This Vintage NYC Subway Ride Is The Most Nostalgic Holiday Trip In The City — And It’s The Same Price As A Standard MetroCard Fare

All aboard for the most magical time of the year! There’s something so nostalgic about the holiday season in NYC, and what better way to channel that than by going back to Old New York? Back and better than ever, you can once again celebrate the magic of an NYC holiday with the annual tradition of Holiday Nostalgia Rides! The New York Transit Museum and MTA invite you to step aboard vintage 1930s train cars for a whimsical, cheery ride . The best part? These special rides are free with your standard subway fare , making for one of the most evocative traditions and one of the most accessible. The rides are rooted in both history and holiday cheer, making it the perfect way to step back in time while soaking in the sparkle of the season — a festive journey that reminds New Yorkers and visitors alike why the city feels so magical this time of year. The train features eight cars from the 1930s that once served on lettered lines through the late 1970s. These vintage Independent Subway System (IND) cars were built for the first subway company operated by the City of New York, and were considered cutting-edge in their day. The R1/9s perfectly complemented the IND’s Depression-era Art Deco aesthetic, complete with rattan seats, paddle ceiling fans, incandescent light bulbs, roll signs, and original period advertisements. These are the very cars said to have inspired Billy Strayhorn’s classic “Take the A Train.” Today, they’re lovingly preserved by the New York Transit Museum — and each holiday season, they return to the tracks to whisk passengers away on a ride through both history and holiday magic. 🚂 What to know -------------- * The rides will run every Sunday in December from 10am to 5pm , * The train will depart from 2 Av–Houston St on the uptown F line and 96 St–2 Av on the Q line . * The rides can be accessed via a standard Subway fare using either OMNY or Metrocard * For stops between 2 Av–Houston St and Lexington Av–63 St, board on the F line platform. * For stops between Lexington Av–63 St and 96 St–2 Av , board on the Q line platform . * Accessible stations along the route include: Broadway–Lafayette St (D, 6), West 4 St–Washington Sq (A/C/E, D/F), 34 St–Herald Sq (D/F, N/Q/R) , 47–50 St–Rockefeller Center (D/F), Lexington Av–63 St (F, Q), 72 St–2 Av (Q), 86 St–2 Av (Q) and 96 St–2 Av (Q). 🗓️ Schedule ----------- * The train departs from 2 Av–Houston St on the uptown F line in lower Manhattan at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm. * The train departs from 96 St– 2 Av on the Q line at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm. Learn more about the Transit Museum and the Holiday Nostalgia Cars on their website! Source: https://secretnyc.co/nyc-vintage-2025-subway-nostalgia-rides/