National Christmas Center
National Christmas Center
National Christmas Center
4.5
Speciality & Gift Shops • Speciality Museums
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This location was reported permanently closed
About
Journey through the memories, History and traditions of Christmas in our 20,000 sqft Museum & Family Attraction. Replica of a Woolworth's Department Store, Journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, Toyland Train Mountain, TudorTowne Animated Storybook Village, Santa's Workshop and so much more! (Last tour tickets sold 1 hour prior to closing)
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1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
404 reviews
Excellent
280
Very good
91
Average
18
Poor
9
Terrible
6
NTM2020
Philadelphia, PA109 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
Very nice walk-through display of Christmas vintage (1950’s). It’s not easy to find since the warehouse you actually enter into doesn’t have any signage of National Christmas Center.
It took us 1 hour to do an entire walk through. I would recommend this if you’re in the area, very neat!
It took us 1 hour to do an entire walk through. I would recommend this if you’re in the area, very neat!
Written December 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joenronnie
Binghamton, NY756 contributions
I recently acquired passes to visit the National Christmas Center in Lancaster. I went on-line and the place looked real cute so I was willing to check out when we went to Lancaster for the weekend. It is quite a ways out on Route 30 but it was well worth the drive to see it.
The place is just beautiful. There are several themed areas that you walk through and you are immersed in the spirit of the season and theme.
There is a room devoted to the nostalgic Woolworths stores in the 1930s-1950s. It was just like walking into one of these stores, complete with all the old fashioned decorations and items.
There is Santa's workshop that you walk through that has animatronic reindeer, bears elves and plenty of toys. The room is ablaze of color! It was just beautuful!
Next you visit a storybook land. As you walk through you read the pages of the book that is posted by each display and "live" the story. Very cute!
Then you are on to the Nativity Story. Follow the footsteps of Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem. Very nicely done.
There is also a toyland complete with a huge train display.
There is so much to take in and some of areas have a few chairs so you can just sit and take in all there is to see.
Well worth the trip!
The place is just beautiful. There are several themed areas that you walk through and you are immersed in the spirit of the season and theme.
There is a room devoted to the nostalgic Woolworths stores in the 1930s-1950s. It was just like walking into one of these stores, complete with all the old fashioned decorations and items.
There is Santa's workshop that you walk through that has animatronic reindeer, bears elves and plenty of toys. The room is ablaze of color! It was just beautuful!
Next you visit a storybook land. As you walk through you read the pages of the book that is posted by each display and "live" the story. Very cute!
Then you are on to the Nativity Story. Follow the footsteps of Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem. Very nicely done.
There is also a toyland complete with a huge train display.
There is so much to take in and some of areas have a few chairs so you can just sit and take in all there is to see.
Well worth the trip!
Written August 28, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Walter W
Harleysville, PA110 contributions
Take a trip back in time to the 30's, 40's and 50's with this wonderful collection of displays, recreations and exhibits all with a Christmas theme. The walk thru should take a family about an hour where you'll see a 5&10 complete with authentic toys (in original boxes) just like they were in the 50's, anima-tronics of carolers, villages, middle east re-creations, and a small storybook village. A little "hoaky" at times, but guys, it's not Disney. Go in there expecting to pay ten bucks and in return, you'll get an hour of memories both old and new.
Written November 28, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ruangel82480
Mullica Hill, NJ29 contributions
Step right up and get roped into a ridiculously high per person price to tour the contents of gramma and grandad's basement, mildew smell and all. What a bunch of junk. This is where I learned the definition of tourist trap. It's now a family joke and has been for years...the year we got suckered into paying $40 to wander through old Christmas discards. Keep on driving, folks. What a disaster.
Written August 16, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MommytoAJ
Ephrata, PA12 contributions
Dec 2013 • Family
My 5 year old was absolutely terrified by some of the exhibits. The photo with Santa was nice and the train room was nice. But there were so many life like wax people lurking around every corner and and hiding in each room. To the artists credit, they were very life like, but they were not friendly happy figures and were frightening for my child. Also, the elves in Santa's workshop had mean little evil faces, not happy or friendly looking at all. And there were places where odd creepy animals seemed to be placed randomly, almost like the decorator was getting their jollys out of putting something frightening in the mix.Let me add that my child does not have any sensory issues and has never been afraid of anything like this before. As an adult, I would have enjoyed to spending time and looking around, but we will be visiting Santa elsewhere from now on. Interestingly enough we usually see Santa at Elizabeth Farms in Lititz, PA. The Santa photo area at Elizabeth Farms is really nice, fun for kids and well done. It is done by the National Christmas Center, but does not have any creepy looking elves or wax figures. Also the photos have better lighting and are printed on better quality paper. Too bad they don't update their own facility to be more kid friendly.
Written December 6, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
reemlee
Toms River, NJ10 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
I'm going to start out by pointing out that I'm absolutely terrified of wax figures.
This place is filled with wax figures.
