Omg this was an amazing train ride!!! They recommend getting hear early so you can eat and get ready to board, you can't bring in outside food but you can bring in anything you had purchased in there cafeteria standard food cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, chicken sandwich, chicken wrap, salad everything you purchased came with a side of fries or chips or I believe it was coleslaw maybe potato salad. He just got to pick one side and it came with a soda as well Priced at $20, food was like amusement park food that did the job On the train you get adult lunch a bowl lol Cheese crackers grapes and a brownie we also did a champagne toast before the train left the station that was included, all the train cars have a bar and bartender very knowledgeable withbartending, and the lay of the land and what was going on with scenery and inside the train Sets were incredible comfortable to be honest the last half hour it put me to sleep the best nap I had in years thanks to the rocking of the train We definitely want to go in the evening for a night time tour We will definitely be back and highly recommend!!! read more

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Get to facility early for food, drinks and restrooms. Clarkdale Car is beautifully restored. Grandt, Josh and Charley did a marvelous job, excellent service, very knowledgeable and very entertaining. Great explaining the history and geology of the area. Food and Drinks were absolutely enjoyable. Highly recommend! We will be back. read more

Verde Canyon Railroad - Verde Canyon - Tours Near Me - Clarkdale, Arizona

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What an Amazing Time!!! We went Friday the 13th the day before Valentines for their Chocolate Lovers Train Ride!! WOW!!! So well organized, and what an Incredible Staff!! Chris our Bartender on Sedona that day was so Fun!! Genuinely enjoyed his job and the people for sure- which makes the experience!!! Fantastic train- tidy and it's obvious they invest back into it!! The food was plentiful and delicious!! The cheese and meat offerings with goodies and then a box filled with tasty treats!! We were expecting one each for us to share- nope! We each had one of each-so, you definitely don't need to eat before hand!! The views were fantastic and we saw wild turkeys and even a few Eagles!! Magical!! The experience isn't cheap but it's worth every penny and more!!! We loved our Experience!! Kudos guys at Verde Canyon Railroad!! read more

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This was my 3rd time on the sunset train ride and I always recommend it to everyone! So much fun for anyone who loves train rides, history, nature, and/or just feeling the fresh air in the outdoor carts. Andy and Chris were our attendants this trip and were phenomenal! It's 4 hours round trip so reserve enough time and enjoy the views!! read more

Verde Canyon Railroad - Tours Near Me - Clarkdale, Arizona

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Had a great morning on the train! The charcuterie board was the perfect amount of food to enjoy during the ride but they also have additional beverages and some snacks for purchase. The couches on the train were super comfy and the mix of music and interesting facts about the area was great. I really liked that you could go out to the open air viewing car at anytime vs. having to pay for a ticket to be either inside or outside the entire time. read more

Verde Canyon Railroad - Complimentary charcuterie board - Tours Near Me - Clarkdale, Arizona

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It was fun and entertaining! We enjoyed the ride and sat across from a couple closer to our age. Snacks (charcuterie type snacks) provided for each patron with a champagne toast. Waiters were very informative too. read more

Verde Canyon Railroad - Tours Near Me - Clarkdale, Arizona

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I highly recommend if you are in the area to take the time for this. This is a 4 hour ride so be prepared to spend your day. We got the food voucher and at first was a little unimpressed with the cafe, but Oh my, the food was so good. We got there about 2 hrs early to be able to eat and check out the shop. I had a turkey sandwich which was huge and my hubby got the breakfast burrito, also huge. We planned this trip to celebrate out anniversary. It was a very smart choice. The people are so friendly. We were just kind of standing around checking out the train before boarding. We were greeted by numerous employees giving us information. This one man came walking past seemed to be in a hurry. He stopped and asked us if we were going on the train and introduced himself as the general manager Chris. What a nice guy, chatted with us for about 5 minutes then went on with his things he needed to do. Throughout the day you would see him on the train communicating with his people. The train was so nice inside. We had a table for 2 right next to the window. There are also small couches for larger groups. Plenty of room to be comfy. You also have an outdoor car that is shaded and just for you and one other car so it's not too crowded. Our car attendant Josh was so great. He was very informative and REALLY loves his job. They serve you champagne and charcuterie tray. They do have non-alcoholic options for the toast prior to start of the ride. There is also an open bar with pretty much anything you might want. The scenery is amazing. There is also an attendant in the outside car, his name was Mike, and super nice too. Not as talkative as Josh but that's ok. After the ride we stopped off at the Wine Tasting area. It was a little crowded but with a little patience we got up to do our tasting. Oh and look there was Chris again helping out resupplying the wines and cups. He even remembered us when I said Hi. You get a commemorative wine glass and 4 samples of wine. You pick which ones you want. The wines were local wines and pretty good. The gift shop had some nice things in it. We just grabbed our refrigerator magnet though LOL. Over all a wonderful experience and we will definitely do it again. Have a few friends and family I would love to share this experience with. Oh and not too pricey either. We paid under $200 a person for 4 hr ride, lunch and wine. read more

