THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride — North Carolina Transportation Museum

The North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer hosts THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride each holiday season on its historic Spencer Shops site, off Interstate 85 between Charlotte and Greensboro.

The museum describes the event as live theater plus a train ride: two stage performances and the ride last approximately 70 minutes in total, and everything takes place on the museum grounds. Passengers travel on one of two trains, Train A or Train B; the show is the same on both, and the trains simply run at different times.

Seating is assigned at purchase and comes in four service classes: Standard Coach, Deluxe Coach, First Class table seating and, on Train A only, Parlor Class. The museum notes that the difference between classes is amenities and seating, not the show. Standard passengers receive hot cocoa, a cookie, a silver sleigh bell and a golden ticket.

About 70 minutes in total, including two stage performances and the train ride, all on the museum grounds. The museum asks guests to arrive 45 minutes before the performance. Standard passengers receive hot cocoa in a paper cup, a cookie, a silver sleigh bell and a golden ticket; higher classes add amenities and table seating.

Held at the N.C. Transportation Museum, 411 S. Salisbury Avenue, Spencer, NC 28159 (GPS address: 1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer). The museum is off Interstate 85 (Exit 79) between Charlotte and Greensboro. All seating is assigned when you buy tickets. Children aged 2 and up need a paid seat. Classes: Standard Coach, Deluxe Coach, First Class (tables) and Parlor Class (Train A only). Limited wheelchair-accessible seating is available on Train A's "Jingle" car and Train B's "Noel" car; the First Class, Parlor and other coach cars are not wheelchair accessible. Groups of 15 or more book by phone at (704) 469-5231 for a group discount on Standard or Deluxe tickets. Tickets are sold online and by phone; the museum offers a member presale before the public sale.