One of our most memorable holiday adventures was riding the Polar Express train ride in St. Louis at Union Station. This immersive experience brings the classic book and movie to life! From the moment we stepped onto the train, it felt like we were part of the beloved Christmas story. Complete with golden tickets, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa himself! It is pure holiday magic for the whole family.

Highlights of the Polar Express Experience in St. Louis

• Golden tickets were handed out and punched just like in the story.

• Staff was in conductor uniforms and chef outfits that added to the charm.

• A cozy train ride with music, lights, and a reading of the Polar Express story.

• Hot chocolate and cookies were served to all passengers.

• A visit from Santa Claus who gave each child a silver bell: “the first gift of Christmas”

Tips for Riding the Polar Express With Kids

• Book your tickets early! This event sells out quickly, especially on weekends close to Christmas! Presale tickets go on sale at the end of July, so you have to start thinking about it early.

• Arrive early or stay late to explore everything the area has to offer.

• Dress cozy or wear pajamas like in the story -many families do!

• Bring gloves and hats if waiting outside before boarding.

• Don’t forget your camera because there are plenty of photo opportunities.

• Seating is assigned so book early for a good spot together.

• Makes sure to check age-specific ticket info because under a certain age may be free or discounted.

• There are numerous tiers of pricing and train car experiences. Make sure to check out all of them and choose which is best for your family.

Holiday Magic at Union Station Before and After Your Ride

Before and after the train ride, there’s even more to enjoy at St. Louis Union Station. The area is decorated so beautifully with endless photo opportunities for the whole family. From a giant decorated Christmas tree to endless holiday lights and characters, to a gift shop filled with Polar Express memorabilia, the Christmas magic is truly alive at Union Station.

You can also check out the nearby attractions like the Ferris wheel, carousel, and mini golf to add to your fun experience.

Final Thoughts: Is the Polar Express in St. Louis Worth It?

Would we go again? We already did! We have been on the Polar Express two times. It is more than just a train ride, it’s a memory maker that will last forever. Our kids were glowing with excitement, and we left full of holiday cheer. It’s the kind of experience that truly captures the magic of Christmas.

You can’t miss Wall Drug if you’re driving through South Dakota, literally! You will see billboards lining the interstate for hundreds of miles, each one teasing the promise of free water, homemade donuts, and quirky roadside fun.

But does it live up to the hype? We stopped to see for ourselves, and here’s our honest take.

What is Wall Drug?

Why is it so famous? It all started with free water. You can read up on the history of the Wall Drug store here: https://www.walldrug.com/about-us/

Our Experience at Wall Drug

To be honest, I personally feel that the hundreds of road signs we saw all across the state hyped it up a little too much. It is neat to visit a place so many deem as famous, however, it was a little underwhelming (in an overwhelming way). It didn’t quite live up to the hype for our family.

What We Enjoyed

• Free water and splash area. This is a great way for the kids to cool off on a hot day.

• Quirky photo ops. From the giant jackalope to a piano-playing bear, there were many photo-worthy moments.

• Arcade area. This was a small area for the kids to burn off energy during our long drive.

What We Didn’t Love

• Crowded and noisy. It’s extremely busy, especially in peak summer.

• Lots of souvenir shops. Most shop sell similar items, so it starts to blend together.

• Tourist prices. This is going to be a bit expected for a major roadside attraction.

Tips for Visiting Wall Drug

• Arrive early or late to avoid the biggest crowds.

• Grab a donut or coffee if you need a quick snack, they’re local favorites.

• Budget 1–2 hours max, it’s easy to see everything in a short visit.

• Use it as a pit stop rather than a main destination on your South Dakota road trip.

Final Thoughts: Is Wall Drug Worth the Stop?

If you’re already passing through South Dakota, Wall Drug is worth stopping once for the novelty and nostalgia. Kids will enjoy the splash pad and silly photo ops, and adults will appreciate checking a famous spot off their travel list.

But if you’re expecting a world-class attraction, you may find it a bit overrated and overly commercialized. Still, it’s a classic stop that’s part of the full South Dakota road trip experience. We’re glad we saw it once, but it’s not a stop we’d go out of our way for again.

🚙 Planning a South Dakota road trip? Don’t miss an opportunity to explore the Badlands National Park!

Omaha, Nebraska might surprise you with how much fun it offers for families! We packed a ton of kid-friendly activities into our weekend, from a top-rated zoo to impressive outdoor play spaces. Here’s how we spent our time and what we’d recommend for your own family trip.

Stop 1 – Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

This was hands-down the highlight of our trip! The Omaha Zoo is massive and incredibly well-designed. It kept our kids entertained for hours. We quickly learned why it is rated the #1 zoo in the nation.

To get all the tips, tricks and inside scoop on this amazing zoo, check out my post "Why Omaha's Henry Doorley Zoo Blew Us Away". It is full of all the information you would want to know before planning a visit to this zoo.

Stop 2 – Gene Leahy Mall Playground in Downtown Omaha

This urban playground was a total win. This is right in the heart of downtown Omaha and offers climbing structures, slides, grassy areas to play in and a nice river to walk along. It is such a unique space and our kids loved it! It is completely free and open to the public. Since it is right in the middle of downtown, it is close to numerous coffee shops and restaurants. Our kids spent a good hour and a half, climbing, sliding and exploring.

Stop 3 – KIPP: Kids Indoor Play Park

KIPP Omaha is one of the top indoor playgrounds in Omaha, and is a park the whole family can enjoy! It has trampolines, slides, obstacle courses, and a three story soft play gym in one section. Another section includes a mini village of small stores and restaurants where young kids can roll play. There is a infant and toddler area for kids ages 5 and under that includes softer play surfaces and gentle equipment. If that doesn't seem like enough fun for your kids, they also have an arcade zone! This place is full of fun and kept our kids entertained for hours. You do have to buy their special grip socks for an additional cost.

Stop 4 – Discovery Playground at Lewis & Clark Landing

Located on the scenic Missouri Riverfront, this Omaha playground is another amazing outdoor play space and it is fenced in! This playground got rated #5 in USA Today's Best Public Playgrounds. It has rocket style climbing structures, slides, zipline, swings, ropes, hills for running, musical instruments and interactive water features and more. This is a great playground for all ages and is wheel chair accessible. It is right along the river which gives you great views and a nice walking path. There are restrooms and restaurants near by as well. It is a beautiful area and definitely worth the visit if you are in Omaha.

Stop 5 – Fun Omaha Shops Kids Will Love

Hollywood Candy in Omaha’s Old Market is a quirky, retro-themed shop packed with vintage candy, handmade treats, a soda fountain diner, pinball arcade, movie theater, vinyl records, and antique collectibles. It’s part candy store, part nostalgic museum, and a fun stop for all ages.

If you want a sweet treat and support a small, local business, then Ted and Wally's is the place to go! Ted and Wally's Ice Cream Shop is a small, family-owned business that serves ultra- premium homemade ice cream. They use local ingredients from farmers, artisans and chefs to create a one of a kind ice cream that is sure to be loved by all!

Final Thoughts – Family Weekend in Omaha

Would we go again? Yes! Omaha is easy to get around, full of free & affordable fun, and perfect for a long weekend with kids. The zoo alone make it worth the trip, but once you are there, you will find there is so much else to enjoy!