Sensory-Friendly Winter Train Ride — New Hope Valley Railway

Sensory-friendly: no music, Santa in the railyard rather than on the train, brakemen signal before the horn sounds; quieter setting. Advance tickets via Etix.

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About this adventure

New Hope Valley Railway runs a sensory-friendly version of its Christmas train ride on a Wednesday in December for riders who prefer a calmer, quieter holiday outing, including children and adults with autism, sensory processing differences or sound sensitivity. The railway is decorated for Christmas as usual, but the noisy festivities are dialed down: there is no music on the ride, Santa stays in the railyard instead of walking through the train (so families can choose whether and when to meet him), and the brakemen signal before the train horn sounds so sound-sensitive riders can prepare. Everyone is welcome aboard, including families, groups and individuals. The heritage railway is at the North Carolina Railway Museum in New Hill in southwest Wake County; arrive 30 minutes early to park and check in at the ticket office, where a wheelchair lift is available for boarding. Tickets are sold through Etix.