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Floradise

A lifestyle blog by Marette Flora

CTA Holiday Train 2017

In you live in the Chicago area or plan to visit in the month of December in the future, I recommend trying to find the CTA Holiday Train, especially if you have kiddos! The train already stopped running for 2017, but you have plenty of time to plan for next year. We took Victoria for the first time last year and she loved it! The Red Line is most convenient for us, so we waited for a day when it was running near us, but you can also find it on the other lines as well on different days. The schedule is always posted on the CTA website, along with the Holiday Bus schedule.

This year we decided to take the train north vs. south like we did in 2016. We discovered that maybe it’s not the best idea to ride it to the end of the line, because everyone deboards the train and crowds around Santa. Our best advice would be to get off the train a stop or two before the end so the kids can get a good glimpse of Santa before he rides off without being in a crowd. Either way, it’s still fun for them to wave goodbye to the big guy. Inside each car you’ll see elves who hand out candy canes, too!

Have you seen the holiday train in Chicago, aka Santa’s Express? If you’re not in Chicago, what fun holiday events do you like to attend?

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Watch last year’s ride on the CTA Holiday Train:

CTA Holiday Train | Chicago

The real feel was 6 degrees on Tuesday afternoon, but that didn’t stop us from venturing out to see the CTA holiday train, or Santa’s Express! We went to the Loyola CTA stop and waited as patiently as possible while icicles formed on my eyelashes. Finally, after about eight trains passed, the holiday train arrived to much cheering from everyone on the train platform.

The doors opened and some elves hopped out to greet us. They pass out candy, too! 

Victoria was thrilled to see Santa’s sleigh, which is located toward the rear of the train, along with a Christmas tree. 
We rode the magical train for a few stops before saying goodbye to Santa and his elves. And then it was time to go home and drink hot chocolate!


Have you been on the holiday train?

Williams, Arizona

It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Williams, the “gateway to the Grand Canyon.” We took some time to tour the town yesterday before heading to Bearizona, the drive-through wildlife park just off Interstate 40.

While it’s a popular pit stop on the way to the Grand Canyon National Park, Williams is a tourist destination that can hold its own. It’s home to quaint antique and souvenir shops, restaurants, bars, a train depot and more. There was a barbecue festival held over the weekend, for instance. 
Take a day or two to explore what the town has to offer and learn about its heyday during the days of Route 66.

You might notice a sign at the Grand Canyon Hotel with a rate of $3.50.

** Before I started this blog I had visited Williams and dined at a lively Mexican restaurant named Pancho McGillicuddy’s. I remember enjoying its patio, where I could hear live music while savoring my meal. If we had more time I would have liked to try it again. It might be worth checking out if you’re in town. 
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