Upstate New York Scenic Fall Foliage Train Rides

Sharing is caring!

The most colorful and in my opinion beautiful season of the year draws locals and tourists out to enjoy the various shades of red, yellow, purple, black, orange, pink, magenta during autumn in Upstate New York. From the Mountains to the Finger Lakes region there is no better way to take in all the colors of the beautiful fall foliage and sites than on a train tour.  The tours generally begin in late September and extend to late October to cover the peak of the fall colors in our area.

Catskill Mountain Railroad.

Inside the Catskills Mountain Railroad car
Inside the Catskills Mountain Railroad car Photo Credit Greg Chow via Flickr

There is no better way to experience the spectacular colors of autumn in the Catskills than with a ride on Fall Foliage Train Rides. Experience sights you just can’t get from your car, and without the hassle of driving, everyone gets to enjoy the views. See the natural beauty of the Catskills from the railroad’s unique perspective, aboard Ulster County’s only scenic train! Take a comfortable seat in a vintage coach, or enjoy the fresh air and panoramic views from an open car!

All trains depart from Kingston Westbrook Lane station. Allow up to an hour for the complete round trip.

2019 Catskill Fall Flyer Leaf Trains:
September 28th @ 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, & 3:00 PM
September 29th @ 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, & 3:00 PM
October 5th @ 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, & 3:00 PM
October 6th @ 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, & 3:00 PM
October 12th @ 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, & 3:00 PM
October 13th @ 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, & 3:00 PM
October 14th @ 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, & 3:00 PM

2019 Pumpkin Express:
October 19th @ 11:00 AM , 1:00 PM, & 3:00 PM
October 20th @ 11:00 AM , 1:00 PM, & 3:00 PM
October 26th @ 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, & 3:00 PM
October 27th @ 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, & 3:00 PM

or more information and tickets visit the Catskill Mountain Railroad Website

Adirondack Scenic Railroad

Adirondack Scenic Railroad
Adirondack Scenic Railroad Photo Credit: Barbara Friedman via Flickr

Travel through forests, over rivers and streams, seeing all the beautiful fall colors of the Adirondacks. This trip runs up to Thendara and has a very brief stop in Thendara, then turns around and comes back. While you’re on the train, visit the Cafè Car and try the light and hearty fare as you ride the rails on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad! This day long excursion is time well spent!

Train departs Utica – 11:30 am
Arrive in Thendara – 1:30 pm
Depart Thendara – 2:15 pm
Arrive Utica – 4:30 pm

Departure Dates 2019:
Fridays & Sundays
September 14th – October 21st
Departure Times:
11:30am

For more information and tickets visit Adirondack Scenic Railroad Website

Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad

Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad
Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad Photo Credit: Doug Kerr via Flickr

Take a journey back in time in vintage rail cars and locomotives through the scenic wilderness of the upper Susquehanna River Valley. This picturesque ride travels along the tranquil Susquehanna River, through farm fields with beautiful views, and forests with colorful foliage.

2019 Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, September 28th, 29th & October 5th, 6th &13th, and Columbus Day Monday, October 14th. 

Boards at Milford Depot.
Departure Time: 1 PM
Trip duration: 2 1/2 Hours

For more details and tickets visit the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad Website

Medina Railroad Museum

Fall is the perfect season to visit the Medina Railroad Museum. Enjoy a 2 hour round trip ride through the wooded scenery and along The Erie Canal that is even more stunning during the autumn as the trees are ablaze with fall foliage.

As the leaves transform into brilliant hues of reds, oranges, and gold, you won’t miss a thing in the nostalgic vintage cars with the magnificent sights of the season. If you really want to immerse yourself in the railroad experience, there are also lunch options available!

2019 DATES:  WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 16th, SUNDAY OCTOBER 20th , SATURDAY OCTOBER 26th, SUNDAY OCTOBER 27th, 

Departs Medina at 11 am returns at 1 pm
Departs Lockport at 12 pm returns at 3:00 pm
Departs Medina at 2 pm returns at 4 pm

For More Details and Tickets Visit the Medina Railroad Website

Arcade & Attica Railroad

Arcade & Attica Railroad
Arcade & Attica Railroad Photo Credit: Jonathan Filbert via Flickr

Enjoy a 2 hour and 20-minute round trip train excursion starting at 278 Main Street Arcade, New York. At the halfway point, you will depart the train at Curriers Station for a self-guided tour of the museum. This train ride will take you through Western New York along the historic and scenic areas near Buffalo.  Arcade & Attica Railroad operates both steam-powered and diesel freight trains.

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays,  October 1- October 22nd.
Departure Times:
11 am. , 1 pm., 2 pm. & 5pm.

For More Details and Tickets Visit Arcade & Attica Railroad Website

Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum

Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum Via Facebook
Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum

This year the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum will be operating a series of Fall Themed Train Excursions, but there isn’t a specific foliage train ride. 

Enjoy a mile-and-a-half train ride through our rural museum grounds, located in the scenic heart of the Genesee Valley! Ride aboard authentically restored freight train cabooses to the Pumpkin Patch! Every child will visit our Pumpkin Patch to choose a small baby pumpkin to take home to decorate. Complimentary apple cider and cookies for everyone. Fresh, hot, Duke’s Donuts will also be available for purchase! Enjoy our friendly petting zoo after your ride!

Oct. 5th Fall Foilage Train Rides
@ 9:30 am, 12 noon, 2:30 pm

For More Details& Tickets Visit Eventbrite

Will you be boarding a train this fall to take in the sites of Autumn in Upstate New York? Know of a train ride I missed? Send me the info and I will add it here!

As always, I do my best to provide relevant and accurate information regarding events. With any event, dates and times are subject to change, please confirm dates, times, and availability before attending an event. Events are posted on Home in the Finger Lakes from information found on, but not limited to, attraction sites, government city sites; as well as submissions from individual attractions, press releases, and PR firms. All events are subject to change without notice and Home in the Finger Lakes cannot be held responsible.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

One Comment

  1. Hello
    I’m sooo disappointed and a little upset that I missed all the dates for the fall foliage train tours…
    Can you please email me if there are any such, or similar rides that my family and I can still do???
    Signed,
    -hopeful