Fall Foliage Train Tours in New England
Looking for a fun, new way to experience the autumn color in New England? Fall foliage train tours are a great alternative to driving.
By Montana Rogers|Aug 30 2022|
Coffee By Design | Portland, Maine
Photo Credit : Katherine KeenanEvery year during the autumn foliage, visitors make their way through the hills and small towns of rural New England in cars or buses, and may even take a trip on a fall foliage cruise, trying to catch a glimpse of nature’s spectacular performance, but for a most atmospheric and nostalgic leaf-peeping experience, we at NewEngland.com recommend a more romantic means of transportation — the train! Fall foliage train tours offer a unique opportunity to take in the colors of fall, and with so many to choose from, there’s the perfect ride for everyone.
Read on for a list of fall foliage train tours in New England!
15 New England Fall Foliage Train Tours
New Hampshire Foliage Train Tours
Mount Washington Cog Railway | Mount Washington, NH
The Mount Washington Cog Railway offers one of the best fall foliage train tours in New England, with sweeping views of fall’s color show from the highest peak in the Northeast.
Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train | North Woodstock, NH
Looking for a classy way to witness the fall foliage of New England? Consider booking passage on the Café Lafayette Dinner Train. Indulge in a five-course meal as you spend two hours traveling through the heart of New England.
Conway Scenic Railroad | North Conway, NH
Enjoy beautiful vistas of the White Mountains in all their autumnal glory on the Conway Scenic Railroad. Take your pick from a variety of fall foliage train tours and adventures.
Hobo Railroad | Lincoln, NH
One of the few fall foliage train tours in New England to operate daily during peak fall weeks, the Hobo Harvest Time Express takes passengers along the Pemigewasset River and near the famous Kancamagus highway for some breathtaking views of the changing leaves. After your ride, spend some time at the farm stand and farmyard for some seasonal activities.
Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad | Meredith and Weirs Beach, NH
Treat yourself and your family to a full turkey dinner as you travel along the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee and Paugus Bay on the Fall Foliage Dinner Train. You may also enjoy the Fall Foliage Special Tour, a four-hour route that makes its way along several New England lakes and rivers for a picturesque afternoon. One of their other fall foliage train tours leaves from Weirs Beach, NH. This 1-hour train ride takes visitors along the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee for classic views of fall colors reflected in water.
Connecticut Foliage Train Tours
The Connecticut Trolley Museum | East Windsor, CT
There are several fall foliage train tours that cater to children, and the Connecticut Trolley Museum’s Pumpkin Patch Express is one of the best. Take a short ride through the beautiful countryside on an antique trolley car, stopping along the way at the museum’s Pumpkin Patch for a free pumpkin.
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat | Essex, CT
These vintage steam trains carry you along the river in style and comfort as you take in stunning views of the fall foliage along the Connecticut River. Book the Essex Clipper Dinner Train package for a lunchtime trip or the Friday Night Sunset tour for unique views of the foliage as the light changes at day’s end. This is one of the only fall foliage train tours to offer a sunset option.
Railroad Museum of New England | Thomaston, CT
Take an enchanting fall foliage train tour along the Naugatuck River with views of the Thomaston Dam framed by some of Connecticut’s most beautiful foliage. For children, don’t miss the Pumpkin Patch Express, which runs in October.
Photo Credit : Photo by Centpacrr / CC BY-SA
Maine Foliage Train Tours
Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad | Belfast, ME
Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad offers several fall foliage train tours. You may enjoy the classic Fall Foliage Train Ride or the Cider & Donuts Train Ride where you wind your way through the nature of Waldo County, or perhaps you would prefer to take in the scenery on the Pumpkin Express before you arrive at the pumpkin patch. If you’re looking for something truly unique, take a ride on the Antique Railroad Railcar to experience what it was like for rail workers to maintain the tracks in the past.
Downeast Scenic Railroad | Hancock, ME
Take a peaceful ride on beautifully restored train cars through the woods and marshland of East Maine. Don’t be surprised if you spot a beaver or moose against the colorful fall landscapes. Bring the children the third weekend in October for an annual visit to the pumpkin patch on the Pumpkin Train Ride.
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum | Portland, ME
While aboard the Pumpkin Train, children can decorate small pumpkins while the rest of the family snacks on cookies and cider as the train travels along Portland’s waterfront, offering up great views of the colors off Casco Bay.
Massachusetts Foliage Train Tours
Cape Cod Railroad | Hyannis, MA
While Cape Cod Railroad does not specifically offer fall foliage tours, their excursion and dining trains run through October, offering passengers a luxurious experience surrounded by some of Cape Cod’s most idyllic scenery.
Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum | North Adams, MA
Enjoy a scenic ride between North Adams and Adams, Massachusetts while you pick up a few facts about the region and its history during this narrated hour-long fall foliage train tour.
Vermont Foliage Train Tours
Green Mountain Railroad | Burlington, VT
This is a fall foliage train tour you do not want to miss. Sit back and relax with a cup of fresh apple cider as you travel along rivers, past classic covered bridges, and quintessential New England farms.
