Now a truly established tourist destination in the United States, Florida offers a diversity of activities for thrill lovers, city goers, party people, and nature enthusiasts alike. The Sunshine State is known for its large cities such as Miami or Orlando, as well as for its world-renowned theme parks like Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World to name just a few of the most famous ones. In contrast, Florida also boasts three national parks where its vibrant fauna and flora meet. It’s a great travel destination for families with children, especially since amazing hotels with childcare and camper rentals are available for your accommodation needs. With unique landscapes and attractions, there is much to see in this state, and train rides seem like a convenient and exciting way to explore Florida. Check out, below, a list of the top scenic train rides in Florida, USA.
Popular railroad museums in Florida
Central Florida Railroad Museum, Winter Garden: This place is bound to be a paradise for railroad fanatics! Admission is free and you can get see everything from vintage signage to silverware from historic trains. It seems to me like a fun detour to make if you have kids who love trains.
Railroad Museum of South Florida, Fort Myers: The highlight of this museum are the outdoor exhibits, which include two historic locomotives dating back to the early 20th century. They even offer special Christmas-themed train rides in the winter!
1. Traverse Central Florida via SunRail
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
If you’re planning on visiting Central Florida, you might want to hop on the modern trains of SunRail. Its 49-mile (78.86-kilometer) route traverses from Deland/Amtrak in Volusia County to Poinciana in Osceola County, servicing 17 stations in 4 counties. Your rides will certainly be pleasing as its restrooms are clean and power outlets are provided. I like how you won’t have to worry about your phone running out of charge! Complimentary WiFi is also onboard, so you can post the picturesque vistas along the way.
These state-of-the-art trains started serving the railroads in 2014 and are planned to extend their service in both the northern and eastern parts of the state. Note that SunRail operates only during weekdays.
SunRail
Website: SunRail
2. Sign up for the fun rides by Seminole Gulf Railway
Seminole Gulf Railway began as a freight train in 1987, servicing Southwest Florida, and eventually added daytime excursions and dinner trains in 1991. Its first murder-mystery show, Murder on the Seminole Express, catapulted into success and resulted in more themed rides such as the Christmas Rail.
If you’re not sure which fun thing to do next for your trip, come bring the entire gang and sign up for the train trips in Florida offered by Seminole Gulf Railway. It’s your chance to see the state in a different light, and you might just solve the mystery of a lifetime!
Seminole Gulf Railway
Website: Seminole Gulf Railway
3. Hop on the Murder Mystery Dinner Train
With the Murder Mystery Train, gastronomy, theater, and sightseeing meet in this one-of-a-kind dining experience. Watch live actors as they act out interactive scenes of thrilling plays. As the train passes through southwestern Florida, you can enjoy a truly entertaining evening and a truly delicious dinner.
The price per person ranges from 129 - 135 USD, which includes both the show and a five-course meal. This dinner train ride in Florida sure is worth the money! The experience is available for bookings from Wednesdays through Saturdays, and I think it’s a great experience to check out with a few fun friends!
Murder Mystery Dinner Train
Website: Murder Mystery Dinner Train
Price: from 129 USD
4. Take your locomotive-obsessed little ones to Largo Central Railroad
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
It's that weekend once again! Come out and ride the trains! Both Saturday & Sunday 10AM to 4PM. We please ask you to be...
Posted by Largo Central Railroad on Friday, May 31, 2019
If your kids (or maybe yourself!) are obsessed with all things trains and railroads, don’t pass up the chance to visit Largo Central Railroad. You’ll get to ride a train at the park, meet so many like-minded individuals, and swap favorite locomotive trivia and tidbits. You’ll also get to see ultra-detailed train car replicas, steam engines, and so much more.
If you’re looking for more than just a train ride to Florida and are interested in learning about the railroad’s history, you sure won’t regret paying a visit.
Largo Central Railroad
Address: 225 Central Park Dr, Largo, FL 33771, United States
Website: Largo Central Railroad
5. Ride on a train through Disney World's magical vistas
This train tour in Florida takes you through Disney World’s all-popular “Main Street”. Made to recreate the classic hearts of American towns, Main Street has been a favorite of many since it made its world debut in 1955. This train ride in Florida is especially exciting if you’re not from America: you will be able to experience the classic and adorable cliché of American towns!
This authentic steam-powered train will also take you to other parts of the theme park such as Fantasy Land. I think the 20-minute, 1.5-mile (2.41-kilometer) round-trip tour will definitely be a delightful experience for the children.
