The train’s vintage coaches are decorated for the season, and storytellers read the story aloud.

The journey staff are all volunteers who dress in costume, sing, dance, lead limbo contests, and more.

Elves entertain guests with games and activities, and a beverage and cookies are served, made by Mrs. Claus.

When the train arrives at the North Pole, guests will see Santa in his workshop through the train window. Once onboard, Santa will visit the children and also gift them all a jingle bell from the reindeer harnesses.

If you can hear the bell ring, you are a true believer!

Almost everybody comes in matching Christmas pyjamas!

We definitely recommend that guests watch the movie before their journey. Songs and dances will then be recognizable.

Times and Seating on the Polar Express

Polar Express train rides run from early December for two weeks on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Tickets sell out quickly and are normally available from late September.

Available seating is: Coach, Deluxe, First Class, and First Class Compartment.

We enjoyed the compartment, which was our own little room on the train. We had our own volunteer who read the story, we had a couch, two chairs, and a private visit from Santa. There were two windows in the compartment to view the Christmas village from the train. This is a great option for children/adults who do not like crowds or get overwhelmed or overstimulated easily. We took a family member with special needs, and this was perfect. 

If you want to stay overnight, the Pullman Bed & Breakfast is a restored vintage sleeper car.

There is usually a sales shop open across from the depot, which has some limited food and specialty items to purchase to remember your experience.

The Dennison Railroad Depot has events and attractions throughout the year. Visitors can call into the Depot Museum and Panhandle Theater, explore unique train cars, and buy a souvenir at the Whistle Stop Railroad gift shop.

Photo credits: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Where is The Polar Express Ohio Located?

• Address: 400 Center St, Dennison, Ohio 44621
• Phone: 740-922-6776 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Location Map for The Polar Express Ohio

Let’s Go on The Polar Express Ohio!

Have you taken the Polar Express? Did you take the kids with you? We’d love to know! Leave a comment below and share your experience.

For more Christmas-themed train rides in Ohio, check out our article about Christmas Train Rides, or find out more about Train Rides in Ohio throughout the year.

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Fort Steuben depicts the life of the frontiersmen. The site was considered a desirable location for military defense as it is bounded on the east by the Ohio River and lies on a slope of land, with hills to the west.

The Fort was named after the Prussian army officer Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, who assisted General Washington in the Revolutionary War.

The non-profit Old Fort Steuben Project was formed to reconstruct the fort on its original site.

Visitors can see the blockhouses for enlisted men, the officers’ quarters, the quartermaster and the artificer’s shops, the guardhouse, the hospital, and the commissary.

Group Tours, School and Youth Field Trips, and Virtual Tours are available. Self-guided tours are always available, and an informative and friendly interpreter can be scheduled upon request.

An admission donation is payable, and member discounts apply.

The Fort is open from May through October:

• Monday to Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm
• Sunday: 11 am – 4 pm

The Fort Steuben Visitor Center and Museum Shop are open all year from 10 am to 4 pm, except holidays.

Events include the Ohio Valley Frontier Days Festival in June, Quilt Show in April, Summer Concert Series, and Christmas at the Fort from late November to late December.

Where is Fort Steuben Located?

• Address: 120 S 3rd St, Steubenville, Ohio 43952
• Phone: 740-283-1787 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Location Map for Fort Steuben

Let’s Visit Fort Steuben!

Have you visited Fort Steuben? Did you enjoy the historic feel of the location? We’d love to know! Leave a comment below and share your experience.

If you love Ohio’s history, you will love Squire’s Castle, Mull and Parker Covered Bridges, and the Octagon Earthworks.

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Octagon Earthworks is comprised of two geometric enclosures featuring a circle enclosing 20 acres and an octagon enclosing 50 acres. The walls of each enclosure reach eye level.

The Hopewell culture was responsible for creating the Newark Earthworks.

Octagon Earthworks is part of the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, which is Ohio’s first UNESCO World Heritage site.

As there has been little investigative archaeological work carried out at Octagon Earthworks, historians and researchers have their beliefs about these mounds. Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks are looking forward to having archaeological digs carried out in the future.

Here is a slideshow of the information boards at Octagon Earthworks. A slideshow of photos from the site is below.

Photo credits: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Photo credits: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Where is Octagon Earthworks Located?

• Address: 125 N 33rd St, Newark, Ohio 43055
• Phone: 740-344-0498 | Website

Location Map for Octagon Earthworks

Let’s Visit Octagon Earthworks!

Have you visited Octagon Earthworks or any of the Indian Mounds in Ohio? We’d love to know! Leave a comment below and share your experience.

If you would like to know more about Mounds, check out our articles, Indian Mounds in Ohio, and Indian Mound Reserve.

For more information about some of Ohio’s great historical places, you might like Ohio Caverns and Caves in Ohio.

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Mull Covered Bridge was built by the Mull Sawmill with the help of a grant from the Sandusky County Commissioners for customers to be able to cross Wolf Creek to reach the mill.

