14 Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near Atlanta

Rebecca Ruffin Leffler's picture Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on

Take a festive ride on the Holiday Express for a memorable train ride experience. Photo courtesy of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Take a train ride to see Santa at the North Pole with hot cocoa and holiday singing! Kick off the magical holiday season with a real-life Polar Express and Christmas train rides near Atlanta. Our list includes holiday train rides in neighboring states since most are within three hours of metro Atlanta. You can combine your visit with one of these Atlanta winter day trips to the north Georgia mountains, Chattanooga, or surrounding areas. Bring your camera to take an Instagram-worthy shot of your kids on the train. FYI, Christmas train rides sell out fast, so buy tickets early! 

Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

Join a magical trip on the Polar Express powered by the Morristown & Erie Railway. Photo courtesy of the railway

Every year Polar Express train rides come to New Jersey, with the Garden State's railroads decked out in their holiday best. We know it's a bit early to start hauling out the holly, but these Polar Express trains and Christmas trains are a popular holiday tradition, and they sell out fast! 

Though these Christmas trains don't go all the way to the North Pole, most include a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with treats, caroling, movies, and stories. We've even included a trolley ride hosted by Mrs. Claus herself. Read on to find out where to take a Christmas train ride near New Jersey with Santa, and book your tickets as soon as possible. 

If you're already thinking about other must-do activities this holiday season, be sure to check out our rundown of the most spectacular holiday light displays in New Jersey and other tips in our Guide to Christmas and Holiday Events in NJ for Families. 

Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near Chicago

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on

Happy Holiday Railway. Photo courtesy of the Illinois Railway Museum

Looking for Christmas trains in Chicago? These popular rides fill up quickly, but there are still many available Polar Express train rides near Chicago.

Chicago's Union Station Polar Express ride is canceled again in 2024 because of construction around the station, but plenty of suburbs have opportunities for train-loving kids to meet Santa on their ride to the North Pole! We've also found plenty of Polar Express and Santa Express Christmas train rides in Chicago's suburbs with seats available. Check out the breakfast or lunch spread at the CASA Christmas Express in New Lenox, or visit the Illinois Railway Museum before or after your ride on the Happy Holiday Railway. Check out mini trains in Aurora or Orland Park, or board a trolley in Bloomingdale or Oak Brook. And the CTA holiday trains and buses are back for 2024.

Here are our favorite Polar Express train rides in Chicago that are happening this year, and a list of those to look out for next year!

 

11 Scenic Train Rides Through Florida for Families

Submitted by Charlotte B on

Visitors can actually ride the exhibits at the Florida Railroad Museum, which hosts a variety of experiences throughout the year. Photo courtesy of the museum

Looking for a new way to tour Florida? Immerse yourself and your family in fun and adventure as you step aboard these Florida train rides. Whether you’re looking for a scenic day trip by train, a theme park train ride, or a special holiday train like The Polar Express, there are scenic train rides in Florida to please every age and interest. Train enthusiasts—both large and small—will love riding the rails on these Florida train rides.

And if you're looking for an easy, fast, and luxurious way to travel between West Palm Beach and Miami, check out our experience on the South Florida Brightline train!

All Aboard A Polar Express Train Ride, Plus More Christmas Trains Near DC

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on

Enjoy milk and cookies and meet Santa aboard the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad's North Pole Express. Photo by Kimberly Byard

Nothing adds magic to the holiday season quite like a Polar Express train ride or a festive Christmas train. To help your family experience that magic, we've rounded up a variety of Christmas trains near DC, including several options for Polar Express train rides in 2024.

From trains that transport you to Christmas tree farms to those that bring classic Christmas stories to life, these Polar Express and Christmas trains will make even your Grinchiest family member's heart grow three sizes. And all of them are within a three-hour drive from DC!

Check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids to help you plan more holiday fun this season, and get a jump on your holiday decorating by trying some of these 101 Christmas activities for kids. Santa will be here before you know it!

Best Polar Express Train Rides & Christmas Trains in Los Angeles

Submitted by Kylie Williams on

Say hi to the conductor before meeting Santa on the Southern California Polar Express Train Ride. Photo courtesy of the train

'Tis the season for Polar Express train rides or Christmas trains! Los Angeles has plenty of holiday magic waiting on the rails, from a staple in Griffith Park to a movie-like adventure on the SoCal Polar Express. So, put on those matching family PJs and get ready to sing some carols, hear a story, and chow down on Christmas cookies, while embracing the holiday spirit. Kiddos may even get the chance to hand over those wish lists to Santa Claus in person. 

There are seats available (so far!) on the Christmas train rides below that take place from Thanksgiving weekend through Christmas. Reserve your spot ASAP because Polar Express trains are a hot ticket, and tend to book up fast.

Get in the holiday spirit with the best neighborhood holiday lights in Los Angeles, take your Christmas card to the next level with LA-only photo ops with Santa, and visit our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families for more holiday adventures. 

25 Things To Do in the Finger Lakes with Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on

Letchworth State Park is known as the Grand Canyon of the East thanks to its impressive gorge.

If you are looking for your next family vacation destination, New York's Finger Lakes region is a great option. Mostly known for its namesake beautiful lakes, the Finger Lakes offer a variety of summer activities, including sailing, fishing, and swimming in the crystal clear waters. However, there are tons of family-friendly things to do and places to explore year-round in the Finger Lakes, from zip lining and leaf peeping in the fall to skiing and snow tubing in the winter.

The area around Ithaca is particularly famous for its many glacier-formed gorges that boast numerous waterfalls. Ithaca is also the home of Cornell University and Ithaca College, and offers many art and cultural attractions and museums, including the kid-friendly Sciencenter.

Read on for all our top picks for things to do in the Finger Lakes with kids and bookmark our Day Trips and Getaways Guide for more family-friendly vacation ideas.

Gift Guide To the Best Gifts for Teens & Tweens

Submitted by Charley Noel on

Kids can tune out parents and listen to music with these cool Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones.

If you want to know what the best gifts are for teens and tweens, you need to go to the source. So we did!

It's really hard to come up with gift ideas for teens and tweens that they'll really like that venture beyond electronics, video games, or gift cards. Frankly, even if you go with one of the big three categories, if you're over 20, you are pretty much guaranteed to pick the wrong thing. So we went to the source, asking Charley, who has a keen eye for what the middle and high school crowd is into, to help us come up with a list of gifts teens and tweens will actually be excited to open.

What you'll find here is a mix of electronic gifts kids will be surprised and thrilled by, crafts and artsy gifts for teens who need a little Zen time after school, fashion gifts for teens that don't look like their mom picked it out, and other cool surprises. Read on to discover actually cool gift ideas for teens.

Looking for awesome gifts for other ages? Find the most beloved toddler gifts, cool gifts for elementary school-aged kids, and more in our Mommy Poppins Gift Guide for Birthdays and Holidays.

Pages