- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
Comments (2)
Print
Save/ShareThe North Pole is a lot closer than you might think, thanks to these magical holiday train rides based on the popular movie and book Polar Express.
'Tis the season for holiday-themed train rides. Put on your pajamas and get ready for caroling, hot chocolate, and perhaps a visit from the jolly white-bearded big guy himself. All aboard!
Grand Canyon Railway
Depart from Williams, Ariz., en route to the "North Pole" (somewhere near the Grand Canyon's South Rim, actually), with cookies and a visit from Santa along the way. Tickets for kids ages 2 to 15 are $14 Sunday through Thursday in November and January, and $19 on Fridays and Saturdays for those months and all of December. Adult tickets are always $29. Hotel packages are available.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Colo.
Rides are offered through December 28, and the hot chocolate and whipped cream is served in a special take-home souvenir mug. A holiday song book is yours to keep too. Tickets are priced from $18 to $44 for kids (depending on date and style of seat), and $28 to $54 for adults.
Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, N.C.
Special Polar Express departures take off regularly through the holiday season, with tickets starting at $26 for kids ages 2 to 12, and $38 ages 13 and up. Rates are a bit higher on the peak days right around Christmas. Prices include admission to Smoky Mountain Train Museum in Bryson City, N.C., where the Polar Express departs.
Texas State Railroad
Roughly two-and-a-half hours from Dallas and three hours from Houston, the Texas State Railroad chugs through piney wilderness, with special Polar Express departures most days in November and December. Caroling and hot chocolate en route, and pajama-wearing is most definitely encouraged. Tickets from $19 for kids ages 2 to 11, $38 12 and up.
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co.
Rolling out of Portland, this Polar Express eases slowly past brilliant holiday light displays along the way to pick up Santa, who doles out bells to kids (only to ones who truly believe, of course).
National Railroad Museum, Wisc.
Enjoy a dramatic reading of the book on board the train, which departs out of Green Bay on a couple weekends in November and December. Tickets from $8 for kids, $12 for adults.
Nevada Northern Railway Museum
The journey from Ely, Nev., ends at yet another "North Pole," where Santa and his elves greet riders with special gifts. (Hint: It could be a bell from Santa's sleigh.) Tickets are $17 for kids 4 to 12, $28 for ages 13 and up.
EARLIER
Family Travel: 12 holiday spots to let your kids burn off some energy
User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.
Utah also has the Polar Express..
Posted By Tina on November 25, 2009, 9:28 AM
Hi,
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad also has Polar Express rides worth checking out: The Polar Express and Mr. Jingeling's Holiday Express.
Here is more information: http://www.cvsr.com/eventspotlight.aspx
Happy Holiday everyone!
C-Line
Posted By C-Line on November 25, 2009, 4:19 PM