Board These 8 Beautiful Trains In Arizona For An Unforgettable Experience
When the locomotive first began its entrance into the West, it served as a sign of technological and settler progression into seemingly unknown territories but it also signaled a rapidly changing world for the Indigenous peoples. In fact, even the settlers who benefited from the train’s trail of progress seemed ambivalent to fully adapting to the technology and that attitude has continued into more modern times.
Despite the vast number of tracks spanning the state, there are actually few passenger trains still in operation. A number of railroad museums exist, along with displays in parks, train enthusiast groups, and scenic train trips in Arizona to give a small glimpse of the impact the railroad has had here over the centuries. Here are eight examples of how the iron horse continues to have an impact on Arizona’s culture today.
This site hosts a museum and park to learn more about trains and their model counterparts. You can even ride a miniature train for free on Sundays! Visit the website for more information on Adobe Mountain Desert Railroad Park.
Address: 23280 N 43rd Ave, Glendale, AZ 85310
Address: 330 E Ryan Rd, Chandler, AZ 85286
Address: 130 E Maley St, Willcox, AZ 85643
Address: 235 N Grand Canyon Blvd, Williams, AZ 86046
Located at the Kingman Railroad Depot, this museum specializes in railroad history and model trains. It's open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the Facebook page for more information on Kingman Railroad Museum.
Address: 402 E Andy Devine Ave Suite B, Kingman, AZ 86401
Address: 7301 E Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Address: 526 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85203
Address: 300 N Broadway, Clarkdale, AZ 86324
Have you visited any of these sites or taken one of these scenic train trips in Arizona before? We would love to hear your experiences in the comments!
Scenic Train Trips In Arizona
What are the most scenic places to see in Arizona?
With mountains and canyons (and we’re not just talking about the Grand Canyon), Arizona is considered one of the most scenic states in the country. Head to Sedona if you want to be transported to what looks like another world. Red rocks adorn the landscape and can be explored by hiking along numerous trails. It’s a city like no other and an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. If you are in the mood for a scenic drive, we suggest the Catalina Highway, a 27-mile route with a 6,000-foot elevation gain just north of Tucson. This gorgeous roadway will lead to Mount Lemmon and Santa Catalina Mountains, and from desert to forest along the way.
Are there any train-themed restaurants in Arizona?
Crown Railroad Cafe in Flagstaff sits along Route 66. While dining, you can watch model trains make their way around the restaurant, which has a classic diner feel. If you’re in Williams, the Grand Depot Cafe at the Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel is worth stopping at for a meal. A model train travels around the restaurant as you dine on traditional American fare.
What are the most unique things to do in Arizona?
A visit to the Coconino Lava River Cave in Flagstaff is perhaps one of the more unique experiences you can have in the Grand Canyon State. After a bit of a hike, explore the long cave-like structure that was formed by lava millions of years ago. It will be an experience you won’t soon forget. Biosphere 2 is a man-made wonder created in the early 1990s as a place that replicates Earth (Biosphere 1). The glasshouse emulates different environmental habitats such as rainforest and desert and is a place where scientists lived and conducted experiments for two years. Today, visitors can take a tour and learn what life was like for the scientists beyond just performing experiments.