Did we miss your favorite fall foliage train tour? Let us know!
With research assistance from Chris Burnett. This post was first published in 2016 and has been updated.
More New England Foliage:
10 Places to Visit in New England in Fall
Best Corn Mazes in New England
Prettiest Fall Foliage Villages in Vermont
Best Apple Orchards in New England
5 Best Pumpkin Festivals in New England
.jpg){kind=link}
As somebody who has lived in both Cape Cod and southern New England, I can tell you that Southern New England and Cape Cod are the worst places for fall foliage. Upper Massachusetts (Like Mount Wachusett and The Mohawk Trail), Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine are the best places.
John F., what part of the region, do you consider to be “southern New England”
( is this the southern edge of CT, ) that is worse for fall foliage?
I lived in New England most of my life. I move to Fl and have regretted it ever since. You never get the change of seasons and the beauty of this country side out of your life and memory. I go back all the time and hope I can move back to the beauty of this life.
When I was much younger I subscribed to Yankee simply for the fall foliage issues. Each year I promised myself that one day I would visit there. Over the years I’ve visited six or seven times, but my last trip included Vermont at its autumny peak. And since then I can’t shake its beauty from my mind. If I were a nicer guy, I would encourage anyone who has never seen the natural beauty of this state to do so before you die. But I think I’ll keep it all to myself.
New England ,I love you. Though I live in lovely Pennsylvania, I left my heart in Vermont.
We read ,years ago,in Yankee about a fall rail tour along the Blackstone Valley from Cumberland to Worcester on the Providence and Worcester railway.Really enjoyed this guided tour which took in much history along the Blackstone canal. A few years later we took another which went through Worcester all the way to a layover for antique shops and dining in Put am Ct. If these trips are still available ,look under Blackstone Valley Rail Tours?
Update…..these foliage train tours are no more,but boat trips will be offered on the Blackstone this fall,departing from Woonsocket. The only train excursions are”Polar Expresses” in season. We are so glad we heeded Yankee’s advice and took those foliage trains when we did….you snooze,you lose
In Vermont Foliage Train Tours you left out
Green Mountain Railroad | St Johnsbury, VT
This is a one-day event that coincides with the Northeast Kingdom’s Colors of the Kingdom Festival, happening annually the third Saturday in September. Relax on our 1-1/2 hour train excursion through the Kingdom’s palette of autumn colors. The train leaves 4 times throughout the day and is always a big favorite of locals and visitors alike.
When I think of fall foliage trips I envision mountains and woods filled with color. I count on Yankee Mag to know where the best viewing is. So I followed their review and headed to Adams with my train loving grandsons to enjoy the fall foliage excursion. What a disappointment! This train goes by all the back yards, old abandon buildings and a swampy area. The ride felt like a back alley ride. My 3 year old grandson commented that the people need to clean their yards and my granddaughter announced she saw tires in the swamp. We were not impressed at all. If this is how you try to promote the area I think you better rethink it!! And I will double check all Yankee’s reviews and recommendations.
Hi Sue. We’re sorry to hear that your family didn’t enjoy their foliage train tour. This NewEngland.com list is a roundup of all the available foliage train tours that we could find in New England. We haven’t rated them or named them the best because we haven’t had the opportunity to experience each ride. If you are looking for a train ride with mountains, I’d suggest the Mount Washington Cog Railway (it doesn’t get more “mountain” than that!) or one of the longer journeys on the Conway Scenic Railroad. Both are sure to have more of what it sounds like you were looking for. Thanks for your comment and have a great day!
In the winter Train that ride .
We just made reservations for the winnipesaukee fall foliage tour. I am so looking forward to this 4 hour train ride this fall. Thank you Yankee for always informing us on all your special tours throughout the year. I am anxious to have a buffet lunch at one of our favorite restaurants half way through the train ride.
Yankee is one of my go-to’s for interesting things to do….and I have never been disappointed! Keep up the good work. I love your articles and suggestions!
I would recommend the Conway NH train. It was awesome and there is also a drive you can do in your car
I am trying to plan a fall foliage trip for about 10 women and we want to travel by train. We live in Texas but can fly to the starting point. Please assist. Don’t know where to begin. Must include the states of Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire. Thank you.
Vacationing in MA & CT 9/26-10/11/22. Looking for a train fall foliage ride to enjoy without having to drive. Any chance of catching a train ride from either of these two states?
Connecticut River Valley will be at peak, a week after the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat tour closes… Their last ride of the season is October 29th…
Prior to their closing they are closed for maintenance on Tuesdays and Wednesdays…
Beyond that, the “general admission” ticket for the Train/ Boat (a two and half hour excursion up and down the west side of the Connecticut River from Essex, CT to Deep River, CT and a steam boat ride on the river…) is a pretty good deal at $45… (That leaves 10 days of 3 excursions per day)… It’s a great way to spend a few hours in the fall…