Colorful mountains, brilliant blue rivers, cloud fill skies, delicious food and your choice of drinks are all available when you incorporate an old-fashioned train ride into your weekend getaway. We’ve done this three times now and are looking for our next train destination.
Grand Canyon Railroad
Williams to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Arizona
If you haven’t been to the Grand Canyon, you really must go. I distinctly remember the first time I saw the Canyon and it literal took my breath away. It was a winter day and the Canyon was dusted with snow. I had never really comprehended the massive size and the intense colors of the rocks. You see beautiful photos but it is so much more remarkable in person.
The Grand Canyon Railroad is an easy way to enjoy the Canyon without getting caught in the traffic. We’ve actually liked this trip so much we took my daughter and her best friend with us for a second ride. You can catch the train in Williams at 9:30 am. It’s a vintage diesel engine and the cars are historic passenger cars. We sat in the luxury parlor car the first time which was more expensive but worth it. Here our ticket included snacks both ways and wine. One of my favorite parts of the train- yummm wine. This car is at the back of the train so we spent most of our time standing outside and enjoying the beauty. The second time we went, we actually bought the cheap seats and had just as much fun bringing our own snacks and alcohol.
Two hours and 15 minutes later you arrive at the El Tovar hotel and restaurant. It was originally built in 1905 as one of the Fred Harvey chain of 
hotels along the rail routes. After gazing at the Canyon, you can go into the El Tovar for lunch, which is what I love to do because you can eat a nice meal and still stare out the window while you’re eating. This would also be a great place to bring your picnic with you in the summer. Afterward, you’ll have time to take a walk around the rim of the Canyon before you board the train back to Williams at 3:30. While on the train, they have some local entertainment to keep you interested, some of it is silly but fun and during the holidays, you can take the kids to see Santa. Prices vary depending on where you ride and the time of year. They offer discounts. To learn more, visit https://www.thetrain.com/popularpackages/
Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Cañon City, Colorado
This is a round trip train that runs along the Royal Gorge River. When we were there, the river was full and there were many rapids. I’d like to return one day to kayak down the river. We were told they can be quite challenging dependent upon the amount of rain the area receives.
Times vary for departure. Generally there is a route in the morning, mid-noon and in the afternoon. We did lunch time in the club car. Our plates were actually made by convicts held in the nearby 
prison. I had to buy one as a souvenir to take home. The ride goes through the Canyon following the river. One of the highlights is when you go under the Royal Gorge Bridge. The entire trip is two hours long and we spend most of it outside in the open car staring at the canyon walls. Afterward we drove over to the bridge to look back down from the top.
https://royalgorgeroute.com/
Verde Canyon
Clarksdale, Arizona
Just south and a little bit east of Sedona is Clarksdale where you can catch an approximate four-hour, round-trip train ride through Verde Canyon. We did this trip in April. The skies were cloudy on the way into the Canyon but opened up to display big white fluffy clouds against a bright blue sky on the way back. We once again bought tickets in the first class coach for the 1:00 pm train for the food and wine. Can you see a theme here?
When you arrive in this coach 
class, you receive a glass of champagne and muchies are served along the way. We spent most of our time in the next open-air car enjoying the views. The staff on the train are enthusiastic spending their time pointing out rock formations of interest and sharing the history of the area. The train generally follows a river going into the canyon an ending up at an old train depot where you stop for a short period of time while they unhook the engine and move it to the back of the train. If you’re standing outside and put your hand out as the engine goes by, the train engineer will high five you.
There are plenty of twists and turns along the route where you can take photos of the entire train chugging along the tracks. If you’re traveling on a budget, I would suggest bringing your own snacks and drinks. There is also a café and gift shop at the Depot where you can purchase food to go and take it with you. https://verdecanyonrr.com/
Notes: In general, all of the trips we’ve been on have been fun and had terrific views. They all offer outdoor cars, a variety of price points and discounts in the off season. You can always save money by purchasing tickets for the less expensive cars and bringing your own food and drink. Some of the train’s websites state that they don’t allow outside food but I’ve never seen anyone told they can’t have it. I believe most of the outdoor cars can be used by anyone with a ticket. What’s next? I’m thinking Napa Valley. More wine… yum. http://winetrain.com/
Grand Canyon Railroad
Williams to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Arizona
If you haven’t been to the Grand Canyon, you really must go. I distinctly remember the first time I saw the Canyon and it literal took my breath away. It was a winter day and the Canyon was dusted with snow. I had never really comprehended the massive size and the intense colors of the rocks. You see beautiful photos but it is so much more remarkable in person.
