Every year around Christmas time across the United States, various scenic railways transform into the magical train rides known as the Polar Express and they are among some of the most popular attractions to partake in during the holiday season. In this post you will learn about 10 of the best Polar Express train rides in the US to embark on.
Best Polar Express train rides in the US:
- Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
- Grand Canyon Railway
- Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
- Mt. Hood Railroad
- Colorado Railroad Museum
- Texas State Railroad
- French Lick Scenic Railway
- Cape Cod Central Railroad
- Adirondack Scenic Railroad
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad:
- Location: Bryson City, North Carolina
- Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes
Set against the backdrop of the picturesque Smoky Mountains, the Polar Express train ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City, North Carolina is nothing short of magical. The experience is enhanced by the reading of “The Polar Express” story, sing-alongs, and the appearance of Santa Claus himself, who boards the train to hand out the iconic silver sleigh bells. The stunning mountain scenery, combined with the train’s festive decorations, make this one of the most popular Polar Express rides in the country.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad:
- Location: Durango, Colorado
- Duration: Around 1 hour and 30 minutes
Colorado’s Durango And Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad offers a Polar Express experience that’s as breathtaking as its mountainous setting. The historic steam train winds through the snowy San Juan National Forest on its way to the North Pole, providing passengers with spectacular views and a cozy, festive atmosphere inside. The journey is filled with holiday cheer, including hot chocolate, treats, and caroling. Santa Claus’s visit to each car to deliver a special gift adds to the magic, making it a memorable experience for families too! It’s one of the best scenic train rides in Colorado year round, but at the same time it’s also one of the top Polar Express rides in the country too.
Grand Canyon Railway
- Location: Williams, Arizona
- Duration: Approximately 4-5 hours
The Grand Canyon Railway also has a Polar Express ride and its a journey from the charming town of Williams, Arizona, to a whimsically recreated North Pole. Set against the vast and awe-inspiring backdrop of one of the world’s natural wonders, this ride offers a unique twist on the Polar Express experience.
Along the way, passengers enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, listen to the story of “The Polar Express,” and sing Christmas carols. The highlight of the trip is a stop at the North Pole, where Santa Claus and his reindeer welcome the train, and Santa boards to distribute gifts to the children.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad:
- Location: Peninsula, Ohio
- Duration: About 2 hours
Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad hosts a Polar Express ride that weaves through the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park, offering stunning views of the frost-covered landscape. The train’s cars are decked out in holiday finery, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for families as they embark on their journey to the North Pole. The story of “The Polar Express” is brought to life through interactive readings, and the train ride is punctuated with songs and just like the previous rides, Santa also visits each car to deliver gifts.
Mt. Hood Railroad:
- Location: Hood River, Oregon
- Duration: Around 1 hour
The Polar Express ride on the Mt. Hood Railroad in Hood River, Oregon, offers a picturesque journey through the snow-capped mountains and forests of the Pacific Northwest. This adventure is as visually stunning as it is heartwarming, with the train’s cozy, decorated interiors providing the perfect setting for listening to the “The Polar Express” story, enjoying hot chocolate and cookies, and singing along to holiday classics. The excitement culminates at the North Pole point of the trip where Santa Claus boards the train to greet the children and hand out the iconic bells.
Colorado Railroad Museum:
- Location: Golden, Colorado
- Duration: Around 1 hour
In the heart of Golden, Colorado, the Colorado Railroad Museum transforms its historic railcars into the Polar Express for a memorable holiday adventure. As the train chugs along, passengers are treated to a live reading of “The Polar Express” story, while enjoying hot chocolate and cookies, just like in the beloved book and movie. The journey includes a visit from Santa Claus, who brings the spirit of Christmas to life by delivering a special bell to each child on board, symbolizing the wonder of the season. This is also one of the best scenic train rides in Colorado.
Texas State Railroad:
- Location: Palestine, Texas
- Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes
The Texas State Railroad also offers a magical Polar Express experience from the Piney Woods station in Palestine, Texas. This ride takes passengers on a nostalgic journey through the beautiful forests of East Texas, culminating in an exciting visit to the North Pole. The experience is filled with the joyous sounds of Christmas carols, the sweet taste of hot chocolate and much more.
French Lick Scenic Railway:
- Location: French Lick, Indiana
- Duration: About 1 hour and 20 minutes
The French Lick Scenic Railway in French Lick, Indiana, offers a Polar Express ride that’s as enchanting as it is scenic. The train journey takes passengers through the Hoosier National Forest, transforming the wilderness into a winter wonderland. The cozy, decorated train cars set the stage for a festive reading of “The Polar Express,” complete with hot chocolate and cookies served to the rhythm of holiday tunes. Santa Claus’s visit, with a bell for every child, adds a touch of magic to this unforgettable ride.
Cape Cod Central Railroad:
- Location: Hyannis, Massachussets
- Duration: Approximately 1 hour
The Cape Cod Central Railroad captures the essence of the holiday season with its beautiful eastern US coastal scenery, festive decorations, and heartwarming entertainment. As the story of “The Polar Express” is narrated, families can sing along to Christmas carols and enjoy delicious hot chocolate and cookies. The highlight like on many of the Polar Express rides on this list is a visit from Santa Claus at the end of it.
Adirondack Scenic Railroad:
- Location: Utica, New York
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours
The Adirondack Scenic Railroad also has it’s own Polar Express ride which begins in Utica, New York and offers a mesmerizing journey through the snowy landscapes of the Adirondack Mountains. This enchanting ride features all the beloved elements of the Polar Express story, including a reading of the book, delicious hot chocolate and cookies, and festive caroling. The excitement builds as the train approaches the North Pole, where Santa Claus and his helpers greet the train.
Each Polar Express ride across the United States offers its own unique version of the magical journey to the North Pole, but they all share the same core elements that make this experience so special: the warmth of hot chocolate, the joy of singing carols, the anticipation of meeting Santa Claus, and the wonder of receiving the first gift of Christmas.
These train rides not only bring the story of “The Polar Express” to life but also encapsulate the spirit of the holiday season, making them a must-do experience for families looking to create lasting Christmas memories. Whether set against the backdrop of mountains, forests, or canyons, these Polar Express rides remind us of the magic of Christmas and the power of belief. It is also one of the best scenic train rides in New York.
Just as well each state in the US also has numerous scenic train rides, many of which also feature the Polar Express attraction on their route during the holiday season so even if you’re not able to try out one of the choices above, know that you still have plenty of options no matter which state you’re in.