Posted in New Jersey
January 17, 2017
4 Incredible New Jersey Day Trips You Can Take By Train
I love a good road trip, but I definitely prefer being the passenger – at least some of the time. It’s nice to sit back, relax and take in the sights; these 4 trips let you do just that. All aboard for a day of fun!
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Whippany Railway Museum's Excursion Trains make for a perfect day trip. These sought after rides run just 5 days a year in the spring and fall and are sure to delight any locomotive lover. Trips run for 10 miles along the route of the Historic Whippanong Trail through Whippany, East Hanover, Livingston and Roseland. The train passes through the remnants of pre-historic Glacial Lake Passaic, a natural swamp which is home to a wide range of wildlife.
Trips last for approximately 45 minutes but your fare ($14 for adults, $9 for children under 12 and free for infants under age one) also includes access to the museum and grounds. See historic trains and equipment, memorabilia displays, model trains, rare paperwork and more. For just $3 per ticket, you can upgrade to a restored 1927 luxury club car. For dates and ticket info, click here.
Trips last for approximately 45 minutes but your fare ($14 for adults, $9 for children under 12 and free for infants under age one) also includes access to the museum and grounds. See historic trains and equipment, memorabilia displays, model trains, rare paperwork and more. For just $3 per ticket, you can upgrade to a restored 1927 luxury club car. For dates and ticket info, click here.
The Delaware River Railroad offers several spectacular excursions throughout Northern New Jersey, designed to delight both children and adults. Children will love themed events like Easter Bunny Train Rides, A Day With Thomas (the tank engine) and The Polar Express. Families will delight in seasonal offerings whisking passengers away to pumpkin patches and corn mazes.
The popular mine train will take you to the Ol' Susquehanna Mine, where you can take a tour and hunt for gemstones. The Knight Train is the Renaissance Faire of train rides, taking you back to a different time. But there's another extra special treat - The Warren County Winery Train. A full day adventure, you'll take a scenic ride along the Delaware and hop a bus to Villa Milagro Vineyards. Learn how grapes are grown and made into wine with a nice tour of the grounds and then sample a few flavors to find your new favorite. Hop a bus, catch the train and head back - or, add on a stop at the mine free of charge. Ticket prices vary, for more info click here.
The popular mine train will take you to the Ol' Susquehanna Mine, where you can take a tour and hunt for gemstones. The Knight Train is the Renaissance Faire of train rides, taking you back to a different time. But there's another extra special treat - The Warren County Winery Train. A full day adventure, you'll take a scenic ride along the Delaware and hop a bus to Villa Milagro Vineyards. Learn how grapes are grown and made into wine with a nice tour of the grounds and then sample a few flavors to find your new favorite. Hop a bus, catch the train and head back - or, add on a stop at the mine free of charge. Ticket prices vary, for more info click here.
Though they're called summer excursions, these spectacular trips are offered most weekends between May 27th and September 3rd. The approximately hour-long rides run between Flemington and Ringoes with a 10-15 stop in the middle. The Ringoes station offers restrooms, a gift shop and museum car. New, extended rides will begin running in June of 2017. With 2.5 extra miles of track, they'll run all the way to WoodsEdge Farm in Stockton. Tickets are $14 for adults, $7 for children aged 3-11 and free for children under 3. For more information, click here.
In conjunction with the New Jersey Museum of Transportation, Pine Creek Railroad offers short steam train rides seasonally for just $4. Though the rides are only 15 minutes, Pine Creek is located in Allaire State Park with plenty to do. Don't miss historic Allaire Village with restored buildings and period interpreters. They also offer unique special events including the Civil War Encampment and Railroaders Weekend which features a parade of classic and modern trains. Several holiday rides are available, though the Haunted Express Nighttime Rides are a favorite. For more information, click here.
Of course, you can always hop on a commuter train to almost anywhere in New Jersey – we have the largest commuter rail system in the United States in terms of track mileage (951 miles). But, I think I prefer these scenic excursions better. For more day trips in the Garden State, check out: Whitesbog Village, Sahara Sam’s Indoor Waterpark or this Fairy Garden.