The last time I was here, I was maybe 12. I had vague memories of some of the displays, and I wanted to see if it was as absurd as I remembered, 9 years later. I can tell you now that it exceeded my expectations (and please, take that any way you wish).
The first room you enter is a "Christmas Around the World" type of deal. Displays on different versions of Santa throughout the world. Cute stuff. Lots of neat Christmas memorabilia, a TON of wax figures. The Scrooge-esque figure at the front makes for a nice photo op if you can bear to be that close to it.
Onto the next room. My favorite memory was of the Woolworth's room, and it was just as sweet as I remembered. A ton of cool vintage items, and packed to the brim with vintage toys and decorations. Only one wax figure. There was a bowl with a huge dead cockroach in it, though. Really didn't help assuage my terror, unfortunately.
Oh! For the first three rooms, you access them through a hallway. There are tchotchke displays along the wall, and on the opposite wall, along the ceiling, is all ornaments on display. Neat stuff. Outside the third room was the highlight of the museum for me: a gorgeous old orchestrion. Beautiful instrument, and it still works for only a quarter. If you've never experienced an orchestrion before, be prepared: they're loud. They were meant for noisy dance halls, after all!
After that, it was onto...some other room. Glass displays of something or other. I know there were Santa masks. Also terrifying. In a cool way, though. I don't remember much else, unfortunately. Actually, I don't remember the order very well after that at all, so I'll just point out the rooms I remember.
The North Pole Room: set up like a mall Santa thing. A ton of moving...elf things. Cute. Terrifying. All of the above.
There was like...a scenario room? More wax figures. Amish one. Yes, Virginia one. Little Women? Some other one. The ones with kids are great because they have the faces of older adults. DISTURBINGLY GREAT.
Okay...on we go. Train Room. I liked the train room. Really impressive. Very pretty. Neat train. I feel like the display of the 3D Coca-Cola ad was there? More adult-children.
Religion room? Lots of nativities from around the world. Church pews to sit on! Nice touch. Overall, the room was cute, but not really my thing.
Then it started getting weird. There was Tudortowne(?), which was a walkthrough storybook (with the book available in the gift shop, naturally). Lots of wax animal things. I kept tripping on the floor. Very annoying. Had the potential to be cute, but ended up sort of scary. I saw a lady towing 3 terrified little kids through here. I feel ya, kids.
The only other room I remember was this like...Julius Ceasar room? More weirdness. More wax figures. Really scary room to me. I kept expecting something to pop out. And then there was an angel at the end?? I didn't understand it, but that's probably because we were being rushed along.
So. The museum. If you are a very positive, optimistic, Christmas-loving soul, you'll probably like this. If you're at all cynical in any capacity, you will either hate this or find it ridiculously funny. If you like weird tourist traps, holla, this is the place for you. If you have little kids: they probably will be scared. If you have teenagers: they will think it's creepy and either laugh or beg to go home.
It's also $12 for adults. In the middle of the summer. Yep. Twelve American dollars. Not worth the cost for me at all. $7 feels way more acceptable, and that's pushing it.
Think hard before you go here. Don't expect too much.
This place is filled with wax figures.
The last time I was here, I was maybe 12. I had vague memories of some of the displays, and I wanted to see if it was as absurd as I remembered, 9 years later. I can tell you now that it exceeded my expectations (and please, take that any way you wish).
The first room you enter is a "Christmas Around the World" type of deal. Displays on different versions of Santa throughout the world. Cute stuff. Lots of neat Christmas memorabilia, a TON of wax figures. The Scrooge-esque figure at the front makes for a nice photo op if you can bear to be that close to it.
Onto the next room. My favorite memory was of the Woolworth's room, and it was just as sweet as I remembered. A ton of cool vintage items, and packed to the brim with vintage toys and decorations. Only one wax figure. There was a bowl with a huge dead cockroach in it, though. Really didn't help assuage my terror, unfortunately.
Oh! For the first three rooms, you access them through a hallway. There are tchotchke displays along the wall, and on the opposite wall, along the ceiling, is all ornaments on display. Neat stuff. Outside the third room was the highlight of the museum for me: a gorgeous old orchestrion. Beautiful instrument, and it still works for only a quarter. If you've never experienced an orchestrion before, be prepared: they're loud. They were meant for noisy dance halls, after all!
After that, it was onto...some other room. Glass displays of something or other. I know there were Santa masks. Also terrifying. In a cool way, though. I don't remember much else, unfortunately. Actually, I don't remember the order very well after that at all, so I'll just point out the rooms I remember.
The North Pole Room: set up like a mall Santa thing. A ton of moving...elf things. Cute. Terrifying. All of the above.
There was like...a scenario room? More wax figures. Amish one. Yes, Virginia one. Little Women? Some other one. The ones with kids are great because they have the faces of older adults. DISTURBINGLY GREAT.
Okay...on we go. Train Room. I liked the train room. Really impressive. Very pretty. Neat train. I feel like the display of the 3D Coca-Cola ad was there? More adult-children.