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One of THE best things to do in Cottonwood AZ area! Hands down, this is 100% enjoyable, relaxing, informative, and food and drinks in every car! This is a refreshing respite into the AZ countryside with completely refurbished cars, fully air conditioned and outside cars to enjoy the views and fresh air. Discounts are available; just ask! The historical trip they guide you through is so very worth it and the Guides point out the timelines of AZ's past, what went on etc. We did the evening ride and we personally loved that! Seeing the setting sun through the Canyon was epic if not a million Kodak moments. While the trip and food cost a few bucks, nothing was undesirable and the on-train food was a complete delight and had numerous items with fresh fruit. Tons of pictures to be had and just a very fun way to enjoy vast landscapes that truly take you back to an earlier mindset envisioning what it must have been like, all on authentic, fully restored early 1900 trains. Gotta come do this! read more

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I can't say enough positive things about our experience with Verde Canyon Railroad. Our guide, Brent was fantastic! He was so knowledgeable, enthusiastic and personable. Outside of the stunning views, he was the highlight of our trip! Highly recommended this experience for all! read more

We have ridden the train several times on the regular cars but this time we opted for the caboose. All I can say is that if you can afford it do it. The views are better and there are a lot less people to fight over outdoor space with. You also get your own attendant, we had Tracy, very friendly and informative, and a great bartender. There are some interesting spots to take pictures and get views from. You can actually be at the very end of the train and there are also some seats you climb up a little to see the top of the train called cupolas. Seating is for 6. You also have your own bathroom. read more

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During check in, greeted and presented with tickets. Walked around gift shop n food area, had to pull a table into corner for shade. Ended up getting chicken tenders(5-6) and fries/bbq sauce $19 decent sized for price. Train loaded 15 minutes prior to departure, meet Ryan waiter on train and Bryan outside car instructor. Both gentlemen were friendly and polite. Ended up buying waters during trip home $2-20oz smart water w/cup of ice. At first thought it was kinda expensive $139 per person and no discounts-4 hours, beautiful scenery and people we encountered, pleasant ride and ok (warm weather) I could do it again. Suggestions: earlier departure time am to see wildlife or sunset ride to see wildlife. Maybe a senior or 2nd return discount, preferred seats(choice), a couple more crackers for the amount of cheese/meats you get. read more

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Very nice people in all areas of this business--just so nice, helpful, and accommodating The rail trip itself was ...underwhelming. The river is quite pretty when it is seen, the outside scenery is repetitive and sporadically interesting, and the trip itself is relaxing in the same way that one resigns themself to an oil change--you gotta do it so you just sort of wait for it to be over and hope nothing prolongs the appointment. Honestly, the swaying of the train did induce and a nice and somewhat brief nap making this the most satisfyingly expensive snooze I've ever taken. And I wasn't alone considering there were other passengers resting comfortably...seating, food, drink on the train good and enjoyable. Buying the food ticket is not recommended as it is over-priced. It was a one and done for us. read more

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This was a cool experience! You board a train attached to a covered outside area where you can see the scenery. We got lucky and did it on a great weather day! It got hot here and there, but we were able to go back inside the cart to sit in air condition when that happened! You got a little charcuterie to snack on and a full service bar. I'd definitely recommend bringing on a few sit down activities! Scenery is beautiful but it is a 4 hour train ride and there's only so much scenery you can look at before it all starts looking a little similar. The train does go back and forth on the same path. So if you miss anything the first two hours, you'll pass it by again the last two hours! read more

