11/09/2018 to 12/31/2018
A holiday tradition for all ages, the Polar Express train ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers a 1.25-hour round-trip through breathtaking scenery en route to “the North Pole,” for a meeting with Santa, all set to the story and sounds of the eponymous motion picture soundtrack. Mugs of hot cocoa and trays of cookies make this holiday excursion even sweeter. Kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas and can sing along with Christmas carols as the train returns to the Bryson City depot. » Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, 45 Mitchell St.; daily, times vary; $42-$69, $28-$51 children; (800) 872-4681; www.gsmr.com