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Julie Hoag Writer

Family Fun on the Verde Canyon Railroad Scenic Railway

June 24, 2018

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Are you planning a family vacation to Arizona near the Grand Canyon? If so, your family should visit the Verde Canyon Railroad. The ride on this Clarkdale train provides beautiful scenic views and old-fashioned family fun. Read on to learn more about Family Fun on the Verde Canyon Railroad Scenic Railway.

This post contains affiliate links. Please see disclaimer in the top menu for more information. Thank you!

 

Refurbished train car with bald eagle at the Verde Canyon Railroad. Visit Arizona. A great family vacation destination.

From a young age, my boys have loved trains. So, when we were planning our family trip to Arizona, we decided to include this 4-hour train ride through the gorgeous red rocked cliffs of the Verde Canyon just outside of Sedona, Arizona in Clarkdale. The Verde Canyon Railroad offers a 4-hour ride in refurbished train cars for its guests.

Our world is so beautiful! Check out these photos:)

 

Visit Arizona for family vacation idea. Gorgeous red rock formations at the Verde Canyon scenic view on the rail tours
Gorgeous red rock formations at the Verde Canyon scenic view on the rail tours.

Photos taken during the month of March.

Visit Arizona, a great family adventure. Ride the Train on the Verde Canyon Railroad ride.

 

Family vacation ideas for US Travel. Riding the train at the Verde Canyon Railroad

 

Visit Arizona for family fun travel. Beautiful red rock at the Verde Canyon, view from train ride.
Beautiful red rock at the Verde Canyon, view from the train.


Visit Arizona. Family travel ideas in the United States. Gorgeous red rock of the Verde Canyon on the train ride.

 

What Makes the Verde Canyon Railroad Train Ride Special?

Have Fun and Learn about History and Wildlife at the Same Time!

Taking a ride out of the historic train depot is a fun blast from the past. Riding on this unique train is both fun and educational for kids and adults as they can learn all about the history of trains and the region. Plus, all the train attendants are knowledgeable about the history of the area and trains, and the geology of the region. There is also some narration provided for guests.

There is the potential for wildlife viewing while on the train ride including the Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagles, waterfowl, and more. The staff are also educated on the wildlife of the area and engage train riders in conversations about the native animals. One attendant interacted with my kids teaching them about bald eagles, plus she gave them bald eagle bookmark keepsakes. Wild Raptors visit the depot as well (raptors are at the depot on certain dates/times, check the schedule).

Bonus: A portion of each ticket is donated to the Liberty Wildlife Raptor Rescue Program as well.

“Arizona’s longest running nature show.”  Verde Canyon RR

 

Scenic views on the Verde Canyon Railroad train ride in Arizona. A fun adventure for a family vacation destination when visiting near the Grand Canyon.


Family adventure on a vacation to Arizona. US travel ideas for families. Riding the train at the Verde Canyon Railroad Train.

 

Scenic view from train on the Verde Canyon Railroad Train Ride in Arizona. Family travel idea.

Relax and Enjoy the Amazing Scenic Verde Canyon Views

During the four-hour tour of twenty miles through 100 years of history, train riders can view the gorgeous red rock cliffs and the Verde River. The rock formations are stunningly beautiful. We took so many gorgeous photos during our time on the train. We loved it when the train track curved so we could see the end of the train.

Being from Minnesota, seeing all the different types of cacti was fun in and of itself.

All cars have access to walk onto the open air car. We spent a lot of time on the open air car on our train ride. There is also a canopy to get out of the hot Arizona sun on the open-air car. When riders get hot, they can also go back in and sit inside the climate controlled car.

 

Open air car on the Verde Canyon railroad tour in Arizona. A fun family adventure vacation idea.

 

The highlight of the train ride for my kids was going through the tunnel. This brought squeals from many passengers as it got very dark while inside the tunnel, and then we popped back out into the bright sunshine. That first spurt of sunshine after the dark was glorious indeed! Riders get a double run through the tunnel as the train travels from Clarkdale to Perkinsville and back. My kids wanted to get out at Perkinsville, but riders aren’t allowed off the train there.

 

 

 

Family adventure on vacation in Arizona. Going into the rock tunnel on the Verde Canyon Railroad train ride.
Going into the rock tunnel on the Verde Canyon Railroad train ride.

 

Family vacation idea for US Travel to the state of Arizona near Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Emerging into the light after the rock tunnel on the Verde Canyon train ride.
Emerging into the light after the rock tunnel on the Verde Canyon train ride.

 

Family vacation idea to visit Arizona. Red rock alongside the track on the Verde Canyon Railroad Train Ride in Arizona.

 

Scenic view on the Verde Canyon Railroad train ride in Clarkdale Arizona. Stop at Perkinsville.

 

Train at the Verde Canyon Scenic Railroad tour. Family vacation to Arizona, ideas for US travel.

Tips for Families with Kids Riding the Verde Canyon Railroad

Four hours can get kind of long for younger kids, so bring along extra entertainment for kids in case they become restless. Bring a game or two and play it on the train and travel like the train riders of the past.