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We four Canadians thoroughly enjoyed the train ride April 10, 2026. Stunning scenery on the ride and very comfortable and relaxing with a nice complimentary chartucherie snack and Champaigne which was very nice. Our host on the Phoenix was Michelle (we called her Ashley #2 as she so resembled our daughter-in-law) was amazing and the gentleman host outside our cabin was so knowledgeable. We thoroughly enjoyed this experience and will encourage other travel friends to come experience this scenic and fun train ride. Doug & Shirley Folden Canada read more

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The Magical Christmas Train ride is truly magical! It's an hour long and full of Christmas magic. Our host elf, Pickles was amazing and super engaging with the kiddos and the adults They serve food at the station and plenty of hot chocolate and adult beverages on board. A visit from Santa truly made the night special for our family. I highly reccomend booking in advanced because it does get busy around the holidays. read more

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A delightful journey. Aside from the fact the parking may fill up if one arrives later, we don't see any reason to be at the station 90 minutes early, unless you plan on eating, having a drink or shopping the giftshop. Aside from that, the staff was very friendly and explained the boarding process. The on-board staff was delightful. They were quite knowledgeable about the canyon, history, geology, and the local flora and fauna. Shout-out to Shine and Greg onboard. The charcuterie box was perfect and the bottle of water much appreciated. It was fun to toast our departure with a complementary glass of champagne or apple.cider option. The outdoor car is a great way to really see the canyon. We chose the sunset trip and enjoyed dusk colored over the canyon, an amazing sunset in Perkinsville, and star gazing on the way back. This is our third time on the train over the years. read more

My wife and I enjoyed our time.. the train ride, wine tasting. Drinks and charcuterie on the train was awesome!! Will def recommend to anyone wanting to try something different! read more

THE BEST NAP OF MY ENTIRE LIFE. Let me explain.... While the views are stunning and the guides entertaining and knowledgeable, my family spent our train ride two ways - my husband and daughter mainly on the outside open air car talking with others and listening to the history and my son and I ended up falling asleep for an hour and a half to the gentle sway of the train car, the sunlight thru the windows, the extremely comfortable couch and the excellent selection of soothing music. I am not someone who naps regularly, neither is my 11 year old son but we both agreed it was "the nap of our lives" that can probably not soon be topped. I would take the ride again if only for that. The charcuterie was cute and a perfect amount and would definitely recommend the couches. Highly recommend taking this ride even though it's a little pricey - it's worth it. Bonus - if you nap (12/10 star idea) you go the same way back so you can catch what you missed at that point. read more

Verde Canyon Railroad - The sway of the train is so gentle it rocks you to sleep like a newborn baby - Tours Near Me - Clarkdale, Arizona

This is a tough review for me to write. First impression once seated on the train was really unfortunate. However enough other stuff to bring up the score and prevent a really TO'ed guest. Team was friendly and greeted us as we boarded. Car was divided with big cushy couches and tables for two (with chairs) on the other side of the isle. Now my supreme disappointment..."large panoramic windows" yep that's what it said...see the image of our large panoramic window...aka wall. View totally blocked, nothing, nada, just a big wall. What saves it was they have open air cars you can go out on. Fortunate not too cold so we spent the entire trip standing on the rail or sitting on wood benches: Our attendant, Josselin was great. Clear safety instructions and pointed out things of interest along the way. The other saving grace was the charcuterie tray we all got. Actually glad we just snacked for lunch. So bottom line, great team, great scenery, great snacks, open air cars in decent weather and they left on time. However we didn't get to enjoy our big cushy seats because our seats absolutely sucked because of no window/view. They really should sell those seats as limited view and charge half price because that's what they were worth. Prob a one and done but would confirm we didn't have wall seats if we went again. YMMV... read more

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This was so fun! We went on the starlight ride. There were 4 of us on our "girls trip." The seats were comfortable, complimentary cheese fruit plate with champagne and bottled water. The outdoor car was awesome, wasn't super crowded even though it was sold out. So worth it! Aiden and Tristen (hopefully I'm spelling their names right) were awesome! They were knowledgeable in the historic info and were able to answer questions as the train ride went on. Very personable guys. We asked the best place to see stars after our train ride was over and they both gave us places and directions. Thank you so much for a great experience! read more

Great ride. Plenty of scenery and railroad cars are very comfortable. The ride is a long one so plan on spending the day. Worth the cost and the time. read more

