Polar Express and Christmas Train Rides in Ohio
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Make unforgettable family memories this holiday season by riding the Polar Express or other Holiday Train Rides Ohio.
Ride a Christmas Train in Ohio
We all know the story of the Polar Express. If you do not, we need to catch you up! You can buy the classic Christmas movie, or the Polar Express book, on Amazon. There is one officially trademarked Polar Express Ohio, but there are also several other Christmas-themed or Holiday-themed train rides in Ohio.
Be sure to grab your favorite pair of Christmas pajamas and your comfy Christmas slippers to make your ride complete! As a bonus, most of these train rides in Ohio provide you with cookies and cocoa! So they have got the snack covered!
Generally, these Christmas train rides in Ohio sell out quickly and pretty far in advance, so plan accordingly. Some operators open ticket sales months in advance. Start planning your strategy of which Christmas train ride you want to take, starting in August (or before)! Yes, that is correct, you need to think about it that early in the year. Usually, holiday train ride dates are released in August/September and ticket sales open up often in September/October. However, some are released in June!
Map of Christmas Train Rides
Cindy’s Insider Ohio Tips
From my experience, it’s crucial to book your tickets early! These popular train rides often start selling tickets in late summer or early fall, and they sell out fast. With various ticket levels available, choose the one that suits you best, and if you have a specific date in mind, secure it quickly to avoid disappointment.
The North Pole Adventure
The North Pole Adventure is operated by the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad will offer families the journey of a lifetime. Participants will be able to hand deliver their letters to Santa at the North Pole. You can enjoy cocoa, cookies, entertainment such as singing, and activities with Santa’s elves.
Be sure to book your tickets far in advance, any themed Christmas rides sell out quickly. You can book your tickets OR sign up to volunteer on the North Pole Adventure, here.
TIP: Ticket sales open to the general public at the start of October.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has three main stations:
- Rockside Station 7900 Old Rockside Rd, Independence, Ohio 44131
- Peninsula Depot 1630 Mill Street, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Akron Northside Station 27 Ridge Street, Akron, Ohio 44308
- Phone: 330-439-5708 | Website | Facebook | Instagram
Dennison Railroad Depot Museum
When it comes down to it there is only one official Polar Express Train Ride Ohio. The officially trademarked experience takes place at the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, this is the authentic Polar Express train ride, sanctioned by the Warners Brothers and Rail Events.
Tip: First Class Tickets (seats with a table) sell out extremely quickly!
- Address: 400 Center Street, Dennison, Ohio 44621
- Phone: 740-922-6776 | Website | Facebook | Instagram
Santa Christmas Train Ride
Head to the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway to take the Santa Christmas Train Ride! It is the longest-running annual event at the Hocking Hills Railway! Families have been enjoying this Ohio train ride for over 40 years! Starting at the end of November and running through right before Christmas, the Santa train rides operate on the weekends.
- Address: 33 West Canal Street, Nelsonville, Ohio 45764
- Phone: 740-753-9531 | Website | Facebook | Instagram
The North Pole Express
The North Pole Express is run by LM&M Railroad. This railroad offers themed rides all year round. Around the holiday season, you can ride in festively decorated rail cars. The ride takes about 75 minutes and during the Ohio train ride, you can spend time visiting with Santa and his elves.
Each passenger on this special holiday-themed train ride will get a pre-packaged cookie, along with a souvenir bell. The Holiday Express Train ride typically starts the weekend before Thanksgiving and runs through Christmas. Just like all of the other themed Christmas train rides, this one sells out quickly. You can buy tickets online.
- Address: 16 East South Street, Lebanon, Ohio 45036
- Phone: 513-933-8022 | Website | Facebook | Instagram
North Pole Express
The North Pole Express by the Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc is in Findlay. This popular holiday quarter-scale train ride is a magical trip through a winter wonderland scene of holiday lights and holiday decorations.
- Address: 12505 County Road 99, Findlay, Ohio 45840
- Phone: 419-423-2995 | Website
Letters to Santa
Head to the Ohio Railway Museum and take a ride on the Ohio Public Service 1925 car. Children can bring their letters to Santa and mail them right in the Railway Post Office Car. This family-friendly event also has other themed holiday activities.
