Few holiday traditions hit the nostalgia button quite like boarding a decorated train after dark in your pajamas, holding a cup of cocoa while a conductor punches your golden ticket. America’s heritage railroads have leaned into that feeling hard, and many of them now run licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ productions or their own homegrown North Pole runs every November and December. Several of these trips also run on routes we’ve covered in our guide to scenic train journeys across America, so pairing one with a stay in one of the best US cities to visit at Christmas makes for a memorable winter weekend.
1. Grand Canyon Railway – Williams, Arizona
The Grand Canyon Railway has been running its Polar Express for roughly 25 winters, with nighttime departures into the high-country dark, hot chocolate and cookies, a reading of the Van Allsburg story, and Santa waiting at a staged North Pole. Trains leave from the station behind the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, typically at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Arizona time, and the whole experience lasts about 90 minutes, which makes it easy to book a room steps from the platform and skip the late-night drive. Because Williams sits at about 6,800 feet, there’s a real chance of actual snow, so pack heavier layers than you’d expect for Arizona and consider spending the next day on the regular train to the South Rim.
What to Pack for Williams, Arizona
- A full-zip fleece jacket layers easily under a heavier coat and keeps you warm on a platform where December nights regularly drop below freezing.
- A few pairs of merino wool thermal socks keep toes warm while you wait in line at the depot and wick moisture if you end up walking through snow.
- A tub of fragrance-free emollient cream is worth tossing in the bag because the dry high-altitude air cracks hands and cheeks faster than most visitors expect.
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2. North Pole Express – Owosso, Michigan
This is the closest you’ll get to riding the movie train itself, since it’s pulled by Pere Marquette 1225, the Lima 2-8-4 whose drawings and sounds inspired the locomotive in the 2004 film, even though it’s the railroad’s own production rather than a licensed Polar Express. The trip is a 4.75-hour round trip to the Village of Ashley Country Christmas, where the entire town is dressed up as the North Pole, and every ticket class comes with perks like a souvenir mug and unlimited hot cocoa. Plan ahead seriously here, because tickets went on sale April 1, 2026, and many coach dates were already gone by May, with coach seats at $85 and Cocoa Class tables starting at $250.
What to Pack for Owosso, Michigan
- A 40 oz insulated water bottle with straw keeps everyone hydrated over a nearly five-hour round trip that runs heavy on cocoa and sweets.
- An interactive 100 words learning book gives toddlers something hands-on to do during the long stretches between Owosso and Ashley.
- A set of 72 soft-core colored pencils lets older kids draw the train and the North Pole village while the memories are still fresh.
3. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad – Bryson City, North Carolina
Bryson City runs one of the biggest holiday trains in the country, drawing more than 90,000 passengers every year to a depot that sits right in the middle of a walkable mountain town. The railroad offers both steam and diesel departures, though the steam locomotive only runs during the day with more limited dates, and the “North Pole” stop is actually the nearby town of Whittier. On the ride back, Santa walks through every coach and hands each child the first gift of Christmas, and since peak nights and preferred classes sell out early, weekday evenings are your best shot at last-minute seats.
What to Pack for Bryson City, North Carolina
- A Christmas angel bell ornament makes a sweet keepsake to hang on the tree next to the bell your child brings home from the train.
- A pack of rigid toploader sleeves protects the souvenir golden ticket from getting bent or sticky with cocoa on the ride home.
- A guided family memory keepsake journal gives you a place to write down the date, the conductor’s lines, and your kids’ reactions before the details fade.
4. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad – Durango, Colorado
Durango’s version runs on a historic narrow-gauge line in the San Juan Mountains and ranks among Colorado’s fastest-selling winter rail tickets every year. Boarding happens at the depot on the 479 Main Ave. campus, which puts you a short walk from downtown restaurants, old brick hotels, and holiday window displays along Main Avenue. A December evening in Durango usually means crisp mountain air and snow on the surrounding peaks, so this is the ride to pick for families who want the full alpine Christmas setting rather than a city depot.
What to Pack for Durango, Colorado
- A pair of polarized aviator sunglasses cuts the harsh glare off fresh snow when you’re exploring downtown Durango during the day.
- A menthol nasal inhaler stick helps with the stuffy, dried-out feeling that hits a lot of visitors at mountain elevation.
- A waterproof roll-top backpack keeps extra mittens, snacks, and a camera dry when snow is falling on the walk to the depot.
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
5. Blackstone Valley Polar Express – Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Woonsocket can claim bragging rights as the longest-running licensed Polar Express in the world, with continuous holiday seasons since 2000, which gives the whole production a polished, well-rehearsed feel. For 2026, trains run November 6 through December 20 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, typically departing at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. That early-November start makes it one of the best options for New England families who want to ride before the December rush, and the afternoon departure works well for younger kids who won’t last until a late-evening train.
What to Pack for Woonsocket, Rhode Island
- An organic cotton infant wearable blanket keeps babies cozy in the coach without loose blankets sliding onto the floor.