Or, purchase a snack at the snack bar, beverage, or an appetizer. We purchased the chocolate rocks and they were a giant hit with our kids! My boys still talk about the train ride where we all enjoyed eating chocolate rocks. They are a chocolate candy inside a crunchy shell where the shell looks like various colored rocks. A massive hit, in fact, I wished we had bought another container to bring home with us!

There is a bathroom onboard for guests, which is super important for kids, and adults! Who am I kidding, I need the bathroom as much as the kids do!

For Adults:

There is also a cash bar available.

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Versatile Canvas Sling Bag / Urban Travel Backpack, Grey | Wear Over Shoulder or Crossbody for Men & Women, by NeatPack

 


Magnetic Board Game Set by GAMIE – Includes 12 Retro Fun Games – 5″ Compact Design – Individually Boxed – Teaches Strategy & Focus – Great for Road Trip/ Travel/ Camping – Best Gift for Kids Ages 6+

Options for the Verde Canyon Railroad Tour

There are various options to choose from when planning this train ride in Arizona.

  • coach (we purchased coach tickets)
  • first class (has tables)
  • Chocolate lovers train (wish I had done this one!)
  • Engineer for a day
  • Caboose (private ride for groups of 6 or less passengers)

Historic Train Depot

The historic train depot contains a museum, as I mentioned above. It also offers a cafe and a gift store. Outside the depot, there are boards scattered about with tons of railroad history to read up on. Perfect for history buffs.

 

 

Family friendly travel destination to the Verde Canyon historic train depot in Clarkdale, Arizona. Train ride.
Verde Canyon historic train depot.

 

Family vacation idea for when traveling to Arizona. Train Engineer drive of the train at the Verde Canyon Railroad rail tour train ride in Arizona.

Location of the Verde Canyon Railroad

The depot is located outside of Sedona at 300 N. Broadway in Clarkdale, AZ. We visited this fun railroad on our way to the Grand Canyon. This Verde Canyon Railroad rail tour is a fantastic addition on the way to a visit to the Grand Canyon.

To learn more visit Verde Canyon RR Train Ride.

Family Fun Adventure Awaits in Arizona!

Riding this train is a great family fun adventure! Arizona has so much to offer families for family travel. Add Arizona to your family vacation bucket list:)

Looking for more ideas for what to do while visiting Arizona near the Grand Canyon? Read my other posts are fun things to do and see in Arizona.

Why Visiting Arizona’s Bearizona Wildlife Park is Awesome!

5 Fun Family Travel Adventures in Arizona You’ll Love,

Family Travel Destination to Amazing Arizona

Traveling with Teens? Get The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List for Teens: How to Survive Family Travel

Family Fun on the Verde Canyon Railroad scenic railway in Arizona a fantastic family vacation idea. Family fun on a train ride through the gorgeous red rock cliffs of Verde Canyon, near Sedona. Refurbished historic train cars that are air conditioned. #familytravel #familyvacation #arizona #traveltips #verdecanyon #ustravel #vacation #traveltips #traveling #train #wildlife #nature #familytraveltips #traveller #travelling #family #travelersnotebook #juliehoagwriter #blog #blogpost
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I hope you have found this post helpful in planning your family travel to Arizona! Eat well and enjoy life!

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10 Comments
Filed Under: Family, Travel

Comments

  1. Ayanna @ 21FlavorsofSplendor says

    June 25, 2018 at 1:32 pm

    How fun! My girls love riding on trains and would love this.

    Reply
    • Julie Hoag says

      June 26, 2018 at 12:47 am

      It’s a fun experience for families! It was so gorgeous! Thanks:)

      Reply
  2. Em says

    June 25, 2018 at 2:21 pm

    Wow! Those are good pictures from your trip! I believe my husband went there before!

    Reply
    • Julie Hoag says

      June 26, 2018 at 12:47 am

      It’s a fun and unique experience! Thanks:)

      Reply
  3. Jackie says

    June 25, 2018 at 4:53 pm

    What scenic views! I have never explored Arizona! My girls would love that pretty train!

    Reply
    • Julie Hoag says

      June 26, 2018 at 12:48 am

      The views were so gorgeous! The red rock is just beautiful! We enjoyed it, the train is very pretty, isn’t it!! Thanks!

      Reply
  4. Amber says

    June 25, 2018 at 7:28 pm

    This looks like a really cool experience. I have never been on a train and I know my kids would loooove it!

    Reply
    • Julie Hoag says

      June 26, 2018 at 12:49 am

      It was a fun and unique experience, so amazingly beautiful there! Thanks:)

      Reply
  5. The Southern Thing says

    June 26, 2018 at 12:11 pm

    That scenery is so pretty! This looks fun!

    Reply
    • Julie Hoag says

      June 27, 2018 at 4:46 pm

      It was so gorgeous! Thanks!

      Reply

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Hello & Welcome! I’m Julie. I’m a wife and a mom to 3 boys. I’m sharing Ideas for Recipes, Family Lifestyle, Travel, DIY & Pets:) I’m SO happy you are here! Leave me a comment, I’d love to hear from you. I’m also a YA Author of the novel “Hungry Hearts” published in 2020 with Swoon Romance/Month9Books and Georgia McBride. “Out of Control” releases in 2021.

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