The Lebanon Mason And Monroe Railroad is arguably one of the top 3 most popular train rides in Ohio and for many reasons that I’ll be talking about in this post. Besides me highly recommending that you check it out, I want to show you everything that makes it an awesome experience so let’s get started.
Basic info:
- Name: Lebanon Mason And Monroe Railroad
- Location: Lebanon Ohio
- Ticket prices: $15 and up per person
- Duration: 1-3 hours long
- Reviews: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Details on the ride:
The Lebanon Mason And Monroe Railroad (LM&M) has been chugging along since 1986, but the tracks and spirit date much further back, intertwining with the development of small-town America.
On top of offering year round excursions, it also has special events worth checking out including the Easter Bunny Express, the North Pole Express, or the educational undertone of the Civil War Train. It’s an awesome experience for many different groups of people including families, history buffs, train enthusiasts and more.
Ticket information:
- Adults can expect to pay around $20 per ticket throughout most of the year.
- Kids aged 2-16 might be around $15, and the little ones under 2 usually ride for free.
- If you’re a senior or in the military, discounts might be available.
Remember, these prices can change, so I suggest checking the official website or making a call to confirm the latest rates before you go.
Booking in advance is your best bet to lock in those seats, especially for themed rides or peak seasons when the trains fill up fast. Group rates can make the trip more affordable, so get your friends or family on board!
Also don’t miss out on promotions or seasonal passes that occasionally pop up and offer incredible deals (check the site regularly for those), especially if you’re a local planning multiple visits. These specials can give you more bang for your buck and add value to your experience on this ride.
What you’ll see on the ride:
During your journey, you’ll catch sight of the Warren County Fairgrounds, a hub of local activity with a rich past dating back to the 19th century. Your train will chug along past the scenic Turtle Creek and roll through stretches of woodlands that teem with wildlife. I’ll tip my hat to the knowledgeable train crew who often share captivating stories, giving life to the sights passing by your window.
When to go (and more tips):
Let’s start with the best season to go during. Like all scenic train rides in Ohio that I talk about on this site, every season has it’s own benefits, but my personal favorite time to go is around November, during peak fall foliage and that applies to every single train ride I’ve ever covered on this website (that’s just my personal preference). This is for obvious reasons but I’ll say it anyway: Fall provides the most scenic views of any area you explore by train (or any other method) in my opinion.
However I get that not everyone can go during that time which is totally fine. You’ll still get amazing experiences and sights during the other 3 seasons too so let me quickly go over those.
Spring and summer are pretty much the same in this case as you’ll have a lot of green scenery pretty much all throughout your trip.
Now let’s talk about winter. This is also a great time to visit because it’s usually when there’s less travelers on the train with you (so you can snag better seats for less). At the same time riding the rails during this period in an ideally winter wonderland enviornment also makes for a great experience. And to conclude, during the winter time, you’ll also get special events worth checking out like the North Pole Express.
Finally besides the seasons themselves, there’s also special event trains worth seeing like the seasonal beer and wine tasting train which promise to transform your average train ride into a memorable festivity. Check the event calendar on the site I linked above for dates and be prepared to book in advance because these special rides sell out quickly!
When you plan your visit to the Lebanon Mason and Monroe Railroad, think beyond the tracks. Comprehensive preparation will enhance not just your day on the rail but your entire visit.
You can always adjust your approach down the road, but a dash of planning now can ensure that your trip is as smooth as the well-oiled locomotives of yesteryear. Just don’t focus too much on perfection; sometimes the most memorable experiences are the spontaneous ones.
I hope that the information I’ve provided in this post will help you choose an ideal time to visit the Lebanon Mason and Monroe Railroad and have the best experience possible there!
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