The weather is getting chillier by the day in parts of the state and some people are even starting to get into the holiday spirit. If you are looking for a magical way to bring on Christmas in your household, you might want to consider leaving the house for one special train ride. Your kids can change into their favorite pajamas, enjoy sweet treats, watch live entertainment, and even meet the big guy himself, Santa. Check out the Polar Express train ride in Arizona for the ultimate holiday extravaganza.
Hop aboard the Polar Express, based on the Chris Van Allsburg picture book by the same name and hosted by the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams.
Grand Canyon Railway/Facebook If you never had the opportunity to read the award-winning book, you can read a quick summary here. The basic plot is about a boy who boards a magical train to the North Pole and later receives a humble gift from Santa.
This train ride is chance for kids to re-live the book, enjoy Santa’s favorite snacks (any guesses to what those may be?), and read the story again or for the first time.
Grand Canyon Railway/Facebook
Much like the book, kids and their family get to experience some pretty cool entertainment and even have a chance to speak with Santa face to face.
Grand Canyon Railway/Facebook
The trip starts from the depot in Williams and slowly makes its way through the woods, which looks especially pretty on a snowy day, and eventually you’ll reach…
Grand Canyon Railway/Facebook
…the North Pole!
Grand Canyon Railway/Facebook
Here, you’ll encounter Santa, workers in the village, and receive a gift from Santa himself.
Grand Canyon Railway/Facebook Overall, the entire trip takes about 90 minutes, just long enough for most kids’ attention spans.
The entire ride is one incredibly magical journey, especially for the children.
Bill Morrow/Flickr Here’s a short video produced by the Grand Canyon Railway that shows what you’ll encounter on a typical ride.
Looks amazing, doesn’t it? It makes me wish there was something like this when I was a kid!
This Polar Express train ride in Arizona is hosted by Grand Canyon Railway, located in Williams. Rides start at $25 for children and $35 for adults. Details on pricing and booking a trip can be found on their website, www.thetrain.com.
Grand Canyon Railway/Facebook
If you never had the opportunity to read the award-winning book, you can read a quick summary here. The basic plot is about a boy who boards a magical train to the North Pole and later receives a humble gift from Santa.
Overall, the entire trip takes about 90 minutes, just long enough for most kids’ attention spans.
Bill Morrow/Flickr
Here’s a short video produced by the Grand Canyon Railway that shows what you’ll encounter on a typical ride.
Looks amazing, doesn’t it? It makes me wish there was something like this when I was a kid!
Not sure you want to sit on a train with a ton of children fawning over Santa? You can enjoy another train ride in a reasonably quieter environment with the Verde Canyon Railroad. Read up on the ride in Take This Fall Foliage Tran Ride Through Arizona For A One-Of-A-Kind Experience.
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Address: Grand Canyon Railway, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Polar Express Train Ride In Arizona October 13, 2019 Marisa Roman What other Christmas train rides can I take in Arizona? Climbing aboard a Christmas train in Arizona is the ultimate holiday experience for the whole family. Outside of taking the Polar Express train ride from Grand Canyon Railway, there are a few other Christmas trains to check out this upcoming season. For example, the Verde Canyon Railroad will become a magical journey to the North Pole that the whole family will love. Enjoy Christmas carols and tons of holiday decor as you sit with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and his elves aboard this old fashioned train. What are the best holiday events in Arizona for families? Beyond the North Pole train in Arizona, there are plenty of other family-friendly holiday events to check out when December rolls around. No matter where you live in the state, there will always be a Christmas event in Arizona that the kids will talk about for years to come. A few of the best family-friendly holiday events in Arizona include Christmas at the Princess, ZooLights in Phoenix, Glendale Glitters Spectacular, Las Noches Luminarias, and the Festival of Lights at London Bridge. Some of these events require tickets in advance so make sure to prepare before your visit! Where can I see the best Christmas light displays in Arizona? Sometimes the simplest way to feel festive in Arizona is by hopping in the car with the family and a cup of cocoa and exploring the holiday decorations throughout your city. Arizona has quite a few holiday light displays that are worth checking out, some with thousands of glittering holiday lights each year. Many of the light displays are from Arizona residents who light up their homes, but a few other holiday displays to check out include the displays in Arizona’s “Christmas City” or Prescott, the annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights in Tucson, and Tohono Chul Park in Tucson.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Polar Express Train Ride In Arizona
October 13, 2019
Marisa Roman
What other Christmas train rides can I take in Arizona? Climbing aboard a Christmas train in Arizona is the ultimate holiday experience for the whole family. Outside of taking the Polar Express train ride from Grand Canyon Railway, there are a few other Christmas trains to check out this upcoming season. For example, the Verde Canyon Railroad will become a magical journey to the North Pole that the whole family will love. Enjoy Christmas carols and tons of holiday decor as you sit with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and his elves aboard this old fashioned train. What are the best holiday events in Arizona for families? Beyond the North Pole train in Arizona, there are plenty of other family-friendly holiday events to check out when December rolls around. No matter where you live in the state, there will always be a Christmas event in Arizona that the kids will talk about for years to come. A few of the best family-friendly holiday events in Arizona include Christmas at the Princess, ZooLights in Phoenix, Glendale Glitters Spectacular, Las Noches Luminarias, and the Festival of Lights at London Bridge. Some of these events require tickets in advance so make sure to prepare before your visit! Where can I see the best Christmas light displays in Arizona? Sometimes the simplest way to feel festive in Arizona is by hopping in the car with the family and a cup of cocoa and exploring the holiday decorations throughout your city. Arizona has quite a few holiday light displays that are worth checking out, some with thousands of glittering holiday lights each year. Many of the light displays are from Arizona residents who light up their homes, but a few other holiday displays to check out include the displays in Arizona’s “Christmas City” or Prescott, the annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights in Tucson, and Tohono Chul Park in Tucson.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Climbing aboard a Christmas train in Arizona is the ultimate holiday experience for the whole family. Outside of taking the Polar Express train ride from Grand Canyon Railway, there are a few other Christmas trains to check out this upcoming season. For example, the Verde Canyon Railroad will become a magical journey to the North Pole that the whole family will love. Enjoy Christmas carols and tons of holiday decor as you sit with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and his elves aboard this old fashioned train.
What are the best holiday events in Arizona for families?
Beyond the North Pole train in Arizona, there are plenty of other family-friendly holiday events to check out when December rolls around. No matter where you live in the state, there will always be a Christmas event in Arizona that the kids will talk about for years to come. A few of the best family-friendly holiday events in Arizona include Christmas at the Princess, ZooLights in Phoenix, Glendale Glitters Spectacular, Las Noches Luminarias, and the Festival of Lights at London Bridge. Some of these events require tickets in advance so make sure to prepare before your visit!
Where can I see the best Christmas light displays in Arizona?
Sometimes the simplest way to feel festive in Arizona is by hopping in the car with the family and a cup of cocoa and exploring the holiday decorations throughout your city. Arizona has quite a few holiday light displays that are worth checking out, some with thousands of glittering holiday lights each year. Many of the light displays are from Arizona residents who light up their homes, but a few other holiday displays to check out include the displays in Arizona’s “Christmas City” or Prescott, the annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights in Tucson, and Tohono Chul Park in Tucson.
