First time trying rail explorers and had a great time: friendly and energetic staff, good weather, clean equipment and chairs, nice views. We booked a few months in advance and glad we did because it was sold out the week of. You can either be in a two seater or a four seater. Check in and parking were easy once we arrived but beware that there's no cell service in the area. Staff were fantastic and really do impact the customer experience. Sam and others were spirited and seemed to genuinely enjoy their jobs. This trail was 8 miles, 4 miles out and 4 miles back. Most of the time you're detached from other bikes but when crossing a major road, everyone had to be attached. If everyone is pedaling, it should be physically doable to go at a good pace, but it was not a stroll in the park either, which I liked. The person on the right controls the brakes. On the ride, you'll see a body of water, trees, hyped Phoenicia diner and just enjoy being in nature. There is shade throughout so even if it's a warm day, you'll probably still be okay. And didn't have any issues with mosquitoes either. They do provide large umbrellas for the weather and a basket to hold your belongings on the bike. When you reach 4 miles, there's a little break and patio chairs to sit, while they turn the bikes around. If you're in the front at the start, you'll be in the back to end. From start to finish, it was about 2 hours with waiting and stopping. They have bathrooms in a small camper facility that's pretty cramped and also a bathroom in the nearby railroad museum. Stop by the Ashokan Reservoir or explore neighboring towns if you have time. read more

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This is a unique experience. Be warned, there is 0 cell service. They have WiFi at the station but after that it's nothing. The route is scenic, especially if the weather is nice. The staff are awesome. Getting coordinated and all is very easy. All you do is follow a few simple rules and pedal. The little museum on site has actual private bathrooms in case you don't want to use the fancy porta potty there. Not a bad idea to bring water and a snack for the little break. Your tail end will likely hurt a bit from this. Bring a cushion or something if you have one. It's great for all ages. The power assisted pedaling is very easy read more

I did this as a work team-building outing and had no real idea what to expect, but I loved it. None of us had done anything like this before, but the staff were super friendly and walked us through everything without making anyone feel clueless. Once we got moving, the views were unreal. The autumn leaves were gorgeous, there's some water views, and later on, the stars were incredible. The stop for hot cocoa and marshmallows was such a cute touch, and honestly perfect for warming up a bit. Sitting there burning smores and laughing with my team felt very wholesome in the best way. I also really appreciated how low-impact this was. I'm pretty out of shape and deal with back issues, and I had zero discomfort the entire time. It was a beautiful fall night and such a memorable experience. I'd absolutely come back again, but bring my partner with next time. read more

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We were looking for dog friendly places to take my pup and this sounded like a fun way to explore the area! Your dog must be leashed for safety reasons (obviously) - they provided a floor mat so he had a comfy place to sit while we pedaled. After a brief safety presentation, you basically just take off. I do wish they provided some audio narrations about the area as you passed by it, but you are basically left to your own devices. The view was nice - you go through a forest and then are next to the river, so you get a good mix of views. The rail does go through a residential area, so be mindful of your noise! At the end of the rail, they make everyone get off for around 15-20 minutes so they can turn the carts around. The tour does take 2 hours so plan accordingly. They do provide hot drinks while you are waiting for your tour time to begin, but I wish they provided some snacks too. Bathrooms are very clean and they have a fire pit to keep you warm! read more

Rail Explorers - Catskills Division - Tours Near Me - Phoenicia, New York

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Charlie, Alex, Luc, Puma and the crew were awesome. Their energy made the event fun. If you're in the area and thinking of going, it's worth it! Just be prepared for the workout! read more

Highly recommend Rail explorers- Catskills. The team here are organized and excellent at customer service from check in to all the team along the trail. Special shout out to Sam whose energy is amazing! . We were celebrating our mother's 80th birthday and they made it so much fun for her with shout outs and a gift at the end for her. The scenery is beautiful. We would love to return in the fall to see the beautiful foliage. 5/5!!! Don't hesitate to book!!! read more

Rail Explorers - Catskills Division - Tours Near Me - Phoenicia, New York

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My group booked in advance before traveling upstate for a few days. We had a lot of fun. Prepare for a big leg workout, it was nearly 8 miles. I would definitely come back! read more

