Winter holiday train rides in New Jersey, Pennsylvania are very festive, some with Santa!

everything is ready! Train enthusiasts of all ages have options when it comes to winter holiday-themed trips.

In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, here’s a roundup of the sites you should visit:

Blackriverrailroad.com via Facebook

80 Stangel Road, Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 908-782-6622
Blackriverrailroad.com
Weekends from November 19th to December 30th

Train journey from Flemington to ‘Arctic Station’ and back. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus on board the train, and enjoy cookies and hot cocoa at North Pole Station.
Kids also receive a “gift of a silver sleigh bell and a gold souvenir ticket.”
Photo opportunities include: Santa’s sleigh, Christmas tree and more at the North Pole Station.

$39.99 – Adults (ages 12 and up)
$38.99 – Children (3-11 years)
Children under 3 years old are free when riding on the lap of an adult
$94.99 – Premium Bus – Table for two includes fare for two.
$189.99 – Premium Bus – Table for 4, fare for 4 included.
$599.99 – Caboose Rental (as available) – Fits up to 14 guests (lap riders under 3 years old do not count toward guest limit)

Christmas Train Ride via httpsnjmt.org

New Jersey Museum of Transportation, 4265 Atlantic Ave., Wall Township
Phone: 732-938-5524
Njmt.org

Weekends of November 24-26, December 2-3, December 9-10, and December 16-17
11am to 6pm on Saturdays
11am to 4pm on Sundays

$7 per contestant

This annual trek through Allaire State Park to meet Saint Nick has been going on for decades at the New Jersey Museum of Transportation.

Webbane Polar Rapid Ride.com

1 Railroad Yard, Whippany
Phone: 973-419-6255
whippanythepolarexpressride.com
November 24-December. 30: Seven times on Saturday and Sunday, plus some Fridays and other weekends

Prices range from standard to premium levels:
$45-75 per adult
$40-70 for children
Young children (under 2 years) ride free on the lap of an adult guardian.

“A magical re-creation of the classic children’s story led by a group of talented actors on a real train.” Passengers are served hot chocolate and Walkers Shortbread by dancing chefs, enjoy reading Chris Van Allsburg’s classic book and receive the ‘first present of Christmas’ (the bells) after Santa boards the train to greet families. Performers lead passengers in caroling and holiday fun activities on the trip back to the station.

Mrs. Claus’s Trolley Ride in Cape May (https://capemaymac.org/)

Physique Estate, 1048 Washington Street, Cape May
November 25-December. 23, Saturdays and Sundays, times vary.
$20 per adult
$15 per child, ages 3-12
609-884-5404
capemaymac.org

Mrs. Claus leads the tour with stories and holiday songs on a carriage ride through the city. “Santa joins the fun at the Gazebo on the grounds of Physick Estate.”

Trilogy Railroad Historical Society via Facebook

Santa Fe Wayne Train

The Santa Train for 2023 is sold out – there’s a waiting list here.

Wayne/Route 23 Transit Center, Route 23 Southbound and West Belt Parkway, Wayne

Saturday, December 9, 2023

Train timings: 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm
tristaterail.org/santatrain

The Santa Fe Wine Train is an annual event, sponsored by the Tri-State Railway Historical Society, Inc. It’s a fun-filled, hour-long holiday-themed train ride where every child meets Santa.

$31 per adult (12 and up)
$26 per child (11 and younger)
Young children (under 2 years) ride in their parents’ arms for free.

301 Gap Road, Ronx, PA 17572
Phone: 1-866-725-9666
Strasburgrailroad.com/christmas-train

About a 90-minute drive west of Trenton, the Pennsylvania Christmas tradition at the Historic Strasburg Railroad has continued for more than 60 years.

Times vary.

Choose from four trips, prices start from:
Santa’s Paradise Express – $33 per adult (12+), $25 per child (2-11)
Pre-Christmas Night Train – USD 33 per adult (12 years and above), USD 26 per child (2-11 years)
Santa Claus Limited – $32 per adult (12+), $25 per child (2-11)
Christmas Tree Train – USD 25 per adult (12 years and above), USD 13 per child (2-11 years old)

Children 1 and younger ride a lap for free