New York state, as home to the oldest railroads in America, owes its incredible growth to one of the first trains that ran regularly in 1831, according to the New York Department of Transportation. Today, passengers learn about the historic railways through scenic train tours that take riders to the woods, waterways and mountains.
Amtrak's Empire train departs daily from New York City, making its way up to Niagara Falls. The upstate part of the journey begins at the Rensselaer, NY-Albany station. It stops in Schenectady, Amsterdam, Utica, Rome, Syracuse, Rochester, Depew, Buffalo and finally at the Niagara Falls. Empire follows the historic Mohawk trail, taking passengers along the Hudson River, past the Catskill Mountains, through the Adirondacks and into the Finger Lakes region also known as "wine country," according to the New York State Department of Transportation. The trip has an estimated travel time of seven hours and 20 minutes. Empire boasts a smoke-free environment, snack car and various seating options.
Amtrak
800-872-7245
amtrak.com
The seasonal Hudson Valley Explorer carries passengers into the heart of the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains. Adventurers like to stay overnight in one of the two upstate New York locations -- Saratoga Springs or Lake George. The small town of Saratoga sits about 30 minutes outside of New York's capital, Albany, and draws visitors for its history, mineral springs and baths, geysers, museums, golf courses and a nationally renowned racing track, according to Rail and Cruise Travel Center. Lake George is a vast body of water right at the foot of the Adirondacks, surrounded by a village that has numerous boutiques, arcades and landmarks such as Fort William Henry. Vacationers close out the day with a ride back to their hotels in a horse-drawn carriage.
From Saratoga or Lake George, the Hudson Valley Explorer departs in the morning. Travelers lounge in a 1950 Pullman dining car called "Epicurus." Key sights on the tour include Storm King Mountain, Hudson Highlands and West Point. The ride is over 300 miles, round trip.
Rail and Cruise Travel Center
P.O. Box 652
Union, NJ 07083-0652
800-292-7245
railandcruisetravel.com
The railway runs through a cluster of towns and forests called the Finger Lakes. The region boasts a rich Native American history and culture, which echoes through the city names and beauty of the woodlands. The train boards and departs from places such as Canandaigua, Cayuga, Syracuse and Seneca Falls. The Finger Lakes also includes provinces such as Corning and Ithaca, home to Cornell University.
Wine aficionados enjoy the area's considerable number of vineyards and wineries. The scenic railway has many ride options, which include the themes "Victor Rock-n-Roll Wine and Beer Tasting Train Excursion," "It's A Wonderful Life Holiday Train" in Seneca Falls and "Camillus Santa Express." The Finger Lakes railway excursions operate from May to December.
Finger Lakes Railway Corporation
P.O. Box 1099
Geneva, NY 14456
315-374-1570
315-209-1029
fingerlakesscenicrailway.com