- A boxset of 10 board books gives little ones something familiar to flip through while the crowd boards and settles in.
- A princess dress with a long cape is a fun alternative to pajamas for kids who want to dress up for their trip to the North Pole.
6. Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad – Portland, Maine
Portland’s ride is a rare chance to do the Polar Express on a two-foot narrow-gauge railroad, departing from the Ocean Gateway Marine Terminal on the waterfront. The railroad calls this its largest annual fundraiser, carrying about 29,000 passengers in 2025, so the smaller cars fill quickly despite the long season. The 2026 schedule covers select dates November 20 through December 28, with no trains on December 24 and 25, and a seafood dinner in the Old Port before boarding makes it a full evening out.
What to Pack for Portland, Maine
- A waterproof roll-top dry bag keeps phones and spare layers safe from the sleet and sea spray that blow off Casco Bay in December.
- A soft fringe pashmina scarf wraps up against the waterfront wind and still looks polished at dinner in the Old Port.
- A pair of opaque 40 den tights lets you wear a holiday dress on a cold Maine night without freezing between the restaurant and the terminal.
7. Branson Scenic Railway – Branson, Missouri
Branson stages its ride from the downtown 1906 depot on select dates from November 12, 2026 through January 2, 2027, giving it one of the longest windows on this list. The train portion lasts about 1 hour 15 minutes, though you should budget closer to two hours including depot time, and the seating menu includes Coach, Deluxe Coach with tables, First Class, and dome car options. Those dome seats are the real upgrade here, since the glass ceiling turns the ride through the Ozark hills into something closer to a starlit sleigh ride.
What to Pack for Branson, Missouri
- A strategy board game for ages 7 and up fills the downtime back at the hotel between shows, dinners, and the train ride.
- A weighted sleep mask helps tired kids nod off in the back seat on the drive home after a late departure.
- A solar rainbow maker suncatcher makes a clever stocking stuffer that keeps the holiday glow going in a sunny window long after the trip.
8. Mount Hood Railroad – Hood River, Oregon
The Pacific Northwest’s standout holiday train leaves from the downtown Hood River depot with pre-show entertainment before boarding and a shuttle from the overflow lot. Rides run on select days from November 20, 2026 to January 2, 2027, and the post-Christmas dates are a smart pick for families who want to stretch the holiday season into the week before New Year’s. Hood River sits in the Columbia River Gorge about an hour from Portland, so you can turn it into an overnight with cider tasting and a morning drive along the gorge.
What to Pack for Hood River, Oregon
- A compact 20L travel backpack holds everything for a one-night gorge getaway without hauling a full suitcase.
- A set of compression packing cubes keeps the kids’ pajamas, the next day’s outfits, and wet rain gear separated in one bag.
- A bottle of peppermint castile soap doubles as body wash and a quick stain fixer for cocoa spills on travel clothes.
9. Western Maryland Scenic Railroad – Cumberland, Maryland
Cumberland transforms its Canal Street depot into a Polar Express boarding scene for a roughly 60-minute holiday ride, which is perfect for toddlers and kids who get restless on longer trips. The season runs November 20 through December 24, 2026, and pricing is more approachable than most, with Coach at $40, First Class at $90, and Table Class at $153 for a two-top or $305 for a four-top, plus a $5 Heritage Fee per ticket. Keep in mind that this evening show is a separate train from the railroad’s 4.5-hour mountain day trip, so book both if you want the scenery and the holiday show.
What to Pack for Cumberland, Maryland
- A two-pack of clip-on LED safety lights makes small kids easy to spot in a dark, crowded parking lot after the evening train.
- A rechargeable LED work light and flashlight comes in handy for finding dropped gloves and tickets on dim walkways around the depot.
- A slim RFID money clip wallet keeps cards and cash secure in a front pocket while you juggle kids, cocoa, and souvenirs.
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
10. Texas State Railroad – Palestine, Texas
East Texas gets its own licensed ride, which boards at the Texas State Railroad Palestine depot, not Grapevine or Galveston, so double-check the location before you set the GPS. It’s a shorter theatrical production departing Palestine only, from 789 Park Road 70, which keeps the evening manageable for families driving in from Dallas or Houston. The route runs through the Piney Woods, and the mild Texas winter means you can actually enjoy hanging around the depot afterward without freezing, which is a nice change from the northern rides on this list.
What to Pack for Palestine, Texas
- A 42L wheeled carry-on with dual compartments handles a long holiday weekend road trip through East Texas without overpacking the trunk.
- A stretchy luggage cover protects your suitcase from scuffs and makes it easy to spot in a packed hotel lobby.
- A hidden RFID money belt keeps travel cash and IDs tucked away during busy depot crowds and holiday shopping stops.
Most of these trains sell out their best nights well before Thanksgiving, so book early, grab the weekday or post-Christmas dates when possible, and dress for cold platforms even in warmer states. If you’re still planning what to wear for the trip, our roundup of chic winter travel outfit ideas for women has cozy looks that hold up on a chilly depot platform.
