See Kentucky by Rail: Train Trips and Museum’s You’ll Love
State Wide
Across Kentucky, rail experiences take visitors on journeys through time and across diverse landscapes from horse country to Appalachia.
Whether someone is a lifelong train enthusiast or just looking for a unique way to explore, there’s plenty to discover in the Bluegrass State.
Enjoy dinner and views like no other through the My Old Kentucky Dinner Train in Bardstown. The train features restored 1940’s vintage dining cars that provide beautiful views of Kentucky’s rolling hills while serving multi-course meals, bourbon tastings and themed dinners.
Up for some exercise? Pedal through the Kentucky countryside with Rail Explorers Bluegrass in Versailles. Here visitors pedal rail bikes that are specially designed to be operated by people of all ages and abilities as they coast along 10-miles of the most beautiful countryside in the world. The route offers scenic views of hills and thoroughbred horse pastures on the way to Young’s High Bridge which offers views of the historic Wild Turkey Distillery and the Kentucky River.
There are plenty of reasons to visit the Historic Railpark and Train Museum in Bowling Green. Housed in the former Louisville & Nashville Depot, this fun and interactive attraction allows visitors to learn from real conductors, pullman porters and cooks who worked on the historic L&N rail line. After wandering the museum, be sure to check out the RailPark’s five restored railcars.
Right on La Grange’s main street, just north of Louisville, is one of the few remaining street-running train tracks in the country. The tracks pass by the original L&N Depot, which is now home to the La Grange Railroad Museum and Learning Center with a large array of railroad artifacts displays, functioning model train layouts and a large outdoor rolling stock.
In the southcentral Kentucky town known as Stearns, be sure to catch the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. This 16-mile journey on the Kentucky & Tennessee Railway gives a birds’ eye view of some beautiful Kentucky forests. Those who take the trip in the fall will be in for a treat as they are able to take in the forest canopy as it transforms to an unforgettable palate of yellow, orange, and brown.
The railway has many unique excursions throughout the year, including seasonal adventures like the Fall Color Run, Murder Mystery and The Polar Express Train Ride.
More rail heritage thrives in New Haven at the Kentucky Railway Museum. Located in a replica of the original L&N depot, the museum features an exhibit hall filled with artifacts, a large model train layout and memorabilia, in addition to seven historic cars and outdoor displays from the exterior.
Enjoy a 22-mile train ride along the Rolling Fork River Valley. These journeys range from an hour to an entire afternoon. There are themed experiences for everyone in the family including trips on train cars designed to look like the beloved children’s television character, Thomas the Tank Engine™. For the adults, enjoy a relaxed train ride with wine and cheese or test your knowledge during one of the “Trivia on the Rails” excursions.
Whether someone is seeking scenic views, local history or family fun, Kentucky’s train experiences offer something for everyone not to mention a chance to see the Bluegrass State from a new perspective.