Road trips through Missouri are nothing short of amazing, but sometimes it’s nice to just relax and take in all the beauty as a passenger. This is where the magic of the railroad enters the picture. All across the Show-Me State, there are charming passenger trains that make for picture-perfect day trips! If you’re wondering, “Where can I find the best train rides near me in Missouri?” — you’ve come to the right place! Here are four fun and scenic train rides to take in Missouri, perfect for a memorable day trip:
- St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway
Nick K./Yelp
St Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway/Facebook This railway offers a two-hour round trip excursion every Saturday that starts and returns in the winsome town of Jackson, Missouri. The train ride often features a theme, which can range from a murder mystery ride to visits from the Jesse James gang! For a full schedule of upcoming events, including upcoming themed excursions and rates, visit the official St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway website.
- Missouri River Runner
Visit Hermann/Facebook
Dean Hochman/flickr The Missouri River Runner runs to and from St. Louis and Kansas City. Which means, you can knock out two major cities in the midwest all in one memorable weekend! Other notable stops on this excursion include Hermann, where you can get a little taste of Missouri’s wine country, and Independence, where you can visit President Harry S. Truman’s hometown. To book your ticket or check out the schedule, visit Amtrak’s website by clicking here.
- Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad
Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad/Facebook
Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad/Facebook If you’re short on time, but still want to experience all the fun that comes with trains and railroads, then I suggest visiting the Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad in Belton, Missouri. You’ll step back in time as you board their 1950s locomotive train to roll through Old Towne Belton during a 45-minute excursion. For more information on this nostalgic ride, you can visit their website by clicking here.
- Branson Scenic Railway
Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau’s photostream/flickr
Branson Scenic Railway/Facebook The Branson Scenic Railway is most popular for its Polar Express Train Ride during Christmastime, but throughout the year they have other enjoyable rides as well. They’re closed for the season, but will be back up and running starting in March. The 40-mile excurision takes you through the beautiful Ozark foothills and it can be enjoyed during the day or at night for a dinner train ride. For more information, visit them at their website by clicking here.
Have you been on any of these trains? Some of them have been running for many years and you might have experienced them as a kid. We’d love to know what your experience was like in the comments below!
Nick K./Yelp
St Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway/Facebook
This railway offers a two-hour round trip excursion every Saturday that starts and returns in the winsome town of Jackson, Missouri. The train ride often features a theme, which can range from a murder mystery ride to visits from the Jesse James gang! For a full schedule of upcoming events, including upcoming themed excursions and rates, visit the official St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway website.
Visit Hermann/Facebook
Dean Hochman/flickr
The Missouri River Runner runs to and from St. Louis and Kansas City. Which means, you can knock out two major cities in the midwest all in one memorable weekend! Other notable stops on this excursion include Hermann, where you can get a little taste of Missouri’s wine country, and Independence, where you can visit President Harry S. Truman’s hometown. To book your ticket or check out the schedule, visit Amtrak’s website by clicking here.
Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad/Facebook
If you’re short on time, but still want to experience all the fun that comes with trains and railroads, then I suggest visiting the Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad in Belton, Missouri. You’ll step back in time as you board their 1950s locomotive train to roll through Old Towne Belton during a 45-minute excursion. For more information on this nostalgic ride, you can visit their website by clicking here.
Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau’s photostream/flickr
Branson Scenic Railway/Facebook
The Branson Scenic Railway is most popular for its Polar Express Train Ride during Christmastime, but throughout the year they have other enjoyable rides as well. They’re closed for the season, but will be back up and running starting in March. The 40-mile excurision takes you through the beautiful Ozark foothills and it can be enjoyed during the day or at night for a dinner train ride. For more information, visit them at their website by clicking here.
