North Pole Express: By the Rio Grande Railroad

    Our adventure started at the Depot in Alamosa, CO. We picked up our tickets for the North Pole Express and received candy canes and STAMPED post cards! What a great souvenir!

    When the train pulled up, it was all decked out for the holidays. Our two elves made us comfy and cozy with steaming cups of hot cocoa (complete with whipped cream and green sugar) and delicious cookies (the only variety available were oatmeal raisin...if your kids are not a fan, I would stash a chocolate chip cookie in your purse)! YUM!!! Once everyone was settled in our car, we were off to the North Pole! A merry caroler joined us in our car. She sang a couple of songs solo, and then invited all the kids to join her in the back for Christmas carols. My girls had a great time singing along.

   The conductor came through the car and punched the first letter of the ticket holder into the tickets.

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  We arrived at the North Pole and picked up Santa. On the way back to the station, Santa came through the train. Everyone was greeted with a HO HO HO! Santa and his elves passed out a silver bell to each passenger (I could hear mine, because I BELIEVE!) and listed to Christmas wishes.

   When we returned to the Depot, there was a spot set up for the kids to visit with Santa one more time. The girls brought copies of The Polar Express for Santa to sign.

   The girls told me they had a FANTASTIC time...and have already asked if we can return again next year. That would definitely be two thumps up from this crowd!

The Polar Express runs on Friday and Saturday at 6pm now until December 22nd.

*My family received tickets to enjoy the train, but the opinions expressed are my own.