Holiday Trains Bring Good Cheer to Grand Canyon National Park

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The holiday season is in full swing and everyone is getting into the spirit, including the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. Arizona’s Grand Canyon Railway is feeling festive and is offering Polar Express train rides throughout the holidays for children and their families.

Inspired by the Chris Van Allsburg book The Polar Express, the Grand Canyon Railway has been offering a unique holiday experience for tourists by providing train rides to the “North Pole” while enjoying the crisp Grand Canyon weather. After you board onto the Polar Express, children will be treated with hot chocolate and cookies as The Polar Express is read to them for storytime. The anticipation builds as the train gets closer and closer to the “North Pole.”

The train departs from the Depot in Williams, AZ and journeys through the dark, dense forest. Once storytime is finished, that’s when you can look out the window and enjoy the bright, colorful Christmas lights and sights from the comfort of the warm train. The train finally slows as Santa Claus himself comes aboard to greet the passengers and offer each one a special holiday bell.

This is an extraordinary experience for families that would love to take a trip visiting the Grand Canyon trails while also giving a wondrous experience for their young children. Many locals or frequent tourists have made a yearly tradition to take a ride on the Polar Express. It provides moments of community and goodwill filled with the holiday spirit.

The Polar Express departs every day from now until the end of the holiday season at the Depot in Williams, AZ at 5:30pm and 7:30pm. Select days do offer a matinee train ride at 3:30pm. Go to http://thetrain.com/ for ticket information and to make a reservation. Prices are around $40 for adults and $30 for children. Seats fill up quickly, so don’t delay and ensure your seat on this magical train ride.