New England excursion trains have dining cars and foliage viewing

New England > All New England > Sightseeing > Excursion Trains

Excursion trains provide a round-trip sightseeing experience. Explore New England’s mountains, fall foliage, river valleys and wildlife from the comfort of an old-time train with full amenities. Seasonal train excursions celebrate fall foliage, Halloween, and the holidays. These family-friendly trips through scenic, historic routes offer a variety of seating and dining options, special events for kids, and a vintage journey through nature’s beauty.

Excursion Trains in New England - Green Mountain Railroad

Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train

3 Crossing at Riverplace North Woodstock, NH, 03262 Phone: 603-745-3500

Travel by rail back to a more romantic, relaxing era as you dine on exceptional cuisine

Board the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train and you will find yourself time-traveling into the past. As you sit at elegant tables in the lovingly restored vintage rail cars, you’ll enjoy unique views of the Pemigewasset River Valley. The two-hour, 20-mile round trip from the North Woodstock station takes you through woods, over three trestle bridges, through the “jack-o-lantern” golf course and Christmas tree farm. But it’s not just the scenery that’s spectacular: You’ll be enjoying the seasonal offerings of a five-course gourmet dinner, from delectable appetizers through to fresh-made dessert confections, as the train rolls gently through the valley. Period music and exemplary service will help take you back to a more romantic, relaxing time.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

One Railroad Avenue Essex, CT, 06426 Phone: 860-767-0103 Toll-Free: 800-377-3987

Travel back in time aboard vintage train coaches pulled by steam locomotives

You will step back in time as soon as you arrive at the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat’s 1892 Essex Station. Check out the vintage steam and diesel locomotives and coaches, then board vintage coaches pulled by steam locomotives through classic New England towns, past parks, coves and tidal wetlands, the natural habitat for swans, geese and heron. The 12-mile narrated round trip is an hour long, or 2 1/2 hours if you combine it with a cruise aboard the riverboat Becky Thatcher. Special train excursions include the romantic, elegant Essex Clipper Dinner Train, the Wine & Chocolate Dinner Train and the Murder Mystery Train. Thomas the Tank Engine makes appearances in May and June. Please check our website for current train & riverboat schedules.

Railroad Museum of New England

242 East Main Street Thomaston, CT, 06787 Phone: 860-283-7245

Train museum celebrates everything from holidays to chocolate and spirits

From holiday excursions to chocolate- and spirit-tasting trips, the Railroad Museum of New England really does have it all for train-lovers. Leaving from the historic Thomaston Station, the Naugatuck Railroad will take you through woods and valleys, over bridges and dams. Special trips include the Easter Bunny Express (meet the big bunny himself); a spirit-tasting excursion with a different tasting every month; a Pumpkin Path train where kids can pick their own pumpkin to bring home; the Chocolate Decadence Tour with a toast at scenic Thomaston Dam and a tour of Fascia’s Chocolate Company; and the holiday-celebrating Northern Lights Limited and Santa Express trains, magical journeys where Santa, Mrs. Claus and singing elves make appearances.

Mount Washington Cog Railway

Off Route 302 Bretton Woods, NH, 03589 Phone: 603-278-5404 Toll-Free: 800-922-8825

You’ll learn a little history and take some amazing pictures when you travel this cog railroad

When you hear the deep hum of a biodiesel engine or see a blast of smoke from a steam engine, you’ll know your trip up Mt. Washington aboard the historic Cog Railway is about to begin. Knowledgeable and entertaining engineers and brakemen and brakewomen will answer questions as you chug up the Northeast’s highest peak, passing through forests, by wildlife and ravines and through three climate zones until you reach the summit. Included in the thrilling ride is Jacob’s Ladder, the steepest railroad trestle in the world. A museum at the base station and a visitor center at the summit provide history about the 152-year-old railway, the first mountain-climbing cog railway in the world, as well as an interactive weather exhibit. Trains run from late April through November.

Take a Ride through Time at the Railroad Museum of New England - Thomaston, CT

Conway Scenic Railroad

38 Norcross Circle North Conway, NH, 03860 Phone: 603-356-5251 Toll-Free: 800-232-5251

Go back in time aboard the vintage passenger cars on this scenic railroad

Passengers aboard the Conway Scenic Railroad trains have a choice of excursions, all of which provide panoramic views of some of the White Mountains region’s most scenic areas. The Mountaineer takes you on 1950s-era streamlined passenger cars past vistas of rocky outcrops around Crawford Notch. Ask about traveling premium class in an art deco-styled dome car with panoramic views. The Conway and Sawyer River Valley Trains feature vintage railroad passenger cars from the 1920s and a leisurely trip through fields and forests. Your journey begins at the iconic Russian Revival-style station, built in 1874, in North Conway Village. For winter travel, check the website for information about the special Snow Train that travels round trip to Attitash!

New England excursion trains have dining cars and foliage viewing

Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

Railroad Museum of New England

Mount Washington Cog Railway

Conway Scenic Railroad

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