Road trips through Missouri are nothing short of amazing, but sometimes it's nice to just relax and take in all the beauty as a passenger. This is where the magic of the railroad enters the picture. All across the Show-Me State, there are charming passenger trains that make for picture-perfect day trips! If you're wondering, "Where can I find the best train rides near me in Missouri?" -- you've come to the right place! Here are four fun and scenic train rides in Missouri, perfect for a memorable day trip:
1. St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway
This railway offers a two-hour round-trip excursion every Saturday that starts and returns in the winsome town of Jackson, Missouri. The train ride often features a theme, which can range from a murder mystery ride to visits from the Jesse James gang! For a full schedule of upcoming events, including upcoming themed excursions and rates, visit the official St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway website.
One of the nicest train rides near you in Southeastern Missouri is the St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway. Get a peek at this historic train in this video from Will’s Trains & Planes:
2. Missouri River Runner
The Missouri River Runner runs to and from St. Louis and Kansas City. This means you can knock out two major cities in the Midwest all in one memorable weekend! Other notable stops on this excursion include Hermann, where you can get a little taste of Missouri's wine country, and Independence, where you can visit President Harry S. Truman's hometown. To book your ticket or check out the schedule, visit Amtrak's website.
3. Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad
If you're short on time but still want to experience all the fun that comes with trains and railroads, then I suggest visiting the Belton, Grandview, and Kansas City Railroad in Belton, Missouri. You'll step back in time as you board their 1950s locomotive train to roll through Old Towne Belton during a 45-minute excursion. For more information on this nostalgic ride, you can read our featured article on the Belton, Grandview, and Kansas City Railroad.
Enjoy some footage of the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad as it runs back and forth from Belton Missouri to Kansas City. If you are up for any spontaneous train trips near these towns you can hop on and enjoy a ride:
4. Branson Scenic Railway
The Branson Scenic Railway is most popular for its Polar Express Train Ride during Christmastime, but throughout the year they have other enjoyable rides as well. The 40-mile excursion takes you through the beautiful Ozark foothills and it can be enjoyed during the day or at night for a dinner train ride. For more information, visit the Branson Scenic Railway website.
The Branson Scenic Railway is one of the best train trips in Missouri. Enjoy a little tour and a ride in this video from Terry Barner:
Have you been on any of these train rides in Missouri? Some of them have been running for many years and you might have experienced them as a kid. We'd love to know what your experience was like in the comments!
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