USA: Southwest - Santa Trains and Holiday Lights. 
Need a mini break, something easy and fun to do with your kids? During the winter months traditional “Santa Trains,” provide easyways to span generations. From Texas to Arizona and New Mexico pretend journeys to the North Pole in winter and “bunny” trains in the spring provide day adventures with spunk.
Here's the scoop. At many stations the family holiday tradition has a new twist inspired by the heartwarming film version of Chris Van Allsburg’s book,
The Polar Express. Featured below you will find our favorite train excursions and holiday traditions for families. It's about sharing time and making memories. From animated displays and enchanting costumes to festive singing and holiday treats, the seasonal excursions add a lively dimension while costumed storytellers convey the message of the season. We have assembled a short list of the best options for creating your own family holiday tradition.
Texas: Fort Worth, Grapevine Vintage Railroad – Ride the North Polar Express (Late November to mis December). Puffy a circa 1896 steam engine provides families with a Texas-style the Polar Express this holiday season. Kids are encouraged to arrive in their P.J.s and enjoy the enchantment and magic of the classic train journey as it comes to life, including a surprise visit from the jolly old elf himself and a present for each child. The depot area will be decorated with thousands of lights, animated characters, and holiday cheer will prevail with a 30-minute live sing-a-long stage show. Once on board there will more singing, story time, and a visit from Santa.
Bonus points: Also near the depot a bounce house; free ornament making factory; North Pole General Store; concession stands; photos with Santa for purchase; a chance to visit with Hobo Bob, and the Lone Star High-Railers model railroad layout.
The rail experience: Ride the Trinity River Route to Fort Worth --"Cowtown, USA." Puffy travels along the western edge of downtown Fort Worth providing awesome views of the city and the countryside once on the edge of the frontier. "Puffy" the steam engine operates on Saturdays and the Vintage Diesel locomotive operates Fridays and Sundays. (Grapevine Vintage Railroad. Grapevine/Fort Worth. (817) 410-3132 or
www.gvrr.com)
Texas: Palestine & Rusk, Texas State Railroad – Ride the Polar Express (Mid November through the end of December).
Departing from the Palestine depot just make the magic happen by boarding the train then reading along with the story as the train makes its round trip journey to the North Pole. Meet Santa and enjoy caroling, hot chocolate and a treat. And, for those who believe, a special gift for each child. Kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas!
Discovery: Enjoy The Polar Express™ Train Ride on the First Class private car. You will experience top notch service at your table by dancing chefs, enjoy a variety of cookies served on silver trays, drink delicious hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles in our collectable Polar Express™ mugs.
The rail experience: The Texas State Railroad offers both steam and diesel train excursions reminiscent of days gone by. Passengers may board excursion trains at either the Rusk or Palestine depots where southern hospitality is the norm. These depots were built with an eye for detail and the elegance of Victorian charm. They are surrounded by beautiful parks with lakes and streams offering visitors full-service campground facilities.
Bonus points: Throughout the year on Sundays enjoy a great Texas BBQ lunch and live music and then take a short ride on a historic steam engine. (Texas State Railroad, toll-free 1-888-987-2461 or
www.TexasStateRR.com)
Texas: Lubbock, West Texas & Lubbock Railroad- Ride the Polar Express (Mid November through December). Just board the train and let the magic begin as the Polar Express comes to life. Passengers will travel along the rails into the clear West Texas night and hear the story of
The Polar Express, and meet Santa and his elves at the North Pole. Then, Santa will greet each child onboard the train and give each one their own special Christmas bell. The atmosphere is guaranteed to be filled with warmth, laughter and Christmas carols. Everyone will be served hot chocolate and cookies by attendants.
Bonus points: Just like in the book, children may wear their own pajamas on the train. (West Texas & Lubbock Railroad, toll-free 1-800-872-4661 or
www.west-texas-polar-express.com)
Arizona: Williams, Grand Canyon Railway – Ride the Polar Express (11/12/2010 – 1/08/2011). The Polar Express out of Williams takes an imaginary journey to the North Pole for a special visit with Santa Claus and his reindeer. Santa will board The Polar Express and hand each child their own sleigh bell. Santa’s helpers provide lively entertainment and passengers will enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while listening to the story of The Polar Express.
The rail experience: The normal route of the train takes passengers to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. The scenery is awesome and unexpected entertainment on and off the train makes the journey memorable anytime of the year. Bonus Point: Grand Canyon Railway offers a Polar Express Package which includes a Polar Express train trip, one night at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, with dinner and breakfast included. (Grand Canyon Railway, Williams, toll-free 1-800-THE-TRAIN or
www.thetrain.com)
Arizona: Clarkdale, Verde Canyon Railroad – Take the Santa Claus Express (12/1/2010-12/22/2010). Each December Santa shares seasonal joy on board with candy canes, a soft chuckle, and lots of good cheer. Old St. Nick will wander through the train cars to visit all of the kids on board from ages 2 to 92 making a list, and checking it twice. Homemade soups, tasty sandwiches, cookies, candy canes and delicious hot cocoa and cider complete the event.
The rail experience: Tunnels, trestles and other unexpected treats will delight everyone, ensuring a truly memorable holiday adventure. The spectacular scenery of Mother Nature's timeless artistry throughout the canyon is enhanced by clear, crisp winter skies. More than 35 bald and golden eagles, and a host of other migratory waterfowl, have nestled down in the canyon, not for a long winter's nap, but for a comfortable winter refuge where food is abundant and temperatures are mild.
Bonus points: The train provides panoramic viewing windows, a chance to sip hot chocolate and enjoy holiday cookies; or experience rosy-cheeked enthusiasm after a wonderfully brisk visit to the open-air viewing cars, accessible to all passengers.
Wait for it! Planning ahead - Verde Canyon also offers “Ride with the Easter Bunny” which is lovely for all ages. (The Verde Canyon Railroad, 300 N. Broadway Clarkdale, toll-free 1-800-293-7245 or
www.verdecanyonrr.com)
New Mexico: Albuquerque, River of Lights – Santa, Skating, and Music (End of November to end of December). Throughout the holiday season, the Albuquerque Biological Park features of hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights in various themes as well as family activities, holiday entertainment, food and crafts, dinner with Santa and dinner with Father Time.
Wait for it! Another great feature of the park’s holiday event is the 22 by 36 foot rink, available to attendees free of charge but would-be skaters must provide their own skates. (2601 Central Avenue NW, Albuquerque, 87104. (505) 764-6200 or
www.cabq.gov)
About the book, The Polar Express. On Christmas Eve, a boy boards the mysterious train bound for the North Pole. During the story Santa gives the boy a bell from the harness of the reindeer. On the way home, the bell is lost but in the morning the boy finds the bell under the tree. While his mother thinks the bell is broken, he knows it is not but only true believers can hear the sound of the bell. The book received the prestigious Caldecott Award. More great reads by Van Allsburg. Other delightful stories include
Two Bad Ants, Ben’s Dream, and
The Wreck of the Zephyr and
Jumanji which became a movie starring Robin Williams. More details at
www.polarexpress.com and
www.chrisvanallsburg.com