The Town Lattice Truss bridge was closed in August 1962 after a new concrete arch bridge was built to carry vehicles across the creek.

The Sandusky County Historical Society approached the county commissioners to order its preservation, and the bridge was kept as a historic site and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

The bridge was renovated in 1990 and re-renovated in 2015. Today, the bridge is maintained by the Sandusky County Park District.

Mull Covered Bridge is reservable, but parking is limited

Photo credits: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Where is Mull Covered Bridge Located?

• Address: 1521 Co Rd 9, Fremont, Ohio 43420
• Phone: 419-334-4495 | Website

Location Map for Mull Covered Bridge

Let’s Visit Mull Covered Bridge!

Have you visited Mull Covered Bridge? How about any other covered bridges in Ohio? We’d love to know! Leave a comment below and share your experience.

Do you love historical sites? If so, you may like these articles: Covered Bridges in Ohio, Indian Mounds in Ohio, Squire’s Castle, and Ohio Village.

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The Dayton Air Force Museum collects, researches, conserves, interprets, and presents the history, heritage, and traditions of the US Air Force through exhibits, education, and special programs.

Located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, admission and parking are free, and the museum features more than 350 aerospace vehicles and missiles. There are thousands of artifacts in more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space.

Attractions include the screening of military-related movies, interactive flight simulators, and VR Transporter – Apollo 11 & Beyond. There is a small charge for each attraction.

The Museum Store has items such as baseball caps, mugs, die-cast toys and collectibles, coins, and model kits.

Food and beverages are available from the Valkyrie Café and the Launchpad Shop ‘n Snack.

The museum hosts events throughout the year, including the Antique Automobile Club of America Grand Nationals (July), Rocket Day (September), and Holidays in the Hangars (November/December).

The museum is open from 9 am to 5 pm, seven days a week. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Photo credits: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Where is The Dayton Air Force Museum Located?

• Address: 1100 Spaatz St, Dayton, Ohio 45433
• Phone: 937-255-3286 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Location Map for The Dayton Air Force Museum

More Things to Do in Dayton

Have you visited the Dayton Air Force Museum? Which part was your favorite? We’d love to know! Share your experience in the comments below.

Dayton has many things to do and places to visit. Here are some of our favorites: Cox Arboretum, Carillon Brewing Company, the Trolls at Aullwood Audubon, and Eastwood Metro Park.

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Squire’s Castle is a shell of a building, but well worth a visit. It is managed by Cleveland Metroparks and is located within the North Chagrin Reservation.

The gatehouse is modeled after German and English baronial castles and is a popular visitor destination.

The stone building, although known as ‘Squire’s Castle’, isn’t a castle at all. It is the gatekeeper’s house for a castle/mansion that was never built. It was the project of Feargus Squire, one of the founders of Standard Oil Company. The plans for this summer house changed when Mrs. Squire died.

Set in stunning surroundings, the castle is also a popular spot for weddings. The open area in front of the castle is ideal for games and picnics.

Trail at Squire’s Castle

2½ miles | Loop | Moderate | Dogs on a leash | Hiking | Horseback | Snowshoeing

This trail is popular for hiking, horseback riding, and snowshoeing. There are a couple of steep inclines, one at the beginning and one at the end. The rest of the trail is quite flat and generally shaded by trees.

Where is Squire’s Castle Located?

• Address: 2844 River Rd, Willoughby Hills, Ohio 44094
• Phone: 216-635-3200 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Location Map for Squire’s Castle

More Historic Places in Ohio

Have you visited Squire’s Castle? Did you enjoy the surroundings as well as the building? We’d love to know! Share your experience in the comments below.

Ohio has a lot of historic places to visit, such as the Carillon Brewing Company, Ohio Village, and Indian Mounds. If you really enjoy visiting castles, check out our article about Castles in Ohio.

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Located in Carillon Historical Park, a 65-acre open-air history museum in Dayton, the Carillon Brewing Company offers visitors a glimpse into 1850s-era Dayton through authentically prepared food and drink of the times.

Gas copper lamps light the walkway outside. Water is drawn from a brick furnace, and malt is milled by hand to make spent grain bread.

American Oak barrels line the lower floor, each capped by an educational panel showing the history and science of brewing.

Beers include:

• Porter – the most popular style of beer in the mid-19th century.
• Irish Red – originally brewed by Lett’s in Ireland around 1864.
• Berliner Weiss – a traditional European sour.

There is also a selection of seasonal beers throughout the year.

Food items include:

• Blacksmith Brisket – smoked, chopped brisket.
• The Frontiersman Feast – three meats for a BBQ bounty!
• Barrel Drums – smoked, crispy wings.
• The Tavern Twist – warm pretzels with Carillon bier cheese and honey mustard.

The brewery is open Wednesday – Sunday: 11 am – 9 pm.

