Meet Santa Claus on a Polar Express Train Ride This Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner, but you still have time to plan a Christmas train ride with your little ones in order to meet Santa Claus. Polar Express train rides can be just the ticket, as they provide your child with the feeling they are in their own Polar Express book and movie adventure.

Polar Express Train Ride: What to expect

Dress your little one in their pajamas--or be sure to bring them along, as it is encouraged on this train trip. Hot chocolate and cookies or other goodies will be served as your family makes its way to the "North Pole" via train tracks.

To get everyone in the mood, the Polar Express story will be read and Christmas carols will be sung as you roll down the tracks towards Christmas. Santa and his elves will make their appearance when you reach the "North Pole," as bright Christmas lights usher in their appearance.

A wisp of Old Saint Nick's beard, as it brushes your tyke's cheek, will only add to the North Pole ambiance when Santa Claus gives them their special memento for making the winter Christmas trip.

Polar Express Train Ride: Where you can board

From the North to the South, children in America can make the trek to Santa's North Pole on many local trains in nearby areas, so no one should be left out.

New England states can choose from Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont Polar Express trains.

Mid-Atlantic States have Polar Express train rides available to them in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Alabama and North Carolina trains are the two state options for children in the South. While trains in Arizona and Texas provide children in the Southwest a chance to meet Santa Claus at the North Pole.

If you live in the Midwest, you've got six locations to board with your little boy or girl and make the holiday trip. These include Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Children from the West hoping to see Santa can hop aboard in California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon or Washington. Either way, this really is a time when "no child should be left behind."

Polar Express Train Ride: Schedules and Cost

Pricing and exact schedules will vary between each Polar Express Train across the country, with most beginning train ride tours to Santa's North Pole around Thanksgiving and almost through Christmas (some have Christmas Eve rides as well).

Tickets sell out quickly, with some locations selling out faster than others, so get yours now if you are interested in going this year.

Ticket pricing typically ranges from $26 to $60 for children and adults alike, with children under two generally getting on board for free, at least with most rail lines. Coach versus Premium seating can impact cost for the trip that typically can span 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours and may include museum entrance fees for some railroad stations as well.

Resources:
"Polar Express Train Rides - 2010 Events," Train Traveling.com;
"Reservations: The Polar Express," Great Smokey Mountains Railroad.com and
"Journey to the North Pole," Polar Express.org