Religion room? Lots of nativities from around the world. Church pews to sit on! Nice touch. Overall, the room was cute, but not really my thing.
Then it started getting weird. There was Tudortowne(?), which was a walkthrough storybook (with the book available in the gift shop, naturally). Lots of wax animal things. I kept tripping on the floor. Very annoying. Had the potential to be cute, but ended up sort of scary. I saw a lady towing 3 terrified little kids through here. I feel ya, kids.
The only other room I remember was this like...Julius Ceasar room? More weirdness. More wax figures. Really scary room to me. I kept expecting something to pop out. And then there was an angel at the end?? I didn't understand it, but that's probably because we were being rushed along.
So. The museum. If you are a very positive, optimistic, Christmas-loving soul, you'll probably like this. If you're at all cynical in any capacity, you will either hate this or find it ridiculously funny. If you like weird tourist traps, holla, this is the place for you. If you have little kids: they probably will be scared. If you have teenagers: they will think it's creepy and either laugh or beg to go home.
It's also $12 for adults. In the middle of the summer. Yep. Twelve American dollars. Not worth the cost for me at all. $7 feels way more acceptable, and that's pushing it.
Think hard before you go here. Don't expect too much.
Written August 13, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MRJJ183
Belmont, NH93 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
Unknown to us there is a pretty hefty price tag to get in here ($12.50 for adults). We decided not to go in as we found this to be very high. I can't speak to the museum itself (maybe it is wonderful) but we were disappointed with the admission price for sure.
Written July 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DaywithErica
berlin, NJ4 contributions
I truely was dreading going here, my sister is a Christmas nut and collects vintage ornaments all year round.......i felt obligated to drive the two hours with her....It was the best trip she planned, I loved it!!! I was so impressed by this place and truely in awe. it was so much better than I could have imagined. We laughed in the 5&10 at all the stuff our grandparents had when we were little and read each chapter aloud through Tudor Town. My eleven year old nephew and cousin actually had a great time. .We loved the North Pole and my Six year old has not stopped talking about it. TO HIM HE MET SANTA. The owner had STARS IN MY SONS EYES WHEN HE TOLD HIM HE WAS SANTA JR. AND LOVED THE COOKIES HE LEFT FOR HIM LAST YEAR. He was the nicest gentleman I have met. We learned so much about Christmas we did not know and have told everyone we have spoken to what an amazing place it is and to make time for a visit. We also were impressed that five of us spent the afternoon there for only $37.00, a deal compared to other attractions. We are already planning to go back and bring our other sister, mother and mother in law's, we are hoping to make it a yearly tradition.We also took the time for lunch and a horse and buggy ride, the day was memorable and unique and something my son is surely not to forget quickly. THANK YOU SANTA JR. we can't wait to see you again soon!!!!!!!
Written November 6, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
margusVM
Harrisburg, PA336 contributions
We visited the museum for the first time because of a field trip with first graders. I was expecting something a lot more oriented to children. They have a ton of Christmas decorations and trees and Nativity sets from all over the world and from many years ago. The displays are a bit too full making it hard to see everything they have. Everything is 'don't touch' which is expected from a museum, however, they should have something for children to be able to interact with, at least some coloring paper and color pencils. It seems a bit more for adults and older children than for kids under 10. Happy I went but won't go back and probably won't recommend for families with children. Santa is there to talk to the children but no pics are allowed, you have to purchase theirs.
Written December 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GeeGeeNJ
Manalapan, NJ15 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
My sister and I took a drive out on a Saturday to check this place out---Santa greeted us at the door, I literally think its him! It was unbelievable the amount of displays that can be found here. From the Woolworth room with TONS of old school toys and decorations to the train room to the Santa workshop room...it goes on and on and on. Seeing the original letter that Virginia wrote asking if Santa was real is just awesome!
This is a place for ALL ages!!!!! Kids will love, adults and even those in between! Definitely worth the trip and money!!! kudos to Santa and the staff--all so pleasant and friendly!!!
This is a place for ALL ages!!!!! Kids will love, adults and even those in between! Definitely worth the trip and money!!! kudos to Santa and the staff--all so pleasant and friendly!!!
Written December 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
imakiddp
PA1 contribution
Is it good for kids?
ElvesofSanta
Paradise, PA1 contribution
Yes it is good for everyone of all ages!! Young and old...... Great family tradition!
Natalie G
New York101 contributions
How much time would you set aside to visit? (ie could you squeeze this in on the same day as a visit to Dutch Winter Wonderland?) and is it good place to take a 2 year old? Thanks.
RLD108
Lancaster, PA35 contributions
Sorry for the late response but maybe it will help others. Yes, you could do both, assuming open times don't conflict. It doesn't take that much time. Just depends how long you want to spend. I think kids enjoy seeing the "old" stuff. I know my sister and I probably spent more time than some would because I love looking at things in museums, and it was like walking down memory lane! LOL
