All aboard! Ride the Polar Express or take your family on a special Christmas Train ride this Holiday Season! Keep in mind that tickets for many of these events sell out early.
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As details may change, it is always a good idea to verify with the business before visiting.
Iowa
Santa Express at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
225 10th St., Boone, IA (North of Des Moines)
Select Dates: Nov. 29 – Dec. 22
Tickets: Basic coach class: $18 per person. First class coach: $45 per person
Tickets for this event go on sale Nov 1st. Purchase by clicking here, or by calling 1-800-626-0319.
Enjoy a ride from the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s depot to the North Pole (and return). En route, you will hear the story of Santa’s Scenic Valley Ride, sing holiday songs, and take part in other fun, family activities. Also on board, you will be served hot chocolate and a cookie, and children will get to meet (and receive a special memento from) Santa himself. Experience what has become a tradition for families from across Iowa, and beyond.
The North Pole Express
Midwest Central Railroad, Mount Pleasant, IA (4.5 hours East of Omaha)
Select Dates: Nov. 30 – Dec. 15
Tickets: Reservations are required for this event. Tickets are $25 per person (plus a small service charge from the ticket service). Everyone over the age of 18 months must have a ticket.
Watson Steam Train & Depot
800 W Huron St, Missouri Valley, Iowa
Select Date: December 7, 2019 (12 – 5 p.m.)
Tickets: Cookies, Hot Cider, Grinch Punch, Santa, Vendors, Candy and Goody Makers. Please bring a Non-perishable item for your Entrance fee. Small-scale Train Rides, perfect for little ones (possible additional fee).
Kansas
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Santa Train – TBA
Abilene, KS (3.5 hours Southwest of Omaha)
The Santa train will be TBA. Call the Abilene Parks & Rec office for reservations, (785) 263-7266.
The Polar Express Train Ride
Midland Railway, 1515 High St., Baldwin City, KS (West of Kansas City)
Select Dates: Select days, Nov. 16 – Dec. 27
Tickets: $30 – $70.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride is a re-creation of the classic children’s story onboard a real train. Passengers are served hot chocolate and a treat by dancing chefs, enjoy a reading of the book by Chris Van Allsburg and receive the first gift of Christmas (a silver sleigh bell) after Santa boards the train to greet families. Attendants lead passengers in caroling and fun holiday activities on the return trip to Baldwin Station.
Missouri
Kansas City Southern’s Holiday Express Train
Kansas City’s Union Station
Dates: Dec. 18 – 22
Tickets: Price is free to visit the train. There is a cost for event parking.
Please Note: This train is stationary. Guests will enjoy a magical walk-through experience on the train.
One of Kansas City’s favorite FREE holiday traditions, the Kansas City Southern Holiday Express Train, is back for its 19th annual run and will return to Union Station December 18-22.
The Polar Express – Branson
Branson Scenic Railway, Branson, MO
Select Dates: Nov. 1 – Dec. 21
Tickets: $34 – $44
The Polar Express Train Ride – St. Louis
St. Louis Union Station
Select Dates: Nov. 29 – Dec. 30
Tickets: Varies.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride departs from St. Louis Union Station for a 45-minute adventure to the North Pole filled with magic, songs, and cheer. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ comes to life on a journey to the enchanted beauty of “the North Pole”—where Santa Claus and his reindeer are waiting with a keepsake present for every boy and girl.
St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway The Santa Express – Sold Out 2019
225 East Jackson Blvd., Intersection of Highway 61 & 25, Jackson, MO (Located 100 miles south of St. Louis, MO)
Plan ahead for 2020: Tickets usually sell out by August.
South Dakota
Holiday Express
1880 Train, Black Hills Central Railroad, 222 Railroad Ave., Hill City, SD (located in Black Hills National Forest, 8 hours from Omaha)
Select Dates Nov. 29 – Dec. 28
Tickets: $16 – $75
Experience the magic as you take a one hour, round trip journey from Hill City to the North Pole where Santa will board the train and ride back to Hill City, taking time to visit with each child on the way. Passengers enjoy hot cocoa, a sugar cookie and a special story on the way to the North Pole. Santa hands out a special gift to each child on the trip.
