If you want an outstanding family experience book a trip on the Polar Express via the French Lick Railway Museum. If you don't ALREADY have tickets for 2011, forget it. They are sold out. They are selling 2012 tickets and I suggest you log on and book em now.

This trip is so popular that we booked in late September and the only choice we had for the four of us was this past weekend. If is well worth the wait and the time and trouble to book early.

Everyone loved the experience. Kids are encouraged to come in their pajamas as are adults. Boarding from the French Lick station begins about 30 minutes before the scheduled departure to the North Pole.

I am not going to give away all the secrets but I will tell you there is music, dancing, a great conductor, Hot Chocolate, cookies, and a special passenger boards the train upon arrival up North. Kids of all ages loved the 80-90 minute trip.

I suggest you book a room at the French Lick Resort (closest to the station) as they provide shuttle service door to door at no charge. This is great if the weather is cold or wet. Saturday's weather was beautiful but the kids loved riding on the golf cart going and the shuttle bus returning. Afterwards it was warm enough to enjoy ice cream on the Hotel's Front Porch.

The French Lick Resort is all decked out for the holiday;s in Grand Tradition. Decorations, Free Cookies and Cider, live music, and a Crafts Fair in the Ballroom add to the experience. They even decorate the indoor pool area.

As a a bonus we attended the tree-lighting ceremony Friday night. Singers, Mr. and Mrs. Santa and Fireworks made the celebration special.

I have posted a few of the 200+ pictures we took in order to show how wonderful the weekend was. As one friend said, "We spent the weekend making wonderful Holiday Family Memories".

You might want to consider this getaway in you Holiday Plans. I hope to see you there. As a bonus, Kids under 10 eat free in the Grand Colonnade Dining Room when staying at the French Lick Resort.

More From WOMI-AM