Every season is
Rainier season.

The Polar Express™ Train Ride at the Mt. Rainier Railroad

The magic of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ comes to life in Elbe, Washington. This story of a child’s Christmas Eve journey comes alive on-board THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride.  All ages can enjoy the warmth and fun of the Christmas season as you depart for a trip to the North Pole.

Passengers will be entertained by Chefs, enjoy Hot Chocolate and Cookies, and listen to a reading of THE POLAR EXPRESS™. Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa will board the train and give each child the first gift of Christmas (a silver bell).   This event will surely become an annual tradition for the whole family. Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride and join in on the magic of Christmas! Scroll down below to make sure to check out these special offers on lodging near the train station. Extend your adventure and book accommodations near the train station. Come early and stay late so that while you’re in the area you can take time to visit Mount Rainier National Park to play in the snow before or after your train ride. Additional area activities near the depot for families include the opportunity to take a guided horseback tour through the wintry forest near the depot.

SCHEDULE

Departures November 22—December 31, 2019 

Train departure times vary according to the date selected, typically weekend departures are at 3:30 PM, 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM. Weekday departure times are usually 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM. Departure times may change at the discretion of the railroad to accommodate changes with such things as equipment or weather. 

TICKET PRICES AND INFORMATION

All tickets are for reserved seats, allowing your party to select their configuration of seats together. All of our coaches are heated. Restrooms are available at the train depot, with limited restrooms available on the train. Standard Class train coaches are Tacoma Rail cars representative of the 1950’s era Amtrak passengers cars with comfortable front-facing upholstered seats in paired rows. First Class vintage Olympian Hiawatha cars feature table-and-chair or booth configuration, which allows for parties of 4 to sit facing each other. In Standard Class, hot chocolate is served with a cookie, the cocoa is in a disposable mug. First Class includes a collector’s edition souvenir mug with your hot chocolate and cookie. The mug is exclusively available to First Class passengers and cannot be found in stores.

LODGING PACKAGES NEAR THE TRAIN STATION

CONTACT INFO

PHONE | (360) 492-6000

ADDRESS | 54124 Mountain Hwy E  Elbe, WA 98330

THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.(s17)

Breathe in the crisp mountain air and watch in delight as animals play with holiday-themed treats and enrichments.

People aren’t the only ones to receive holiday gifts at this time of year. Northwest Trek Wildlife Park’s creative keeper staff is as busy as Santa’s elves, creating special
treats for the resident animals. Winter Wildland returns to Northwest Trek on Dec. 28 and 29, bringing with it wintry sparkle and holiday cheer – plus the chance to burn off some of that winter break energy in nature.

At three keeper chats each day, animals will enjoy enrichment and food items that stimulate their senses and heighten their activity levels. For weeks, Northwest Trek staff have been busy
making cardboard “gingerbread” houses, holiday trees with edible decorations, icy popsicles and more.

Here’s the schedule:
Saturday, Dec. 28
 11:30 a.m. Badgers
 1 p.m. Grizzly bears
 2:30 p.m. Cougar

Sunday, Dec. 29
 11:30 a.m. Snowy owls
 1:30 p.m. Raccoons
 2:30 p.m. Gray wolves
For people, the real fun is in taking a winter break – whether from school or work – with family
and friends, spending the day in nature and seeing native Northwest animals like bald eagles,
grizzly bear cubs and river otters along paved walking trails.

Plus every entry to the wildlife park also comes with a 40-minute trip aboard a cozy heated tram through the 435-acre Free-Roaming Area, which is home to bison, Roosevelt elk, bighorn
sheep, deer, mountain goats and moose. And – weather permitting – children from toddlers through tweens can burn off that holiday energy in the Kids’ Trek nature-inspired play area.
All activities are free with membership or paid admission to Northwest Trek.

Northwest Trek will have special winter break hours from Dec. 26 through Jan. 5. The wildlife park’s admission booths will be open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. during that period, with the
last tram leaving its station each day at 3 p.m. Visitors have until 4:30 p.m. to enjoy the many animal exhibits as well as Kids’ Trek. Northwest Trek is open on New Year’s Day (Jan. 1), but
closed on Dec. 24-25.

For more information, see www.nwtrek.org/wildland

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