The Grand Canyon Railroad is an easy way to enjoy the Canyon without getting caught in the traffic. We’ve actually liked this trip so much we took my daughter and her best friend with us for a second ride. You can catch the train in Williams at 9:30 am. It’s a vintage diesel engine and the cars are historic passenger cars. We sat in the luxury parlor car the first time which was more expensive but worth it. Here our ticket included snacks both ways and wine. One of my favorite parts of the train- yummm wine. This car is at the back of the train so we spent most of our time standing outside and enjoying the beauty. The second time we went, we actually bought the cheap seats and had just as much fun bringing our own snacks and alcohol.
Two hours and 15 minutes later you arrive at the El Tovar hotel and restaurant. It was originally built in 1905 as one of the Fred Harvey chain of hotels along the rail routes. After gazing at the Canyon, you can go into the El Tovar for lunch, which is what I love to do because you can eat a nice meal and still stare out the window while you’re eating. This would also be a great place to bring your picnic with you in the summer. Afterward, you’ll have time to take a walk around the rim of the Canyon before you board the train back to Williams at 3:30. While on the train, they have some local entertainment to keep you interested, some of it is silly but fun and during the holidays, you can take the kids to see Santa. Prices vary depending on where you ride and the time of year. They offer discounts. To learn more, visit https://www.thetrain.com/popularpackages/
Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Cañon City, Colorado
This is a round trip train that runs along the Royal Gorge River. When we were there, the river was full and there were many rapids. I’d like to return one day to kayak down the river. We were told they can be quite challenging dependent upon the amount of rain the area receives.
Times vary for departure. Generally there is a route in the morning, mid-noon and in the afternoon. We did lunch time in the club car. Our plates were actually made by convicts held in the nearby prison. I had to buy one as a souvenir to take home. The ride goes through the Canyon following the river. One of the highlights is when you go under the Royal Gorge Bridge. The entire trip is two hours long and we spend most of it outside in the open car staring at the canyon walls. Afterward we drove over to the bridge to look back down from the top.
https://royalgorgeroute.com/
Verde Canyon
Clarksdale, Arizona
Just south and a little bit east of Sedona is Clarksdale where you can catch an approximate four-hour, round-trip train ride through Verde Canyon. We did this trip in April. The skies were cloudy on the way into the Canyon but opened up to display big white fluffy clouds against a bright blue sky on the way back. We once again bought tickets in the first class coach for the 1:00 pm train for the food and wine. Can you see a theme here?
When you arrive in this coach class, you receive a glass of champagne and muchies are served along the way. We spent most of our time in the next open-air car enjoying the views. The staff on the train are enthusiastic spending their time pointing out rock formations of interest and sharing the history of the area. The train generally follows a river going into the canyon an ending up at an old train depot where you stop for a short period of time while they unhook the engine and move it to the back of the train. If you’re standing outside and put your hand out as the engine goes by, the train engineer will high five you.
There are plenty of twists and turns along the route where you can take photos of the entire train chugging along the tracks. If you’re traveling on a budget, I would suggest bringing your own snacks and drinks. There is also a café and gift shop at the Depot where you can purchase food to go and take it with you. https://verdecanyonrr.com/
Notes: In general, all of the trips we’ve been on have been fun and had terrific views. They all offer outdoor cars, a variety of price points and discounts in the off season. You can always save money by purchasing tickets for the less expensive cars and bringing your own food and drink. Some of the train’s websites state that they don’t allow outside food but I’ve never seen anyone told they can’t have it. I believe most of the outdoor cars can be used by anyone with a ticket. What’s next? I’m thinking Napa Valley. More wine… yum. http://winetrain.com/