|
Riding the Rails: Experience Arizona's unique railway destinations
courtesy: Arizona Office of Tourism
Railroads bring back a certain sense of nostalgia from days
gone by. These days, it can be difficult to escape the fast pace
of life and experience those times again. The Grand Canyon State
offers several one-of-a-kind railway destinations for kids of
all ages. Hop on board and visit:
Verde Canyon Railroad
Located in Arizona's beautiful Verde Valley, this scenic ride
is just a half-hour from Sedona. The four-hour tour takes passengers
into the picturesque Verde Canyon, where they'll see elk, javelina,
and maybe even "Black" and "Decker," the
canyon's resident bald eagles. The canyon's walls rise high above
the train on its journey through the canyon, providing breathtaking
views for everyone aboard. Enjoy several seasonal events, including
Oktoberfest, with beers and brats; and Santa Claus Express, which
features cookies, candy canes and hot chocolate. www.verdecanyonrr.com
Grand Canyon Railway
Begin in the historic Route 66 town of Williams and get ready
for the journey of a lifetime. This train travels through high
desert, prairie, and pine before reaching the splendor of the
Grand Canyon. Once there, stroll around Grand Canyon Village
or take a leisurely motorcoach tour to some of the most popular
viewpoints. Passengers have the option to overnight at the canyon
if they'd like to spend more time savoring the views. On the
way back, enjoy onboard Western entertainment. Five classes of
transportation provide comfort for every need. And each holiday
season, don't miss the Polar Express, where the train travels
to the "North Pole" to visit Santa and his reindeer.
www.thetrain.com
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
This park, located in the heart of Scottsdale, is one of the
best places to spend a relaxing afternoon with the family. Begin
by taking a ride on a small-scale reproduction of an old train
that travels on a one-mile track. The train is so unique that
at one point, Walt Disney offered to buy it for one of his theme
parks. However, the owner insisted the train stay in Scottsdale.
After your ride, stop by the general store for hot dogs and ice
cream. And to cap off the day, take a spin on the park's carousel
or just act like a kid on the playground.
www.therailroadpark.com
Yuma Valley Railway
This two-hour ride along the banks of the Colorado River is a
prime opportunity to view the southwestern Arizona's wildlife
and agriculture. The train, a 1922 Pullman coach, was featured
in the Paul Newman movie, The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean.
Along the way, passengers will get sweeping views of the Arizona,
California and Mexico landscapes.
www.visityuma.com
Step back in time and ride the rails in Arizona. To plan your
railroad trip to the Grand Canyon State, visit www.arizonaguide.com
|
