Polar Express Train Ride in Bryson City, NC: After reading many reviews and knowing we may only
do this once, we decided to splurge and book first class at the 6:30 departure. This train ride exceeded
my expectations. Both adults and kids had a blast. While the train ride is 1 1/4 hours long, they keep
the kids entertained almost the entire train ride. The staff sang songs, danced with the kids, and read
the Polar Express book to the cart. They also gave us a chocolate bar the shape of a train and a warm
cookie. We were also served hot cocoa in the most adorable mugs we got to take home. And YES
they did sing the hot chocolate song while serving! You also receive a golden Polar Express ticket
that the conductor punches holes in. Towards the middle of the train where do we arrive, the North Pole of course! Santa boards the train, greets each child and gives them a bell. This was a magical trip! Afterwards (or before) don't forget to check out the train museum!
do this once, we decided to splurge and book first class at the 6:30 departure. This train ride exceeded
my expectations. Both adults and kids had a blast. While the train ride is 1 1/4 hours long, they keep
the kids entertained almost the entire train ride. The staff sang songs, danced with the kids, and read
the Polar Express book to the cart. They also gave us a chocolate bar the shape of a train and a warm
cookie. We were also served hot cocoa in the most adorable mugs we got to take home. And YES
they did sing the hot chocolate song while serving! You also receive a golden Polar Express ticket
that the conductor punches holes in. Towards the middle of the train where do we arrive, the North Pole of course! Santa boards the train, greets each child and gives them a bell. This was a magical trip! Afterwards (or before) don't forget to check out the train museum!
All Aboard!
The Hot Chocolate!
Dancing
The North Pole
Things to Do in Bryson City:
-Explore downtown with the cute shops
-Tom Branch falls: Paved hike .6miles round trip. Great for little ones who can’t travel a long distance!
http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/tomsbranch.htm
Places to eat:
-Everett street diner: Good lunch
-Great Smoky Mountain Winery: Excellent Restaurant. This place was my favorite. It is a house
turned into a restaurant. It has a cozy fireplace and cute atmosphere. The wings and pizza were
really good. The wings were so tasty we ordered another round. The staff were very friendly.
turned into a restaurant. It has a cozy fireplace and cute atmosphere. The wings and pizza were
really good. The wings were so tasty we ordered another round. The staff were very friendly.
-Mountain perks: This place had delicious coffee. The coffee was smooth and no bitter after taste.
We even bought some coffee to take home with us.
We even bought some coffee to take home with us.
-Rivers end restaurant: The food was okay but really cool location. The restaurant feels almost like it
is in the river.
is in the river.
Place to Stay:
McKinley Edwards Inn
- free continental breakfast
- nice rooms
- cozy main inn (during Christmas they even had a couple of Christmas trees)
- nice grounds, overlooks town
- Friendly staff
- $10 off one night stay if book train tickets through them
Ways to Save Money:
- Buy matching PJs online beforehand
- Buy Polar Express book online (I got ours used on ebay for cheap!)
- Since we went at night, I had dollar store glow sticks that kept them entertained while waiting to board
the train.
- Since we went at night, I had dollar store glow sticks that kept them entertained while waiting to board
the train.