Your entire family needs to do this at least once in every state it offers. Im happy to report that I'm a local, and I think the staff here will beat out the rest anyway. Great group of people from check in to the rails, the intersections, the banter...I'm so glad I finally got to experience this "at home". No wonder its always sold out read more

Rail Explorers is such a fun time, and if you find yourself in Phoenicia or the surrounding area, you have to come check this out. The experience is really some great exercise with the bikes, and a beautiful bike through the mountains, over train tracks, along the river, through the woods, and exploring the beauty of New York. The cars are lined up upon arrival, and you can choose for a 4 seater or 2 seater, and then when you starting rolling, you start cycling. It's a work on the legs, and the electric button doesn't really help much, but you're having so much fun and enjoying the sights you don't even notice it. Friendly people, nice gift-shop, good photo ops, and if you get to do it on a cool day, bring a sweatshirt, a hot day, bring some water. Loved Rail Riders read more

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Let me just tell you...If you thought it was going to be a typical ride through nature, you were wrong. Step into the magic school bus of the rail explorer of the Catskills. If you ever wanted to experience Mario kart IRL then sign us up. The workers are incredible. They even have teleportation skills. They put Santa's helpers to shame. Make sure you practice your Choo choo skills cause you'll be blasting through the catskills. This is the Choo Choo experience of the Catskills. Dont miss out read more

Not sure how I first heard about this (must've been a random Yelp review that caught my eye) but as part of a weekend getaway the family thought it would be worth checking out and... it most certainly was. Early autumn, the sun is still rising as the crew is getting the 'train cars' ready, it was just in the mid-80's at home the day before but now it's barely 50-degrees and you're underdressed and second-guessing this endeavor. But before you know it Oscar is giving your group a presentation on safety and dos and don'ts and once you're secure in your seat... you're traveling down train tracks with some of the most gorgeous scenery you'll ever lay your eyes on and that nip in the air is no longer an issue. The first half of the adventure - pretty smooth, not all that much pedaling (we had a 4-seater, the 2-seaters seemed to have to work more than us) and "end of the line!" - time to stretch your legs, snap some pics, and wait for the workers to get those cars "rearranged" so we can head back. The journey back?  Much harder all around.  My legs were working hard and the cars have some eBike technology so it'll help you - but it was still a decent workout.  (And you've started to sweat and can't even remember it being so cold at the crack of dawn that you were buying sweatshirts in the gift shop so your kids can warm up before the adventure was going to start.) All the workers: awesome.  Their energy and dedication was infectious.  (And the first time we had to cross the highway with the boom gate coming down and car traffic stopping - the workers were using a train whistle - available at their gift shop! - which was one of the funniest things ever - and it sounded legit!) Pretty fairly priced for a family of four for about two hours-ish of seeing a decent swath of Upstate New York. A bit corny and silly to do (especially when you catch a glance of someone's unamused face in a car or truck that's gotta wait for us to cross before they can continue to their destination)?  Yup. But it was a whole lotta fun as well.  (We would definitely do this again at one of their other locations.) read more

Rail Explorers - Catskills Division - ''Adventures don't come calling like unexpected cousins calling from out of town. You have to go looking for them.'' - Tours Near Me - Phoenicia, New York

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Ok. Did the four seater and it was totally awesome! Booked our rail explorers tour online and it was so easy! All you have to do is search their calendar, book your day (highly recommend the sunset tour, SO pretty) and fill out the waiver right at your fingertips! Make sure to get there 30 minutes before your departure time to make sure you are able to check in since it does get pretty packed. We got there 15 minutes before and it was super easy. I'd definitely say to make sure to use their restrooms before you go since 2.5 hours are a long time to risk it. Also, 2.5 hours flew pretty fast!!!! Such a fun, safe, experience for all ages. Must be at least 16 (I think that's what I heard from the guide but don't quote me on it lol). Dogs are allowed! I'll make sure to bring my furry baby next time. I only saw in a bag/tote/carrier. Not just like loose or anything otherwise he might get hurt. There's a little basket thingie too to place your small belongings. You can bring snacks and drinks. Adult beverages make it even more fun! The total was 8 miles round trip but if you book the 4 person one you honestly can almost get away with no pedaling (may or may not have snitched on myself. Oops). Bottom line: extremely fun, safe, outdoor, covid friendly experience to do with your significant other or with your friends. Highly recommend and will definitely be coming back! read more

