All Aboard for Winter Family Fun

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

08 Nov 2008 05:48 PM

The Polar Express is a popular book in our home year round; however, the famous children's tale comes to life just once a year in some 20 states across the country. In a few days more than 30 Polar Express train rides will begin their annual run.

The trips take their cue from the award-winning children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. During the family-friendly ride, passengers are treated to hot chocolate and story time featuring lively readings of The Polar Express. In addition, the movie soundtrack is played over the train's public address system while riders wait for their chance to meet Jolly ol' St. Nick.

You can climb aboard the Polar Express at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City, North Carolina, the Grand Canyon Railway, in Williams, Arizona, and the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Durango, Colorado. New to the program this year is a rail line in Squamish, British Columbia, near Vancouver. (View the complete schedule here.)

Event organizers say about 300,000 people took Polar Express rides last year and that number is expected to grow this year. Since most tickets sell out well in advance now is the time to book your seats.

If you are unable to secure a seat on the mega-popular Polar Express, then consider other seasonal train rides that cater to families with young children. "Santa trains," such as the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway in Ohio, and the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, Washington help make the holidays bright with seasonal decorations, games, and visits from Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves.

Finally, if you can't ride the rails this holiday season, then settle for viewing them at various Christmas-themed model train exhibits hosted by museums and botanical gardens from coast-to-coast. Some of the most popular include the 17th annual Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, which runs from November 23rd through January 11th. In California, The Golden Gate Express is being unveiled for the first time this year at the Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. It runs from November 20-April 19.

Other shows take place in real train stations, like the one at Washington's Union Station. Beginning November 25th, visitors will be able to view a "Norwegian Christmas" train exhibit free of charge.

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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