6 Most Scenic Train Rides In New Hampshire, USA

1. Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train

Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train offers a unique train excursion in the picturesque White Mountains of New Hampshire. This train traverses the scenic Pemi River Valley before heading to North Woodstock, where guests are entertained with great dishes and unbeatable sceneries of lush forests and beautiful wildlife. From here, you will be taken through other historic spots, including the Jack O'Lantern Resort & Golf Course, three trestle bridges, and Thornton Christmas Tree plantation, which offers exclusive deals on Christmas trees during the holiday season. In the course of the two-hour train ride, guests of Cafe Lafayette are served a multicourse dinner accompanied by exquisite wines and other beverages.

Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train

Website: Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train

2. The Mount Washington Cog Railway

Mount Washington, or else Agiocochook, as commonly known by the locals, is a major tourist destination in the Northeastern United States which boasts some of the highest peaks in the region. Mount Washington Cog Railway offers exhilarating three-hour-round tours for enthusiasts of nature and outdoor activities to explore the countless attractions in this area. Here, you will be touring in state of the art coaches that are designed with sound systems and comfortable seating that gives a feeling of the traditional passenger cars. At Mount Washington Observatory, you will have plenty to explore, including the panoramic views of the summit and its surroundings.

Mount Washington Cog Railway

Website: Mount Washington Cog Railway

3. Conway Scenic Railroad

Conway Scenic Railroad offers a few train excursions in North Conway that are ideal for families. The first one is the Valley Train, which operates a 55-minute round-trip between North Conway and Conway. Valley Train passes the scenic Moat Mountain Range before traversing numerous farmlands and rivers. Here, besides the sceneries, Valley Train allows guests to enjoy traditional railroading in vintage passenger cars dating back to the late 19th century. The North Train also provides other excursions to Fabyan through the magnificent Crawford Notch. In the course of the adventure, you will pass many fascinating natural sceneries of sheer bluffs, pristine streams, and steep ravines, to mention but a few.

Conway Scenic Railroad

Website: Conway Scenic Railroad

4. Hobo Railroad

Hobo Railroad takes you back in time with its countryside trips aboard vintage coaches that have been around for decades. During the excursions, the trains cover approximately 24 km (15 mi) in a route that meanders beautifully along the edges of the Pemigewasset River. The river has beautiful cascades that are very photogenic; remember to take photos of these cascades and the people kayaking along its course as a reminder of your trip in the White Mountains. Besides these regular trips, the Santa Express, one of Hobo’s trains, also offers holiday specials as from October to sometime in December. Watch out for such deals; they are great fun for families.

Hobo Railroad

Website: Hobo Railroad

5. Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad

Unlike many railway companies in New Hampshire that provide short trips, Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad offers full-day tours within the Winnipesaukee Lake region. Along this route, there are countless attractions that make train rides an absolute delight. For instance, there are rolling mountains, beautiful lake shores, lakeside beaches, sheltered coves, and historic harbors, which bestow visitors with spectacular views. In terms of food, passengers are offered a traditional dinner of hand-carved turkey, stuffed and served with extra gravy and vegetable toppings. Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad tours are round-trips, so after the exploration in Weirs Beach, the train is supposed to take you back to its initial departure point in Nashua.

Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad

Website: Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad

6. White Mountain Central Railroad

White Mountain Central Railroad excursion trips allow guests to not only have fun but also to dive into the rich heritage of railroading. The tour involves traveling in the ancient steam locomotives through a 4 km (2.5 mi) scenic route. Before departing, ensure you check out beautiful exhibits of steam engines and other artifacts to boost your knowledge of the history and development of railroads. From White Mountain Central Railroad station, the locomotive moves north towards the scenic Pemigewasset River, where it crosses the old timber truss bridge before exiting into the wooded area. Along the way, look out for the Wolfman in Unobtanium Mine.

White Mountain Central Railroad

Website: White Mountain Central Railroad

Epic train rides in New Hampshire

Everyone deserves a chance to unwind and embarking on a train ride is a very effective way of doing just that. We have you covered with the most scenic train rides in New Hampshire, USA. Plan your trip to any of these destinations for an opportunity to enjoy and make long-lasting memories with your family.