Spend the afternoon aboard a vintage train and relive the magic of “The Polar Express” as it chugs into the Kentucky countryside. Bardstown has two attractions offering Santa-themed excursions during December: The Kentucky Railway Museum and My Old Kentucky Dinner Train have a combined total of 26 different holiday excursions, offering everything from pictures with Santa and cookies and hot chocolate to chicken tenders and a holiday surprise.
The train rides take place during Christmas Round Bardstown, the annual holiday celebration that takes place in “The Most Beautiful Small Town in America” now through New Year’s Eve.
See Bardstown’s Calendar of Events for train excursion dates and details.
If you just believe
The train departs the New Haven Depot for Kentucky Railway Museum’s North Pole Express Fridays through Sundays, Dec. 2 to 19, and on Monday, Dec. 19. These excursions feature cookies and hot chocolate, and kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas for pictures with Santa at the depot.
Kentucky Railway Museum will also have a Santa Express departing every Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3 to 18, and on Monday, Dec. 19. Cookies, hot chocolate and pajamas are the order of the day, and Santa visits each train car.
My Old Kentucky Dinner Train hosts its popular North Pole Express, Saturdays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17, and Sundays, Dec. 4, 11 and 18. Children can watch the movie classic, “The Polar Express,” prior to boarding the 90-minute excursion and get a coloring book and crayons. During the ride, Santa Claus will join everyone and have a surprise for each child. Lunch and dinner menus include kid faves, including chicken tenders and cheese lasagna, and desserts like apple dumplings and chocolate mousse.
My Old Kentucky Dinner Train also has a two-and-a-half-hour New Year’s Eve excursion on Dec. 31. Ring in the New Year with a 4-course gourmet meal and a bottle of champagne. The fare also includes two souvenir champagne flutes and non-alcoholic beverages.
Advance reservations are required for all excursions and should be made as early as possible as some dates sell out.
Long winter’s nap
If a train excursion is part of a family holiday getaway, Bardstown has several brand name chain hotels, including the Hampton by Hilton, as well as several bed and breakfast inns and cottages that are comfortable for family travel. These include the Jailer’s Inn and the Colonel’s Cottages. Fun dining options for families include the soda fountain counter at Hurst Drugstore, Mammy’s Kitchen, Pat’s Place and Kurtz’s Restaurant. Bardstown’s beautiful Court Square is surrounded by more than two dozen locally-owned shops for those bringing their Christmas lists.
See all the holiday events planned during Christmas Round Bardstown here. For more information, contact the Bardstown-Nelson County Tourist & Convention Commission at 800-638-4877, .
