The most festive holiday train rides in the US

The 1880 Train may be located in Hill City and Keystone in the heart of South Dakota’s beautiful Black Hills, but its destination is the North Pole! All kids receive a special bell to ring for Santa, who’s joined by Mrs. Claus as the Christmas power couple visit each passenger on the one-hour, round trip journey. Standard class passengers and those in the roomier first class cabins enjoy hot cocoa and a sugar cookie, while those booking the Spiked experience (strictly over 21) get a little something extra in their keepsake mug. If you can’t make it onto the train before the holiday, after Christmas runs are available offering both regular and Spiked options.

Holiday Express tickets start at $42 per adult and $21 per child; Holiday Express Spiked Tickets cost $55 per person. 

This one is a little bit different—the Chicago Transit Authority Holiday Train and Buses are coming to town. The train is decked out in twinkling holiday lights with Santa and his reindeer riding outside to wave at families—you can spot the festive-themed locomotive in CTA stations throughout the city from November 25 through December 19. The CTA Holiday Bus will hit the road on November 29 and make its rounds through December 23. Santa prefers to pop up through the roof when he rides the decked-out bus, so be sure to look up.

Full details and the schedule can be found here.

The Strasburg Railroad has a long association with Christmas, having invited Santa on board its holiday themed authentic steam trains for more than 60 years. The Pennsylvania-based railroad features the red-suited icon on its weekday Santa Claus Limited journeys, which run on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. For the vintage experience, book the weekend Santa’s Paradise Express. This includes the same 45-minute journey but adds professional musicians and carolers, as well as a picture opportunity with Santa and a gift from the man himself (plus complimentary hot cocoa and a cookie for First Class guests). There are other journey options to put you in the holiday mood, although they don’t involve Santa. The Night Before Christmas recreates the excitement and anticipation of Christmas Eve using a reading of Clement Clarke Moore’s classic poem of the same name. And if you need a tree to decorate your home, the Christmas Tree Train heads to Leaman Place Grove to pick a pre-cut Frasier fir (not included in the ticket price) that will be delivered back to the station.

Santa’s Paradise Express tickets start at $33 per adult and $26 per child; Santa Claus Limited tickets start at $27 per adult and $20 per child; The Night Before Christmas tickets start at $33 per adult and $26 per child; and Christmas Tree Train tickets start at $25 per adult and $13 per child.

This holiday season you can once again ride Metropolitan Transportation Authority's beloved Nostalgia Trains and they'll be traveling on a completely new route. After a two-year hiatus, the MTA's beloved holiday nostalgia train rides are back and New Yorkers will not only get to partake in this annual tradition showcasing the New York Transit Museum's vintage fleet, but they'll get to ride them along a completely new route. Specifically, in honor of the museum’s "Reign of the Redbirds" exhibit, the nostalgia trains will feature the Train of Many Colors, which includes a selection of cars manufactured in the 1960s: So this is an absolute must for train aficionados and history buffs, all for the price of a single MetroCard swipe!

Full details and a schedule can be found here.

The Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum operates two types of holiday railway excursions throughout November and December, both offering stunning views of the hills of western Massachusetts. The Tinseliner Santa trains are more of a standard seasonal affair, with carol singing plus the chance to visit Santa. However, the the Mistletoe & Music cabaret trains are, shall we say, geared more to the needs of adults, rather than children at Christmas time. The cabaret trains run for just three days during December. so you'll need to book soon. Musical performances last for the duration of the themed one-hour ride so be sure to bring your own drinks and snacks and enjoy the show.

You’ll feel like you’re boarding the Polar Express even before you set foot on the Napa Valley Wine Train during the holiday period. The Santa Train Jolly Journeys start with cheerful carolers at the station and include a fun photo opportunity with jolly old St Nick himself, before guests board an early 1900s steam train. Three different experiences are available as the train makes its 1.5-hour journey from the McKinstry Street station in Napa to Yountville, and back again. Santa's Cookie Car includes a welcome cup of cocoa or hot cider and — as the name suggests — a cookie. The Gourmet Holiday Express experience includes a kid and adult-friendly three-course dining adventure, while Very Merry Vista Dome passengers enjoy the spectacular views of the Napa Valley as they eat in the upper story of a domed car. All packages support local children in the foster care system as a portion of the proceeds benefits Expressions of Hope, and participants can also use the toy drop off to help further.

Tickets for Santa’s Cookie Car cost $95 per adult and $75 per child; Gourmet Holiday Express tickets cost $155 per adult and $95 per child; Very Merry Vista Dome tickets cost $195 per adult and $105 per child.