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9/2024  We took 2.5 hour tour. It was a lot of fun.The cars are power assist, so you don't have to be an olympic cyclist to have a good time. I'll suggest bringing a water bottle, hat & sunscreen. Also Phoenicia is in BFE. T-Mobile has zero service, but their train station has free Wi-Fi.  They had 3 guides on the trip. No awkward tipping (I have tip fatigue). read more

Memorial Day weekend in catskills with my girlfriends and it was amazing. I saw this on TikTok so I went and booked this. They come in either 2,4 or 6 seater. We booked the 4 seater for 4pm and it was the perfect sunny cloudy day. They said rain or shine the tour continues. It's basically 1 hour there and 1 hour back so a total of 2 hours ride. I love the view and it was so beautiful. It was great seeing the nature, love the waterfalls and even spotted few ppl fishing. I highly recommend this. Wish the tour was a circle but I had such a blast. It was the highlight of my trip! read more

My close friends, my wife and I went on a camping trip at Livingston Manor, NY, prior to the camping we were looking for an adventure or something to do near the area and found this. Their rail bike adventure in in Phoenicia, NY but they also have other place of business including Boone Iowa, Cooperstown, NY and a few more. This is something that we have not tried yet, it looks interesting and fun, so we made reservations for the whole camping group (22 people in all). It is affordable and not expensive. We made sure that our schedule for this experience was in the morning so that it will not be too hot and difficult to ride their pedal-powered "rail explorers. From the campground, we started our trip going to this place without cellphone connection (no GPS APP) so we just have to travel and drive for miles before we got out phone GPS APP working. We got there with about 30 minutes to spare before it was our turn to ride, everybody in the group were so excited. The pedal-powered "rail explorers" can be double or quad, my wife and I went in a quad with another friend couple. The employees on this business has given all of us costumers enough instructions and precautions for the safety of everybody. The ride was 8 miles round trip, halfway we had to stop, on the first leg of the trip my wife and I were at the front of the quad and on the second half we were at the back. It was fun, unique, enjoyable, easy to pedal, leisurely. It was a very good, incomparable adventure. read more

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Beautiful scenery staff is great had a great time love the Catskills definitely would go again

We did the nighttime version which is fun but shorter. You all wait as a group and then they send you off one by one, we weee at the front on the outbound leg, you can pedal the thing pretty fast and it's power assisted. Then when you arrive at halfway point you get out and can relax for half an hour while everyone else arrives and then they turn the cars on the track which is fun to watch. They lit fires and people played corn hole and hung around. Coming back in the car was fun and the cars have lights. We took turns to peddle super fast but don't think you need to work too hard if you don't want to. We left at 8.30 and got back about 10. There are a couple of roads to get there and it's right next to Phoenicia. read more

I purchased tickets late and ended up paying for two four seaters for 5 people. Expensive yes, but worth the experience to view the Catskills in this unique way. When we arrived they were able to swap us into a four seater and two seater, so we didn't have to carry extra weight with us but I wish they had advertised this option so I could have paid less - oh well! In our group were my elderly parents, my husband and I, and my toddler. I was worried that we would be carrying the weight, but it was so easy - and this was with my toddler and father not pedaling at all. We were primarily down hill and when going back up hill they had a motorized accelerator that did work for us. The only time we really needed to make effort was when we had to stop at a crossing and start back up again. They also attached our two carts so we could ride together. I would absolutely recommend rail explorers at any city they are established in that you might be visiting. The staff are AMAZING! Kind fun and so hardworking to make your experience a unique one. read more

Rail Explorers - Catskills Division - Tours Near Me - Phoenicia, New York

This place was super fun! Worth the trip! Also the staff were helpful and fantastic!!! Shout out to those working there yesterday! Awesome crew!! The views were also incredible since we took the 6:30 PM slot so we saw the sunset! read more

Saw this during the pandemic and been wanting to try it. Did not disappoint. Bikes are smooth and easy to pedal. Total trip is about 8 miles and it does take about 2 hours. The staff are super safe and friendly as well. Lastly, did the evening ride last night and admittedly it was dark and cold. Next time will choose a day ride AND during warmer weather. I'm pretty sure that the experience is more pleasant during the day. read more

