Ohio Polar Express Train Rides: A Complete Guide
Last revised: February 4, 2025
By: Adam Burns
There are a few locations offering Christmas train rides in Ohio at the, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Hocking Valley Scenic Railway, Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad, Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc.
More information about these events may be found here. However, only the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum in Dennison, Ohio hosts exclusive "The Polar Express" train rides. More information about these trips, and the museum, may be found below.
2025 Dates Will Be Included As They Become Available!
Other Activities
If you are interested in other popular activities around Ohio during the Christmas season to enjoy with the entire family you might want to check out the following!
Columbus Zoo & Aquarium "Wildlights"
This is an annual holiday lights display featuring millions of LED lights, animated light shows, and other holiday activities. It's a great way to get into the holiday spirit while also enjoying the zoo's animal exhibits.
Cincinnati Zoo's "Festival of Light"
Like the Columbus Zoo's event, this is a holiday lights display featuring animal exhibits, a train ride, and other holiday activities. The event has been a tradition for over 30 years and is a popular attraction for families.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's "Wild Winter Lights"
This is another holiday lights display featuring over a million LED lights, themed displays, and interactive activities. The event also includes live music and special appearances from Santa Claus.
"A Christmas Carol" Play
This classic holiday tale by Charles Dickens is produced by the Ohio Theatre in Columbus, brought to life in a stunning production featuring a talented cast and beautiful sets. It's a great way to introduce children to this beloved story.
Gingerbread House Display And Competition
This annual event is held at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus featuring over 100 gingerbread houses created by local businesses, organizations, and individuals. It's a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday season.
Christmas Cave at Lewisburg Diamond Caverns
Located in Lewisburg, this unique attraction features thousands of holiday lights, an underground waterfall, and other festive displays. It's a one-of-a-kind holiday experience that's sure to impress kids and adults alike.
The Clifton Mill
Clifton Mill is a historic mill in Clifton, Ohio that is known for its holiday light display. The display includes over four million lights and is considered one of the largest light displays in the country. You can drive through the display, which is open from the day after Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve.
Gingerbread House At The Ritz-Carlton (Cleveland)
The Ritz-Carlton in Cleveland has a beautiful Gingerbread House that is a must-see during the holiday season. The Gingerbread House is made entirely of gingerbread and candy, and it's a great place to take the family for a holiday treat.
Christmas At The Castle
Located in Loveland, Ohio, The Castle is a beautiful historic mansion that hosts a holiday extravaganza during the Christmas season. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the decorated mansion, listen to holiday music, and visit with Santa Claus. Kids can also participate in gingerbread house-making and cookie decorating.
Holiday Lights on the Hill: Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park (Hamilton, Ohio)
This annual event features a drive-through holiday light display that showcases over 2 million lights. Visitors can enjoy a two-mile drive through the park while admiring the festive displays. The park also offers horse-drawn carriage rides and a visit with Santa Claus.
Holiday Junction at Cincinnati Museum Center
The Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal hosts Holiday Junction, which is a festive train display that features over 300 toy trains, historical displays, and interactive exhibits. Visitors can also enjoy an ice-skating rink and a holiday-themed movie in the museum's theater.
Overview
Dennison Railroad Depot Museum
This museum is located in the town of Dennison's restored Pennsylvania Railroad depot completed in 1873.
The single-story brick structure is your typical station, a beautiful gingerbread design with large dormers and overhangs.
It sits along a still-active component of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis, a PRR subsidiary also known as the Panhandle Route, which once linked Pittsburgh with St. Louis.
After Conrail lost interest in the corridor, eventually abandoning large sections, the city of Dennison stepped in to save their depot, acquiring it from the railroad in 1984.
It has since undergone several restoration phases since 1992. During the last 30+ years the organization has collected several artifacts, freight and passenger cars, and even two steam locomotives; Ohio Electric Power 0-4-0F (fireless) #4759 and Chesapeake & Ohio 2-8-4 #2700 (a 1943 product of American Locomotive).
Both locomotives sit on display. In cooperation with freight line Columbus & Ohio River Railroad the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum is able to host official The Polar Express train rides during select dates in December.
The Polar Express Dates:
Recent Articles
-
Florida Scenic Train Rides In Parrish!
