The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers several tours in the winter. Regularly scheduled tours include rides through Nantahala Gorge, a 44-mile round trip that runs daily through November and December, and on Saturdays through January and February. Special winter tours include the "Polar Express", a journey from Bryson, in western North Carolina, to the "North Pole" complete with hot chocolate, holiday treats, Christmas caroling and a visit from Santa. In February, ride the "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown" train from Bryson to Nanthahala Gorge. Younger passengers can make a Valentine's Day craft project, while adults enjoy a gourmet meal in the dining car. On New Year's Eve, enjoy live music, dancing and gourmet dining on the "New Year's Eve Gala" tour.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
226 Everett Street
Bryson City, NC 28713
800-872-4681
gsmr.com/
The New Hope Valley Railway, based in Bonsal, in southwestern Wake County, operates special tours during November and December. Train rides are nine miles round-trip, and take just under an hour. The New Hope Valley Railway takes you through forested hillsides, across a wooden trestle at Little Beaver Creek and through the woods back to the station. Watch out for wild turkeys, deer, turtles, hawks and owls along the way. End your tour with a visit to the gift shop. Kids will especially like the model railroad, with over 1,000 feet of tracks and tiny working scale models of electric and steam engines.
New Hope Valley Railway
5121 Daisey St
New Hill, NC 27562
919-362-5416
nhvry.org/
Amtrak offers a ten-day, nine-night ,"Southern Heritage by Rail" tour that passes through North Carolina from top to bottom. The tour begins in Washington DC, and heads south to Jacksonville, Florida, passing through Virginia, Georgia, and North and South Carolina on the way. The tour includes hotel accommodations; two dinners; admission to Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement historical sites; tours of Savannah, Charleston and St. Augustine; and a two-day car rental. The Southern Heritage by Rail tour runs year-round.
Amtrak Vacations
100 Cummings Center
Suite 120B
Beverly, MA 01915
800-268-7252
amtrakvacations.com