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This is more of an activity for a family with small children. My girlfriend bought tickets for this for my birthday weekend in the Catskills. Riding the rails was cute at first but quickly lost its pizzaz after a few minutes. 90 minutes for 80$ andyou spend just 15 minutes biking one way, stop for 30 minutes and wait for them to turn the bikes around, then pedal 15 minutes back. The seat was also uncomfortable fyi, so bring a pillow or cushion if you decide to go. We also thought there would be more of a scenic view and there would be some kind of history along the way. There was no view outside of a brief look at a creek as you ride by. No history of any kind. We were hoping for Maybe a guide telling us anything interesting about the area. I guess not that much to do out there so if you want to schedule this I guess go for it. We were disappointed and found this to be too pricey for the short ride with nothing to it! read more

We have seen many people riding on the rails around the area. When we looked into it, we thought it would be the perfect activity! We did an evening ride, 630, and it was great. It was cooler by then and very pleasant. Everyone there was super helpful and friendly. You basically pedal on a 4 wheel car while on railroad tracks. It's very easy. Most of the first half is a slight downhill, so not much effort is required. At the halfway point, about 4 miles into the ride, there is a lovely area where they have Adirondack chairs and a nice deck for you to relax while they turn the cars around to head back. We had a blast and we will definitely enjoy back! read more

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Rail Explorers round 2! After an absolutely awesome experience a year ago in Rhode Island, my girlfriend and I ended up concocting a trip to upstate New York back at the end of July. And what can one find up yonder? Why another Rail Explorers track of course! Let's get to riding on the railroad. Well, if you're not aware of how RE works you won't actually be dodging trains. Worry not, all tracks used are (basically) abandoned of regular train traffic meaning you'll only come across your fellow red bike cars in front and/or behind you. I say bike because it's all about the peddling. Being in the mountains this time around, there were plenty of moments where that leg movement was almost unneeded due to gravity. Problem is, going back up once you're down isn't so easy, so these cars are fitted with an electronic pedal assistant for when the gravitational pull becomes a little too strong. Besides that one difference, there were many similarities between this Catskills track and the one in RI. Tons of scenic views of trees, water, and wildlife (we saw a bald eagle!), a turn around station with seating to kick back for a bit to enjoy nature, and a lot of friendly employees from start to finish (I love how they'll ask if you want a picture of yourself on the rail car and happily snap one with your phone). Oh, there was one other little difference (besides the mountain/bay location). We actually crossed a very commonly used road which meant the RE team had access to the railroad crossing features of the intersection. To move quickly, all our cars are linked up and we peddled across like some crazy-looking rail car train (of course I waved at the cars that were stopped). This was a fun addition to the track course that made things just a little more memorable. Overall, Rail Explorers is just unforgettable no matter what happens along the way. It's such an unique experience to have every time you do it. From the scenic views, the active style of the idea, and the friendly employees, Rail Explorers Catskills is just as awesome as it's Rhode Island counterpart. I'd gladly return for another peddling adventure, though I'd love to take round 3 out at the Las Vegas location. Who's with me?! read more

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This was such a pleasurable experience! Our tour guides were helpful and friendly and the ride was such a memorable trip! We had a group of about 20 of us for a birthday trip, and they were very accommodating and welcoming! We absolutely loved it! read more

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Views on views, nature on nature and a great work out too! Who can beat that?! We peddled a total of 8 miles or so burning about 600 cal during this excursion, but don't let that deter you from the great views!! The staff was super cool and safety was a top priority all throughout the trail. There were really no downsides to this excursion just my partner stated the seatbelt kinda jammed her thigh as she peddled, totally fixable and didn't disrupt the fun we had. Its worth the money when visiting the Catskills. Go Go Go!!! read more

Rail Explorers - Catskills Division - Tours Near Me - Phoenicia, New York

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Excellent! Did a shorter trip this time in the evening and it was great! Next time I'll bring some s'mores! Love the addition to having the fire pits going as we stopped at the halfway point to turn around. read more

