Yuletide Express — Northwest Railway Museum

The Northwest Railway Museum has run its Santa Train in the Snoqualmie Valley for more than 50 years, according to the operator. It now offers two holiday experiences, and the Yuletide Express is the shorter one: a 40-minute round trip that begins at the Snoqualmie Depot in historic downtown Snoqualmie, Washington. The longer North Pole Limited, a separate two-hour excursion, leaves from the North Bend Depot.

Families board seasonally decorated antique coaches and travel west toward Snoqualmie Falls, pausing briefly at the crest for a view of the Snoqualmie River Valley that the operator says is only available from the train, before returning to Snoqualmie. Santa walks through the train and visits every family while his helper hands each child a surprise gift, and everyone receives a peppermint stick as they get off. The museum does not charge for photos: staff are available to take them on your own device.

The museum suggests the shorter Yuletide Express for younger children who may not yet have the patience for a two-hour excursion.

A round trip of about 40 minutes in enclosed antique coaches. Santa walks through the train to visit each family, every child receives a surprise gift and everyone gets a peppermint stick when leaving the train. No food is available on the train, and the museum asks guests not to eat or drink anything but water in the historic coaches.

Boards at the Snoqualmie Depot, 38625 SE King Street, Snoqualmie, Washington. Public parking is free in the lots and streets of downtown Snoqualmie. The boarding lines are outside. Tickets are required for everyone aged two and up, must be bought online in advance, are valid only for the date and time listed, and are assigned by time: guests who want to sit together must board together. There are no refunds or exchanges unless the train does not run. There are no restrooms on the train. A wheelchair lift is available for boarding. No pets are allowed aboard the train or inside museum buildings; only trained service animals are permitted. The train runs rain, shine or snow.