5 Incredible Kentucky Day Trips You Can Take By Train
Kentucky has plenty of options for great 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 stopping for gas. These are the best train rides in Kentucky and a wonderful way to experience the Bluegrass State. From a dinner train in Kentucky to a train in the mountains, you’ll want to plan one of these fun-filled train trips in Kentucky soon.
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 and 3 hours. They also offer special excursions, such as Murder Mystery rides, as well as events geared more toward children like the North Pole ride and magic show rides. The train departs from its station in Bardstown, and travels north through Bernheim Forest, past the Jim Beam Distillery, and heads back to Bardstown once it reaches Limestone Springs. For more information about pricing, departure times, and how to purchase tickets, visit their website. Address: 602 North 3rd Street, Bardstown, KY, 40004
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 3-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 special excursions for Halloween, Christmas, and more. The train leaves from the station in Stearns, so head here... Address: 66 Henderson Street, Stearns, KY, 42647. For more information, visit their website.
Train rides from the Bluegrass Railroad Museum begin for the season in May with Saturday and Sunday rides at 2 p.m. through October. They also offer rides on Mother's and Father's Day, so celebrate your parents in a unique way this year with a special train ride through the beautiful Kentucky countryside. Rides typically last 90 minutes. The Bluegrass Railroad Museum is located in Versailles, so plan on heading here... Address: 175 Beasley Road, Versailles, KY, 40383. For more information about tickets, pricing, and the different kinds of rides they offer, visit their website.
Relive what life was like when the passenger train was a main mode of transportation with a visit to this museum. They also offer train rides, including special Thomas the Train excursions for kids, Christmas trains, and train robberies. Regular rides take place spring through fall and there are a variety of excursions and price points. The museum is located in New Haven here... Address: 136 S Main Street, New Haven, KY, 40051. To buy tickets and see a schedule of train rides, visit their website.
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 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 on 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. For more information, click here.
Quick Hits: Best Train Rides In Kentucky By Andrea Limke
What are the best scenic train rides in Kentucky? 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.
What are the best family friendly train rides in Kentucky? All of the train rides in Kentucky are family friendly, although My Old Kentucky Dinner Train is definitely best for older children. For fun for all ages, definitely consider the Kentucky Railway Museum in New Haven. Not only is it an interesting museum, but the station also offers many themed excursions that are even more exciting for young train enthusiasts.
Are there any mystery dinner trains in Kentucky? Yes, Kentucky does have its own mystery dinner train! My Old Kentucky Dinner Train 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 and plan your visit as soon as possible.
The best train rides in Kentucky can be found all over the state and they make for a great day trip. Try one of these Kentucky train rides the next time you want a unique excursion in the Bluegrass State. Have you taken a ride on the rails with one of these day trips? Let us know in the comments!
I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. I have lived elsewhere twice, but keep coming back. I'm a video editor and freelance writer who enjoys watching people wearing University of Louisville uniforms excel at sports, scaling the faces of large rocks, and hanging out with my border collie/laborador/cattle dog mutt thingy that I have.
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