Great Northern Train Ride
Great Northern Train Ride
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
553 reviews
Excellent
272
Very good
122
Average
72
Poor
43
Terrible
44
Pam O
1 contribution
Dec 2022
Great Northern Train Rides have been really wonderful for many years. Throughout the years I took my son, his friends and cousins for many rides in the summer. This year I took my son and his family on the Santa Train and it was truly wonderful! The Old train chugged along the track very smoothly and all the elves were very helpful along the way. The private family cars were very cozy with a nice booth style table and benches and a huge window for seeing the beautiful Wisconsin countryside. The scenery included snowy cornfields; rivers and bridges; wooded areas and a few railroad crossings. My Grandson, 20 months old, loves trains and he is fascinated by Conductors. Conductor Lance came to the Depot to say, "hi" to my grandson and sent me photos of himself to print for my little sweetie! Santa was also super! I recommend Great Northern Train Rides for everyone! And, the pizza and cookies were also terrific!
Written December 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Katie B
1 contribution
Dec 2022 • Family
We rode the Pizza Santa Train. It was a wonderful experience for our kids. They enjoyed it 100%. Great staff and train.
Written December 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Don H
1 contribution
Dec 2022 • Family
We had Great service with great views from our cabin on the train. We were lucky to have everything covered with snow. We will definitely come back next year.
Written December 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Relax206518
1 contribution
Dec 2022
We had a wonderful time on the Santa Train ride. Only thing missing was Christmas Music being played. This was our daughters 25th Birthday and her 1st time on a train. The staff and Santa were very friendly. Might have to try the Cheese and Wine trip next.
Written December 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jason W
1 contribution
Dec 2022 • Couples
Outstanding experience! We did the overnight stay on the train. Dinner was excellent and filling. Staying on the train was such a neat event. The lounge area was relaxing, the bedroom was quaint, and the stay was something we have wanted to do for a while. The staff was so friendly and helpful. I highly recommend and will definitely be back.
Written December 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
WiMomCS
1 contribution
Dec 2022 • Family
Train was incredibly clean, staff was friendly and everything ran according to schedule!
My 7 yr old asked if this was the real Santa :)
My 7 yr old asked if this was the real Santa :)
Written December 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Vicki S
Amery, WI59 contributions
Dec 2022
My husband and I brought two grandsons, ages 3 and 7, on the Santa Pizza Train on December 11. Everyone was friendly. The train ride itself was pleasant, with plenty of windows to see the beautiful winter northwoods beauty. We enjoyed the pizza, beverage, hot cocoa and cookie. Santa's helper took pictures of our whole group, so no need to take a selfie with Santa or on the sleigh. Grandpa and I enjoyed this experience as much as our grandkids! I highly recommend it.
Written December 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Aimee L
5 contributions
Dec 2022
We can't say enough good things about our experience visiting the Santa Train! Our daughter (age 18) has an intellectual disability and her boyfriend (also age 18) who was with us for the weekend does as well. They both LOVE Santa and trains. When I called to book our visit (last-minute - props for their flexibility!), the staff was so friendly and understanding when I shared our circumstances. We also had dietary restrictions (GF) which they happily accommodated. Our experience from start to finish was top-notch! Without us even saying anything when we arrived on-site, the staff recognized the importance of our group needing a little extra assistance and time, and rose to the occasion. Everyone was so patient and kind which we don't always find, given our kid's disabilities aren't visible ones. Santa was fantastic, answering all the questions, patiently waiting for our kids to put together their words to ask their questions, and joking around with us as well. We were also impressed with how efficient everything was - we boarded the train, found our dining car, the train left the station, we were ushered to see Santa, then returned to our dining car where our pizzas were promptly (and deliciously) delivered, played some games after dinner in our car, then came the cookies and hot cocoa before Santa came to visit us in our dining car shortly before we returned to the station. The icing on the cake was a staff member (unprompted) arranged for a visit with the conductor after we returned to the train station which made our kids' night - especially because Santa joined to say goodbye. We highly, HIGHLY recommend this experience - it's a gem of the northwoods for sure! Thank you Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad for making this a magically inclusive night for all of us! Everything was very well-run and seamless. We're very grateful for a positive, worry-free experience where everyone was welcome and cared for - this far exceeded our expectations!
Written December 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jennifer A
2 contributions
Dec 2022
We had a great trip on the Santa Train! Everyone was very friendly and the service was great! If I would have known better, I would have planned better and taken along cards or a quick game we could play. Two hours was a long wait time with our littles but we made the best of it by playing Christmas Music off my phone. The pizza was great and they delivered hot chocolate and cookies as well. This is something we said we would only do once as it is expensive for our family of 5 but honestly I could see doing it one more time. Santa was a hit with my kiddos. Answered a lot of questions and was very personable.
Written December 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Robert F B
Reston, VA1,035 contributions
Aug 2022
Yes, the ride is great. But, just outside of Trego is an awesome open-air museum of railroad artificats that's not to be missed. Including a pre-WWII former CB&Q articulated "Zephyr" train. A lot of walking. But, if you have even a reasonable 4X4, you can crive around much of it, if you're careful. Very strong recommend for railfans!
Written December 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BEACHFRONT RENTAL LAKE DELTON , Wiscond
Bloomington, MN
How do I get off your mailing list?
Dianne
Do you go to the motel first?
Roxy
2 contributions
Hello, we did not book a hotel/motel. This train ride was a 2-hour excursion.
Where do I book this ride through Groupon?
Wally
New Prague, MN9 contributions
I booked this direct at +1 715-635-3200 for the Great Northern Dinner Train and motel stay.
melann582018
Abbotsford, WI
What is the cost for the Train
James P
Wisconsin22 contributions
not 100% sure if cost and do remember it was not cheap, but the food was great. you are paying for the experience and not just food. we would do it again
Retired
Shell Lake, WI2 contributions
This is what it reads on your website:
Description
The Dinner Train boards between 5 pm and 6 pm each Tuesday through Saturday evening. Stop by the bar and grab a cocktail before settling into a comfortable loveseat in the lounge car or head right to your table in the dining car. No need to worry about being seated with a used car salesman, the Wisconsin Great Northern gives you a private table if you come as a couple.
Very offensive!
Northern Woman 007
4 contributions
I think it was a joke?
TravelingDiva13
Madison, WI217 contributions
Where can/do you park your vehicle when going overnight?
Thanks for your assistance,
DBTraveler01
Westfield, WI18 contributions
There os parking right at the depot and the train comes back to the depot when the ride is over. Hope this helps.
Is there any designated smoking areas?
ppeters3005
West Bend, WI1 contribution
Not that we saw
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest an editGreat Northern Train Ride (Spooner) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Great Northern Train Ride
- Hotels near Great Northern Train Ride:
- (0.26 mi) Best Western Spooner Riverplace
- (0.32 mi) Inn Town Motel
- (0.84 mi) Country House Motel
- (1.27 mi) NorthWest Lodging
- (2.73 mi) Private 3 bedroom on Spooner Lake with Pontoon
- Restaurants near Great Northern Train Ride:
- (0.06 mi) Big Dick's Buckhorn Inn
- (0.15 mi) Riverstreet Family Restaurant
- (0.13 mi) Spooner Bake Shoppe
- (0.15 mi) The Dock Coffee
- (0.16 mi) Round Man Brewing Co.