Photo credit: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Where is Carillon Brewing Company Located?

• Address: 1000 Carillon Blvd, Dayton, Ohio 45409
• Phone: 937-910-0722 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Location Map for Carillon Brewing Company

More Things to Do in Southwest Ohio

Have you visited Carillon Historical Park and the Brewery? Did you find the food and beer very different from modern times? We’d love to know! Share your experience in the comments below.

If you are in the area in December, be sure to drop by to see A Carillon Christmas when the park becomes a winter wonderland of sparkle and magic!

If you enjoy quirky and different things, The Trolls at Aullwood Audubon are not to be missed.

Check out our round-ups of things to do in Dayton, Cincinnati, and Yellow Springs.

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The Parker Covered Bridge has a red exterior with latticework. Built in 1873 by J C Davis, the 182-foot-long bridge continued to transport people and vehicles across the Sandusky River for 118 years, until it suffered a fire in 1991. The ‘Cross the Bridge Again’ Committee restored the bridge in 1993.

The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Visitors can still walk or drive across the wooden bridge enjoying its stunning rural surroundings.

Where is Parker Bridge Located?

• Address: Everhart Rd, Upper Sandusky, Ohio 43351

Location Map for Parker Bridge

More Places to Visit in Ohio

Ohio has some amazing historic places that welcome visitors, such as Moonville Tunnel, Clifton Mill, and Poland Library.

More things to do in the northwest Ohio region include Things to Do in Put in Bay, Things to Do in Sandusky, Mary Jane Thurston State Park, and Gilboa Quarry.

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Moonville Tunnel near Zaleski State Forest in McArthur, southeast Ohio, is a reminder of the coal mining village of Moonville. It has a reputation for being haunted by railroad workers.

Visit Moonville Tunnel

Moonville was a small mining community along the tracks of the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad. During the 1800s, logging companies, iron furnaces, and coal mines were prosperous in the region.

Visitors can hike portions of the abandoned railroad line, which are being converted into walking and biking trails. From the parking lot at Moonville, there is a 3.6-mile one-way route from the tunnel through King Tunnel and on to Mineral.

Uncle Buck’s Stable offers a horseback tour that includes riding through Moonville Tunnel if you would like to experience it from a different perspective!

• Check out our article about Uncle Buck’s Stable!

Cindy’s Insider Ohio Tips!

You can access Moonville Tunnel from an easy bridge or if you want to take the scenic route you can book a trail ride from Uncle Bucks. Be sure to take a flashlight into the tunnel for optimal viewing.

Ghost Stories

Rumors that a plague killed all the residents of Moonville are untrue and any ghostly sightings are not from plague-infected inhabitants! There are, however, many reports of a ghost carrying a lantern who was a train engineer killed in a crash in 1880.

There are also reported sightings of a woman who was hit by a train and goes by the name Lavender Lady. Another ghost is said to be the town bully who died along the tracks near Zalenski and Hope Furnace Station.

Other ghost stories have been passed down through the last 140 years, and newspaper articles confirm some of the fatalities along the path from Moonville to Mineral.

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Photo credits: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Events

There are Haunted Hikes and Ghost Hunt events held on Friday and Saturday nights throughout September and October. Walk an out-and-back section of the Moonville Rail Trail from Moonville to Ingham Station/Bear Hollow with Jannette Quackenbush who is the author of ‘Moonville Ghost Stories and Haunts Along the Railway’ and ‘The Little Book of Moonville’.

Here is a quote from someone on the Moonville Ghost Hunt:

It was deathly quiet for about 5 minutes except for the Katydids and the soft chatter of ghost hunters. Somebody asked if Baldie was here. Someone else said they got hit by a pebble, then BAM! The equipment started to light up like the 4th of July fireworks.

Where is Moonville Tunnel Located?

• Address: Hope-Moonville Rd, McArthur, Ohio 45651
• Website

Location Map for Moonville Tunnel

Let’s Visit Moonville Tunnel

Have you been to Moonville Tunnel? Did you go before or after you knew about the ghosts there? Leave a comment below and share your experience!

If you like learning about the history of Ohio, you might enjoy discovering Indian Mounds in Ohio, Ohio Caverns, Ohio Village, and Historic Clifton Mill.

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 team@visitohiotoday.com, and we can get it updated.

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October 3, 2025 @ 9:00 am – October 5, 2025 @ 4:00 pm

The Plains Indian Mound Festival is in early October. This historic festival is centered around the Adena culture Indian mound group.

The Plains Indian Mound Festival is a celebration of the Adena Culture mounds and their significance in the community’s history.

Activities and events include parades, ancient spear-throwing contests, narrated wagon rides, free face painting, pony rides, an inflatable bounce house, a magic show, and a petting zoo.

Tour rides of the Mounds start at 10 am and are then every hour, on the hour.

There will be food vendors offering local cuisine, as well as a host of craft vendors throughout the festival.

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