7 Best Holiday Train Rides Near NYC

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Best Holiday Train Rides

Add some magic to your life this holiday season and take the kids on a holiday train ride! Many trains can be found around NYC that will transport you into a winter wonderland and will give you the opportunity to meet reindeer, elves, and Santa himself! 

Are you looking for delicious and festive treats? Check out 10 Trader Joe’s Holiday Items to Try this Holiday Season!

The Polar Express – Whippany, NJ
Wednesday-Sunday until December 30
1 hour

This year, the magic returns to Whippany, New Jersey on their Polar Express! Dress your kids up in their cozy and festive pajamas and take a one-hour train ride that is inspired by this popular Christmas movie. Your kids will enjoy hot chocolate and shortbreads and will receive their own silver bell before they head home.

North Pole Express – Flemington, NJ
Weekends until December 19
1 hour and 10 minutes

Your kids will love taking a ride on the Black & Western Railroad to celebrate the Christmas season. Spend some time with both Santa and Mrs. Claus and take pictures that will make for amazing memories. Due to Covid, the North Pole Express will be a little smaller than in years past so make sure you get your ticket soon!

Catskill Mountain Christmas Train – Kingston, NJ
Friday-Sunday until December 19
1 hour and 40 minutes

Make your way up to the Catskills to enjoy a magical train ride in a decorated open-air flatcar. During your ride, you will be able to interact with Santa’s helpers taking the ride with you and enjoy a cookie from a local bakery. Finally, one the way to the North Pole, Santa will be waiting to greet each train as it goes by.

Trolley Museum Winterfest and Tunnel of Lights – East Windsor, CT
Fridays through Sundays until December 26
2 hours

Winterfest and Tunnel of Lights have been putting families into the holiday spirit for 43 years, and they are excited to welcome back guests! One of the museum’s many trolleys will take you through a tunnel of lights where you will have the opportunity to carol with the conductors. The Trolley museum will also have an open sleigh car for guests who would like an open-air experience of the tunnel. Make sure you also stop by the food vendor to get some much-needed cookies and hot chocolate.

Santa’s Paradise Express – Strasburg, PA
Weekends until December 24
2 hours and 40 minutes

Head to Pennesvalnia for the day, and the Strasburg Rail Road- is excited to welcome families back for this fun Christmas tradition. Take a 45-minute train ride while also having a chance to meet Santa! All of the little one’s ages 11 and under will also receive a little gift to get them into the spirit.

Santa Express and Northern Lights Limited – Thomaston, CT
Fridays through Sundays until December 23
2 hours

All aboard the Santa Express and Northern Lights Limited! Your kids will be able to take a ride in a unique and historic train while taking part in holiday fun such as caroling and visiting Santa. The Santa Express is a great train ride to take for little ones since it is scheduled to depart earlier in the day so you can make it home in time for bed.

North Pole Express and Santa’s Steam Spectacular ​– New Hope, PA
Every day until December 30 (closed on Christmas Day)
2 hours and 15 minutes

Take the North Pole Express Train and explore the beautiful Bucks County countryside! Guests will get the full holiday experience with musicians playing classic Christmas carols and delicious hot chocolate and homemade cookies! Of course, the ride can’t be complete without seeing Santa and having your kids give their lists and special requests for the holidays.

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Dance Workshop - Long Island

<p dir="ltr">Nestled in the heart of Lynbrook Village, Dance Workshop is a community-focused studio committed to dance education in a loving and safe environment. Dance Workshop offers Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre and Acro for ages 2+. They also offer a Pre-Professional Company track for dancers interested in taking their technique to the next level. Trial classes may be scheduled with the studio at the start of the season. Dance with the Dance Workshop!</p> <p dir="ltr">MaryAnn Grasso founded Dance Workshop in 1979. Her daughter Nanci later joined her at the helm and in 2016 established Dance Workshop on the Upper East Side of NYC. MaryAnn and Nanci have devoted their lives to dance education, community and the development of children; raising dancers and sound human beings alike. Dance Workshop has seen thousands of dancers pass through the doors. They believe dance has the power to elevate and change lives!</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b50ede03-7fff-ec65-8962-b3be9135d2e8"></span></p>

