These holiday train rides take you on a journey to the North Pole. Meet Santa, listen to storytime and munch on cookies before Ol’ Saint Nick eats them all!
CHRISTMAS EXPRESS
Allaire State Park, Wall Twp.
Select dates, Nov. 28-Dec. 31
The New Jersey Museum of Transportation’s Pine Creek Railroad lets you board a train with Santa Claus during the day or at night.
CHRISTMAS TRAM TOURS
Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, Shawnee on Delaware, PA
Select dates, Nov.-Dec.
Board their version of the Polar Express, which takes you along a lighted trail to Christmas Island, where holiday fun includes caroling, cute scenes, photo ops and a visit to Santa’s Workshop.
DiDONATO’S MAGICAL HOLIDAY EXPRESS
DiDonato Family Fun Center, Hammonton
Kids can take a train ride through millions of Christmas lights. You’ll stroll through a holiday village, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and visit the toy market. Bowling is included with your ticket.
THE POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE
Delaware River Railroad Excursions, Phillipsburg
Select dates, Nov. 28-Dec. 21
As you listen to the music from the motion picture soundtrack, you’ll also hear a reading of the classic story. There will be magical juggling chefs and singing hobos to entertain you until Santa arrives.
THE POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE
Whippany Railway Museum, Whippany
Select dates, Nov. 1–Dec. 30
After you give your golden ticket to the conductor, you’ll be treated to storytime. After Santa meets your family, there will be caroling and holiday activities on board.
SANTA CLAUS SPECIAL
Woodstown Central Railroad, Woodstown
Select dates, Nov. 29–Dec. 23
woodstowncentral.com
Santa will make his way through the restored 1930s train cars. Once you get to South Woodstown Station, there will be fire pits, photos and letters to Santa Claus.
SANTA CLAUS TRAIN
Northlandz, Flemington
Select dates, Nov.-Dec.
northlandz.com/santa
The inside of the mini train museum has a holiday vibe, with snow, presents, lights and Christmas trees filling the displays. Meet Santa when he takes an outdoor train ride with you on the weekends, spreading lots of Christmas cheer.
SANTA EXPRESS
Black River and Western Railroad, Flemington
Select dates, Nov. 23 – Dec. 28
blackriverrailroad.com
When your kid boards the train, they’ll get a souvenir golden ticket before they meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. At the station stop in Ringoes, have a cookie and hot cocoa before checking out the model train displays.
THE SANTA EXPRESS AND THE SANTA STARLIGHT EXPRESS
Richland Village, Richland
Tuckahoe Village, Tuckahoe
Select dates, Nov. 30-Dec. 21
seashorelines.org
The Seashore Lines take you on a historic train ride with Santa Claus himself, featuring entertainment and snack service. You can opt to ride The Starlight Express (in your PJs!) at night.
SANTA’S NORTH POLE EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE
New Hope Railroad, New Hope
Select dates, Nov. 15-Dec. 30
newhoperailroad.com
The North Pole Express is pulled by one of the diesel locomotives. Kids will get cookies, listen to music and mail their letters to Santa.
SANTA’S STEAM RIDE TRAIN RIDE
New Hope Railroad, New Hope
Select dates, Nov. 28-Dec. 28
newhoperailroad.com
The restored passenger trains (which date back to the first half of the 20th century) are warm and cozy and decorated for the season. Cookies will be served on board, live music will play, and everyone will sing along to holiday tunes.
THE SANTA TRAIN
Tri-State Railway Historical Society, Wayne
Dec. 13
tristaterail.org/santatrain
This hour-long round-trip experience includes carols, costumed characters and a chance to meet Santa.
SANTA’S CHRISTMAS TRAINS
Strasburg Railroad Museum, Ronks, PA
Select dates, Nov.-Dec.
strasburgrailroad.com/christmas-train
There’s no shortage of holiday train rides that travel through Amish Country: there’s brunch aboard Santa’s Paradise Express, a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” inside the first-class cars, and the Santa Claus Limited that has a visit with the big man himself.
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Read More:
The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Attractions in NJ, NY and PA
A Festive German Christmas Market is Coming to Philadelphia
The World’s Largest Miniature Train Museum in Hunterdon County is a Must-See
