Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains near NYC in 2025

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Meet Santa aboard The Polar Express chugging along the Morristown and Erie lines. Photo courtesy of the Morristown and Erie Railway

These Polar Express train rides near NYC bring the magic of Chris Van Allsburg’s popular Christmas picture book, The Polar Express, to life each winter. We've found festive Polar Express train rides, Christmas trains, and holiday trolleys all within a whistle's blow of the New York City metro area.

A huge hit with kids and parents alike, these Christmas trains near New York City spark the imagination and holiday spirit with seasonal snacks, stories, and even gifts—not to mention a visit from Santa himself. You can even find a North Pole Express bus right in the heart of Manhattan.

No matter which Polar Express train ride you choose, your family can combine your outing with an annual Santa Claus photo-op and bring home the lasting memories of a holiday adventure.

These Christmas train rides sell out quickly, often months in advance, so book now if you want to go. Find more regional Polar Express and Christmas train rides in our roundup of New Jersey Christmas trains and Philadelphia Polar Express rides, plus plenty more local seasonal offerings in our Christmas Guide.

Comedy Clubs and Performances for Kids in Philly

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Arden Theatre Company. Photo by Ashley Smith, Wide Eyed Studios

Some kids are artsy; some are sporty; and some just love to be silly. Bring the laughs with some fun family experiences for kids and teens. And for the budding comedians, enroll them in some of the area's best comedy workshops and classes.

Check out our Classes Guide to find all the best classes for kids in the Philly area.

5 Sweet Ways to Donate Halloween Candy (Where and How)

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Got too much Halloween candy? We rounded up the best Halloween candy donation programs! Photo by Pixland via Canva

If you've got too much candy after Halloween, rid your house of excess sugar and donate Halloween candy you don't want your kids eating! We've found these amazing charitable organizations where you can donate Halloween candy. From our troops to kids in the hospital to local soup kitchens, we found places that will put your excess candy to better use than cavities and tummy aches.

If you want to hang on to a few pieces after you donate Halloween candy, we have more creative uses for sweet stuff! Check out these candy science experiments, plus plenty more activities and inspiration for Halloween weekend in our Halloween Guide.

Or maybe you're done with Halloween and ready for the next holiday? Thankfully, our Thanksgiving Guide is packed with crafts, activities, games, and more Thanksgiving fun.

12 Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near Atlanta

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

Take a holiday train ride to see Santa at the North Pole with hot cocoa and holiday singing! Kick off the magical holiday season with 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! 

Orange County Fun: 31 Things To Do in Irvine with Kids

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The Great Park Carousel is a fun family destination. Photo courtesy of DestinationIrvine.com

Just south of Anaheim, Irvine beckons LA families to come and play. This lovely city sits at the heart of Orange County. With 250,000 residents, UC Irvine, and the headquarters of many well-known companies, it is consistently rated as one of the safest and best cities to live in by national publications. With all this going on, there must be something to do, right? And is there ever!

If you're looking for an outing in your own backyard, things to do after a sports tournament (Irvine’s parks play host often), or if you fancy a drive somewhere new, there are lots of places to explore and lots of things to do in Irvine.

Looking for more OC fun? Check out our Best Things to Do in Orange County Guide, our list of things to do with kids in Newport Beach, or learn more about all the fun things to do in Anaheim (that aren't Disneyland). 

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