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Address: St Louis Iron Mountain & Southern, 252 E Jackson Blvd, Jackson, MO 63755, USAAddress: St. Louis Gateway Transportation Center, 430 S 15th St, St. Louis, MO 63103, USAAddress: Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad, 502 E Walnut St, Belton, MO 64012, USAAddress: Branson Scenic Railway, 206 E Main St, Branson, MO 65616, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
train rides near me in missouri July 07, 2021 Sarah What are some of the best day trips I can take in Missouri? In addition to the epic excursions listed above, Missouri is chock-full of fun and unique options for day trip adventures! Some of our favorite places to visit in the Show-Me State include the iconic Gateway Arch, the National Blues Museum, Lake of the Ozarks, Meramec Caverns, and Hannibal, the hometown of literary legend Mark Twain. Here are some more ideas to fuel your day trip adventures in Missouri! What are some other fun day trips in Missouri? Whether you enjoy outdoor attractions, exploring historic small towns, dining, or something else altogether, you’re bound to find something entertaining in Missouri. In our opinion, the following attractions are an absolute must-visit: the World’s Largest Rocking Chair in Cuba, the home of Jesse James in St. Joseph, Ha Ha Tonka Castle Ruins in Camdenton, the Giant Book Shelf in the Kansas City Library, Glore Psychiatric Museum in St. Joseph, and the World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Branson. Here are some more fun and unique day trip ideas! What are some fun train-themed attractions in Missouri? If you’re into trains, you’ll be quite happy in Missouri! In addition to having several scenic railroads, like the iconic Branson Scenic Railway, the Show-Me State is home to some truly unique train-themed attractions, such as this railroad restaurant. A must for little locomotive lovers, Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant is a train-themed restaurant in Missouri that boasts a fun atmosphere and delicious food. The cozy diner looks and feels like an actual railway station, and your food and drink will arrive to you by a toy train. How fun!
The OIYS Visitor Center
train rides near me in missouri
July 07, 2021
Sarah
What are some of the best day trips I can take in Missouri? In addition to the epic excursions listed above, Missouri is chock-full of fun and unique options for day trip adventures! Some of our favorite places to visit in the Show-Me State include the iconic Gateway Arch, the National Blues Museum, Lake of the Ozarks, Meramec Caverns, and Hannibal, the hometown of literary legend Mark Twain. Here are some more ideas to fuel your day trip adventures in Missouri! What are some other fun day trips in Missouri? Whether you enjoy outdoor attractions, exploring historic small towns, dining, or something else altogether, you’re bound to find something entertaining in Missouri. In our opinion, the following attractions are an absolute must-visit: the World’s Largest Rocking Chair in Cuba, the home of Jesse James in St. Joseph, Ha Ha Tonka Castle Ruins in Camdenton, the Giant Book Shelf in the Kansas City Library, Glore Psychiatric Museum in St. Joseph, and the World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Branson. Here are some more fun and unique day trip ideas! What are some fun train-themed attractions in Missouri? If you’re into trains, you’ll be quite happy in Missouri! In addition to having several scenic railroads, like the iconic Branson Scenic Railway, the Show-Me State is home to some truly unique train-themed attractions, such as this railroad restaurant. A must for little locomotive lovers, Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant is a train-themed restaurant in Missouri that boasts a fun atmosphere and delicious food. The cozy diner looks and feels like an actual railway station, and your food and drink will arrive to you by a toy train. How fun!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
In addition to the epic excursions listed above, Missouri is chock-full of fun and unique options for day trip adventures! Some of our favorite places to visit in the Show-Me State include the iconic Gateway Arch, the National Blues Museum, Lake of the Ozarks, Meramec Caverns, and Hannibal, the hometown of literary legend Mark Twain. Here are some more ideas to fuel your day trip adventures in Missouri!
What are some other fun day trips in Missouri?
Whether you enjoy outdoor attractions, exploring historic small towns, dining, or something else altogether, you’re bound to find something entertaining in Missouri. In our opinion, the following attractions are an absolute must-visit: the World’s Largest Rocking Chair in Cuba, the home of Jesse James in St. Joseph, Ha Ha Tonka Castle Ruins in Camdenton, the Giant Book Shelf in the Kansas City Library, Glore Psychiatric Museum in St. Joseph, and the World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Branson. Here are some more fun and unique day trip ideas!
What are some fun train-themed attractions in Missouri?
If you’re into trains, you’ll be quite happy in Missouri! In addition to having several scenic railroads, like the iconic Branson Scenic Railway, the Show-Me State is home to some truly unique train-themed attractions, such as this railroad restaurant. A must for little locomotive lovers, Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant is a train-themed restaurant in Missouri that boasts a fun atmosphere and delicious food. The cozy diner looks and feels like an actual railway station, and your food and drink will arrive to you by a toy train. How fun!
