If you think Kris Kringle only travels by sleigh, think again. During the Yuletide season, the jolly chap boards old-fashioned locomotives and chugs through the hills and hollers of Appalachia, spreading Christmas cheer one whistle-stop at a time. 

You can join Santa — and sometimes Mrs. Claus — on the rails and build magical holiday memories with these four must-ride train journeys. 

Blue Ridge, Georgia

Blue Ridge is a long way from the North Pole. But that doesn’t stop Mr. and Mrs. Claus from coming south each winter for the Holiday Express Tour.

During this one-hour adventure, passengers listen to holiday music and sip hot chocolate as they wind “through lush forests, over rivers, and past charming towns,” says Rachal Gray, general manager of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Good boys and girls also receive a jingle bell, a candy cane, and one-on-one time with Father and Mother Christmas.

Once the train comes to a stop, passengers are welcome to stroll downtown Blue Ridge, where shopkeepers decorate their windows and the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association hosts an annual gingerbread display. There’s ice skating, too. 

Cass, West Virginia

Cass is small (think 13 full-time residents). However, this historic lumber town goes big for the holidays with Christmas at Cass.

During this cherished tradition, a 100-year-old steam locomotive takes passengers for a 90-minute ride through the mountains of Pocahontas County. Along the way, guests can glimpse the scenic Greenbrier River from their heated coaches. (Bonus points if you get to sit in the vintage Chesapeake & Ohio caboose.)

Afterward, be sure to explore the historic company town, which “comes alive at night with thousands of lights,” says Walter Scriptunas II with the Cass Scenic Railroad. Throughout the month of December, Cass also hosts Santa meet-and-greets, kid-friendly workshops, and holiday markets.   

Bryson City, North Carolina

Bryson City is magical year-round, but especially during the holidays.

“Imagine a quaint town adorned with twinkling lights, where every storefront is decked out in festive garlands and the scent of freshly baked cookies and campfire s’mores fill the air,” says Sarah Conley, executive director of the Swain County Tourism Development Authority. “The pace is slower here, allowing you to wrap yourself in the nostalgia and simple joys of the holiday season.”

Such simple joys include a ride aboard The Polar Express. Offered by the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, this unforgettable experience brings Chris Van Allsburg’s award-winning children’s book to life with music, seasonal treats, and a visit from Kris Kringle, who awards each child a silver sleigh bell from his enchanted chariot. 

Staunton, Virginia

The Grinch would never dare steal the Yuletide spirit in Staunton, a Blue Ridge Mountain town where Santa rides the rails from November to December.

Loved by families and rail buffs alike, Santa’s Scenic Railway invites families aboard a locomotive trimmed with Christmas cheer. “Each passenger car is decked out with colorful lights, cheery music, a faux fireplace, and twinkling Christmas trees,” says Kathy Moore, a spokesperson for the Virginia Scenic Railway.

According to Moore, the experience is a short 45-minute trip, “which is just about right for younger kids.” Highlights include cozy drinks, sweets, and time with Santa.