Jan 11, 26 10:26 PM
The Florida Railroad Museum (FRRM) in Parrish offers something increasingly rare in today’s rail landscape: a chance to ride historic equipment over a surviving fragment of an early-20th-century mainl… -
California's - Wine Tasting - Train Rides
Jan 11, 26 02:28 PM
This article explores the charm, routes, and offerings of these unique wine tasting trains that traverse California’s picturesque landscapes. -
Georgia's - Murder Mystery - Dinner Train Rides
Jan 11, 26 02:07 PM
In the heart of the Peach State, a unique form of entertainment combines the thrill of a murder mystery with the charm of a historic train ride. -
Colorado ~ Murder Mystery ~ Dinner Train Rides
Jan 11, 26 01:43 PM
Nestled among the breathtaking vistas and rugged terrains of Colorado lies a unique fusion of theater, gastronomy, and travel—a murder mystery dinner train ride. -
Minnesota Dinner Train Rides In Duluth!
Jan 11, 26 01:32 PM
One of the best ways to feel the region's history in motion today is aboard the North Shore Scenic Railroad (NSSR), which operates out of Duluth’s historic depot. -
Illinois Dinner Train Rides At Monticello!
Jan 11, 26 12:42 PM
the Monticello Railway Museum (MRM) is one of those places that quietly does a lot: it preserves a sizable collection, maintains its own operating railroad, and—most importantly for visitors—puts hist… -
Alabama's - Wine Tasting - Train Rides
Jan 10, 26 09:29 AM
While the state might not be the first to come to mind when one thinks of wine or train travel, the unique concept of wine tasting trains adds a refreshing twist to the Alabama tourism scene. -
Maryland Dinner Train Rides At WMSR!
Jan 10, 26 09:13 AM
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (WMSR) has become one of the Mid-Atlantic’s signature heritage operations—equal parts mountain railroad, living museum, and “special-occasion” night out. -
Arkansas Dinner Train Rides On The A&M!
Jan 10, 26 09:11 AM
If you want a railroad experience that feels equal parts “working short line” and “time machine,” the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad (A&M) delivers in a way few modern operations can. -
South Dakota's - Murder Mystery - Dinner Train Rides
Jan 10, 26 09:08 AM
While the state currently does not offer any murder mystery dinner train rides, the popular "1880 Train" at the Black Hills Central recently hosted these popular trips! -
Wisconsin's - Murder Mystery - Dinner Train Rides
Jan 10, 26 09:07 AM
Whether you're a fan of mystery novels or simply relish a night of theatrical entertainment, Wisconsin's murder mystery dinner trains promise an unforgettable adventure. -
Missouri's - Murder Mystery - Dinner Train Rides
Jan 10, 26 09:05 AM
Missouri, with its rich history and scenic landscapes, is home to one location hosting these unique excursion experiences. -
Washington ~ Murder Mystery ~ Dinner Train Rides
Jan 10, 26 09:04 AM
This article delves into what makes murder mystery dinner train rides in Washington State such a captivating experience. -
Kentucky Scenic Train Rides At KRM!
Jan 09, 26 11:13 PM
Located in the small town of New Haven the Kentucky Railway Museum offers a combination of historic equipment and popular excursions. -
Washington "Wine Tasting" Train Rides
Jan 09, 26 08:53 PM
Here’s a detailed look at where and how to ride, what to expect, and practical tips to make the most of wine tasting by rail in Washington. -
Kentucky's - Wine Tasting - Train Rides
Jan 09, 26 08:21 PM
Kentucky, often celebrated for its rolling pastures, thoroughbred horses, and bourbon legacy, has been cultivating another gem in its storied landscapes; enjoying wine by rail. -
Kentucky's - Murder Mystery - Dinner Train Rides
Jan 09, 26 01:12 PM
In the realm of unique travel experiences, Kentucky offers an enchanting twist that entices both locals and tourists alike: murder mystery dinner train rides. -
Utah's - Murder Mystery - Dinner Train Rides
Jan 09, 26 01:05 PM
This article highlights the murder mystery dinner trains currently avaliable in the state of Utah! -
North Carolina Dinner Train Rides At NCTM!
Jan 09, 26 12:51 PM
Tucked into the Piedmont town of Spencer, the North Carolina Transportation Museum is the kind of place that feels less like a typical museum and more like a living rail yard that never quite stopped… -
Tennessee Dinner Train Rides At The TVRM!
Jan 09, 26 12:39 PM
Tucked into East Chattanooga, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) is less a “museum you walk through” and more a railroad you step aboard.
