A unique way to explore the beautiful autumn season in Upstate New York is a good old-fashioned train ride.
No need to navigate or mess with maps. Just sit back and relax. So, all aboard! Let the train take you on a fall foliage tour and pass by mountains, valleys and rivers, alongside the changing colorful leaves.
Here are some fall train tours to check out below. And to find places to stay near train stops, visit Airbnb.com or New York Rental by Owner.
Adirondack Scenic Railroad
Utica Station, 321 Main St., Utica, NY 13501
Thendara Station (Old Forge), 2568 State Route 28, Thendara, NY 13472
Discover the beauty of the Adirondacks by taking a 9 hour round-trip ride from Utica to Thendara, a small town about a mile from Old Forge. Travel through forests, over rivers and streams, spend a full afternoon in Old Forge during a 4.5 hour-layer. You can enjoy the outdoors and visit local shops and restaurants. The fall tour runs Thursdays and Saturdays from Sept. 12 to Oct. 19. Price ranges from $32.50 to $62.50. The schedule is as follows:
Departs Utica at 9:30 a.m. Arrives in Thendara at noon.
Departs Thendara at 4:30 p.m. Arrives in Utica at 6:30 p.m.
One-way trips are available. Here’s where to stay near Thendara. Other destinations include Utica to Big Moose, Thendara to Big Moose, and Thendara to Otter Lake. Visit here for additional details.
File photo of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad during a fall foliage ride on its Utica to Thendara line from Utica, NY. (Scott Schild | sschild@newyorkupstate.com)SYR
Arcade & Attica Railroad
278 Main St., Arcade, NY 14009
This 2 hour and 20-minute round-trip starts at the Arcade and Attica Train Depot at 278 Main St. At the halfway point, passengers will depart the train at Curriers Station for about a 40-minute stay. Everyone can take a self-guided tour of the museum. Food concessions and kids activities are available. This train ride will take you through Western New York, along the historic and scenic areas near Buffalo. The dates are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 4-27. Tickets range from $16 to $19. Schedule as follows:
Fridays (Oct. 4 and 11) Departs at 1 p.m.
Saturday (Oct, 5) Departs at 1 p.m.
Saturdays (Oct.12 and 19) Departs at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Sundays (Oct. 6, 13, and 20) Departs at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Visit here to see more dates.
Catskill Mountain Railroad
149 Aaron Court, Kingston, NY 12401
Go on a journey to learn about the fictional legend behind the Jack-O-Lantern and the historic lineage of the Catskill O’Lanterns. See the natural beauty of the Catskills by riding the Catskill Fall Adventure Trains. The train departs from Westbrook Station at Kingston Plaza and travels through the Hurley Flats and return. Fall rides are about 1 hour and 15 minutes. For the Pumpkin Express trains, passengers will get to select their own pumpkin to take home and decorate. Don’t forget to wear your Halloween costumes for this trip. Cost for the Pumpkin Express ranges from $12 to $18. For the Catskill Fall Flyer trip, tickets range from $8 to $14. Schedule as follows:
Pumpkin Express schedule
Oct. 19-20 and 26-27 Departs at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Catskill Fall Flyer schedule
Sept. 28-29, 2019 Departs at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Oct. 5-6 and 12-14 Departs at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad
136 East Main St., Milford, NY 13807
Enjoy a picturesque ride through the Susquehanna River Valley. You will see the Susquehanna River and travel through farm fields and forests with colorful foliage. This 2.5 hour trip starts at the Milford Depot. Tickets range from $14 to $17. Schedule as follows:
Sept. 28-29 Departs at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Oct. 5-6 and 14-14 Departs at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Visit here for other fall themed rides.
Delaware & Ulster Railroad
3510 State Hwy 28, Arkville, NY 12406
While the Delaware & Ulster Railroad does not have a specific fall foliage tour, its September and October rides are popular for leaf peeping visitors. All trains depart and return to the Arkville station with 2.5 hour trip to Roxbury or 1.25 hour trip to Halcottsville. The route follows the East Branch of the Delaware River in the western Catskill. Passengers will see rural hamlets, farmland, and historic sites such as the Hubbell Family Farm in Kelly Corners and the Round Barn in Halcottsville. Tickets range from $12 to $18. Schedule as follows:
Saturdays and Sundays, Departing at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. See other excursions here.
Train Excursions at Medina Railroad Museum
530 West Ave., Medina, NY 14103
This 2 hour round-trip train ride goes through the woods and along the Erie Canal. Immerse yourself in the railroad experience and order lunch when purchasing your ticket. Lunches are served in a reusable keepsake Medina Railroad Museum lunch tote. Tickets range from $18 to $36. Schedule as follows:
Wed. Oct. 16 Departs at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Sun. Oct. 20 Departs at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Sat. Oct. 26 Departs at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Sun. Oct. 27 Departs at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum
282 Rush Scottsville Road, Rush NY, 14543
There is no fall excursions but rather events like Oktoberfest Rails & Ales and Ciderfest Train Rides. Oktoberfest is from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 21, and tasting cost is $25. Guests ride the train between tasting stations and refreshments are available for purchase, including a full grill menu. Ciderfest takes place from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 22 and cost ranges from $15 to $25. Visit here to check out the Museum’s other events.
New York Museum of Transportation
6393 E. River Rd, West Henrietta, NY 14586
Another way to enjoy an Upstate autumn is from the windows of a vintage electric trolley car at the New York Museum of Transportation. The rides operate Sundays only from Sept. 22 through Oct. 27. No reservations are required, as rides leave throughout the day. Cost is included with admission to the museum. It’s $8 for adults, $7 seniors, and $6 youths age 3 through 12. The Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the last trolley departure is at 4 p.m. While the trolley rides are the highlight, visitors can check out large model railroads, numerous full-size trolley cars, a steam locomotive, antique trucks and cars, horse-drawn vehicles, and more.
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