It’s exactly six months until Christmas and St. Louis Union Station has a present for everyone who loves the holidays.
The public has asked for it and their Christmas wish is coming true. Due to the overwhelming popularity of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride, St. Louis Union Station is pleased to announce the return of the beloved holiday event for the 2017 holiday season.
Trains begin running from St. Louis Union Station to the North Pole on November 24, 2017, the day after Thanksgiving, and continue through December 30, 2017.
Tickets, combined with holiday hotel packages at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, go on sale July 25 at 10:30 a.m. at www.STLPolarExpressRide.com.
Train ride-only tickets will go on sale August 1, 2017 at 9 a.m.
The magical story of a boy’s search for the meaning of Christmas comes to life when real trains departs St. Louis Union Station for a round-trip journey to the North Pole. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™. Once onboard, hot chocolate and cookies are served as passengers read along with the classic children’s book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa and his helpers greet passengers at the North Pole and then board the train, where each child is given the first gift of Christmas – a silver sleigh bell. Chefs aboard each car lead passengers in singing Christmas carols on the ride back to St. Louis Union Station.
The journey begins November 24, 2017 with trains running every day except Christmas though December 30. Trains depart St. Louis Union Station at 4:30, 6. 7:15 and 8:30 p.m.
Riders may choose from two classes of service on The Polar Express — Coach and First-Class. Coach tickets start at $39; First-Class at $65. First-class ticketholders will receive a Polar Express mug and will be seated at four-top tables. They also will receive a free photo with Santa.
More information about dates, fares and excursion times are available by calling 314-942-6942, or by visiting www.STLPolarExpressRide.com. Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride.
In addition to the train ride, St. Louis Union Station will be running a holiday fire and light show set to Christmas music on the train shed lake.
St. Louis Union Station also will host a series of magical holiday dinners in the beautiful Grand Hall of the historic train station during the Polar Express season.
Featuring 3-D light shows projected on the ceiling and visits with Santa’s elves and holiday characters, the dinner sessions are available at TIME on selected days when the Polar Express Train Ride is in operation.
Dinners are served buffet style with separate adult and children’s selections priced at $25 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under. Children ages two and under are complimentary. An elaborate holiday dessert buffet accompanies the dinners. Reservations may be purchased online at www.STLPolarExpressRide.com.
St. Louis Union Station is located at 1820 Market Street in downtown St. Louis. Parking is available in the Union Station lot at 18th and Clark for just $5 for all Polar Express ticket holders.
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