This January, Amtrak is is bringing back its Winter Park Express train that will take skiers from Denver to the slopes with the added bonus that it incorporates stunning views of the Rocky Mountain along the way. Known as the "ski train," the route connects the city of Denver with Colorado’s Winter Park Ski Resort, which is located about 66 miles away. According to Amtrak, the train departs from Denver’s Union Station bright and early at 7am and arrives at the resort by 9am. Each train offers a split-level sightseeing lounge so passengers can take in the magnificent views of the mighty Rocky Mountains, whilst simultaneously enjoying refreshments. Travelers can bring their skis or snowboards, along with a carry-on bag, for no extra charge, but train tickets do not include lift passes for the mountain. The train will depart on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, beginning the weekend of January 13 and run through the weekend of March 24. One-way fares for the ride start at $34 for adults and $17 for kids 2 to 12 years old and tickets can be purchased online.

While pizza might not be considered the most typical of Christmas food — and no, not even in Italy — there really isn't any wrong time, technically speaking to eat pizza. It is timeless after all. if this sounds appealing, you should probably make your way to the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad’s Santa Train where you'll find the option to partake in pizza or the more customary cookies and cocoa. Each family, or group, rides in their own private dining room that accommodates up to six people and the price of a ticket includes a personal pizza, beverage and holiday sweets. Once you're done eating, drinking and gazing out of the window at the marvelous view, you can saunter down to Santa's carriage for a few photos and seasonal cheer.

Three options are available when you wembark on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad...

Christmas Caboose Ride
If you enjoy being snug and cozy with your friends, the 75-minute round-trip excursion in the Christmas caboose car provides the ultimate ride for groups of up to 10 people. Here you can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies by a wood-burning stove and take home a commemorative mug. Go full steam ahead and purchase the entire car and for an extra $50, upgrade to a spiked hot chocolate bar!

Dinner to the North Pole
Step aboard and be transported back to the golden age of rail travel. Indulge in a sensational feast of hor d’oeuvres, prepared by their executive chef, and sip cocktails whilst admiring the stunning views from the comfort of the legendary Silver Solarium and Silver Bronco train cars.
Embark the train at Rockside Station for 7:30pm, where you can enjoy cocktails before the train starts the 75-minute tour at 8pm. Passengers must be ages 21 and over to ride 

North Pole Adventure
One of the most sought-after holiday experiences in Northeast Ohio is the Cuyahoga Valley North Pole Adventure. It’s truly a magical family experience not to be missed. Departing from Rockside Station, the 75-minute adventure to the North Pole travels through the enchanted Cuyahoga Valley. Onboard, Santa’s very own whimsical elves will make sure you and your family have a cup of hot chocolate, cookies and lots of fun festivities. Onboard your little ones will have the opportunity to write a letter to Santa to hand over to the North Pole’s Postmaster. Not only will Santa make a surprise appearance, but for the very the first time you’ll be able to take a peek at Santa's workshop, seeing first-hand how hard his elves work.

Cost: Dinner to the North Pole: $95 – $110 per person. Christmas Caboose: $50 per person (ages 3 and up). Children under 2 do not need a ticket North Pole Adventure: $45-$92 per person (ages 3 and up). Children under 2 do not need a ticket Departures: Rockside Station, Independence, Ohio, check website for times.

Seasonal Polar Express-inspired train rides can be found at locations all over the country, including Arizona, Chicago, Florida, New York and Maine, among many others. The experience is very similar regardless of geographical location and the one that departs from Golden, Colorado just outside of Denver is no exception. If you're so inclined, you can take part in Christmas carol singing, or just leave to those who aren't tone deaf before gorging yourself on delicious cookies and cocoa, just like in the movie. When the train pulls out of the station and begins its...er, journey to the North Pole, the elves begin their song and dance routine and Santa makes his way through the carriages to greet the passengers. If you book a table on a first class carriage, you'll get some free giveaway merch.

Affectionately known as "the Naugy," the Naugatuck Railroad offers two seasonal-themed rides this Christmas. The first is the Santa Express, which runs during the daytime, but it is the Northern Lights Ltd experience that might catch the eye of the adults in the family. Both offer a snug, 1920s-era aesthetic, but where the former features elf-led caroling, the opportunity to meet Santa, plus small gifts for the kids and some hot cocoa if you snag a lounge car, but the latter offers alcohol. Nuff said. To make the most out of the journey, reserve a spot in one of the two premium cars as the tavern lounge also offers an onboard bar service. Moreover, the observation lounge offers all of that plus a charcuterie box. It's worth noting though, that the premium cars are the only ones that have in-car restrooms.

Santa Express tickets run $20-$149 per person. Northern Lights Limited tickets run $29.50-$149 per person.