Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Some Illinois families have a December tradition that runs on rails. Grandparents who once pressed their noses to a train window now buy the tickets and watch the grandkids do the same thing.
The seven train rides below range from a Santa-filled Polar Express in Monticello to a little trackless train looping a mall in Vernon Hills, and several are run by volunteers who keep old cars rolling for the next generation. If you want a holiday outing that the whole family will still talk about in July, start here.
1. Polar Express – Monticello, IL, Monticello, IL
Pajamas, hot chocolate, and Santa on board. That trio is why the Monticello Railway Museum calls its Polar Express its premier event.
The ride runs about an hour, and it is not a quiet one. Young volunteer dancers from a local dance group sing and perform through the cars, so kids stay busy from the first whistle to the last stop.
Plenty of families treat it as a yearly habit, returning with the same child each December until that child is old enough to bring their own. There is a gift shop, restrooms, a cafe, and on-site parking.
Plan early. Tickets in advance are strongly recommended, and the museum lists details at mrym.org or by phone at 217-762-9011.
2. THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride, Chicago, IL
Chicago families do not have to drive downstate for a ride to the North Pole. The city version of THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride is run out of an office at 118 S Clinton St, just west of the Loop.
What sets this one apart is the cast. The performers are friendly and high-energy, and they make a point of including every child on the train instead of playing to the front rows.
Grown-ups get pulled into the fun too, which matters when Grandpa is the one who remembers the book from bedtime decades ago.
The listed phone line, 888-978-5563, is staffed weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., so call during the workweek with booking questions. Holiday dates fill quickly in a city this size.
3. Fox River Trolley Museum, South Elgin, IL
Some of the rail cars here were built in 1887. The collection at the Fox River Trolley Museum stretches from then to 1959, which means a grandparent might spot a trolley older than their own grandparents.
The small nonprofit focuses on the history of electric railroads in the Midwest. Rides roll along the Fox River, and crew members share stories about the other cars parked on the grounds.
There is also a WWII-themed ride, a nice pick for older kids who like history with their train time. Watching cars under restoration adds another layer.
Budget notes help here. The museum offers kid discounts and active military discounts, plus a free parking lot, a gift shop, and restrooms.
Check foxtrolley.org for the holiday schedule before heading to 365 S La Fox St.
4. Aiden & Armela Express Kids Trackless Train Ride, Vernon Hills, IL
Not every train needs tracks. At Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills, a trackless kids train loops the shopping center, giving little ones a ride while the grown-ups knock out holiday errands.
I like this stop for the youngest riders, the ones who might be too small for an hour-long excursion. The train is kept clean, the staff is friendly, and music plays during the trip.
Hours are generous. It runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. most days and stays open until 8 p.m. on Saturdays, so a December weekend visit fits easily around shopping and lunch.
It is indoors, too, which counts for a lot when the wind off the lake gets serious.
5. Wildlife Prairie Park Railroad’s Main Depot, Hanna City, IL
West of Peoria, out where the prairie opens up, a volunteer crew keeps a ride-on train running at Wildlife Prairie Park.
The Main Depot on Wildlife Prairie Rd in Hanna City is where trips begin. The volunteers are a big part of the charm, and the train itself is well cared for.
Listed hours run 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. on weekends. Seasonal schedules can shift, so confirm on wildlifeprairiepark.org before you pack up the car.
Pairing the train with the rest of the park makes this a full day trip rather than a quick ride.
6. Monticello Railway Museum, Monticello, IL
Here is a fun budget twist: walking around the old trains at the Monticello Railway Museum is free. You only pay if you ride.
The grounds at 992 Iron Horse Pl hold a wide mix of restored cars, a steam train, barns full of equipment, a trolley, and a model train exhibit. Steam train fares have run around $20 per person, though prices can change, and kids get discounts.
Weekends are the time to go. Hours are listed as Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and holiday rides like the Christmas train add a seasonal reason to visit.
Parking is free, restrooms are on site, and advance tickets are recommended. Bring a snack, since there is no restaurant.
7. Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad & Museum, Freeport, IL
A wood-fired locomotive is not something kids see every day. Out on W Lamm Rd in Freeport, the Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad keeps one as part of its well-maintained equipment.
Rides use three open cars with bench seating and roll through a wooded area. Bundle up if you catch a cold-weather run, because open-air means exactly that.
The museum side covers rural life, and staff offer guided tours of the equipment. That mix of farm history and rail history gives grandparents plenty to explain on the walk back.
Schedules are limited, so call 815-235-2198 or check thefreeportshow.com before making the drive to northwest Illinois.
