Best Train Ride To See Fall Foliage Near Charlotte

Just under a three hour drive from Charlotte, this fall excursion is the perfect family day trip.

Guests will pick up the train at the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Depot in Bryson City and will ride through the countryside of Western NC.

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad/Facebook

There's no better way to take in the dramatic colors of our sugar maples, poplars, and stunning oaks this autumn.

The railroad offers a variety of trains to ride.

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad/Facebook

If the weather is sunny, crisp and cool, we recommend the Open Air Gondola, which lets travelers ride with windows open and fresh air flowing through the cabin.

If you prefer something a little more elegant, grab a seat in one of the First Class Cars, which allows riders to enjoy a first class-worthy meal while gazing out window at the beautiful scenery.

Carrie E./TripAdvisor

As you ride through the countryside, you'll come across beautiful lakes, rivers, and streams all surrounded by the amazing colors of fall.

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There are stops along the way where guests can get off the train to take pictures of the scenery and enjoy a little fresh air.

The Fall Foliage round trip train ride is usually about a four hour circuit, so be sure to plan to spend the day up in the Great Smoky's for this ride.

Great Smoky Railroad/Facebook

If you have young children, you’ll definitely want to book a tour on the Peanuts Pumpkin Patch Express.

Great Smokey Mountains Railroad/Facebook

This train follows the same fall foliage route as the others, but makes a special stop at a pumpkin patch where the kids can pick out and carve their own pumpkins to take home, not to mention all the Peanuts Characters will be along for the ride. The kids will love it and the adults will have a blast too.

In addition to the Fall Foliage ride, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers many other fun packages for guests.

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad/Facebook

If you are more of an outdoor enthusiast, you might be interested in the Nantahala Gorge Excursion which takes you across the Little Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers, across Fontana Lake and into the Gorge.

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad/TripAdvisor

The scenery on this ride is amazing and will allow riders to get an up close and personal view of the beautiful rivers that are known for their whitewater rapids.

There is also the Tuckasegee River Excursion, taking you through old railroad towns and makes a stop in the charming town of Dillsboro where you can enjoy shopping and sightseeing.

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad/Facebook

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is a once in a lifetime experience.

Angela S./Yelp

If you want to give the family a special treat this fall, this is the trip for you, we guarantee it will create memories to last a lifetime.

And don't worry, if for some reason you can't make the Fall Foliage ride this year, there's always the Polar Express, which is just as fun.

Great Smoky Mountains/Facebook

The Christmastime ride is the ultimate holiday experience in which the train rides you through the snowy mountain towns all decorated for Christmas and Santa boards the train and gives each child on it a special gift.

Take This Fall Foliage Train Ride Near Charlotte For A One-Of-A-Kind Experience

Carolyn Mulvihill

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