- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- 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 (7)
Print
Save/Share
All aboard! Wear your PJs!
No matter if you're staying home or hitting the road this holiday season, chances are you'll be pretty close to a festive rail ride with a special theme based on the popular book (and movie) The Polar Express. While you may not get anywhere near the actual North Pole, passengers can expect caroling, hot chocolate, and just maybe gifts for the kids handed out by you know who.
Many regional rail lines host special Polar Express departures this time of year. While several Santa trains are already sold out for the season, here are five of our favorite lines that say they still have tickets available:
Grand Canyon Railway: Tickets for kids ages 2 to 15 are $19, while adults pay $29, on trains that depart Williams, Ariz., at 6:30 p.m. bound for a rendezvous with Santa and his reindeer near the Canyon's South Rim.
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad: First class seats are sold out on nearly all dates, but coach tickets are available on many Polar Express departures, which leave from Portland several times a day before and after Christmas. Infants are free, while all coach passengers ages 2 and up ride for $25.
Oregon's Mount Hood Railroad: The rides out of Hood River (one of the Coolest Small Towns in the U.S.A.) include 4:30 departures most days through December 24, along with periodic mid-day rides (some leaving at 11:30 a.m.) that should be perfect for younger ones -- so long as that's not nap time. Tickets start at $18 for kids 2 to 12 and $26 for adults.
Texas State Railroad: There are four departures daily on most days up until right before Christmas, and then there are couple more chances to see Santa right after he's deposited toys under trees around the world -- but apparently before he heads off on a well-needed vacation. Tickets start at $19 for kids (3 to 11) and $36.50 for adults on this ride, which takes place roughly right in between Dallas and Houston.
Utah's Heber Valley Railroad: Through December 24, the North Pole Express departs Monday through Saturday daily, with tickets generally running $21 for kids (ages 3 to 12) and $32 for adults, and with elves serving hot chocolate to all in souvenir ceramic mugs. Santa awaits at the "North Pole," which is actually somewhere south of Park City -- but hey, the mountain scenery should suffice as a snowy winter wonderland.
MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL
America's Most Scenic Train Rides
15 Places Every Kid Should See
The Fastest Trains on the Track: Speeding Tickets You'll Beg For
Traveling with Thomas the Tank Engine
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.
We go on the polar express in Akron Ohio, it goes to North Poll and back Look it up.
Posted By Bonnie Thornton on December 13, 2010, 10:37 AM
Grapevine, Texas has a popular polar express type train, with children in their pajamas, Santa Claus,elves, hot chocolate, the whole works. So get on board the Grapevine Vintage railroad. Toot toot!!
Posted By colleen burtterfield on December 13, 2010, 3:54 PM
The best Polar Express is in North Conway NH ! There is one in Lincoln NH also. Both sponsored by The "Believe in Books Foundation", a non-profit.
My wife and I are one of over 700 volunteers that participate the most magical ride ever. We are "Chefs" on the train that actually goes to the "North Pole". Santa awaits the families and the book is re-enacted in detail.
We are so suprised that this was not mentioned in your article. Just google, "Polar Express" North Conway for info.
Posted By Dick Vitale on December 13, 2010, 4:07 PM
There are a number of Polar Express trains taking people to the "North Pole", but the only one having the original #1225 engine is in Owosso, Michigan. It is the original steam engine which was used as a model in the movie. The train ride features hot chocolate, singing waiters, bells and of course Santa at the North Pole. The train ride is sold out months in advance so order early.
Posted By Carol Clark on December 13, 2010, 5:20 PM
In Duluth, Minnesota, Polar Express trains run from the old Fitger's Brewery, now a small shopping mall with trendy shops, restaurants and a AAA 4 diamond hotel. Trains arrive at the old Depot, a collection of museums including a railroad museum. This ride includes hot cocoa and a reading performance of the children's book before heading back to Fitger's. Tickets run $16 per person. Another option is to ride the "Bentleyville" train ($5 per adult and $2 for children) to a beautiful light show in a city park on the shore of Lake Superior. In addition to the lights there are free cocoa and cookies, popcorn and firepits for roasting marshmallows. It's spectacular! See www.visitduluth.com or www.bentleyvilleusa.org, or www.fitgers.com for more info.
Posted By Heidi on December 13, 2010, 9:56 PM
Has no one heard of the Polar Bear Express on the
CN RR? It runs from Cochrane, Ontario, north to Moosonee, which is right on James Bay. (That's the large bay extending south off Hudson Bay, for you 'Mericans.) The CN runs from Toronto to Cochrane.
I haven't ridden it in 30 years, but if you want to experience a True North train ride, this is it--steam turns to frost as soon as it's expelled, and enormous icicles hang from the train's undercarriage. You will travel through miles of snowy boreal forest, with the chance of seeing moose, caribou, wolves and foxes along the way.
Posted By Pat on December 14, 2010, 11:07 AM
I think I'll make a post called: 15 Things Black Girls Love To Do on Facebook
Posted By Rusi Florentin on May 6, 2012, 6:15 AM