Just in case, there is a handy alternative. There’s special spot in the museum for children to write a letter to Santa and drop it in a mailbox made of LEGO building blocks. If Lillian can’t seem to muster up the nerve to utter her list in Santa’s audible range, she can at least mail it.

Henry Ford Museum Store is ready for the holidays.

A favorite part of holidays in the museum for our 10-year-old son Henry is checking out the very cool, detailed Lionel and LEGO train displays. The Lionel display actually features some artifacts from the museum’s collection, and the LEGO display will have familiar buildings from the Detroit skyline and Greenfield Village. I’m pretty sure my son can never get enough of train displays—anywhere, anytime—and these (along with those set up in Greenfield Village for Holiday Nights) really take the cake. I’m sure two-year-old Cliff will enjoy the trains, too. It’s always a joy to watch a little one begin to discover the magic of the holidays.

This year, there is a fun new LEGO Learn to Build Workshop in the museum on Saturdays beginning Nov. 26. The OZ-themed LEGO projects the participants make at the workshops may be purchased to take home, which is a nifty souvenir.

Another nice happening at the museum during the holidays is the opportunity to listen to some very special holiday stories in a very special place: the Bangor & Arostock train car. That’s a great treat for children of all ages. The Wizard of Oz interactive exhibit will also still be open (through January 9), so if you have little ones and haven’t made it to that yet, make sure you stop in.

Henry poses with Discovery Camp counselor Christy wearing the geek glasses they scored at the Maker Faire.

Trains, Santa, stories, LEGO and Oz aside, I will admit, in addition to the memories we make at the museum during the holidays, one of my favorite things to do is peruse the museum gift shops. They are already decked out for the holidays and overflowing with some great gift ideas. I’m planning a trip during this weekend’s Member Appreciation Days (Nov. 11-13) to take advantage of the special shopping discounts offered. Some of the lovely items are featured in the new holiday catalog. In one of the shops during a recent visit, I spied a T-shirt with picture of Abraham Lincoln wearing geek glasses like those the kids got at the Maker Faire. That shirt has my son Henry’s name all over it.

The best part? All this holiday goodness is included in the price of museum admission and is free to annual members.

(Member Appreciation Days special discounts are available to annual members only.)

Santa is available beginning November 25, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Mondays-Thursdays, and from 11 a.m.-5, p.m. Fridays-Sundays. You’ll need to catch him by December 24th because after that he’s on his merry way. 

The LEGO Learn to Build Workshops are Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., beginning Dec. 3 through Dec 31. Participants will learn to build a LEGO tree. (Completed trees may be purchased to take home.)

Story time in the train car will be November 25th (10am – 5pm), November 28th – December 24th (Monday – Friday, 10am – 2pm), December 26th – 30th (weekdays and weekends, 10am – 5pm) and January 2nd (10am – 2pm).

Kristine Hass is a mother of five, a freelance writer and a long-time member of The Henry Ford. She frequently blogs about her family’s visits to America’s Greatest History Attraction.