Holiday Happenings: Lunch and Train Ride with Santa

Train rides + Santa = lots of holiday fun … and a train car full of screaming kids after reaching their hour long limit of holiday fun.

Since this is the first holiday season that Miss A is able to really enjoy the holiday activities, we decided to start a new tradition – taking part in the “Lunch/Train Ride with Santa” in Monticello.

This is a hugely popular event, and I was lucky enough to scoop up tickets after finding out when an extra time slot was added.  At the time, I was a little unsure if it would be an age-appropriate activity for our then almost one year old; however I knew her Dad would enjoy the train ride and visit with Santa so went ahead with purchasing the tickets.

Historic Monticello Train Depot.

On the day of our adventure we joined the crowd of people at the historic train depot to wait for the “Polar Express Train.”  We found our train car, hopped on and listened to Christmas carols while we waited for our departure.  Anderson loved looking out the window and waving at everyone.

 

 

 

Once we left the depot we slowly made our way through rural Piatt County.  Santa visited our group first.  Anderson wasn’t so sure of the jolly old man, and refused to sit on his lap.  She did give Santa a high five and blew him a kiss as he left.  Since there were no tears in this encounter I chalked it up as a success.

 

 

 

After about a half hour traveling slowly east, our train reversed directions and headed back to the depot.  Along with the ride and Santa meeting, everyone got a sack lunch.  Anderson loved the chips included in the lunch.  It may have been the highlight of her adventure.  After about 45 minutes on the hot train our toddler, along with the majority of all of the other toddlers on the train, were ready for a new adventure.

Overall, I thought the “Lunch/Train Ride with Santa” was really well organized and a fun Christmas event to do together as a family.