This Polar Express Train Ride in Indiana is So Magical, Families Snatch Up Tickets in January

What's the French Lick Scenic Train Polar Express Event Like?

When my daughter was little, one of our most memorable holiday adventures was a magical train ride through Southern Indiana at dusk. As the sky darkened, the experience became increasingly enchanting. It started out normally enough when the conductor asked for our tickets. But soon, elves began dancing around and serving us hot chocolate. And then, to top it all off, Santa himself appeared and handed out the first Christmas gift to each child. It was truly a magical experience!

The French Lick Railway hosts the incredibly popular Polar Express Train Ride every November and December, and seats fill up fast.

All aboard! Inspired by the Warner Bros. film and award-winning book by Chris Van Allsburg, the magic of The Polar Express comes to life. Read along with the story as the train makes its magical round-trip journey to the North Pole. Meet Santa and enjoy caroling, hot cocoa, a treat and a special gift for each child. Families are encouraged to wear pajamas! Tickets must be purchased prior to event.

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Pro Tip: Book After Christmas

So, if you want to buy tickets but are thinking, I don't know what my schedule will be like a year from now, consider getting tickets in November or after Christmas. We got ours after Christmas because we were slackers and everything else was booked up. It turned out to be awesome because it was a nice way to get over the post-holiday blues. We had one more thing to look forward to after the big day. And, it was less crowded - in fact, they let us ride it twice!

Don't Forget the Time Change

My parents forgot about the fact that French Lick is in EST and almost missed the train. Just remember to leave an hour earlier than you would originally leave if they were in CST.

Stay and Play

We love staying in the French Lick area. The West Baden Hotel is, of course, gorgeous and done up so pretty this time of year. And there's a lot to do. We play billards, swim in the indoor pool, do nature hikes, and have even gone horseback riding. There's also Wilstem Ranch with some really fun animal experiences and Big Splash Adventure.  And, we always have to eat at Larry Bird's 33 Brick Street. It's SO good.

How to Buy Tickets

This experience sells out fast. In fact, it's so popular that they put the tickets on sale in January and there's even a pre-sale for those who purchased tickets the year prior. Some experiences are already sold out! So, if you are thinking about it, get your tickets asap!

You can purchase tickets right here. 

What Do I Do If I Can't Get Tickets?

If you go to their website and can't get tickets, your next step is to call the office at 1.800.74.TRAIN. Hey, you never know!

If you can't get tickets for The Polar Express, check out the other trains they have coming up including The Wild West Express, Dinosaur Train, and the Chocolate, Beer, and Bourbon Tasting Excursions.