This is definitely a "must do" ... at least once kind of thing! We had family in town from Hawaii (I know!) for spring break and what better thing to do than hop in a train that shows off a beautiful side of AZ that most people don't even know exists? It's a fun way to explore, socialize, and enjoy the views along the way! Train offers comfy seating and a full bar experience for those that need to spruce up the ride! We found discount tickets on Groupon, but turns out that going directly through the RR station is more affordable. It is a bit pricey, but they do include a cute individual charcuterie and champagne/water for the ride. It's recommended you arrive at least an hour in advance so ensure you get your tickets (if not purchased in advance) and perhaps grab a bite to eat at the station eatery. They also have a cute souvenir shop that you can browse through prior to boarding. One important thing to note is that outside food is not allowed on board... However, the charcuterie is surprisingly very filling. The reason I say this is a one time kind of experience is because it's a round trip ride on the same tracks, so the scenery is the same. I guess going during a different season would change it up for those of you that need to it more than once. As for me? The Verde Canyon Railroad is checked off my to-do list. read more

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This train ride exceeded my expectations. Well organized. The team members were excellent. They really enjoy their work. read more

Verde Canyon Railroad - Mountain - Tours Near Me - Clarkdale, Arizona

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This four hour ride along the Verde Valley river was a beautiful and relaxing experience. We did not have cell service so we were able to completely relax and immerse ourselves in nature, history, and the whole train experience. There is a guide in each train car and another one on the outdoor viewing train. Each has its own vibe and is equally cool. My only complaint was the expense. But for a one time trip for four hours in beautiful weather with the fall colors, in the end, I thought it was worth it. We have been to the Sedona area many times and we're looking for something new and different. This was definitely it! I think I would even try it again in spring or winter for a different experience. Special thanks to our guide Christian and I think Sean read more

My friend and I did this in April of 2026, and it was the highlight of our trip to Cottonwood/Sedona. The staff are all so friendly; our tour guide, Andy, and our bartender, Eric, were the best. You receive a great charcuterie board and champagne as you board, and the train cars are so pretty and comfy. You can sit in the open cars, too, and that is lots of fun. The red rock was so pretty, and we loved riding along the river. I can't recommend this enough - great for absolutely everyone! read more

An amazing and fun train ride! When you purchase your ticket you have the option to purchase a meal which you can eat before you board or on the train. But honestly, the charcuterie plate that each individual receives on board was very generous and I'm glad I didn't purchase a meal. The train cars are spacious and each car has their own bartender. Cheryl was our bartender and she was phenomenal!! You can purchase snacks and many adult beverages. There is a 'guide' on the outdoor car explaining everything as we moved. This was a great adventure and I highly recommend it read more

Not going to lie; I saw a reel on Instagram about this railroad, and my mom loves trains, so I planned an entire trip to Arizona for us based on this train ride. We were absolutely not disappointed! 4 hours goes by in a flash when you have Tristan as your guide and Janice as your bartender/server. Those two clearly love their jobs and are there to make sure you have a great time. They were awesome! Our seats were adorable; we had a little two seated table against the windows, and you get actually a pretty substantial charcuterie tray with champagne for a snack. They also have sodas and other drinks and snacks for sale, but we spent basically the whole trip viewing the scenery from the outside train car. The spring weather was gorgeous, although I imagine it gets pretty hot in the summer, but the trains are air conditioned. Absolutely loved the whole experience, except there is no reason whatsoever to get there 2 hours ahead of time. 45 minutes is ample; the gift shop is small and so is the museum. read more

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Had a memorable experience here for the Christmas North Pole train experience. We were a party of 13 and we booked our tickets online a few weeks prior. The day of, we arrived and quickly checked in. The worker was friendly and had our tickets ready at the counter. The patio area was well decorated and you could feel the Christmas vibes. The bar area was open for drinks and they had characters walking around. The bathrooms were clean and there was plenty of stalls. The train ride was comfortable, spacious, and nicely warm. The elves (workers) did a great job keeping everyone entertained and festive throughout the ride. There was a drink station and hot chocolate was being served ($3). We were allowed to head outside once the train was on the move and we quickly made it to the "north pole." The train did not stop but it was slow enough for pictures. The displays and lighting at the north pole and throughout the ride could've definitely been a lot better - I wasn't too impressed... On our way back, the workers passed out reindeer boogers (jellybeans) and all broke loose. They didn't specify who would get some and they seemed to pick and choose who received them. Some of my family members got some and some did not - not fair. In total, the ride was about an hour long, 30 mins in each direction. Once we made it back to the station, we stopped by the gift shop and headed on out. Definitely worth the visit and good for children! Staff was great! read more

