Take a Magical Train Ride With Santa in Iowa This Holiday Season

If you're looking for a unique and fun experience for your kiddos ahead of Christmas, try booking a trip to the North Pole on the Santa Express!

On the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s Santa Express, families will enjoy a beautiful train ride to the "North Pole," and "Santa will pass through the train, greeting children, and passing out a special gift." The entire experience lasts anywhere from 75 to 90 minutes.

Tickets for the Santa Express are $25 for coach and $50 for first class. The coach cars are preheated and passengers receive a small bell from Santa. The first class cars are constantly heated and passengers receive a ceramic mug and a larger bell.

The Santa Express runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 29th to December 22nd. Tickets can be purchase online HERE, or by calling 515-432-4249 during business hours.

There's another popular train ride over in Mount Pleasant Iowa called Santa’s North Pole Express. You start at Midwest Central Railroad's North Depot in McMillan Park and take the train to the "North Pole," where there are lots of activities for the kids. They can visit with Santa, make their own Christmas ornament, play with model trains, and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies.

Unfortunately, it appears that this holiday train experience is already sold out. Tickets went on sale November 1st, but it didn't take long for Iowans to scoop them up! Keep that in mind when they go on sale next year.

If you're looking for holiday light displays in the area, we've got a list of all the big ones in Eastern and Central Iowa! You can check that out HERE.