What You'll Discover On The Polar Express Train Ride At Union Station

The Polar Express train ride is finally back here in St. Louis! And the train cars actually leave the station! You’ll discover all that you truly missed when you climb aboard this year at Union Station.

What You’ll Discover On The Polar Express Train Ride At Union Station

Of course the walk through train experience was a lot of fun last year. My kids loved it, but it was just not the same as riding on the Polar Express. When I told them that the train was going to actually moved my daughter squealed with delight. “Wait. We are going to ride on the Polar Express?! Like ride on it? Like it’s going to move???” Yes, we did and it did.

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The original Polar Express is back in St. Louis!

Was it ever good to be back on the Polar Express train ride!

Discover The Polar Express Train Ride

The media preview night is always the kick off to the holiday season for my family. From that point on we all feel extremely festive. There’s just so much to do and discover.

The Polar Express is a multigenerational event.

My parents were in town visiting and went with us this year. They loved it. My mom kept saying that she felt like a kid again. It truly is a holiday activity for the entire family.

There are lots of train car options to choose from.

This year we were assigned to Santa’s Sleigh (in one of the observation cars) and it was amazing. I highly recommend this experience. Santa’s Sleigh is a premium dome car and ranges in price from $55-95 depending on package/date/time. Inside the observation car there are booths to seat 4 people, a couch that will hold 4 people and 8 swivel captain’s chairs. All are under a ceiling of observation windows.

The other train are options are as follows:

Coach – These seats are forward facing in sets of two with one seat at the window and one seat at the aisle. Pricing: $35-$60

First class – You’ll find small tables with four seats around and must be purchased in groups of four. Pricing: $55-$85

First class dining car – This car is seating that’s at a table top and sold in groups of four. Pricing: $55-$85

Premium dome car lounge – This area is the lower level of the premium dome car. It’s a spacious lounge area with chairs. Pricing: $55-$95

Santa Baby

Wear those matching pajamas… and masks!

Face masks are required while indoors and on the trains. The teenager even agreed to wear the pajama bottoms so I call that a big win! I found these matching Christmas pajamas online at Target. Part of the family pajamas collection from Hearth & Hand with Magnolia and I think they are absolute perfection. See the complete collection HERE.

Plenty of photo opportunities before the train ride.

Yummy cookies and delicious hot chocolate to enjoy on the train.

Every passenger will get a cup of hot chocolate and a David’s chocolate chip cookie (gluten free, dairy free, and nut free), but the best mugs ever are only included with a first class dining car, premium dome car, or premium dome car lounge ticket.

Get a silver bell from THE man in red and interact with characters from the cherished story.

The bell still rings for our family.

And you’ll discover that you truly believe in the magic of it all.

After we were back in the station, we took a ride on the St. Louis Wheel and then ate dinner at the St. Louis Soda Fountain. And saw all the pretty holiday decorations. I’d say that it was a pretty amazing night at Union Station.