Buy Tickets Early to Ride the Rails with Santa

The Virginia Scenic Railway is restoring the allure of train travel with its three-hour round trips departing from Staunton. The railway runs two main routes, and the Alleghany Special route is particularly scenic. It lurches westward from Staunton through pastoral scenes, past working farms, and toward the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.

From Saturday, Nov. 30–Sunday, Dec. 22, Santa’s reindeer are getting a break. Old Saint Nick will take children and children-at-heart on a 40-minute ride—just the right amount of time to bask in the wonder of it all. The ride starts in Staunton’s historic downtown and makes a stop at Santa’s workshop before heading home, cookies and hot chocolate in hand. Festive attire is welcome. Tickets are $65 per person and sell out fast. VirginiaScenicRailway.com

Learn all about the Virginia Scenic Railway here!

Kids sitting with Santa
Photo by Kate Simon

This article originally appeared in the October 2024 issue.

Heather Bien
Heather Bien, a Virginia- and D.C.-based writer looks for the intersection of tradition, history, and home. Her work has appeared in Martha Stewart Weddings, Apartment Therapy, and more.
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