Very fun! I did the 8:30am tandem bike ride with my boyfriend. Staff was all super friendly, attentive, and good at their job. The ride was pretty, lots of gorgeous scenery with the mountains and the creek right below your side. Slight bit of a workout at times while pedaling, but that is to be expected. Very organized place, and safe. It was a great experience! so many great pictures too. read more

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Has visited Rail Explorers back in late October with my sister and cousins. We had an AMAZING time! We had arrived fairly early and checked-in with Chase. We got to enjoy the grounds which had tons of Adirondack chairs around a fire pit and picnic tables. As well as a cornhole set up and of course we had to play a few rounds. As more people began arriving, the employees were getting rail bikes ready. I do recommend going to the bathroom before the tour starts because there is no bathroom until you back to the starting point. There was a quick orientation period and they showed us about the rail bikes and how to operate them. The rail bikes were all assigned and we found ours. They are either for 2 riders or 4 riders. But can accommodate larger groups by connecting the bikes. After some seat adjusting and brake tests we were off and began peddling away. The scenery and fall foliage was beautiful and there were some nice views throughout the entire ride. Peddling was easy with a group but not everyone needs to be peddle the entire time. There was a lot of inclines so we would just let the rail bike move on it's own as we enjoyed the view. Thankfully the weather worked in our favor as it was nice and sunny and a little cool. This is rain or shine and even provide umbrellas so dress appropriately-- wear layers cause it might be cold and then work a sweat while peddling. We also brought snacks and drinks to enjoy during and also at the half way point by the water. We definitely had a great time Chase and all the other employees were super helpful and friendly throughout the entire ride. I would definitely come back again or go on another Rail Explorers tour in another city. read more

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Great experience and attraction for social distancing, when we went they were booked for 2 months out. Its a train track with these 4 seater (or 2 seater) vehicle you can peddle to move it along. the vehicle has these electric motor on it i think as well so it helps you move along so its not a strenuous activity. We packed lunch/snacks and ate as we peddle along enjoying the scenario. you also cross an actual road where the staff would lower than gates as if we are a real train passing through. We would pause before the road and sync all the vehicles back up so we can move quickly as one, then detach after the crossing. Great experience overall read more

Rail Explorers - Catskills Division - Tours Near Me - Phoenicia, New York

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This was a great time, if not exactly what we expected. Many of the other reviewers spoke to what you'll get so I'll focus on the surprises. We booked online the day before we went and decided to do a tandem at 8 am. $99 total seemed very reasonable... As for the unexpected... first, these bikes are loud. Didn't consider it beforehand, but if you're looking for a quiet ride in the woods, this isn't it. Metal wheels on metal rails... it sounded like the worker pushing a dozen shopping carts across the lot. There's some rubber laid on the tracks when you're going through the residential area... it dampens the sound a little but not much. Having a conversation with the person next to you is difficult without yelling. This isn't a complaint... just know what you're getting into. Also, if you're expecting a ride on the side of a mountain with endless views of the Catskills, this isn't it. There are a couple of spots to snap pictures as the mountains are in the background of the creek (better views on the way back) but you're mostly riding through the woods. For anyone reading this who's from Long Island like me, this reminded me a lot of the Bethpage bike trial as you're riding through the Massapequa preserve. Again, not a complaint... just not what we expected going in. The creek running by the rail is beautiful and clear. The workers work really hard... it was at times unbelievable how there would be a street you had to cross and one of the guys would be flagging down traffic, and then a mile down there would be another crossing and the same guy had beat us there. As others have mentioned there's also an actual railroad crossing with gates where they link all the bikes and you cross the highway as a single train and hold up traffic. We did the 8 AM tour and we were glad we did. It was in the mid 60s when we started and in the high 70s and climbing when we finished a little over two hours later. It may very well have been a miserably hot ride later in the day, though most of the ride is in shade. The electric assist is helpful... basically as long as the person in the e-seat keeps peddling (even gently) the assist keeps going. The difference with the e-assist is noticeable, especially going uphill on the way back. As long as you can keep your legs moving, you can handle this ride even if you're not in the greatest shape (I'm not and there were people in much worse shape than me doing just fine). Again, even with the little surprises and differences from what we expected we had a great time and would do it again. read more

