Leaf Peeping Just Got Way Cooler with Stunning Train Rides in Minnesota
With leaves starting to change colors all around Minnesota it's time to start planning your perfect leaf peeping excursion. But rather than taking a drive to admire the changing colors or hiking at a park, why not sit back, relax, and do some leaf peeping while aboard a train?
If you want to enjoy the beautiful fall colors Minnesota has to offer in a whole new way then hopping on one of the train rides available in our state is perfect for you. There are rides available in different parts of the state, too, depending on how far you want to travel.
TAKE A PEEK: When Fall Colors Will Peak in Minnesota
Fall Foliage Train Rides in Minnesota
Up first, we have the Osceola and St. Croix Railway. Yes, Osceola is in Wisconsin but my understanding is that the track takes you into Minnesota as well, so it still counts! The pick-up spot is in Osceola, though.
Their fall colors tour is about an hour and a half long all along the St. Croix River Valley. Tickets are $29 for adults and $21 for kids and rides are only available on Saturdays and Sundays. They offer tours all year round, too, with different themed tours depending on what you're interested in.
Next, is the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line in St. Paul. They offer rides all year. This trip is much shorter than the other options with a ride lasting only 15 minutes. Now through October 22nd, you can take a ride on Saturday or Sunday between 12:30 and 4 PM.
Reservations for this train ride are not required. If you only want to ride the train once it's $3 per person. If you want to ride it more than one time, it's just $7 for a day pass and you can ride as many times as you want. The streetcar is also part of the Minnesota Streetcar Museum.
Heading up north, we've got the North Shore Scenic Railway in Duluth. This railway is a pretty well-known one and they do rides along the north shore all the time. Their fall colors ride is called the First Class Rwo Harbors Fall Colors Tour.
Rides are offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through October 15th. It's a 6-hour trip with a two-hour stop for lunch and sightseeing in Two Harbors. Tickets aren't cheap, coming in at $95 for adults and $85 for kids. Lunch is not included.
And finally, staying in the Duluth area is the Duluth River Train. These rides are 2 hours long and, like all of the others, only operate on weekends. Tickets are $20 per adult (13+) and $10 per kid.
Of course, another option for leaf peeping is hiking at one of our many state parks. If you want to avoid crowds, here are the perfect state parks for you.
