9 holiday train rides in Texas

All aboard! With the holiday season in full swing, these Texas locations offer festive train rides and ample activities for the whole family.

Few things pierce through the evening sky like a locomotive’s whistle. It’s all the more enjoyable when that locomotive is dressed to the nines in holiday spirit. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of holiday train rides in Texas, from quick trips across festive lands to fully immersive experiences with the whole North Pole crew. 

We’ve gathered up eight holiday train rides across the Lone Star State. Let out a hearty “choo-choo!” and climb onboard. 

1. Texas State Railroad POLAR EXPRESS

In “The Polar Express,” the main character gets picked up outside his house, still wearing pajamas. We’d recommend something more modest for Palestine’s POLAR EXPRESS, put on by the Texas State Railroad, but you’ll still have just as magical a time. The 60-minute round-trip adventure includes hot chocolate and cookies, and you can score a commemorative mug by getting a first-class, Presidential-class, or Dome ticket. 

789 Park Rd 70, Palestine, TX 75801. Coach tickets start at $50, first-class tickets at $70, Dome tickets at $95, and Presidential car seats at $90–$95.

2. North Pole Flyer

The North Pole Flyer is a two-hour trek aboard a powerful locomotive—and there’s quite a bit of entertainment packed into the ride. Everyone has the opportunity to meet Santa, and kids will get a bonus gift from him or one of his elf helpers. The elves will also lead storytime and caroling, and guests can write letters to Santa, share their Christmas list with Mrs. Claus, and experience live balloon art from balloon twisters. This is a real treat if you’ve ever tried and failed to make a balloon animal. Enjoy all the fun with complimentary cookies and hot chocolate.  

170 S Gabriel St, Bertram, TX 78605. Tickets are $49.50–$65.

3. Santaland Express

If trains give you motion sickness, perhaps the Santaland Express is your way to go. This 30-minute “ride” takes you to the North Pole on a train that doesn’t move, though you’ll see plenty of scenery and holiday magic rolling past you out the window. The Santaland Express also offers a memorable wishlist experience, where Santa knows kids’ names and what’s on their lists before meeting them. The guy’s got a strong track record, and seeing it in action is impressive! Once you’ve made the journey to Santaland, you may as well stick around and check out SNOWDAY, the other side of the North Pole.

13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75240. Tickets are $14.99 for adults, $22.99 for children, and $9.99 for seniors and military. Combo tickets are $49.98 for adults, $42.98 for children, and $41.98 for military. VIP tickets are $89.98 and include a free print and gift bag.

4. The Christmas Train at Victory Camp

About 25 miles south of Houston, The Christmas Train at Victory Camp in Alvin is an open-air winter wonderland. The ride only lasts about 15 minutes, but you can also enjoy a decorated walking trail and a veritable foodie feast, including hot cocoa, cookies, cotton candy, popcorn, and pizza from Big Al’s Pizza Parlor. Something else we love to see is a nod to the volunteers who help make events like this shine. By The Christmas Train crew’s count, there are 2,700 hours of volunteer setup, 500 pounds of popcorn popped, and 279 trees wrapped in lights.

1407 Victory Ln, Alvin, TX 77511. Tickets are $12–$14.

5. Santa’s Northpole Express Train Ride

The Fort Worth Stockyards has lots of festivities during the holiday season, and Santa’s North Pole Express Train Ride takes off on December 5. The 45-minute ride is like getting wrapped inside a holiday hug, with classic decorations, singalongs, visits from Santa, Mrs. Claus (and her delicious chocolate chip cookies), and the elves Frosty and Holly. This ride is excellent for folks who like a good memento; riders get a “We Believe” silver bell and a Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk in a souvenir mug. 

140 E Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164. Tickets are $70 per two-person bench, $6 for lap riders under one year old

6. Santa’s Wonderland

Want to take your holiday experience to the next level? Santa’s Wonderland in College Station is the destination for you. The West Pole Express Train Depot, covered in LED lights, gives kids a ride past holiday themes. The whole family can also hop on the hayride for a half-hour journey through the Trail of Lights. Other notable activities include the petting corral and pony rides in Santa’s Barnyard, Frostbite’s Frozen Forest and Giant Texas Flag photo opportunities, and visits from Poncho the Longhorn and Marshall Frostbite, the result of Frosty the Snowman meeting Walker, Texas Ranger.

18898 Hwy 6, College Station, TX 77845. Tickets are $56.95 for adults and $51.95 for children. Some attractions have extra costs.

7. Santa’s Railroad Wonderland

San Antonio’s Texas Transportation Museum hosts the annual Santa’s Railroad Wonderland, which, as the name suggests, transforms the museum into a whimsical, wintry environment full of holiday cheer. You can stroll around the museum while enjoying hot chocolate and snacks, or hop on the train to Wallaceville and meet the elves who have taken over the museum’s operations. Thankfully, these are heart-warming, positive elves, so you’re in for a good time. Depending on when you visit, you may also be treated to live entertainment from Bagpipers, Wallaceville Guitar and Drums, or School of Rock. 

11731 Wetmore Rd, San Antonio, TX 78247. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for kids 4–12, free for children four and under.  

8. Christmas Wine Train

Lights and hot cocoa are excellent, but swirling some syrah or chardonnay on your Christmas train is a different vibe. Galveston hosts this two-hour Christmas Wine Train ride aboard seasonally decorated vintage coaches while Christmas classics and new tunes add to the atmosphere. Santa and Mrs. Claus are in tow, but let’s be real, you’re here for the wine. You’ll get two complimentary glasses—three if you’re in the Premier Class—small bites, dessert, and a souvenir wine glass.

705 S Main St, Grapevine, TX 76051. Tickets are $52 per person and $395 for a Premier Class table of four, which also includes a meal.

9. Galveston’s THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride

Beyond the wine train, Galveston’s take on THE POLAR EXPRESS is one of the top experiences across Texas. The train’s elves will ensure everyone gets a cookie and hot chocolate. Riders will also hear a reading of The Polar Express book. And, of course, Santa and characters from the movie make their way through the cars, leading group activities. Before you hop off, you’ll receive a keepsake sleigh bell and a souvenir golden ticket. Perhaps most appealing of all, guests are encouraged to wear pajamas.  

2602 Santa Fe Pl, Galveston, TX 77550. Tickets range from $60 to $90 for adults and $53 to $84 for children.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.