New Jersey is home to a number of scenic railways offering magical holiday train rides this holiday season! Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, sing some holiday songs, and meet Santa!!! Learn more at www.thingstodonewjersey.com | #nj #newjersey #holiday #christmas #trainrides #kids #events #activities #familyfriendly #whippany #allaire #allairestatepark #wall #blackriverwestern #flemington #hunterdoncounty #monmouthcounty #morriscounty #capemaycounty #richland #tuckahoe #polarexpress #traditions #celebrations #thingstodo | holiday train rides in nj | holiday train rides in new jersey | santa train rides in nj | santa train rides in new jersey | polar express nj | polar express new jersey | ride train with santa nj | ride train with santa in new jersey

The Best Holiday Train Rides In New Jersey

Christmas Train Rides In New Jersey
Delight Riders Of All Ages

Now Updated for 2017!

There’s just something about Christmas and trains that go hand in hand. If you’re looking to celebrate the holidays in a way that your family will remember years from now (or start a new Christmas tradition), you can’t beat a holiday train ride with Santa. And lucky for us, there are a number of places in New Jersey where you can ride the rails with Santa. Read on for some of the best holiday train rides in New Jersey …

Note: Many of these New Jersey holiday train rides sell out quickly every year. Advance reservations are strongly recommended (or even required in some cases).

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The Best Holiday Train Rides In NJ – 2017

The North Pole Express

Black River and Western Railroad
80 Stangl Road
Flemington NJ

All aboard the North Pole Express for a fun-filled two and a half hour journey that the entire family will love! This New Jersey holiday train ride departs from the Black River and Western Railroad’s Flemington Station and travels to the “North Pole” (at Ringoes Station). Along the way, Santa’s elves will greet the children and drum up some Christmas spirit! Once you arrive at the North Pole, your family will be able to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus (children will receive a small gift) and enjoy some refreshments (hot chocolate and cookies of course!) and face-painting. There is also a photo op with Santa’s sleigh. Following your visit to the North Pole, passengers will enjoy some more time with the elves on the way back to Flemington Station.

Santa Train Ride at Wayne Train Station

Wayne/Route 23 Transit Center
Route 23 Southbound & West Belt Parkway
Wayne NJ

December 9 2017
9:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, & 3:00pm

For over two decades, the Tri-State Railway Historical Society has been hosting its annual Santa Train ride in Wayne NJ! Meet Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Santa’s elves, as well as a number of popular cartoon characters! Enjoy a memorable Christmas train ride through the beautiful central and northern New Jersey countryside.

The Christmas Express with Santa Claus

New Jersey Museum of Transportation
Allaire State Park
4265 Atlantic Avenue
Wall Township NJ

The Christmas Express with Santa Claus along the Pine Creek Railroad has been a New Jersey holiday tradition for over 30 years and is a sellout every year! Santa rides the Christmas Express and talks to all the children. Day trips and evening trips are available. Advance ticket purchases are strongly recommended for this holiday train ride.

The Polar Express

Delaware River Railroad Excursions
99 Elizabeth Street
Phillipsburg NJ

Delaware River Railroad Excursions brings Chris Van Allsburg’s treasured holiday story The Polar Express to life every Christmas season. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, families enjoy their trip to the North Pole complete with hot chocolate and cookies while listening to a reading of the Polar Express. Santa will greet the children and each child receives their own sleigh bell – just like in the movie! Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for this New Jersey holiday ride that is sure to become a Christmas tradition.

The Santa Express

Cape May Scenic Railroad
Richland Village Train Station
1275 Harding Highway
Richland NJ

Ride the historic Cape May Seashore Lines and meet Santa Claus along the way! Trains travel between Richland and Tuckahoe.

Ride PATCO’s Silver Sleigh with Santa

New Jersey PATCO stations
beginning at Lindenwold Station
(see website for station locations)

December 2 2017

This New Jersey holiday train ride has become a much-anticipated South Jersey tradition. Ride the train with Santa on Saturday, December 3rd! Specially decorated PATCO trains will make three trips, leaving the Lindenwold station at 9:00am, 10:35am and 12:05pm and will pick up passengers at all stops along the way. Enjoy a holiday train ride into neighboring Philadelphia with Santa and his elves, complete with seasonal music, then experience the many family-friendly holiday activities that are happening in the city. Regular fares apply. Confirm schedule, station information, and fare information at PATCO website.

Do you know of other holiday train rides in New Jersey? Contact us!

You might also like:

• Places To Visit Santa In New Jersey That Are Not A Mall!
• The Ultimate Guide to New Jersey Christmas Tree Farms






Featured Photo Credit for “The Best Holiday Train Rides in New Jersey” –
Baker Co. Tourism via Flickr

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