Polar Express 2020 and Getaway to the Grove Park Inn

We just got back from a wonderful extra long weekend getaway. We started this holiday season off with a trip to western North Carolina to visit my in-laws, experience holiday magic riding on the Polar Express, see Santa and finished our getaway with a parents’ only trip to the Grove Park Inn in Asheville. It was a great time all the way around and now we are slowly easing back into reality!

The boys are at such exciting ages and for Reid, who is 4, Christmas magic is in full swing. It brought tears to my eyes seeing him see Santa from a distance while we were at the Polar Express. It was as if he saw Mickey or the biggest celebrity ever…he was star struck and SO excited. It is a look that I want to capture and hold on to for a lifetime!

We debated long and hard and weighed the risks of increasing coronavirus cases, but decided to ride on the Polar Express. I booked the tickets the first week in September and am so glad that we decided to go. We were as cautious as we could be and they did a great job spacing everyone out, also super nice that it was at half capacity as we never felt crowded. Overall, I felt very comfortable and the joy it brought the boys was well worth it.

We went on the Polar Express in Chattanooga when the boys were 10 months old and 2 years old, it was fun but nothing like the magic of this trip (age matters, I guess!). This time we went on the Polar Express in Bryson City, North Carolina. I will say that both Polar Expresses are great. The benefit of Bryson City is that everyone dresses up in pajamas which makes it more childlike and fun!

The morning following the Polar Express, we opened a few gifts since we will not see my in-laws for Christmas. We left the boys playing with all their new toys and very occupied searching through new things to do!

Drew and my first stop was to Wicked Weed. Wicked Weed is known for their delicious beer, but the thing I love most is their food. It is definitely worth a stop when you are in Asheville. I cannot recommend their chicken sandwich or kale salad enough…so.good.. After lunch, we ventured to Mast General to pick up a couple stocking stuffers for the boys before checking into the Grove Park Inn.

We arrived at the Grove Park Inn around 2, which allowed Drew to get a nap (what he was most looking forward to!) and a nice, quiet, long shower for me (the thing I was most looking forward to haha!). We headed down to the main lobby for a glass of wine and to sit in front of the fire around 4:30. The hotel is at half capacity and they do not have the gingerbread house display this year, which meant that getting a prime spot in front of the fire was a lot easier :).

We ordered an app and enjoyed the fire as long as we could, before heading to the Edison for dinner. We both ordered big burgers and were very impressed. Tip: the Inn saves a few reservations for guests so be sure to call the Inn to make a reservation if the restaurant is booked.

Following dinner, we walked around the hotel and viewed all the pretty decorations before going back to our room to watch a Lifetime movie and take melatonin for an extra good night of sleep (haha, the things we look forward to these days!). We both slept in until 8 am, which is a first in a loooong time for me. We spent the morning wandering around the hotel and sitting in front of the fire with our coffees. Around 11, we checked out and headed back to reality to meet up with the boys.

It was such a quick and fun trip that left us all refreshed and revived. It brought about so much joy and happiness for this holiday season. I am so grateful that Drew and I had a moment to escape and that we all enjoyed the Polar Express as a family. I think it is safe to say that this will be a tradition for many years to come!