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Went with a group of friends as a zero day of rest from hiking Sedona. Was pleasantly surprised as to how well organized it was. Clean cars with comfortable seats and a crew that was very attentive. They supply a little charcuterie box lunch and have a bar in each car as well as an open seating area outside. Seats are assigned so no worry about having to find a spot. The crew tries to make it fun by providing interesting narration of the local history and sites. Shout out to our two hosts, Christian and especially Bri who made us feel very welcome. It was a perfectly relaxing outing and a great opportunity to rest up for our next days hike and adventures. No need to get there as early as they recommend but I would allow some time to explore the town of Cottonwood and it's Main Street on your way in to Clarksdale. read more

We were looking for something new to do to get out of the valley and see more of the state, so a quick day trip up to Sedona/cottonwood sounded nice. Typically, we are in the cottonwood area sipping on wines from vineyard to vineyard, but for a 4 hour ride on a train through the area AND wine? Sounded even better. The price is a little steep at $125 pp before tax/fees for the basic package which includes a little bottle of Cook's brut to cheers as the train pulls out of the station. It also includes a little charcuterie box of cheese and crackers which was nice to snack on along the route. We also found out that you can also bring your food that you ordered from the cafe in the gift shop to eat on the train as well. You can see below the prices for that... also pricey at $19 for chicken tenders (and all the other options too). Even more expensive than being at a concert where you're DYING and would pay anything to eat something. However, you are not able to bring drinks that you purchase at the bar at the station. As a federally regulated train, it is similar to being at the airport. You can bring food on, but alcohol consumed on the train must be purchased on the train. We both love history and were very excited to learn and hear more about the area and the train. Tristian was the guide in the open air cart and he did a great job of pointing out things of interest along the ride. He had to repeat himself 3-4 times depending on how many people were out there at one time. I think it would be very helpful for those outside guides to have a mic and some sort of speaker system so he didn't have to repeat so many times and rush to make sure he was able to point everything out. There was a bit of narration inside as well, but it was pretty quiet so you aren't able to hear much of it. I wish there was more shared about the history of the area, the native people, the plants in the area, significance of certain rocks. It was more "Oh! There's a rock shaped like a turtle, elephant, frog, etc." It felt like cloud gazing. Tristian did point out the monocline fold and the cave dwelling which were really neat and wished more of the train ride included information like that. The train does not turn around, the engine detaches from the front then comes around to the caboose to reattach to bring the train back to the station. That being said, the better view is on the side of the seats, not the couches. The couches are very comfortable, but if that ends up being your seat, I'd suggest spending most of the ride in the outside cart so you're able to see everything. read more

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I thought overall the experience was ok. Probably not worth the price. I will start by saying the bartender/ guide Michael was outstanding! He was very informative, kept our table clean and supplied us with drinks and whatever we needed. Andy the other guide was also outstanding. The people working the train were wonderful. However, I was disappointed right off when we got to our assigned seats. I was picturing the couch that I saw on the website but we were assigned a bistro table. I'm not sure how they determine seat assignments but I'm guessing since we were a party of 2 they put us at a table since a lot of the people in the couches appeared to know the people across from them. I was picturing a comfortable ride sitting next to my husband. Instead I was at an uncomfortable table across from him and the window next to me was a little behind me so I had to crane my neck for 4 hours. I will say that I think we probably had a better view at the table since we were sitting higher and on the more scenic side of the train. The train moves very slow. There's no reason for the ride to take a long as it does. The scenery was pretty but not a lot of variety. It wasn't as scenic as I imagined. The view up and back is the same. I thought the train would at least turn around so we would see the other side on the way back. Not so. You will see the same side both ways. If it wasn't hot out I would have spent more time in the open air car, but shade was scarce and it was too hot to be out there long. I would recommend doing this in the cooler months like late fall so you can enjoy the open air car better. All in all it was ok. Not what I expected. read more

