Kentucky has plenty of options for truly memorable day trips, but there is a certain novelty about taking one via train. There aren’t as many passenger train options in Kentucky as there are in other states, but we still have a few places that offer incredible and unique experiences, all while you get to relax in a comfortable train car — without having to pay attention to the road, worry about directions, or stop for gas. Here are five of the very best train rides in Kentucky; from an old-fashioned dinner train to a train in the mountains, you’ll want to plan one of these fun-filled train trips soon!

1. My Old Kentucky Dinner Train - Bardstown
Facebook/My Old Kentucky Dinner Train - RJ Corman
602 N 3rd St, Bardstown, KY 40004, USA
Facebook/My Old Kentucky Dinner Train - RJ Corman
Enjoy a delicious gourmet meal as you ride in this vintage train car. The train takes you on a 37-mile round trip that usually lasts between 2.5-3 hours. It also offers special excursions, such as Murder Mystery rides, as well as events geared more toward families and children, like the popular North Pole ride and magic show rides. The train departs from its station in Bardstown, travels north through Bernheim Forest, past the Jim Beam Distillery, and heads back to Bardstown once it reaches Limestone Springs. You'll find My Old Kentucky Dinner Train at 602 North 3rd Street, Bardstown, KY, 40004. For current pricing, departure times, and how to purchase tickets, visit the Facebook page.

Get an overview of the various amenities on this train ride:
2. Big South Fork Scenic Railway - Stearns
Facebook/Big South Fork Scenic Railway
66 Henderson St, Stearns, KY 42647, USA
Facebook/Big South Fork Scenic Railway
The Big South Fork Scenic Railway operates out of Stearns in southeastern Kentucky, where coal, lumber, and trains were once booming industries. During April through October, you can choose the K & T Special ride, which takes you through the gorgeous surrounding areas in Daniel Boone National Forest and the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. This three-hour, 14-mile round trip journey will stop at the Blue Heron Coal Mining Camp, which is an abandoned coal mining camp. Throughout the year, there are also special excursions for Halloween, Christmas, and other seasonal fun. The train leaves from the station in Stearns, located at 66 Henderson Street, Stearns, KY, 42647. For current schedules and tickets, visit the Big South Fork Scenic Railway website.

Check out some of the views you can see on this scenic ride:

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3. Bluegrass Railroad Museum - Versailles
Facebook/Bluegrass Railroad Museum
175 Beasley Rd, Versailles, KY 40383, USA
Facebook/Bluegrass Railroad Museum
Train rides from the Bluegrass Railroad Museum begin for the season in May, with Saturday and Sunday afternoon rides offered through October. It also offers excursions on Mother's and Father's Day, so you can celebrate your parents in the most unique way with a special train ride through the beautiful Kentucky countryside! Rides typically last 90 minutes. The Bluegrass Railroad Museum is located in Versailles, at 175 Beasley Road, Versailles, KY, 40383. Visit the Bluegrass Railroad Museum website for more information about purchasing tickets, seasonal hours, and the different kinds of rides offered.

Take a look at some of the trains you’ll see at this museum:
4. Kentucky Railway Museum - New Haven
136 S Main St, New Haven, KY 40051, USA
Facebook/The Kentucky Railway Museum
At this unique museum, you'll go back in time to a bygone era when the passenger train was a main mode of transportation. The Kentucky Railway Museum also offers train rides, including special Thomas the Train excursions for kids, Christmas trains, and even train robberies! Regular rides take place spring through fall and there are a variety of excursions and price points. The museum is located at 136 S Main Street, New Haven, KY, 40051. To buy tickets and see a schedule of train rides, be sure to visit the Kentucky Railway Museum website.
5. The Amtrak Cardinal
Ashland, KY, USA
Wikimedia Commons/Don O’Brien
This train is a little different from all of the others, as it requires a little more commitment than just a few hours! This is a real-life passenger train that runs from New York to Chicago three days a week and has stops in the quaint Kentucky towns of Ashland, South Portsmouth, and Maysville. Hop aboard the train at one of these Kentucky locations and enjoy the scenery of the Appalachian Mountains, the Ohio River, and the Cincinnati skyline before the train heads north to Indianapolis. (It will take a bit of planning, but is totally a must for all locomotive lovers!) Find the Amtrak Cardinal's pricing and excursions at the website.

The best train rides in Kentucky can be found all over the state and they all make for a truly memorable day trip. Try one of these train rides the next time you want a unique excursion in the Bluegrass State, and experience the sublime scenery of Kentucky like never before!

And for more scenic day trips in The Bluegrass State, you’ll definitely want to take a cruise down these 10 stunningly beautiful Kentucky roads. You’ll enjoy postcard-perfect views, and fall in love with Kentucky all over again.

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Best Train Rides In Kentucky

Sarah | February 23, 2021

What are the most memorable train rides in Kentucky?

The most memorable train rides in Kentucky include:

  • Big South Fork Scenic Railway
  • My Old Kentucky Dinner Train

Kentucky is an incredibly scenic state, and it's so fun to see it by train. While many of the train rides listed above take you through countryside, Big South Fork Scenic Railway whisks you through the mountains on the rails. You get to stop at a historic mining area, which also offers beautiful views, and the entire region is picturesque all year long. And then there's My Old Kentucky Dinner Train. This little gem is known for its classic dinner service and ride, but they also offer a few themed events, as well. Their Murder Mystery Ride is very popular and tends to sell out quickly, so be sure to check the website or Facebook page, before planning your visit.

Are there any train museums in Kentucky?

Train museums in Kentucky include:

  • Kentucky Railway Museum

Many share a fascination with trains, their history, and the way in which they impacted Kentucky. Dozens of towns and destinations in the Bluegrass have managed to hang on to the nostalgia of the locomotive (see above!), and we even have museums, train rides, and events that celebrate their past, present, and future. The Kentucky Railway Museum in the small town of New Haven is definitely a train lover’s paradise, and there’s something at this hidden gem for everyone. It’s a fun-filled destination that has plenty of history, artifacts, and experiences that make it a worthwhile visit. At the museum, you'll find an indoor area to explore, as well as trains being restored outside. You can also take a train ride through the countryside, which is the perfect activity when paired with a stop at the museum.

Does Kentucky have any train towns?

Train towns in Kentucky include:

  • LaGrange
  • Midway

Trains are universally interesting, thanks to their history, power, and ability to transport us back in time. We’ve shared many places throughout Kentucky where you can ride a train or even learn about the history of the railroad in our state (see above!), but there are also a variety of spots in the state where you can see trains in action on a regular basis. There are trains running through towns all over Kentucky, and LaGrange may be the best-known train town in the state. It's hard to miss the tracks and roaring locomotives that frequently pass through the main part of this train town. Right along these tracks, you'll find charming shops and delicious restaurants, so it's the perfect place to settle in for a bite to eat and take in the nostalgia of the passing trains. Midway is another Kentucky train town; it's located just outside of Lexington in a small, super-charming town. When you reach the train tracks, you know you've reached the center of town and a variety of shops and restaurants. You'll definitely want to park around here and walk through town and you may even get a glimpse of the train, passing through this historic town. Make sure to save time to drive the country roads that surround Midway and the heart of horse country.

 

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