St. Louis — The holidays start this week at St. Louis Union Station. It’s the delicious center of the festive season in St. Louis and this year the food and beverage options at St. Louis Union Station have been expanded and enhanced.
As home to the popular Polar Express Train Ride, St. Louis Union Station is a magical destination with activities and attractions for all ages. More information and tickets for the holiday events at Union Station are available at www.stlpolarexpressride.com or www.stlouisunionstation.com.
Pancakes With Santa, Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen Sleigh Shed Cocktail Pop Up, a New Christmas Freak Shake and More
NEW: MRS. CLAUS’S KITCHEN
New to Union Station in 2024 is Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen, a cookie decorating adventure that includes interaction and story times with Mrs. Claus herself. Kids can make their own cookie creations and meet everyone’s favorite holiday grandma. Days and hours at www.stlouisunionstation.com.
PANCAKES WITH SANTA
Not to be outdone by his better half, Santa Claus is hosting Pancakes With Santa weekends in the beautiful Grand Hall at St. Louis Union Station. Everyone will meet the Jolly Old Elf as they enjoy Santa-face pancakes with whipped cream and strawberries. The holiday light show will run on the Grand Hall ceiling during the event. Pancakes With Santa is held on select dates during the holiday season, beginning November 16 & 17. Tickets are available at www.stlouisunionstation.com.
SLEIGH SHED HOLIDAY POP UP
The Train Shed restaurant at Union Station transforms into Sleigh Shed for the holiday season, now through December 31. With a menu of special holiday cocktails, mocktails and seasonal desserts, the pop up is St. Louis’ favorite seasonal food and drink experience for friends and family gatherings, office parties, dates and all holiday getaways. Sleigh Shed is open daily at 11 a.m. and accepts no reservations, so all the holiday fun happens on a first-come, first-served basis. More information is available at www.trainshed-stl.com. (See new menus below.)
NEW: ELF BAR AT UNION STATION
The popular Selfie Express photo illusion attraction at Union Station has been invaded by mischievous elves for the Christmas season. And the new Elf Bar is open outside of the renamed “Elfie Express” inside Union Station. Elf Bar serves a festive grown-up drink called Elf’s Citrus Snow Melt made with Vodka, Dolin Blanc, Vanille de Madagascar, Angostura and Orange, Lime & Coconut. A popcorn snack complements the refreshing drink.
NEW: SODA FOUNTAIN’S 2024 HOLIDAY FREAK SHAKE
The ice cream creators at Soda Fountain, the retro-style diner at Union Station, have done it again. The over-the-top holiday Freak Shake for 2024 is “Breakfast at Buddy’s,” a nod to the beloved film, Elf. The treat is a Maple Syrup-flavored shake, with Chocolate and Maple Syrup Swirl, rimmed with Marshmallows, Mini M&M’s, Snow Caps and Vanilla Icing, topped with Candy-Cooked Spaghetti Noodles, a Fudge Pop-Tart, a Candy Cane, Maple and Chocolate Syrup Drizzle, and even more candy with whipped cream and a cherry. Breakfast at Buddy’s will be available until December 31. www.sodafountain-stl.com
O TANNENBAR — THE CHRISTMAS TREE BAR
It’s a Christmas Tree. It’s a bar. It’s both a Christmas Tree and a bar. This 45-foot-tall German-style tree is hollowed out to contain a cozy bar serving both spiked and non-alcoholic hot chocolate all season long. O TannenBar is located in the outdoor plaza at Union Station just steps away from the Polar Express trains and the St. Louis Wheel.
ABOUT THE POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE AT UNION STATION – NOVEMBER 15 – DECEMBER 30
The real train rides — a Midwest holiday tradition — travel to the North Pole again this year to tell the magical story of a boy’s search for the real meaning of Christmas. The train rides begin at St. Louis Union Station on November 15 and continue through December 30, 2024. Riders are encouraged to wear their holiday pajamas on the train. Weekday riders in November also will get bonus free tickets to the St. Louis Wheel at Union Station.
Trains will depart St. Louis Union Station at 4:30, 6:00 and 7:15 p.m. every night during the season except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Trains also run at 8:30 p.m. on selected dates. Prices vary by date and ticket class. More information is available at www.stlpolarexpressride.com. This year celebrates the Polar Express story’s 20th Anniversary and each First Class and Premium Class rider will receive a commemorative 20th Anniversary mug.
The beloved story of The Polar Express comes to life when the real train departs for a round-trip journey to the North Pole led by a cast of talented characters familiar to everyone who loves the classic movie and book, including the Boy, the Hobo, the Conductor, dancing and singing chefs and, of course, Santa and his elves. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy time in a pre-ride venue filled with Christmas-themed selfie stations.
Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away for a one-hour trip to meet Santa. The Jolly Old Elf will meet every child on the train and will give them the first gift of Christmas, a silver bell. It’s an immersive, family-oriented experience that will create lasting holiday memories.
HOTEL PACKAGES
Families can make their holiday getaway complete by enjoying a decorated hotel room at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, a Curio Collection by Hilton. Hotel packages are available on the website at www.stlouisunionsttion.com.
St. Louis Union Station is located at 201 S. 18th Street, St. Louis, MO 63103. Follow on social media @unionstationstl. Phone inquiries: (314) 942-6942.
Discover more from St. Louis Dad
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
