Board the train, sit back and enjoy the scenery on a New York train tour. On these excursions, you can enjoy the trip without the hassle of driving or traffic jams. On a train tour, a large group can travel together and move about and socialize as the train moves along the tracks. Relax and enjoy the ride as you tour selected areas of New York state.
The Upper Hudson River Railroad offers train tours through the Adirondacks and along the Upper Hudson River. These scenic day trips go to a destination where passengers depart the train for shopping, sightseeing and dining.
Most of the train excursions leave from the North Creek Depot in North Creek, New York. The original ticket office has been restored and houses the North Creek Depot Museum. Inside the museum visitors find artifacts from logging and mining in the area as well as train memorabilia. Within walking distance of the train depot there are restaurants and antique and gift shops. The train travels an 8-mile stretch along the Hudson River from North Creek to Riverside Station in Riparius. Passengers disembark there while the train reverses directions. Passengers may walk around the town, shop or visit the historic displays at the station. Along the round trip from North Creek, passengers can take in the scenic river views and may spot deer, wild turkeys, fox, beaver or bald eagles.
The Adirondack Scenic Railroad carries passengers in climate-controlled cars offering a variety of train excursions. One option is the train that departs from the Utica station for a full-day trip. Passengers take a two-hour trip each way with a 4½-hour layover in Thendara near Old Forge. During the layover, passengers can shop and dine in the town or enjoy a cruise on the Old Forge Chain of Lakes.
Day trips are also available between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. These 45-minute train trips depart from either location. Passengers have the option of staying for the day or for just a few hours to tour the village of Saranac Lake or Lake Placid.
Climb aboard one of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad trains for a Polar Express adventure. Passengers, children and adults alike are invited to wear pajamas for this adventure to "The North Pole" set in the village of Holland Patent. The train leaves from the Utica Union Station. On board the train, children will visit with the elves and listen to a reading of the book "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg. At the North Pole, Santa boards the train, gives the first gift of Christmas and then makes the return trip to Utica interacting with the passengers. At the station guests are treated to hot chocolate and cookies. This train tour sells out each year, so early reservations are recommended.
