PARKING AND DIRECTIONS
FREE secure parking is available at the B&O parking lot at 1100 James Street (entrance is on Arlington Street). Event entrance is through the North Car Shop off Arlington Street, not the main Museum entrance at 901 W. Pratt Street.
Visitors that require mobility accommodations can be dropped off at the top of the hill by the Arlington Street gate.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Doors open at the time listed on your ticket. Please be sure to utilize the portable restrooms by the entrance. There are no restrooms on the train.
When the doors open, you will check in at our check-in stations and you will receive wristbands indicating your ticket type. Once you receive your wristbands, everyone in your party should put them on right away. Please do not lose these bands.
While you wait for the show to start, you can hop onto the dance floor with music by TK the DJ or shop for gifts. When the show starts, the Conductor and Hero Boy will welcome you aboard The Polar Express™!
Train boarding will be by ticket type. Staff and volunteers will be on-site to help you find where you should line up, and signage is above each line. Guests with mobility aids receive priority boarding.
During the ride, please remain seated as our dancing chefs perform the hot chocolate song and dance, serve freshly baked sugar cookies and hot chocolate, and share The Polar Express story. The Conductor will punch golden tickets, and Santa Claus will deliver silver sleigh bells to everyone.
After the ride, you will deboard and head into the North Pole, where you will be welcomed by Santa’s elves. Throughout the North Pole, there are crafts and Santa letter writing stations, as well as a large holiday model train layout. Santa will be available in the center of the North Pole for photos.
You will also have a chance to purchase Polar Express items at the gift shop by the North Pole entrance. Food will be available at the Candy Cane Café, which is identifiable by the large banner in the Roundhouse and red and white tents.
To make s’mores and ride on Santa’s Sleigh Ride, proceed outside of the Roundhouse through the Candy Cane Café.
FOOD
Snacks and drinks are available inside the Welcome Depot’s Candy Cane Concessions before the show begins. In the North Pole, the Candy Cane Café will be open for your dining pleasure after the train ride. Please note outside food may not be brought into the museum.
For a list of ingredients in the cookies & hot chocolate being served on the train, please see here.
Please note: Concessions are not permitted during the show intro and train ride experience. The Candy Cane Café will remain open in the North Pole until 15 minutes before the Museum closes.
ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCES
The museum is handicap accessible and ADA compliant. Priority boarding will allow visitors needing mobility accommodations to get settled on the train with the first group of riders. For our Neurodivergent visitors, the B&O has developed an extensive list of resources to make the experience more predictable and comfortable.
On-Site Resources At The Event:
- Take Home Sensory Kits: Sensory kits include various stimming objects, a sensory map, visual schedule cards, and earplugs. Kits can be picked up at Admissions during check-in or in the Roundhouse.
- Headphone Check-out: Full size headphones are available for check-out at Admissions. Headphones should be returned to Admissions prior to exiting the North Car Shop.
- Sensory Station: Tents set up in the Roundhouse will act as quiet rooms. The Sensory Station features dim lighting, stimming furniture, soft landings, and is a Character Free Zone.
ADD-ON PICK-UP
To redeem pre-purchased add-ons, please proceed through the Candy Cane Café to the pick-up station at Santa’s Sleigh Ride and S’mores Corner. You will need to present your event ticket to redeem your purchased add-on.
S’mores kits can be purchased at the Candy Cane Café and tickets for Santa’s Sleigh Rides are available at the ride.
PHOTOGRAPHY DISCLAIMER
During your experience, there may be photographers on-site from the B&O Railroad Museum. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let our photographer know and they will be happy to accommodate your request.
