Hop aboard 8 holiday train rides in North Carolina

These eight holiday train rides throughout North Carolina will put you on track for the Christmas spirit.

The chug of the engines, the familiar blow of the whistle, the crisp wind in your hair, and views sparkling with strands of lights. If you’ve never been on a holiday-themed train ride, you’ll understand the attraction just a couple of minutes into your first ride.

North Carolina hosts many different holiday train rides in different locations throughout the state, from trips based on the famed “Polar Express” book and movie to the state’s most popular engine, Tweetsie. 

Here are eight opportunities for you to engineer a great, family-friendly holiday experience on the rails. 

1. Tweetsie Christmas

Blowing Rock

Price: $60 for ages 13 and up, $40 for children aged 3-12, and free for children 2 and under

Dates: Through Dec. 30

The East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad Company opened the ET&WNC line through the rugged Appalachian Mountains in 1882, eventually extending it to Boone. Unsurprisingly, none of the early ET&WNC nicknames stuck—“Eat Taters & Wear No Clothes” was reportedly one of them—but “Tweetsie,” based on the shrill tweets the engine sent bouncing off the mountains, did. 

Blowing Rock native Grover Robbins Jr. eventually brought Tweetsie back to his hometown. Over the years, it evolved from an excursion railroad into North Carolina’s first theme park. It now runs on a scenic 3-mile loop. 

There’s perhaps no better time than the holiday season to take a ride on Tweetsie, as patrons are invited to take a nighttime trip around the loop on the historic steam locomotive to gander at the surroundings decked out with more than a million lights. Tweetsie Christmas, your last chance to visit Tweetsie Railroad until the season starts back up again in April, also includes a live Christmas variety show, kid-friendly amusement rides, meetings with Santa in his gingerbread house, and roasting s’mores over an outdoor fire. 

2. NC Transportation Museum Polar Express

Spencer

Price: $36 and up

Dates: Through Dec. 23

Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will surely enjoy their trip to the North Pole, complete with hot chocolate and cookies served onboard the train. Whether you’re unfamiliar with Chris Van Allsburg’s classic or know every word, you’ll love the reading of the famous Christmas tale. Upon arrival at the North Pole, passengers deboard to watch Santa present the first gift of Christmas. Before exiting the train at Candy Cane Lane, all passengers who believe will receive their own sleigh bell. Kids are encouraged to wear pajamas for the trip. 

Please note that, at the time of this writing, all group seating is already sold out, though plenty of single-seat tickets remain. This means that, while you may still find multiple open seats on one ride, you will definitely not find any open seats together. This is a very popular ride that attracts folks from all over the state and beyond, so if you’re looking to book a ride with the family, we suggest you set a calendar reminder or subscribe to the museum’s newsletter so you’re ready when 2025 tickets go on sale in June. 

3. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Polar Express

Bryson City

Price: $29 and up

Dates: Through Dec. 31

Bryson City is home to the iconic Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, and winter is the best time to take a ride. The railroad offers a specialized Polar Express train ride, transporting families from the Bryson City Depot through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole, where Santa awaits with a gift for each child on the train.

The 1¼-hour ride will include cocoa and a treat, songs from the motion picture soundtrack, a read-along on the way to the North Pole, and Christmas carol sing-alongs all the way back. Tickets are going fast, so check now to see what’s still available. 

4. Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express

Kannapolis

Price: $2

Dates: Through Dec. 31

Each year, the Charlotte suburb of Kannapolis hosts the Celebration of Lights, boasting 250,000 lights on display throughout Village Park. The best way to see the awe-inspiring exhibit is from the Winterland Express, a train that takes passengers through the park to discover the 12 Days of Christmas in the correct order. 

In addition to the light displays, you can roast marshmallows and make s’mores or visit with Santa in his studio. Arguably the best parts (beyond the train, of course) are the performances by the Maestro Leonard Bearstein and the famed Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra, 18 animatronic bears who will delight children and adults alike with their witty banter, inspiring instrumental pieces, and traditional favorite holiday songs during performances every hour on the hour. 

5. Country Christmas Train

Denton

Price: $10 per train ride, $20 general admission

Dates: Through Dec. 28

The Loflin family launched the Country Christmas Train at Denton FarmPark in 2008 with the goal of sharing the true meaning of Christmas with their visitors. Walk down Candy Cane Lane to the train depot to have professional photos taken before boarding the Handy Dandy Railroad for a 1.5-mile ride through the exhibits, including a live nativity scene, a tribute to the military, and dancing elves, among other displays, followed by a short Christmas movie. 

After the train ride, stop by the Gingerbread House to visit Laramie’s Cakery for fresh baked goods and gingerbread cookies, then continue down the lighted pathway to see the Grist Mill, a petting zoo, The General Store, Radio Museum, a church, shoe shop, gas station, Myers Car Shop, Doll Museum, and the Coke Museum. 

6. Carolina Christmas Train

Star

Price: $49-$64

Dates: Through Dec. 20

The Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railway Company (ACWRC) is the largest privately held shortline or regional railroad in North Carolina. While the company does carry freight, it also offers unique excursion opportunities for public passengers and train enthusiasts throughout the year. 

The Carolina Christmas Train is the most grown-up holiday experience on this list. ACWRC’s historic passenger cars are a beauty in themselves, with cozy seating and a built-in feeling of nostalgia as you wind your way through the heart of North Carolina. Sit back, relax, and sing Christmas carols as Santa makes his way through the Piedmont on a 50-minute ride. Included in each ticket purchase is a souvenir cup with hot chocolate and a cookie. 

7. Santa’s Reindeer Roundup Express

New Hill

Price: $16

Dates: Through Dec. 21

Hop on the New Hope Valley Railway’s Triangle Train for a train ride with Santa to help him find his missing reindeer along the train route and in the rail yard, all decked out with decorations. While you’re there, check out the gift shop and pick up some food truck fare from The Dogfather. The 4-mile roundtrip takes about 50 minutes. 

8. Holidays in the Park

Durham

Price: $20 general admission w/ train ride

Dates: Through Dec. 29

The Museum of Life + Science in Durham fills its park with holiday spirit in a display that is a must-see for anyone in the Triangle area. Enjoy a memorable stroll through outdoor spaces such as Dinosaur Trail, or go indoors to warm up in the Magic Wings Butterfly House. The best way to experience the displays, however, is to catch an illuminating ride on the Ellerbe Creek Railway to ensure you can see the entire woodland wonderland. 

The park includes holiday music, designated spots for family photo ops, a pop-up gift shop, synthetic ice skating, complimentary candy canes, and other winter activities. 

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