All Aboard! Holiday, Santa, and Polar Express Train Rides

Rachael | November 4, 2021 | Events, Featured, Holiday Guide | No Comments

A few years ago, our girls got to ride the famous French Lick Polar Express to the North Pole. They loved dancing and singing with the elves, drinking hot chocolate and eating cookies, and (of course) riding a real train. It was a festive way to kick off our holiday season!

All Aboard: Where to Ride a Holiday Train

The French Lick Polar Express has been known to sell out an entire YEAR in advance. (It’s been called one of the top five most magical Polar Express rides in the country, so it’s not surprising that it’s popular.) If you can’t snag French Lick Polar Express tickets for this year, here’s a list of other Polar Express train ride locations (and other holiday trains) for you to consider.

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Catch a ride on the Holiday Express at Deming Park. The train will run on select December dats (weather permitting) from 6-8 p.m. $1 per ride.

During Miracle on 7th Street (December 3rd and 4th), the trackless train will be downtown.

Although it’s not a train ride, HighLand Chauffers in Terre Haute is offering a “Polar Express” experience in a limo with cookies, hot chocolate, and pictures with Santa.

On Friday, December 3 to Sunday, December 5, Santa Claus will ride the rails on the annual Santa Train, spreading good cheer and lasting memories to kids and families in communities along our route! Admission is FREE. Stops made in Linton, Dugger, Jasonville, and Sullivan!

On December 4 and 5, head to Monticello, Illinois for Lunch with Santa on the Train. Enjoy a train ride, individual visit with Santa, and kid-friendly sack lunch.

Head to Indy for a ride on the Sullivan Express Santa Train. 86 miles from Terre Haute in Indianapolis. Narrated ride through bear country, visit Santa and his workshop, and more!

The White River Valley Railroad in Connersville, IN offers special holiday excursions, Santa Claus Limit trains, and The Polar Express (TM) Train Rides!

Reindeer Ride to Noblesville operates Nov. 20- Dec. 23 on Saturdays and Sundays. Book your seats for a newly enhanced Christmas adventure in Forest Park, Noblesville. (2 hours from Terre Haute.)

Head to Tell City (almost 3 hours for the Candy Cane Express on the Ohio River Scenic Railway.

Visit Santa Claus, Indiana (2 hours and 20 minutes from Terre Haute for the Santa Claus Flyer. Climb aboard this magical train ride and join Santa and his elves as they deliver his updated “Nice List” to the North Pole! This is a perfect 30 minute, budget-friendly experience to share with your family this holiday season. Before or after your trip, be sure to visit some of the other area attractions while in America’s Christmas Hometown!

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We also find it fun to travel by train during the holiday season. The kids can wander around the train cars and the parents don’t have to worry about driving in sketchy road conditions. Win-win! You can read all about how our family travels by train to Chicago HERE. A holiday train ride is a great tradition for families with young kids, since most kids adore trains. And for those of us in Terre Haute, an amazing train ride could almost make up for all of the times we’re railroaded around town.