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. 

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!

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Halloween festivities are happening throughout the region weekend. Highlights include the Cross County Center Halloween Spooktacular, which has a dance party, inflatables, and, of course, trick-or-treat giveaways.

Enjoy even more of the spooky season at the Tarrytown Halloween Parade and the Sugar Loaf Halloween Festival.

Read on for lots more standout events happening this weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. 

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

It's time to start planning some Halloween shenanigans this weekend. We have so many ideas for those ready for a spook or scare as well as anyone looking for a milder thrill. 

Take a spooktacular walk through the Smithtown Historical Society's new haunted trail, where little ones will have a great time seeing the Halloween displays and farm animals. Or walk the immersive pumpkin trail on the grounds of a 19th-century village in Old Bethpage where thousands of hand-carved jack-o'lanterns light up the night for The Great Jack-o'-Lantern Blaze.

Meanwhile, Great Jack-O’-Lantern Spectacular Sail returns to Belmont Lake State Park in North Babylon. Plus, the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead offers more than just fishy fun this weekend at its Bats, Barnacles, and Broomsticks event. Bonus: Kids get half off admission when they're dressed in a costume!

Read on for more great events across LI this weekend. 

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Sunny days ahead this mid-November weekend with the grand opening of Sesame Street Learn & Play, an immersive play experience, at American Dream. Plus, bring on the holiday light spectaculars with the debut of LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival-Wonder Journey at Freehold Raceway Mall, boasting an Alice in Wonderland theme.

Looking for the best things to do in New York City this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

This weekend is a train lover's paradise, as Holiday Train Shows chug into Grand Central Station (free!) and the New York Botanical Garden. Take the tinies to see Flutter at the Ailey Studio or Lucy Kalantari and the Jazz Cats at the Jewish Museum, and check out Sesame Street Learn and Play's grand opening in NJ.

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!