Looking to celebrate the season on a train with Santa Claus? Here are two of the best train rides with Santa.
Santa is flying high (as if 14,115 feet) when he visits the Swiss chalet-esque terminal of the world famous The Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway on Nov. 24, 25 & 26; Dec. 2-3, 9-10 and 16-24. Word has it there will be elves passing out hot chocolate and cookies prior to the red cog trains ascending Pike’s Peak where the summit is an amazing 14,115 feet above sea level and the only easily accessible “fourteener” in the US. It’s where the words to “America the Beautiful” were penned.” The colorful and charming station in Manitou will be bursting with holiday decorations as well. There is a rumor that Santa may be on one, or some, of the trains to the top of the mountain as well.
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Reserved admission tickets are $71 for adults and $61 for children (12 and under). Standard admission tickets are $58.50 for adults and $48.50 for children (12 and under). Rides are weather-dependent. It is strongly suggested that tickets be purchased in advance at: www.cograilway.com.
Originally built in 1891 and owned and operated by The Broadmoor since 1925, the historic Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog railway in Manitou Springs, CO is the highest railroad in America, the highest cog railway in the world, one of Colorado’s top attractions.
THE NORTH POLE (OUTSIDE OF WILLIAMS, AZ AND SOUTH RIM GRAND CANYON) – The Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel’s Polar Express™ will be offered from November 10 through December 30, with special trains running from Williams, AZ to the North Pole most nights at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. MST. Round trip experiences last about 90 minutes.
Prices for evening departures Sunday through Thursday are $39 for children (ages 2 to 15) and $58 for adults. Tickets for Friday and Saturday departures are $53 for children and $70 for adults. The Christmas Eve Limited on December 24 is priced at $97 for adults and $67 for children and includes special mementos. Polar Express reservations may be made by visiting www.thetrain.com/polarexpress.
The Polar Express is a holiday-themed train adventure for guests of all ages, following the storyline of the children’s book written by Chris Van Allsburg. A family favorite, guests will embark upon a magical train adventure to the North Pole – featuring holiday songs, lively Chefs, cookies and hot chocolate, a special reading of “The Polar Express,” and of course a visit by Santa himself.
The Grand Canyon Railway also offers a Polar Express Package, which features overnight accommodations as well as Polar Express tickets for guests. Guests and groups can even charter their own train or have private luxury railroad cars added to the scheduled Polar Express.
For more information about the Grand Canyon Railway or to purchase other tickets or packages, visit www.thetrain.com or call 1-800-The-Train (1-800-843-8724).