- Address: 990 Proprietors Road, Worthington, Ohio 43085
- Phone: 614-885-7345 | Website | Facebook
The Polar Express Train Ride
The Polar Express Train Ride at the White Water Valley Railroad is an official trademarked experience operating out of Connersville, Indiana. This Polar Express Ohio ride serves the Dayton, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis areas. (2 hours from Columbus).
- Address: 455 Market Street, Connersville, IN 47331
- Phone: 765-825-2054 | Website | Facebook
The Santa Train Event
The Zanesville and Western Scenic Railroad hold this event. Jump on the train with Santa at Mt. Perry! There is lots of festive fun on this Santa Train, with a visit from the main man himself!
- Address: 5700 OH-204, Mt Perry, Ohio 43760
- Phone: 614-595-9701 | Website | Facebook
Let’s Take the Polar Express Train Ride!
Have you taken any of the Christmas train rides listed above? We would love to hear about it. If you have any tips or tricks to share with other readers, drop them in the comment box below!
For some fun train rides, check out our article Train Rides in Ohio. For another magical festive experience, Drive Through Christmas Lights are spectacular family-fun evenings. During the festive season, or at other times of the year, Carriage Rides in Ohio are a great experience!
If you are looking for more activities that are kid-friendly, take a look at Scene75 Columbus, Corn Mazes in Ohio, Urban Air Dublin, and Horseback Riding in Ohio for lots of family fun days out!
Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc, are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at [email protected], and we can get it updated.
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We really wanna do this this Christmas but need more info please can you send me some info.
Hello Destiny 🙂 What area of the state are you wanting to take your train ride in?
I really wanted to get a ride for my kids last year but missed the tickets, they were all sold out. I am so glad I subscribed to your email reminder because I got tickets to the Dennison one this year! Many of tickets were actually sold out for the first class seats, do you know what month they go on sale?
HI Greta! Yes, they do sell out early, I am so glad to hear you got tickets to the Dennison ride, I am going on that one too, this year! I think tickets went on sale quite early in the summer this year.
What a fun, festive experience! I would have loved this as a kid — I mean, I’d still love it now! I have to send it to my family in the area — my nieces and nephews would have an absolute blast. Thanks for sharing!
You are so welcome! I am heading to one of the rides in December and can’t wait to share all the photos and videos! Thanks for sharing with your family!
What a fun way to celebrate the holiday season! I’m excited to take my kiddos this year!
Thank Michelle! It is such a fun holiday tradition! Which one do you think you’ll go to? We are heading to the Dennison Depot this year!
Have never heard of this before and it looks amazing! Can’t wait to check this train ride out on our next trip to Ohio. Thanks for the great tips!
Hi Jake! You are so welcome! It is worth checking out one of the rides if you are in Ohio for the holidays!
Just booked my tickets for the Dennison Depot ride! Thank you for the reminder newsletter! I am glad I got the reminder!
Hello Cassandra, you are so welcome for the email reminder to buy Polar Express Train Tickets! I am so glad Ohio have several holiday trains to pick from!
I did the Polar Express train in the Grand Canyon and it was a fun-filled experience. Highly recommend it anywhere.
Thanks Nicky! I love that the Polar Express tradition can be found in so many states! Glad you had a fun-filled experience! Hope to see you on train ride in Ohio soon!
I had no idea there were so many Polar Express options throughout Ohio! We did the one at the Grand Canyon in AZ last year and LOVED it (first-timers), and we’re hoping to do it a few more times in more places before our kids grow out of it. Thank you for this!
Hi Taryn! Yes, there are so many options for Polar Express Train Rides in Ohio, we are super lucky! So glad you had a great time when you took the ride last year!
How cute for little kids!
And for adults too! The entire family is heading to the Dennison Polar Express Train in Ohio this year and we are all super excited 🙂
We celebrate all the Holiday and Christmas Train Rides in Ohio. There are many great opportunities! But for clarification, there is only one licensed Polar Express in Ohio – at the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum.
Wendy Zucal
Executive Director
Dennison Railroad Depot Museum