You can find some incredible scenic train rides in Massachusetts state and in this post you’ll learn about 5 of them, why they rock and other important details to help plan an unforgettable experience there!
Here are the 5 best scenic train rides in Massachusetts:
- Cape Cod Central Railroad
- Berkshire Scenic Railway
- Scenic Train Rides at Edaville Family Theme Park
- Essex Steam Train & Riverboat (Connecticut)
- Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum
Cape Cod Central Railroad:
With the Cape Cod Central Railroad, you’ll journey through the scenic landscapes of Cape Cod, including marshes, cranberry bogs, and dunes, with narrated tours that delve into the region’s history and ecosystems. Dining services, such as brunch and dinner trains, offer gourmet meals onboard. This is one of the best fall train rides in New England too.
- Duration: 2 to 3 hours
- Ticket Prices: Scenic excursions start around $22 for adults and $16 for children. Elegant dinner trains and other special dining experiences can range from $80 to over $100 per person.
Berkshire Scenic Railway:
The Berkshire Scenic Railway train ride offers a leisurely journey through the picturesque Berkshire Hills between Adams and North Adams, highlighting the area’s natural beauty and railroad history. Not only that but the area itself is great for exploring, whether it be the scenic towns or hikes all around.
- Duration: The ride lasts about 1 hour.
- Ticket Prices: Tickets are approximately $14 for adults and $10 for children. Special event rides may have different pricing.
Scenic Train Rides at Edaville Family Theme Park:
Perfect for families, Edaville’s train ride circles the theme park, offering views of cranberry bogs and its various attractions. The park is famous for its Christmas Festival of Lights, making the train ride especially magical during the holiday season.
- Duration: The train ride itself lasts about 20 minutes, but visitors typically spend several hours enjoying the park (if not the whole day).
- Ticket Prices: General admission to the park, which includes the train ride, starts around $37 for ages 4 and up, with discounts available for online purchases. Special events may have different pricing.
Essex Steam Train And Riverboat:
While this experience starts in Connecticut, it’s close enough to be of interest to visitors in Massachusetts. The combination of a steam train journey and a riverboat cruise offers expansive views of the Connecticut River Valley’s forests, meadows, and historic landmarks. It’s also one of the best scenic train rides in Connecticut.
- Duration: The combined train and riverboat experience lasts about 2.5 hours.
- Ticket Prices: Prices start at around $32 for adults and $20 for children for the combined train and riverboat ride. Train-only or riverboat-only tickets are also available at lower prices.
Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum:
With the Shelburne Falls Trolly Musem ride, you’ll take a step back in time with a ride on a beautifully restored early 20th-century trolley. This short journey offers insights into the history of trolley transportation in the region, set against the backdrop of the charming New England village of Shelburne Falls.
- Duration: The trolley ride is short, approximately 15-30 minutes, but the museum visit can extend the experience.
- Ticket Prices: Admission, which includes the trolley ride, is about $4 for adults and $2 for children. Prices are very reasonable, reflecting the museum’s community-focused mission.
Now although there are 5 major scenic train rides in the state to consider checking out the fact that it’s in Massachusetts, which in my opinion is one of the most beautiful states in New England gives you plenty of additional options of stuff to do before or after you explore the scenic train ride/s.
Every single ride on this list is close enough to a major town or place that has a bunch of other attractions and activities to explore and it makes for an excellent weekend getaway trip to enjoy with a significant other and especially the family (all of the above rides are great for family outings).
Best times to go:
Most of these scenic train rides are open year round but if they are closed, its usually in the winter so I’d avoid going then. However any other season is great for enjoying the rides here, and here’s a breakdown of each:
- Spring: Great time to go but I wouldn’t go during some sort of major holiday weekend as there will be more people in the area and of course on the ride itself.
- Summer: Also a great time to go but I would avoid weekends then (again for the crowds).
- Fall: This is easily the best time to go in most people’s opinions, including my own. If you want to see the incredible autumn colors in New England, specifically in Massachusetts, then you’ll want to explore these scenic train rides around the latter end of October through the first week of November but also keep in mind that demand for tickets is highest throughout the year during this time, so make sure you purchase yours as early as September if possible.
Thanks for checking out this list of the best scenic train rides in Massachusetts and if you have any experiences with the above list that you’d like to share, feel free to do so below and/or if there are any additional rides you’d recommend checking out in the state that I may have missed above.