If you haven't been to a Rail Explorers location, you're missing out! After a beautiful, easy 2-hour drive from Stamford, CT, we arrived at the Catskills division just under the 15 minutes recommended prior to your tour start. We checked in with a super friendly host who went through the state-mandated COVID questionnaire. Although this is an outside tour, it was comforting to see the precautions. After we checked in we were asked to wait outside until we were called over. There is a trailer-style men's and women restrooms that have a sign posted clearly asking for 1 person in the restroom at a time. The restroom normally hold 4 people, so the precaution was a nice add. Soap and paper towels were well-stocked and there was an abundance of hand sanitizer stations on the grounds. As we waited to start you could see the staff carefully and thoroughly sanitizing all of the rail explorers. When the group was called together for the debrief everyone was asked to put masks on. The staff clearly laid out the procedures for the day and the steps required for safely riding the rails. Each rail explorer was clearly marked with the family name, so there was no scrambling to find a spot. The rail explorers are equipped with a small bin that easily holds a backpack or small cooler. The seats are comfortable and slide forward to ensure you can easily and comfortably reach the pedals. There is a seatbelt to strap you in. As we waited for departure the friendly staff engaged us with questions about where we were from. Once we were off there was a feeling of exhilaration. The sound the rail explorers makes on the steel tracks is reminiscent of that train rail sound that makes a train a train! The rail explorer was pretty easy to pedal and move. There is a convenient throttle attached to a battery should the grade get too difficult to pedal or if you simply want to stop pedaling. The hand brake is hydraulic, similar to a bike brake and is manned by only one person in the party. To my comfort, the rail explorers stopped easily with a pulp of the brake. Throughout the tour we crossed various road crossings that were all manned by staff. When we crossed a major roadway they had us all stop prior to the crossing, linked us up like a multi-car train and turned the railroad crossing signals on and lowered the gates. It was so cool to pedal as one long train. Right after the crossing they unlinked us. At the end of the one-way track they ask you to get off of the rail explorers. This takes places in the woods under cover of the trees and along a creek. They invite you to take a path down to the water or to simply sit at any number of benches or Adirondack chairs, all nicely socially distanced. This is a great time to enjoy an energy bar and a water, so make sure you plan ahead! The staff uses a small hydraulic plate that lifts the rail explorers and allows them to turn them around, so that you can bike back to the start. After the rail explorers were turned around, the staff carefully sanitized the seats and handles. Very thoughtful! If you're wondering if this activity is appropriate for kids it is! As long as they can pedal a bike, they can participate. There were plenty of kids on this tour and they all seemed to be having the time of their lives. I hands down recommend this experience to everyone! We hope to travel to the other locations in Rhode Island, and Las Vegas! We especially appreciate the thoughtful COVID precautions and know you will, too! As I mentioned earlier, don't let a long drive hold you back. Traffic was easy and the sights are beautiful. If you're coming from NYC it's worth the drive to get out into nature. Do not miss this exciting activity! read more

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Friendly, informative and welcoming staff (they even offered to take our pictures). The views were pretty cool. I enjoyed watching the river rapids and huge mountains pass by, but hearing the loud noises that the carts make when riding made the ride a little less enjoyable. Also bring water for the ride peddling does become a little tiring after an hour. read more

Rail Explorers - Catskills Division - Catskills Rail explorers - Tours Near Me - Phoenicia, New York

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Alright, one piece of advice for anyone who's never been here. Make sure you are used to leg exercise before coming here, because you're going to do a lot of pedaling here. My family and I definitely had fun here while getting in our leg exercise for the day. It really was a nice relaxing ride through the forest while viewing the great scenery and river in the area. If you are in the area, especially near Woodstock, this should be one of your stops. I feel like this is a great hidden tour stop if you are ever in the area! read more