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I don't have the most recent experience to post but a honest one I'd like to share. In November 2025, my husband and I had quite the memorable train ride that was very different than most would have the opportunity to experience. With this said, we weren't able to complete our journey but wanted to say how personally thankful we are for the professionalism, quick thinking and just poise this company has. Dan, the VP of operations, will always be a name we remember with a positive story to tell. The staff was helpful, sweet and understanding with the situation and at the end of the night, we honestly could say The Verde Canyon Railroad was awesome! Hope to travel with you again someday soon. read more

We went on the Magical Christmas Journey train ride at the Verde Canyon Train. It was definitely geared for young children and many families were riding the train. Our train car had an elf who welcomed everyone aboard and told us what to expect on our ride to the North Pole. There was a lit up tunnel we went through and some light up animals along the way, some desert creatures and some you'd find in the North Pole. The North Pole was set up like a village with lit up buildings with fun names. Elves and Mr and Mrs Claus waved and welcomed you. You could sit indoors or spend some time in an open air car if you wanted. Our car had a bartender who made drinks or non- alcoholic beverages for the guests. The train ride was half hour out and then back, so a total of 60 minutes. While it was cute, we would probably never ride it again unless we were bringing grandchildren along. It was fun to witness the excitement of the younger guests. Oh, Santa also visited on our way back to the station, giving out fun Christmas glasses to wear. read more

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Little monotonous but good food and drink. The guides and bartender were knowledgeable and added a nice touch to the ride

We've been wanting to do this train ride for quite some time and finally had the opportunity to make it to the Verde Canyon Railroad over the weekend. It's about a 2-2.5 hour drive from the Phoenix area (check out construction along the I-17 before you go, and give yourself plenty of time to get there). We arrived about an hour and a half early; parking was easy to find. They have a souvenir shop, a small museum, and a spot you can grab some breakfast before the train ride. Food options were a breakfast burrito, breakfast sandwich, or a pancake on a stick to choose from (entrees came with tater tots & and a fruit cup). There's a place to grab a voucher when you book your tickets for a small discount on the food. The ride itself was nice and scenic! As far as the duration goes, I did think it was a bit long. Based on our experience , this ride is best for when temperatures are cooler so you can spend more time on the outside car and also with a group (for more entertainment). They give you a small bottle of champagne (or sparking apple cider) at the beginning of the trip so you can toast to start the ride. The snack box which is included in the ticket price had 3 different cheeses, salami, pepperoni, and turkey, crackers, a packet of mustard, grapes, apricots, and a brownie. The meat, cheese, and fruit were nice, crackers were ok; I personally didn't care for the brownie. While this was a nice box, I do think for a 4 hour ride, it would've been nice to have a more substantial food option, like cold sandwiches with chips. Alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, & mixed drinks) were available throughout the train ride. At the half way point, they offered a surprise treat which was an ice cream sandwich for $1 or they had a few drink specials; a mudslide, tequila sunrise, or a bottle of wine. My mom got a Bloody Mary which she enjoyed, I had gotten the tequila sunrise which was also good. They gave everyone a bottle of water at the beginning, we didn't ask for additional so not sure if that would've been an extra cost or not. I did see many people who had brought their own water bottles, they had asked everyone to open containers before boarding. Overall, a nice day trip to get out of town and enjoy some nice views of Verde Canyon! The staff members dropped some random facts throughout the course of the ride and mentioned when the more scenic spots were coming up so you could get your cameras ready with plenty of time. If you're going up to Sedona / Cottonwood area, it's worth adding this to your agenda. A bit pricey but worth going at least once! read more

Verde Canyon Railroad - Snack box / Bloody Mary / Tequila Sunrise / views from the train ride. - Tours Near Me - Clarkdale, Arizona

Booking was easy. Everyone was so friendly there's a cute little store for souvenirs with appropriately priced items. I purchased a very cute bangle. We also purchased food from the cafe there and ended up going back twice for their fries! They were so tasty!! Now on the train we boarded the Sycamore cart and Shea was amazing she kept the vibe high and energetic. She interacted with everyone and was very personable! The only feedback I'd give is to maybe shorten the train ride. 4 hours is entirely too long to go 40 miles round trip. At some point it becomes boring. Also requesting guests to get there 2 hrs before departure is nuts. If you're staying in Sedona or Cottonwood...DO NOT go that early! I don't think young kids or teenagers would enjoy this as much as seniors but I did enjoy my experience 100% The complimentary charcuterie and champagne was a great value as well! read more

