It’s not even Thanksgiving but a treasured Connecticut tourist attraction is already in the Christmas spirit.

The North Pole Express is up and running at the Essex Steam Train.  Kara and I took the kids there this past weekend and had a great  time.   Every train car has a different host, and ours was Tori Mooney, a regular performer at the Park Road Playhouse in West Hartford.  Her role on the North Pole Express: Pixie Poinsettia.

The 90 minute ride features music, singing, great views, Santa and Mrs. Claus, cookies, hot chocolate and a whole lot of fun.  People are encouraged to wear pajamas.  Our kids wore them, but no one wants to see what I sleep in!

And while in Essex, we did the mandatory stop at the Griswold Inn, built in 1776.