A friend had done the similar rail explorers in Coopertown, which looked amazing from the photos. We booked this one thinking it was the same as the other one (it wasn't). The trail itself is not that difficult but it would also be a lot of work on a person if you book with half your vehicle occupancy being kids. We were two adults in a two seater. My legs got a full workout from the experience. The trail starts off downhill so at first you feel so great having gravity do some of the work for you. First it goes alongside the roadway, past the famous diner, and then you cross the roadway and go by the creek and past the residential neighborhood which is a "quiet zone". I found that to be ironic because there is nothing silent about the clanking of the rails. The staff are friendly and help with each major crossing. The views however leave more to be desired. I thought they were going to be better than they were but there isn't that much to see on this stretch of old train. There is a good amount of shade on the route once you get past the main road and into the residential area. If you are a scared of insects landing on you or flying by you, I urge you to wear some bug repellent. I had the lovely experience of some giant winged insect on my upper arm and then also some type of thing on the back of my neck. If it rains there are umbrellas provided on each car. It also provides good sun protection. At the end of the trail there is small resting area with chairs and there is a 15 minute break while the staff switch the direction of the cars for the return ride. If you brought light snacks, this would be a good time to refuel. On the way back, they turn on the motor assist to help while pedaling. It is what it sounds like: it assists. So if you do not pedal, it cannot assist. It gets you a little farther if you take turns biking like we did. The bike has a basket for you to place your things in. Please do not bring too many items, as there is no point in adding more weight to the bike and increases the risk of things getting lost/ flying off during the course. I did observe some covid precautions: they wiped down the cars before the next group. I was paranoid so I wiped them down again myself. The whole experience was about two hours, late afternoon. Their evening sunset times book up fast so we opted for a little earlier. The staff are very friendly and directed us to where we could find food. A lot of the shops up here are closed on some weekdays (maybe they don't get enough business to stay open). We ended up at Brio's. Don't forget to take photos of the old trains displayed at the start of the tracks. read more

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This was so much fun! It's exhausting, but a really interesting idea and good exercise, lol.

If you love the outdoors and some exercise this is five stars for sure! They have a nice air-conditioned, premium porta potty. You wear rubber wristbands as admission tickets. You can ride with two people or four people. I rode with three kids between the ages of seven and ten and it was no problem. You need one person 16 years or older per car. One person has to operate the handbrake which is no big deal. Seats are adjustable. 4 miles out and four miles back for a total of 8 mi. You stop halfway and they turn the cars around. The turnaround takes about 10 minutes. I would estimate the whole trip takes about 2 hours. Lots of shade along the trail. There are two umbrellas provided with each railcar. You can definitely use those if there is a stop in the Sun. Pack a snack for the Midway point along with some water. We wore sunblock and bug spray as a precaution. A great family activity with all their grandparents or young children. read more

This is a lot of fun and a very unique experience. The scenery is beautiful, the reclining bike is easy to use and the staff are very accommodating. This is a great activity to do for families and couples. The only reason I am not giving five stars is that we were running very late, on the return trip all the bikes were joined together, as opposed to peddling alone at your own pace. I would have much preferred to peddle with my husband and the return trip felt very rushed. All in all it was well worth the trip and I will be riding the Newport Rhode Island rail explorers next! read more

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Definitely plan a trip to Phoenicia for this! The staff is incredible. Not only do they know what they're doing, they are professional, funny, inviting & genuine! The Rail Explorers provides a clean, professional & beautifully scenic experience. The ride takes about two hours & is about 8miles round-trip. It's not terribly strenuous: fairly flat terrain. The rail bikes do have a battery powered assist, which is nice for anyone who wants to use it. As an added bonus, there is a small Railroad Museum on the same train yard with beautiful artwork, dioramas of what that specific spot has meant to New York history & very invested staff. If you want to make a full day of a trip, there are many food, beverage & entertainment options nearby. I will definitely be planning a more extensive trip back for camping, tubing, rail biking & just enjoying the area. read more

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What a way to see spend a few hours. Exploring creek side, beautiful site, a bit of wildlife &, for us on a night ride, tons of lightning bugs. An out-of-the-ordinary bit of fun. The brownies & cocoa were a nice treat. And the pedaling is fine - there's a bit of a power assist when there's an incline. (Read: very small - do t be startled). read more

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I think this would be a really fun thing to do with kids but it wasn't what I expected. Total time on the bikes is probably like 45 minutes which is fun, but the majority of the ride you are cycling right next to the highway you drove to get to the starting place. Then you ride through the woods behind a residential neighborhood, not quite the mountain adventure I was imagining. The pedaling itself is easy, not tiresome, and the staff was great. It just felt like a clown car parade. read more

Rail Explorers - Catskills Division - Woods - Tours Near Me - Phoenicia, New York

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