Verde Canyon Railroad - Tours Near Me - Clarkdale, Arizona

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At the end of the day, my husband and I benefited from the peace and serenity of chugging through the beautiful craggy Arizona landscape in a Verde Canyon Railroad car. But, our adventure didn't start off that well, unfortunately. We got there 1 1/2 hours early, dutifully following the rules, believing that would benefit us in some way. It didn't. The couple in front of me was told that they were being assigned to a newer comfortable car near the front. My husband was parking our car so I walked up and was told I was being sent to the last car before the caboose. Santa Fe, I believe. The Santa Fe attendant said later on that other customers don't get to have the "vintage" experience of riding in that car. The upholstery was worn out and the wallpaper was peeling. We were assigned to sit on some old straight-backed, cushioned bar stools at a small table. We desperately wanted to sit on a couch because a) we both have long legs so we had a hard time getting comfortable and b) we were a bit tired, exacerbated by the long walk to the back of the train. We asked the Santa Fe attendant how seats were assigned and she didn't know. Is it difficult for the check-in clerk to ask you what you prefer when you are there that early? Later on we asked a staff person if we could move; they couldn't find an unbooked couch. We wondered if we could have paid more and she said there's no first or second class seating; everyone is the same. It did not feel that way. The only good thing about arriving early had been that a nice couple from Texas offered to share their table with us as we waited to board. We enjoyed our chat with them. But, that was when I bit into the chicken tender that was anything but. It tasted old and chewy and had a faint cheesy flavor. I threw them all away. However, the fries were fresh and hot; we liked the tasty coating. Since they prohibit bringing your own meal, I suggest eating a light lunch ahead of time. You'll have a delicious, hearty snack waiting for you at your tables onboard the train. We consider ourselves "charcuterie connoisseurs" (kidding) and they were really well done. But, guess what? When you put all comfort aside and sit out on open air car, all of that bothers you in life is obliterated. The adorable attendant whose name I can't remember (she is kind of goth, short, with black hair, piercings, and gorgeous eyes) made it so much fun. She yelled out everything we were about to see. She would go from one side of the car to the other, to make sure everyone heard. She clearly loves her job, and cares deeply for the passengers. We ended up spending most of our time out on that deck, in the beautiful weather, holding on to our hats to ward off the occasional gust of wind. We met more friendly people, too. I thought I would be bored when the train returned back down the same route but instead I found myself exclaiming to my husband "Hey, there's that homestead" or "There are the twins!" I was proud of myself for learning Verde Canyon Railroad trivia. There's nothing like getting that close to the red rocks and all that nature. I was so uptight when it started and four hours later, as we neared the depot, I didn't want it to end. read more

Lots of fun. Full size train and rail system. It is an out-and-back route that includes a tunnel and multiple bridges. Comfortable with both indoor and outdoor seating cars and you have ability to move in or out as often as you like. The complimentary snack is a nice touch. Optional drinks and additional snacks sold separately are reasonably priced. Communication equipment (intercom, announcements, speakers and even human guides) are not very good quality sound as you cannot easily hear what is being said. But, the staff does not seem to answer your one-off questions. read more

This is an amazing and enjoyable train ride deep into red rock country. The staff are friendly and informative. There is comfortable seating inside including sofas when you aren't in the open cars getting the full view. Going in and returning the same way is not a problem as the views are different and you can see stuff you missed going in. read more

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What a unique and fun experience for people of all ages! The daytime views are unmatched, as the land is wild and scattered with all kinds of fascinating history (which the guides will explain throughout the journey). Inside the cars is comfortable seating, snacks, drinks and plenty of windows but in the outdoor cars you catch a nice breeze and really experience the forest. I saw many children abroad and they all had a lovely time; older crowds found plenty of seating and the general energy onboard is camaraderie, so everyone gets lots of photos opps. The day I rode the train the afternoon turned stormy, and as little rain drops fell the cottonwood trees sent flurries of cotton swirling around those of us outside! I plan to return for a summer starlight ride to take in the same views by moonlight. read more

Verde Canyon Railroad - The blue car in the lead going by red rocks. - Tours Near Me - Clarkdale, Arizona