There’s certainly something to be said for staying cozy indoors during the holidays and marathoning Christmas movies. But if you’re looking for something more adventurous and exciting to do in the First State this holiday season, why not climb aboard a Delaware Christmas train? And once your train pulls back into the station, top it all off with a stay at Delaware’s most festive holiday hotel for a Christmas adventure you’ll never forget. It's a family-friendly itinerary for getting the absolute most out of winter in Delaware.

The Wilmington & Western Railroad has two different holiday-themed trains: the Santa Claus Express and the Holiday Lights Express. Both are magical adventures, with the Holiday Lights Express being an evening trip and the Santa Express generally running at two separate times in the afternoon. These train excursions are a little bit like taking a trip back in time, as the original railways were built in the 1870s!

The Santa Express is a popular choice for families. When you climb aboard for this hour-long roundtrip to Ashland, you’ll be greeted by the Jolly Old Elf, and each child gets a chocolate treat. But the most exciting part of the Santa Express is, of course, meeting Santa Claus, who comes around to visit with each child on board. Be sure to bring your camera for photos with Santa!

The Holiday Lights Express is no less exciting. It features century-old heated coaches decked out in thousands of holiday lights, on a one-hour roundtrip through the Red Clay Valley. Along the way you may see houses and yards similarly decked out for the holidays. It’s a unique and festive way to enjoy the glittering lights of the season. Both the Santa Express and the Holiday Lights Express are extremely popular excursions and are often sold out far in advance each season. Visit the Wilmington & Western Railroad events page to find dates and tickets for these and more upcoming excursions.

Once you’ve enjoyed your holiday adventure by train, head to Wilmington’s Hotel DuPont for even more Christmas cheer. The Hotel DuPont has become synonymous with stately, elegant hospitality in Delaware. In addition to the striking architecture, guests rave about the comfortable beds and the excellent service.

This historic hotel, which first opened in 1913, celebrates the holiday season like no other, with activities and events set to a backdrop of stunning decor. With activities like gingerbread house decorating, afternoon holiday tea, brunch with Santa, and more, Christmas at Hotel DuPont is a time to enjoy the most magical season, whether you’re just visiting for the day or booking a stay.

Looking for something sweet? Stop by the onsite bakery, Spark’d, for some Christmas cookies and pastries. Each morning, this delightful bakery offers fresh pastries straight from the oven as well as espresso from La Colombe. Or you can even enjoy Christmas Day brunch at the hotel restaurant, Le Cavalier. Kids and adults alike can get into the holiday spirit and exercise their creativity by decorating gingerbread houses. There are multiple gingerbread house decorating workshops to choose from, with ready-to-decorate houses, icing, and candy provided by the pastry chefs at Spark’d Creative Pastry.

The Hotel DuPont also offers special holiday-themed packages, like the “Holiday Splendor” package. This includes two general admission tickets to either Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library or Longwood Gardens, both of which are decorated beautifully for the holiday season. Book your stay at the Hotel DuPont for a Christmas in Delaware you won't soon forget!

For more ways to enjoy the holiday season in the First State, check out these magical Christmas towns in Delaware. And speaking of Christmas, be sure to check out our ultimate gift-giving guide for the travel enthusiasts on your list this year.

What are your favorite unique ways to celebrate Christmas in Delaware? We’d love to hear from you!