"The Polar Express" is a beautifully illustrated children's book by Chris Van Allsburg (--also made into a movie --) about a child's train ride to see Santa at the North Pole.
"All Aboard," the conductor cried out.
I ran up to him.
"Well," he said, "are you coming?"
"Where?" I asked.
"Why, to the North Pole of course," was his answer. "This is the Polar Express."
At a number of tourist railroads in the US, families can have a "Polar Express" train ride experience: a real-life ride, that re-creates the mood and even some events from the classic book. Scroll down for examples in many parts of the US.
Polar Express Train Rides
Kids are encouraged to wear pyjamas! Some details may vary, but generally the Conductor will be present to call "All Aboard!", and other characters from the book will make appearances. Guests get hot chocolate and cookies en route, and listen to the classic story. Once at the North Pole, Santa gets on board and gives each child a souvenir silver sleigh bell, like in the story. There's caroling and other entertainment, too. See sample Polar Express photos, from the Grand Canyon Railway.
A Polar Express train ride lasts at least an hour. Note that tickets often sell out by early fall! So book well in advance.
Background for your trip:
- shop online for the Polar Express classic book, by Chris Van Allsburg
- shop for the live-action plus animation movie, featuring Tom Hanks
Sample Polar Express™ Train Rides
Polar Express Train Ride - Grand Canyon Railway, Williams Arizona
This Polar Express departs from the Williams Depot, in the cute small town of Williams Arizona. The "North Pole" is a Christmas light village where Santa waves and later boards the train. (See photos of the Grand Canyon Railway's Polar Express train ride.) This event sells out; check for extra dates in January. A package includes a night and meals at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel.
Stone Mountain Park, GA
Georgia's top tourist draw is a 3200-acre Park with scenic railroad, sky ride, riverboat, laser-light show, world's largest sculpture... During "Stone Mountain Christmas", the railroad turns into The Polar Express; other holiday events include musical revues, lights display, parades -- read about Stone Mountain Christmas including hotel packages.
Polar Express Train Ride - Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, NC
From early November to just before Christmas, this Polar Express has the train journey, kids in pyjamas, the magical story, Santa, carols, hot cocoa, souvenir... read details.
The Polar Express - New Hampshire
This "Polar Express" has something extra: hundreds of volunteers don costumes to create a magical experience, while fundraising for the "Believe in Books" Literacy Foundation. Polar Express trains leave from two locations: North Conway Village and Lincoln. On the way to the North Pole, kids get cocoa "as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars" and "candy with nougat centers as white as snow." At the North Pole, dozens of elves are waiting.... Read details at this Polar Express site. Sella out early! Check for packages at sponsoring lodges.
Utica, NY: Adirondack Scenic Railroad
This Polar Express train ride starts running in mid-November.
Polar Express: Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, CO
This historic railroad -- dating from the 1880's-- turns into the Polar Express at Christmas-time. Read more about Durango's Polar Express.
Polar Express - Norfolk VA
Not really a train ride, but a nice Christmas outing: at the Norfolk Botanical Garden, kids make a keepsake bell, enjoy cocoa and cookies, listen to a reading of the "The Polar Express", then hop on a tram for a ride through the "Garden of Lights". Sells out early.
California State Railroad Museum: Polar Express Train Ride
This one's in Sacramento, on several weekends in December (which coincide with Theatre of Lights in Old Sacramento). Tix go on sale in early October.
Lots more Polar Express train rides for families:
- listings by region at Traintraveling.com: Santa Fe, Vermont, Colorado, and more. (Check to make sure dates are for current year!)
- web site of officially licensed Polar Express™ train rides in the U.S.
*Always check web site for updates!
