Polar Expresses Arrive in Lake County
By: Jonathan Jones 12/04/2015
Sometimes that light at the end of the tunnel is a train. Well in this case…yes it is holiday trains.
Yes indeed the holiday season is here and if you’ve been working on the railroad just to pass the time away, now is the time to join alongside with family and friends to see the wonderful polar expresses riding around Lake County.
Antioch, Grayslake, Vernon Hills, Highland Park, Round Lake are all hosting express trains to tell stories, give you time to write a letter to Santa, eat a snack and hang out with some of your holiday friends.
Here is your guide to the holiday trains going around Lake County:
The 3.5-hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Antioch Metra Station for a journey to the "North Pole". Children will join in and sing as our conductor goes around checking each of them in. Children's faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the "North Pole". Santa will join the group in between keeping an eye on the elves that are busy making the toys for Christmas. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Antioch Metra Station. Children and adults are encouraged to wear pajamas to this event.
All aboard the Holiday Express. Join the Zion Park District for a magical Metra ride to the North Pole (Zion to Kenosha). Pre-registration is required and may be done in person at the Zion Park District Leisure Center Building, 2400 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion. Passengers can begin checking in at the Zion train station at 5:15pm. We will arrive back in Zion at 7:02pm. Only those pre-registered will be allowed on the train.
All aboard! Come join us on a magical journey aboard the Polar Express. Meet at the Grayslake Train Station on Lake Street and board the train for a special afternoon. Enjoy the fantastic ambiance of a train ride and storyteller reading the award-winning holiday story, 'Polar Express.' As we ride the train to the North Pole (Fox Lake), a 'special friend' will board the train to tell everyone 'Ho-Ho-Ho!' Perfect for ages 1 and up. Children are $19 for non-residents and adults are $14. Pre-registration is required.
All aboard for a magical journey of imagination to the “North Pole” (Waukegan). Wear pajamas and listen to a classic holiday story on board the train. Write a letter to Santa, snack on a cookie, and meet some holiday characters on the way. Bring the camera to take a photo with the whole Claus family and make some memories to last a lifetime! Participants must register at the address where they reside. All children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event.
All aboard! Come join us on a magical journey aboard The Polar Express Storytime Train. Don't miss this train ride from Round Lake to Fox Lake and back again. Enjoy the fantastic ambiance of the train as we ride to the North Pole, (Fox Lake), listening to holiday stories and singing carols. Upon arrival at the North Pole a special friend will board the train to tell everyone Ho-Ho-Ho. The ride home, (to Round Lake), will include carols and a snack.
Join the magical journey aboard the Polar Express. Don't miss this special train ride from the Libertyville Metra station to the North Pole (Fox Lake) and back again. The entire trip to and from the North Pole will take approximately 90 minutes. Remember that the Polar Express always leaves on time, so please be prompt. Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa Claus will join the Polar Express and ride back with everyone. Our Polar Express will re-create the trip recounted in the award-winning children's book The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. Wear your PJ's! Space is limited so register early. Open to all ages; all riders must register to have a ticket aboard the Polar Express. Non residents $25.
