Just thought I would pass this along. If anyone is looking for a neat Christmas adventure to do with the family then you should definitely check out www.gsmr.com Click on the Polar Express Ride. We did it this weekend (the non-dinner train one). The train leaves from Bryson City and goes about 30 minutes to Whittier, NC which is all decked out like the North Pole. Once there Santa gets on the train and rides back to Bryson City with you all the while talking with the kids, signing copies of the Polar Express Book if you have one and giving each child their own bell to keep. The ride also includes singing Christmas Carols, drinking hot cocoa and eat cookies. And for the kiddos and actually many adults did too, you can wear your Jammers. This is a VERY neat adventure and my family loved it.
Polar Express And if you can't make it to the mountains, try the Raleigh Imax in 3D starting mid December. Really great.
Over in New Hill near Apex they also have a train ride, not as long as the one in the mountains though.
I just googled it, does it really take 5 hrs to get there from here? Here being the 40/42 area? :cry:
With potty stops for the kids, yes it does but it is so worth it!!! We stayed the night in Cherokee at a Hotel so we could break up the drive back and forth. I have been to the New Hill train and it is definitely nice but no comparison to the Polar Express. This is not your up and back kind of trip but a family adventure that can be full of memories.
We are planning to go with our neighbors next year. We think that next year may be the last year that our kids still believe in Santa. My daughter is 7 but she goes to before and after school with older kids and we know how kids can be. We hope that she still believes longer but who knows. We think she will really enjoy this. It will be something that she will always remember.
