Christmas City Express
Guests begin in the Lake Superior Railroad Museum with a storybook reading of the Christmas City Express story, carolers, and an appearance by Santa. Passengers then board the train for a 30-minute ride out to Lake Superior's shore featuring holiday music, singalongs, narration, and twinkling lights. Onboard, riders receive complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, with time after the performance to explore the museum.
What to Expect
Storybook reading and 30-minute train ride along Lake Superior
Event Details
Duration
About 90 minutes from arrival to finish, including the performance and a short 30-minute train ride.
Ages
All ages (recommended for under 10)
Timed Entry
Yes
Organizer
North Shore Scenic Railroad
Food & Drink
Passengers receive complimentary hot chocolate and cookies onboard.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with children under 10
Vibe
Cozy and festive
Energy Level
Low
Budget
$$$
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Low
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: Coach seats start at $42 for adults and $38 for children; passengers 3 and up need a ticket, and children 2 and under are free. Domecar seats start at $52 for all passengers ages 0 and up; the page also says the SkyView Domecar costs $10 more per ticket. All tickets cost an additional $5 on Saturdays. A train ticket includes museum access during or after the performance, not beforehand; museum admission is 50% off when visiting earlier that day or the next day before 3 pm with a train ticket. – Get tickets
- Hours: Fridays 4:15, 5:15, 6:15, and 7:15 pm; Saturdays 3:15, 4:15, 5:15, 6:15, and 7:15 pm; Sundays 3:15, 4:15, 5:15, and 6:15.
- Parking: The page gives no parking location or cost. It says patrons with limited mobility should allow extra time to walk to the train from parking.
- Accessibility: The story performance is accessible, but the train ride is not wheelchair accessible and requires about four steps to board.
Tips & Advice
- Reserve ahead, since space is very limited, and any seats left are sold on the day of the show at the North Shore Scenic Railroad ticket office.
- Bring a letter for Santa, and add your return address if you'd like a reply in the mail after the event.
- Come down 4th Avenue West and enter through the back of the Depot, where the railroad sits on Level 1.
- Visit the museum earlier that day or the next day for half-off admission, since there's only about 20 minutes to explore after the show.
- Allow extra time to walk from parking to the train if anyone in your group has limited mobility.
Special Events & Promotions
- SkyView Domecar seats upstairs under the 85-foot glass dome cost extra per ticket.
- Your train ticket gets you half off museum admission earlier the same day or the next day.
- All tickets carry an extra premium-day fee on Saturdays.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Christmas City Express best for?
Families with children and the young at heart. It's made for shorter attention spans, so it's a great fit for kids under 10.
How long does the whole experience take?
About 90 minutes from arrival to finish. The storybook performance comes first, then a 30-minute train ride.
Can we explore the Lake Superior Railroad Museum?
Your ticket covers the museum during and after the performance, but not before. That gives you only about 20 minutes. With your train ticket, you get half off museum admission earlier that day or the next day.
Does the train stop at Bentleyville?
No. It passes by Bentleyville without stopping, and the Bentleyville Shuttle Train isn't running this year. Bentleyville isn't too far a walk from the Depot.
Should we bring anything for Santa?
Yes, bring a letter for Santa, who is part of the show. Add your return address if you'd like a reply in the mail after the event.
More Christmas Events Near Duluth
More Christmas Events near Duluth
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.