10 Christmas train rides guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit

Visiting a Christmas market, seeing your favorite amusement park decorated in holiday style, and baking cookies are all ways to celebrate the holiday season. And if Christmas train rides aren’t one of your family’s holiday traditions, they should be.

Decorated with twinkling lights and sparkling ornaments, the Christmas-themed train ride offers the perfect opportunity to take a photo with a man in a white beard and red suit—and maybe grab a winter treat while you’re at it.

The best holiday train rides across the US are full of nostalgia and yuletide cheer, and since they usually last no more than a few hours, they’re the perfect length for merry kids. If you’re in the mood for a magical ride to rival the Hogwarts Express, consider one of these family-favorite and kid-approved Christmas train rides.

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1. Napa Valley Wine Train

Napa, California

Enjoying an elegant meal, sipping fine wine and watching vineyards pass by from the perch of a vintage carriage may sound like adults-only fun, but during the holidays kids can get in on the action as the Napa Valley Wine Train transforms into a festive fantasy for all ages. Guests on Santa Train Jolly Journeys can choose from four train ride experiences: Santa’s Cookie Car, Gourmet Holiday Express, Jingle on the Rails, or Very Merry Vista Dome.

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Christmas themed train rides all include hot cider or chocolate, carolers, and of course time with Santa. When you book the Gourmet Holiday Express, Jingle on the Rails, or Very Merry Vista Dome ride, you’ll enjoy a three-course meal; in Santa’s Cookie Car, you’ll munch on a variety of sweets. The Napa Valley Wine Train partners with Expressions of Hope, encouraging passengers to bring a small gift that will be donated to foster youth.

2. Wisconsin’s Great Northern Railroad

Say, Wisconsin

It’s no exaggeration to say that in December, Wisconsin’s North Woods look like the inside of a snow globe. This winter wonderland is home to the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad, where every year the Santa Train combines a Santa gathering with a pizza party.

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This fun two-hour trip runs for approximately 15 miles and includes a glimpse of the region’s vast snow-covered landscape, a visit with Santa, cookies and a hot drink. Oh, and delicious cheese pizza, of course!

3. East Broad Peak Railway

Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania

Built in 1872, the East Broad Top Railroad is America’s oldest operating narrow-gauge railroad, located in what was once the heart of Pennsylvania’s coal country. Every holiday season, the Christmas in Coal Country experience recalls the region’s mining history on an hour-long Christmas train ride (in a comfortable car heated by a real coal stove) that winds through the hills, farms and forests where the miners and their families once lived. Snacks and gifts from Santa topped off the cake.

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4. Railway 1880

Hill City, South Dakota

Sip a cup of hot chocolate and nibble on a warm sugar cookie as you board the hour-long Holiday Express ride on the 1880 Train with Santa and Mrs. Claus. This holiday train ride departs from Hill City in the heart of the Black Hills, near some of the state’s biggest tourist attractions, including Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Adults can purchase a spiked ticket and enjoy a hot drink fortified with the strong drink served in a commemorative cup.

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5. Skunk Train

Bragg’s feet, California

Mendocino County’s old-growth redwood forests, lush ferns and velvety moss are clearly visible to passengers riding the Skunk Train any time of year. But when you book your Mr. The magical Skunk & Giant Christmas Tree, departing from Willits Depot, you and your kids can see all the beauty of nature decorated with colorful Christmas lights and other unique decorations.

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You’ll enjoy two hours of treats, games and songs that are as impressive as the beautiful views. Visit with Santa Mr. A skunk in his giant redwood tree workshop adds even more fun.

6. Grand Canyon Railroad

Williams, Ariz

The Grand Canyon Railway’s Polar Express is a place full of holiday cheer. The Christmas train ride begins at the historic depot in Williams, passing through highland desert and Ponderosa pine forests before heading straight to the “North Pole.” When the holiday train arrives, Santa and his herd of reindeer greet each child. Keepsakes from Santa’s workshop, hot chocolate, sweets and classic children’s books to read Polar Express keep your spirits up during this 90 minute journey.

7. Wilmington & Western Railroad

Wilmington, Delaware

The Wilmington & Western Railroad in Delaware offers two very festive Christmas train rides. On the Santa Claus Express, families are encouraged to bring a camera and capture moments with the jolly old elf, who meets and greets passengers on this first-generation diesel locomotive. After taking photos, guests of all ages can enjoy delicious treats during the 45-minute ride.

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An alternative is the 45-minute Holiday Lights Express on a 100-year-old bus that travels through the Red Clay Valley. The train cars are decorated with thousands of sparkling lights, and many homes along the route get in on the action with spectacular home lighting displays.

8. Journey to the North Pole

North Conway and Lincoln, New Hampshire

From downhill skiing to snow biking, New Hampshire’s White Mountains are a winter adventure wonderland for families. And when you board Journey to the North Pole, you’ll enjoy a more than two-hour Christmas train ride across icy terrain straight to Santa’s workshop. Snacks and interactive activities with Santa and his helpers are a sure-fire way to add to the holiday spirit. Annual expeditions depart from the cities of North Conway or Lincoln.

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9. New Hope Railway

New Hope, Pennsylvania

The rolling hills of Bucks County make for a beautiful picture when dusted with a layer of snow. Nestled on the banks of the Delaware River, the cute little town of New Hope is home to the New Hope Railroad and its Victorian-style train station, which is filled with holiday cheer throughout the Christmas season.

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To get in on the holiday fun, take Santa’s Steam Train Ride to the “North Pole” on the railroad, an hour-long Christmas train ride filled with traveling musicians, chat with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and various holiday knick-knacks. Three classes of service offer ticket prices to suit a variety of budgets.

10. Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad

Cooperstown, New York

Cooperstown is best known as the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, but when the snow starts to fall, this family-friendly New York vacation destination will dress up for the holiday season. The Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad’s Santa Claus Express is cheerfully decorated with Christmas lights, wreaths, and ornaments, and there’s no shortage of holiday music and refreshing drinks.

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For this festive train ride, parents are encouraged to bring a small sign with their child’s name written on it, which will be given to them by Santa himself. The holiday train ride lasts more than two hours.

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