The Language Workshop For Children

<p dir="ltr">After offering both group and private lessons for many years and analyzing the results over time, The Language Workshop for Children, founded in1973, has decided to emphasize private remote lessons at shorter intervals. Our skilled educators will focus their attention exclusively on the unique needs, learning style, and interests of your child. This allows a bond to develop between teacher and student, which has been shown to drastically improve retention. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>OUR METHOD </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Developed by the pioneers of language education for children, our programs bring decades of experience to your living room with individualized, active language classes. Each lesson is based on proven methods and materials perfected to capture your child’s attention during the ages when he/she absorbs information the fastest.   </p> <p dir="ltr">While other online language classes rely on videos for passive learning, we deliver interactive, and engaging lessons with native-fluent teachers. In addition, all our teachers are certified in the Thibaut Technique which has been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and many other well-respected publications.  </p> <p dir="ltr">Our short one-on-one lessons give kids the chance to focus, hear pronunciation clearly, and practice speaking in their target language. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>THE PROCESS</strong> </p> <p dir="ltr">First, students have a short meeting with our Director Francois Thibaut, in English, with their parent(s) present. Mr. Thibaut will determine the best course of study, including class length and frequency, the right teacher, lesson format and materials (or action games for younger students.) Then the learning begins! Mr. Thibaut will continually check in on your child’s learning to assure they are getting the most of their classes. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>OTHER OFFERINGS </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">We can also help your child prepare for: the French subject tests for SAT, AP & CLEP, the European DELF/DALF, the Canadian TEF and other standardized testing, college entry exams, studying or traveling abroad, cultural changes when moving abroad, and much more! </p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a97d759c-7fff-6e4d-8e93-70e093aa10f1"> </span></p>

