If you really want to get your family in the holiday spirit, you might want to plan now to get to these five train rides!

For years I took my boys to two of the holiday train rides listed below. And we have some of the warmest and fuzziest memories!

1. Locally, for kids and parents that want to see Santa and take a short train ride at Allaire State Park, there is the Christmas Express with Santa Claus, where Santa rides the train and talks to all the kids. Although the train is on the Allaire property, it is run separately by the NJ Museum of Transportation. It sells out every holiday season. Tickets are already on sale, and each person, adult and child alike, needs a ticket. It is strongly suggested that you purchase your tickets in advance. You need to go to the train station ticket window at Allaire State Park when weekend trains are running to get your tickets. And you have to reserve seats for a specific time. The trains run every half hour from 6 pm - 8:30 pm on December 5, 11, 12, 18 & 19. Fare: $6.00. CLICK HERE for more info. Or call 732-938-5524.

2. Two hours away from Monmouth/Ocean is my all-time favorite train ride...as rewarding for adults as it is for children. It is the Strasburg Railroad Christmas train. This train gives you a long ride through the Amish countryside with Santa. Totally and completely worth the trip for kids. Whereas the Allaire ride is quite short and good for the very young kids, the Strasburg train ride is long and fulfilling, and the cars are perfect for the holidays....with plush velvet seating, lots of windows to overlook the countryside, farmland beauty, and Santa. Our very best memories have been made at this special place. Plan now if you want to make the drive. You can either take the Santa's Paradise Express train, a daytime train with Santa aboard, or The Night Before Christmas Train, an evening train with classic story, cookies and milk. Book your tickets soon! It runs weekends, Nov. 27th through Dec. 20th. There is also a Christmas Tree Train where you can take the train to a grove to pick your own tree on December 5th (no Santa on that train). To reserve a train time and date, and get all of the other info you need, CLICK HERE.

3. The Black River and Western Railroad in Flemington is running the Candy Cane Limited. CLICK HERE for details. On board the Candy Cane Limited Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their helper will greet all the children, posing for photos upon request. All passengers receive a candy cane, and children receive a small gift from Santa! Perfect for younger children that may be overwhelmed by an extended visit with Santa. This train does not include a stop at Ringoes or the "North Pole". All coaches are heated. Allow approximately 90 minutes for your round-trip. This train departs from FLEMINGTON STATION ONLY. (Their Victorian Special and North Pole Express trains have already sold out!)

4. The 24th Annual Santa Claus Special on the Whippany Railroad. This is a ten mile, 45 minute ride with festivities and merriment. And it will sell out. Santa will make his way through the train to visit the kids on board. In addition to the regular train cars, you can purchase limited tickets for a nostalgic ride aboard the museum's elegant 1927-era Central Railroad of NJ 'Club Car' "Jersey Coast" with specially decorated holiday ambiance, pre-World War II style.Individual leather chairs, mahogany interior, stained glass, built-in tables, and period ceiling fans. CLICK HERE to get your tickets. Your ticket price includes admission to the museum building with historical railroad displays, steam ship memorabilia displays, operating model trains, a gift shop and the outdoor operating large scale model trains. Any remaining unsold tickets go on sale, cash only, EACH OPERATING DAY at 12 Noon, at the ticket office on the Museum grounds

5. Cape May's Santa Trolley Ride, Holiday Lights Trolley Ride, and Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Ride. On Santa's Trolley Ride, bring the kids to the Physick Estate on weekends for a ride around Cape May with stories and songs led by Mrs.Claus. Santa will greet children with a sweet in the Carriage House. Advance reservations strongly recommended. Purchase tickets at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth at Ocean Street  or at the Physick Estate at 1048 Washington St. at the Carriage House or the Hill House Office. Hill House is open daily, 9am-5pm (except most winter weekends, when it’s open Saturdays only 9am-2:30pm). For info or advance tickets, CLICK HERE or call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278. On the Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Ride, a member of the East Lynne Theater Company regales you with a Victorian holiday ghost tale as you ride through Cape May’s festively decorated Historic District. And on the Holiday Lights Trolley Ride, Ride through Cape May’s Historic District to see festively decorated inns and homes as guides talk about Victorian Christmas traditions, lead sing-alongs, and play Christmas music.  Rides last about 30 minutes.

 

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