Experience the Polar Express

Written by Chris Van Allsburg, the Polar Express has been a Christmas classic since it was printed. The book has even been made into a movie. For many families the movie has also become a part of their holiday traditions. There are many places where you and your family can experience the magic of the Polar Express in real life. Following is a guide to some of the more popular ones in the United States.

Most of the train rides feature hot chocolate and cookies while the story of the Polar Express is read aloud. On most, Santa also joins the train and gives each child a special gift. Check the website for the rides in your area to get specific information. If a state is not listed, then there are no Polar Express Trains in that state.

Alabama
Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
Calera, Alabama
Website: http://www.hodrrm.org/CalendarofEvents/PolarExpressInfo/tabid/62/Default.aspx

Arizona
Grand Canyon Railway
Williams, Arizona
Website: http://www.thetrain.com/polar-express-5679.html
The Polar Express runs from the second weekend in November through the first weekend in January. Tickets can be purchased on their website and start at $29 for adults and $19 for children.

Arkansas
Barnes and Noble Polar Express Reading Event
Website: http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/3072778

California
California State Railroad Museum
Old Sacramento, California
Website: http://www.csrmf.org/events-exhibits/2010-calendar-of-events

Colorado
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum
Website: http://www.durangotrain.com/events/polar-express

Connecticut
Essex Steam Train
Essex, Connecticut
Website: http://www.essexsteamtrain.com/northpole.html

Florida
Florida Railroad Museum
Website: http://www.frrm.org/Months/events.php

Georgia
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Website: http://www.ellijaycabin.com/blueridgetrain.htm

Idaho
Thunder Mountain Lines
Website: http://www.thundermountainline.com/

Illinois
Monticello Railway Museum
Monticello, Illinois
Website: http://www.mrym.org/index.html

Chicago, Illinois Area
There are numerous Polar Express trains in the Chicago area.
This website http://www.santainchicago.com/santaonthetrain/santaandtrains.htm lists each one with links to purchase tickets.

Indiana
Indiana Railway Museum
Website: http://www.indianarailwaymuseum.org/Polar_express.html

Whitewater Valley Railroad
Cornersville, Indiana
Website: http://www.whitewatervalleyrr.org/tickets/

Iowa
Midwest Central Railroad
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa
Website: http://www.mcrr.org/PAGES/events.html#north_pole_express

Kansas
Midland Railway
Baldwin City, Kansas
Website: http://www.midland-ry.org/index.php?page=events

Maine
The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum
Portland, Maine
Website: http://www.mngrr.org/specialevents.html

Massachusetts
Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum
Lenox, Massachusetts
Website: http://www.berkshirescenicrailroad.org/events.php

Triton Music Parents Organization
Byfield, Massachusetts
Website: http://www.tritonarts.net/the-polar-express.html

Minnesota
North Shore Scenic Railroad
Duluth Minnesota
Website: http://www.northshorescenicrailroad.org/Home/exspecial.asp

Missouri
Branson Scenic Railway
Branson Missouri
Website: http://www.bransontrain.com/

Montana
Charlie Russell Chew Choo
Central, Montana
Website: http://www.montanacharlierussellchewchoo.com/polar.html

Nevada
Nevada Northern Railway
Ely Nevada
Website: http://www.bransontrain.com/

New Hampshire
Conway Scenic Railroad
Website: http://www.conwayscenic.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.specificevent&eid=39

Hobo Railroad
Website: http://www.hoborr.com/events.html

New Jersey
Delaware River Railroad Excursions
Website: http://www.nyswths.org/polarexpress.htm

New York
Adirondack Scenic Railroad
Utica, New York
Website: http://adirondackrr.com/adkrr_uticaspecial.php

North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Bryson City, North Carolina
Website: http://gsmr.com/events/Polar_Express.php

Ohio
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Website: http://www.cvsr.com/polar-express.aspx

Dennison Railroad Depot Museum
Website: http://www.dennisondepot.org/DEN_SCH.html

Oregon
Mount Hood Railroad
Website: http://www.mthoodrr.com/specialevents.htm

Pennsylvania
New Hope and Ivyland Railroad
Website: http://www.newhoperailroad.com/upcoming-events.cfm

Rhode Island
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
Website: http://www.tourblackstone.com/polarexpress.htm

Newport Dinner Train
Website: http://www.newportdinnertrain.com/index2.htm

Tennessee
Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
Website: http://tvrail.com/pages/schedule/northpolelimited.php

Texas
West Texas and Lubbock Railroad
Website: http://www.west-texas-polar-express.com/

Utah
Heber Valley Railroad
Website: http://www.hebervalleyrr.org/excursions/north-pole-christmas-train/

Vermont
Green Mountain Railroad
Website: http://www.rails-vt.com/excur_main_09.html

Washington
Chehalis Central Centralia Railroad
Website: http://www.steamtrainride.com/special.php#polar

Wisconsin
National Railroad Museum
Website: http://www.nationalrrmuseum.org/en-Us/news/event_calendar/default.aspx?eid=265