TADA! Youth Theater

<div> <div style="text-align: center;">Endless Options-Endless Fun! TADA! is so excited to offer weekend and after school classes, week long private and public school camps, and our Broadway 1-Day camps available for ages 3-14!  </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Winter/Spring Semester Classes</strong><br />Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! Gotta Act! Join TADA! Youth Theater this Winter and Spring for after-school and weekend musical theater classes available to students ages 3-14! Throughout the semester students will engage in musical theater training, learn vocals and choreography to the latest Broadway hits, and experience ensemble based instruction with two NYC teaching artists.  Not only does our musical theater training inspire creativity, foster self-expression, and build confidence, but our classes also encourage students to explore and connect with others, creating lifelong friendships and a love for the arts.</div> <div style="text-align: center;">Limited spots available! All of our classes take place in person at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/15+W.+28th+Street?entry=gmail&source=g" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/maps/search/15%2BW.%2B28th%2BStreet?entry%3Dgmail%26source%3Dg&source=gmail&ust=1736890280366000&usg=AOvVaw2_eBpQuG9WbMH_ETP9cDKN">15 W. 28th Street</a> (between Broadway & 5th) and culminate in a final sharing for an invited audience</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Classes Schedule:</strong><br />Mondays:<br />Mondays, Ages 4-5 | 3:45PM-5:15PM<br />Mondays, Ages 6-8 | 3:45PM-5:15PM<br />Tuesdays:<br />Tuesdays, Ages 12-14 | 4:15PM-5:45PM<br />Wednesdays:<br />Wednesday, Ages 8-12 | 4PM-5:30PM<br />Saturdays:<br />Saturdays, Ages 3-4 | 10AM-11AM<br />Saturdays, Ages 5-7 | 10AM-11:30AM<br />Saturday, Ages 8-12 | 12N-1:30PM</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Class Descriptions:</strong><br />AGES 3-5, MUSICAL THEATER MINIS: Creativity takes center stage! In this upbeat, high-energy class, your Musical Theater Mini will learn new introductory skills in the areas of singing, dancing, and acting. Each session, students participate in fun, creative-play activities as well as learn vocals and choreography to popular Broadway songs. At the end of the semester, your young star will belt out their favorite show tunes for an invited audience.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">AGES 5-8, JAZZY JUNIORS and AGES 8-12, RISING STARS: This class offers the perfect blend of musical theater exploration and fun theater games to keep kids creative and active all semester long!  Each session, students participate in musical theater training as well as learn vocals and choreography to popular Broadway songs. By the end of the semester, they’ll be ready to confidently shine in their final sharing for an invited audience.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">AGES 12-14, BROADWAY BOUND: Let passion ignite, talent soar, and dreams take center stage!  Watch as students step into the spotlight and unleash their inner Broadway star in our advanced musical theater class for tweens & teens!  Throughout the semester, students will immerse themselves in the world of Broadway, learning iconic songs and exploring diverse theatrical styles. By the semester’s end, they’ll proudly showcase their talents in a spectacular cabaret-style musical revue. This isn’t just about performing—it’s about embracing the magic of musical theater, forging lasting friendships with fellow performers, and stepping into a world where every moment onstage feels like a standing ovation.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Week Long Private and Public School Camps:</strong><br />When School is out, TADA! is in!  Now offering Week-long Public & Private School Break Camps for ages 4-5 & 5-9 this February, March, and April!  </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">Write it! Rehearse it! Perform it! Immerse yourself in the magic of storytelling. Each week, students co-create an original musical in just five days!  Have your child unleash their inner star, share their voice, and create memories that will last a lifetime.  Join us for a week of laughter, creativity, and applause! Don't miss out on the most epic musical theater adventure of the school year!</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">Spots are limited so don’t miss out! Our in-person camps take place at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/15+W.+28th+Street?entry=gmail&source=g" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/maps/search/15%2BW.%2B28th%2BStreet?entry%3Dgmail%26source%3Dg&source=gmail&ust=1736890280366000&usg=AOvVaw2_eBpQuG9WbMH_ETP9cDKN">15 W. 28th Street</a> (between Broadway & 5th).  </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">*On the last day of all camps, we invite friends and family to attend the debut of your child’s original mini-musical!</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Week-long Public School Break Camps:</strong></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br />February 17-21 |  Ages 5-9, M-F, 9AM-5PM | I Wish My Life Was A Musical! | | $795 <br />April 22-26 | Ages 5-9, M-F, 9AM-5PM | The Show Must Go On! | | $795</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Week-long Private School Break Camps:</strong></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br />March 17-21<br />Ages 4-5, M-F, 9AM-1:30PM | Pirates & Princesses! | | $500 <br />Ages 5-9, M-F, 9AM-5PM | The Show Must Go On! | | | $795 <br />March 24-28<br />Ages 4-5, M-F, 9AM-1:30PM | Unicorns, Mermaids, Dinosaurs, OH MY! | | $500<br />Ages 5-9, M-F, 9AM-5PM | I Wish My Life Was A Musical! | $795</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Learn more & register today! </strong></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://tadatheater.com/education-overview/school-break-camps-3/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tadatheater.com/education-overview/school-break-camps-3/&source=gmail&ust=1736890280366000&usg=AOvVaw2R13yNUGcd6RlQy0FsVMm1">https://tadatheater.com/<wbr />education-overview/school-<wbr />break-camps-3/</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">Looking for a sample class? Join us at our In-person Open House on January 11th, 2025!<br /><a href="https://tadatheater.com/education-overview/open-house/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tadatheater.com/education-overview/open-house/&source=gmail&ust=1736890280366000&usg=AOvVaw0Nt2sRC86LUUhaw4DgKX5N">https://tadatheater.com/<wbr />education-overview/open-house/</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">No child should be turned away because of their inability to pay. Financial Assistance available.<br /><a href="https://tadatheater.com/education-overview/financial-assistance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tadatheater.com/education-overview/financial-assistance/&source=gmail&ust=1736890280366000&usg=AOvVaw0W6olBN_Kib7HEmnv4Bq3Y">https://tadatheater.com/<wbr />education-overview/financial-<wbr />assistance/</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Broadway 1-Day Camps</strong></div> <div style="text-align: center;">When School is out, TADA! is in! Join us for a fun-filled day learning vocals and choreography to a show-stopping musical number from a hit Broadway or movie musical. Our 1-day camps include vocal training, dance technique, exhilarating choreography, and fun theater activities led by two professional NYC Teaching Artists. Don’t miss a jam-packed day of musical theater fun!</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">Monday, January 20th (MLK Day) | Wicked <br />Wednesday, January 29th (Lunar New Year) | The Little Mermaid <br />Monday, March 31 (Eidal-Fitr) | Frozen <br />Thursday, June 5th (Eidal-Adha) | Matilda <br />Friday, June 6th (Clerical Day) | The Greatest Showman <br />Thursday, June 19th (Juneteenth) | Moana <br />Friday, June 27th (Public School is out) | The Lion King <br />Monday, June 30th (July 4th week) | Trolls <br />Tuesday, July 1st  (July 4th week) | Wicked <br />Wednesday, July 2nd (July 4th week) | Newsies <br /><br /></div> </div> <div> <div dir="ltr" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>