Courtesy of Chris L. Fussell

by Jamie Hale | The Oregonian, OregonLive

Forget the malls. Ditch the traffic. Train rides are a far better way to celebrate the holiday season in the Pacific Northwest.



From southeast Portland to the north Cascades in Washington, holiday train rides double as a beautiful way to tour the region, and a fun opportunity to check off the holiday bucket list. Most rides arrange meet-and-greets with Santa, some take you to holiday shopping destinations and one even comes with a fresh-cut tree to take home after.



The holiday experience and vintage train cars are naturally the main appeal, but so are the natural settings through which they travel. Of course, the train rides are far more scenic when there's snow on the ground, but this being the northwest, there's sure to be good views regardless of the weather.



Reservations for all the following train rides fill up fast, so you might want to book your seats soon. And if you miss out this time around, rest assured that this holiday tradition will be back again next year.

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Oregonian File Photo

Holiday Express Train

The popular Holiday Express Train will roll through Portland again this season, stationed at Oaks Park and running on the Oregon Pacific Railroad tracks along the Willamette River. The 45-minute trip includes hot chocolate, coffee, tea and cider, as well as cookies. Santa will be aboard each train for photo opportunities, and at dusk, passengers can see the train decorated with lights.



Trains run Nov. 24 to Dec. 17; tickets $10.50 to $14 for kids, $17 to $20.50 for adults, $12.50 to $16 for families; buy online at orhf.org or call 503-233-1156.



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Courtesy Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce

Leavenworth Snow Train

The enormously popular Leavenworth Snow Train is the most scenic way to visit the Bavarian mountain town of Leavenworth, tucked away in the Cascade mountains of northern Washington. There are only three dates the train runs, and all tend to book fast. The train departs from Everett, Edmonds and Seattle, offers time to explore the town, and returns the same day. Breakfast and dinner is served on board.



Trains depart Dec. 2, 9 and 16; tickets $229 to $359; buy online at leavenworthsnowtrain.net or call 800-895-2554.



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Courtesy of Premier Rail Collection

The Train to Christmas Town

The Mount Hood Railroad is leaving its Polar Express train ride behind this year in favor of The Train to Christmas Town, a different train-themed kids' book written by Peggy Ellis. The experience mirrors the story, in which kids take a train ride with woodland critters, drink cocoa served by elves and welcome aboard a special guest: Santa.



Trains run Nov. 11 through Dec. 28; tickets $37 to $57 for kids, $47 to $67 for adults; $47 to $77 for adults holding babies; buy online at mthoodrr.com or call 800-872-4661.

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Courtesy of Premier Rail Collection

Polar Express at Mount Rainier

The Mount Rainier Railroad is once again running its Polar Express train ride, bringing to life the story of a child's Christmas Eve journey to the North Pole. The 90-minute immersive experience comes complete with entertainment, hot chocolate and cookies, as well as a reading of the famous book. Santa boards the train at the North Pole, giving each child a special Christmas gift.



Trains run Nov. 17 to Dec. 31; tickets $22 to $63 for kids, $32 to $73 for adults; buy online at mtrainierrailroad.com or call 360-569-7959.

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Courtesy of Premier Rail Collection

Polar Express and Santa Steam

The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad in southwest Washington is bringing back its Polar Express train ride as well. Like other Polar Express rides, it includes a reading of the book, on-board entertainment, cookies, hot chocolate and a visit from Santa at the North Pole, where he has a special gift for each child. The railroad also offers Santa Steam trains, which last 30 minutes, and feature visits and photo opportunities with Santa.



Polar Express trains run from Nov. 24 to Dec. 17; tickets $28 for kids, $38 for adults. Santa Steam trains run from Dec. 2 to 10; tickets are $10; buy online at steamtrainride.com or call 360-748-9593.

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Courtesy of Northwest Railway Museum

Santa Train

The Northwest Railway Museum will once again host its Santa Train, a tradition dating back to 1969. Passengers ride the train 20 minutes from North Bend to Snoqualmie, where they can meet with Santa and enjoy treats backed in the train's kitchen car. Once at Snoqualmie, local shops and tree farms make for popular side trips before heading back.



Trains run Nov. 25 to Dec. 17; tickets are $26 for kids and adults; buy online at trainmuseum.org or in person at the Snoqualmie Depot Bookstore.

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Karly Imus/The Oregonian

Christmas Tree Train

The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad in north Clark County hosts two different holiday train experiences. The Christmas Tree trains whisk passengers along the Lewis River, returning to the station to mingle with Santa, and enjoy hot chocolate, cider, coffee and cookies. The railroad also sells fresh-cut trees to riders. The Steam Winter Finale on Dec. 16 and 17 is the same ride, but with the railroad's steam engine.



Trains run Nov. 25 to Dec. 17; diesel tickets $9 to $11 for kids and $16 for adults; steam tickets $13 to $15 for kids and $20 for adults; buy online at tickets.bycx.org or call 360-686-3559.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian/OregonLive

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--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB

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