Walt Disney World
Address: Magic Kingdom Park, Bay Lake, FL 32836, United States
Website: Disney World
6. Enjoy a unique museum experience at Florida Railroad Museum
Lovers of history and trains, unite! The Florida Railroad Museum is a collection of authentic and fascinating exhibits. But unlike a lot of museums where everything seems to be frozen in time, this establishment offers you train trips providing you the opportunity to literally go through the exhibits. For a fee, you will board the train to get the full experience of older locomotives, for a 6.5-mile (10.46-kilometer) round-trip through history.
Fully immersed, they also organize special events where you get to re-enact dramatic moments inside the train (for example, a trip to the North Pole, or a train robbery).
Florida Railroad Museum
Address: 12210 83rd St E, Parrish, FL 34219, United States
Website: Florida Railroad Museum
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 4pm; (closed on Sat & Sun)
7. Family fun at Gold Coast Railroad Museum
While not a children’s museum, this attraction located close to Miami Zoo makes for a fun, educational, and cheap activity for children. Gold Coast Railroad Museum gives you access to several train layouts, but your children don’t have to just watch them: they can play inside these very trains!
If you want, or if your children want, you can also go on a short ride aboard the Edwin Link Children’s Railroad, which takes place every weekend for just 2.50 USD. Whether they prefer the authentic locomotives or Thomas the Train, they will surely enjoy this fun museum. The museum now has 40 pieces of unique rolling stock including Presidential Pullman Passenger Car “Ferdinand Magellan” U.S. Car #1 and NASA #2 SW-1500.
Gold Coast Railroad Museum
Address: 12450 SW 152nd St, Miami, FL 33177, United States
Website: Gold Coast Railroad Museum
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 11am - 4pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
8. Enjoy a comfy ride in an Amtrak Auto Train
This train will allow you to travel in and out of Florida, as well as through the beautiful Sunshine State. The ride will show you its unique landscapes while you sit comfortably in your train: you get plenty of space to relax and enjoy the view. The train is full of amenities such as free Wifi, dinner, breakfast, etc, though make sure to book your ticket accordingly.
But the best thing about this train is that you can actually take your car with you, without the hassle of a long car trip. Instead, you can sit comfortably in your compartment, and arrive at the destination and drive off with your car. The auto train serves Florida’s Sanford Station (near Orlando) and Lorton, Virginia (near Washington D.C).
Amtrak Auto Train
Website: Amtrak Auto Train
9. Hop on a luxurious ride through Florida with Amtrak Silver Meteor
Starting from New York and passing through several prominent American cities to arrive finally at Miami, the Amtrak Silver Meteor will show you Florida’s most scenic views while you sit comfortably for the ride. Or maybe, instead of sitting, you can lie down to enjoy the view since you can actually stay in little rooms with beds (and even a restroom and a sofa in some) for your ride.
Delicious food and free WiFi will accompany you on this homey train. So book that ticket now for the luxury train travel in Florida of your dreams.
Amtrak Silver Meteor
Website: Amtrak
10. Ride in style through the Sunshine State with Brightline
This ultra-modern high-speed train, courtesy of Brightline, was made by designers with comfort and style in mind. The eco-friendly locomotives are filled with light and wide windows so you can truly enjoy the scenery. The restrooms are clean and spacious, the seats are large and comfortable, the tables are fully equipped with outlets and USB ports, and the food aboard will keep you satiated.
These trains are pet friendly and also offer accommodation for wheelchairs, strollers, and bikes. On top of that, the stations are state of the art and modern as well, and you can find them in the following cities: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Aventura, and Boca Raton. I think this makes it a great way to quickly check out these cities without the hassle of driving everywhere.
Brightline
Website: Brightline
Experience a lively Florida
These train tours in Florida not only take you to see beautiful landscapes, they really give you the chance to fully immerse yourself in it through lively activities. Take a break from the usual theme parks and national parks and opt for a a scenic train ride instead. Whether you want a classic ride or an extravagant play to be acted out in front of your eyes, hop on one of these trains and enjoy Florida your way!
Frequently asked questions about scenic train rides in Florida, USA
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Cully .over 3 years ago
#4 The Royal Palm Railway closed down in 2019 and has since moved to Georgia. #5 The Gold Coast Railroad Museum is home to a few unique rolling stock you cannot see anywhere else, including Presidential Railcar #1 Ferdinand Magellan and an NASA SRB Skirt Car used during the Space Shuttle program. There is also a standard gauge train ride on vintage cars through the Pine Rocklands on the site.
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