North Pole Express — My Old Kentucky Dinner Train

My Old Kentucky Dinner Train runs its North Pole Express from its depot in Bardstown. The operator calls it a fully renovated, working holiday dinner train: each dining car is dressed with linens for a three-course meal prepared by its culinary team, and every child finds a custom coloring book, designed by a local artist, at their place setting.

Santa is part of the whole outing. He greets families in the depot before boarding, visits each train car and table during the excursion to chat, sing carols and take pictures, and waits in the depot afterwards with a bell from his sleigh. The ride ends with the chef's homemade hot chocolate and a giant chocolate chip cookie, and each ticket is punched, with a candy cane to take home.

The excursion lasts one hour and 45 minutes. The operator says kids of all ages are welcome and that parents and children can wear pajamas. Children's tickets (ages 0 to 12) add an activity bag, a souvenir train ticket, a coloring book and crayons, a souvenir hot-chocolate cup and a gift bell from Santa.

Santa in the depot before boarding, a 1¾-hour excursion with a three-course meal served at your table, Santa visiting each car for conversation, carols and photos, then hot chocolate and a giant chocolate chip cookie. Back at the depot, Santa gives a bell from his sleigh. Check-in begins one hour before the excursion and trains leave promptly. Pajamas are welcome.

Departs from and returns to the depot at 602 North 3rd Street, Bardstown, Kentucky. Check-in begins one hour before the excursion and excursions depart promptly. The ticket includes the meal, non-alcoholic beverages, the excursion and tax; gratuity and cocktails are not included. Tables seat four, so a party of two may share a table unless it buys a private table for two. A full-service bar is open at the depot and on board. The train is climate controlled, and the train and depot are non-smoking. The operator is happy to assist guests who use a wheelchair or walker: tell the staff beforehand. Children under two who do not need a seat or a meal can ride on a lap without a ticket, but the children's extras are then not provided. Full refunds are given up to 14 calendar days before the date; after that tickets can be rescheduled or turned into a gift certificate.