Christmas Train
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The 30 Best Holiday and Christmas Trains Around the U.S.

Nothing quite says Christmas like reliving our favorite movies and stories year after year. The Polar Express was a beloved book, which has become a classic holiday film, that inspired holiday train rides around the country.

Now the whole family can ride a christmas train to the North Pole just like the little boy in the story. There is lots of hot chocolate, Christmas carol sing-alongs, and of course time with Santa Claus himself. 

We've rounded up 30 of the best holiday train trips around the country so that your family can enjoy your own Polar Express Train experience this holiday season. 

1. California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, California

Trains will run November 29 through December 22 and departure times vary from 3:30 pm to 8 pm. You can ride along in an open air coach (windows covered) or get a private coach depending on what works for your family. Prices range from $45-$280 per person. Find more details on how to purchase tickets here

2. Adirondack Scenic Railroad in Utica, New York

Tickets are $46 for adults and $38 for children unless you want to upgrade to first "Cocoa Class" and prices increase to $65.50 and $55.50. Trains will run at 4 pm and 6:30 pm from Nov. 15 through Dec. 23. Find more information on how to purchase your tickets here

3. Branson Scenic Railway in Branson, Missouri

Prices vary from $44 to $69 for adults depending on what seating you'd like and train rides will run through November and December. Tickets for this Polar Express ride are booking up fast so call 1-800-287-2462 to speak to Reservations today!

4. Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, Arizona

This 90 minutes train ride leaves at either 5:30 pm or 7:30 pm each night from Nov 1 through the month of January. Tickets are booking up fast and some of the nights are already sold out! Tickets are running for $63 per adult. Click here for more details.

5. Grapevine Vintage Railroad in Grapevine, Texas

Tickets for this classic North Pole Express range from $28-$38 per person and will run Nov 29 through Dec 23. Check back here to buy your tickets which will go on sale Sept 25!

6. Country Christmas Train in Denton, North Carolina

The 11th annual holiday train runs from the last weekend of November through December. The gates open at 4:30 pm with trains leaving every half hour until 9 pm starting at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $16 for adults and $5 for children 5-11. Click here for more information on booking your ticket! 

7. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway in Blue Ridge, Georgia

The Santa Express Train will be running Nov. 29 through Dec. 23. Departure times will be 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. with tickets at $48 per adult and $38 per child. Click here for more info. 

8. New Hope Railroad in New Hope, Pennsylvania

The North Pole Express will be running Nov 9 through December 23. Tickets range between $50/adult to over $80 depending on when you want to go. They have a special ride that goes out on Christmas Eve! For more information on booking your tickets click here

9. The Elf Limited in Cass, West Virginia

Tickets for the Polar Express are available November 7-10, 14-17, 20-24, 29-30 and December 1, 4-6, 8, 11-13, 15. Prices are $61 for adults and $51 for children (including infants). Click here to book your ticket. 

10. The Polar Express in Burlington, Vermont

This holiday train will be available Dec 14 and 15 with a ton of departure times available each day: Noon, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 pm. The experience is actually a fundraiser for the Vermont Children's Trust Foundation! Click here for more information on donating to get your tickets. 

11. Tennessee Valley Railroad in Chattanooga, Tennessee

The Christmas Dinner Train is available for rides Nov 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 30 and Dec 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29. Departure time is at 7 pm and tickets for the full dinner experience will only cost you $85! Click here for booking and more information. 

12. Virginia Railway Express' Santa Train in Washington D.C.

Tickets go onsale the Monday before Thanksgiving so be sure to check back here for updates. 

13. The Polar Express in New Orleans, Louisiana 

Available select dates December 9 - January 1, tickets range from $48-$68 for adults and $38-$58 for children. Prices vary based on how close you're booking to Christmas! Click here for more information. 

14. Santa's North Pole Adventure in Georgetown, Colorado

This one hour trip will be running November 16 through December 24. Call 1-888-456-6777 for more information on ticket prices and booking!

15. North Pole Express in Parrish, Florida

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrrHWUClMay/

Available in the month of December, trains will depart at 5:30 pm. Prices vary from $24.50 to $49.50 for adults, but you can also rent out a caboose car for $639 if you have a large group! Click here for more information and ticket purchases. 

16. The Polar Express in Chicago, Illinois

Tickets are available Nov. 23 through Dec. 29. Prices range from $48 to $70 for adults and $38 to $62 for children. For information on booking click here

17. Christmas Train in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Details haven't been released yet but check back here for details!

18. North Pole Express in Herber City, Utah

Take this train from November 23 to December 23 with varied departure times at 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Prices range from $35 to $55 for adults. Click here for more details and to purchase tickets. 

19. Santa Express Train in Boone, Iowa

On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 29 through December 22, you can take this holiday train for $18-$45 per person. Click here for more details. 

20. Reindeer Ride Express in Atlanta, Indiana

Tickets are available Nov. 23 to Dec. 22 and departure times are 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Prices are $25 per person. Click here for more information and to book your ticket.

21. The Blackstone Valley Polar Express in Woonsocket, Rhode Island

On weekends from Nov. 15 through Dec. 22 you'll have the chance to ride the longest running Polar Express ride. Prices start at $52 per person. Click here to book your ticket.

22. North Pole Express in Owosso, Michigan 

Tickets are available for train rides Nov. 16 though Dec. 21 with departure times at 10 am and 5 pm. Tickets start at $50 per person, click here for more details and booking.

23. B&O Railroad in Baltimore, Maryland

Rides will be available November 16 & 17, 23 & 24, 29 & 30 and December 1 with departure times at 8:45 a.m., 10:00.a.m., 11:15 a.m.,12:45 p.m., 2:00 p.m., & 3:15 p.m. Prices for adults start at $52, click here for more details and booking.

24. North Pole Express in Lebanon, Ohio

Train rides will be available on certain dates Nov 16 through Dec 28. Departure times are 6:00 p.m and 8:00 p.m Pricing for adults ranges from $26 to $39 and for children $22-$35.. For more details on booking a ticket click here

25. Nevada Southern Railway Museum Santa Train in Boulder City, Nevada

Follow along with their Facebook page for updates on 2019 events and dates!

26. Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad in Chama, New Mexico

Tickets are a total bargain at just $5 to cover the cost of hot chocolate and candy canes. 2019 dates haven't been released yet but check back on their website for updates!

27. The Polar Express in Baldwin City, Kansas

Ticket prices range from $45-$65 on this holiday train that will be running Nov. 16 through Dec. 27. Departure times range from 4:15 p.m, 6 p.m and 7:45 p.m. For more information on purchasing tickets click here

28. Grenada Polar Express in Batesville, Mississippi

Information on the 2019 schedule hasn't been released yet so check the website for updates!

29. Holiday Express Train in Portland, Oregon

Tickets will run you $22 for adults and $16 for children on this vintage holiday train running Nov. 29 through Dec. 15. Departure times range from 10 a.m to 8 p.m. Click here for tickets and more information. 

30. Leavenworth Snow Train in Leavenworth, Washington

https://www.instagram.com/p/w26hmQyI0N/?hl=en

This day trip on December 8 will take you out to the legendary Christmas village of Leavenworth. Tickets range from $269.00 - $399.00. Visit their website for booking and more info.

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