Verde Canyon Railroad Events
Chocolate Lovers Special
Verde Canyon Railroad's salute to sumptuous chocolate and the romance of the rails is always a popular event during the Valentine season. This special “Chocolate Lovers” experience includes both the daily appetizers and a scrumptious presentation of private chocolate goodies onboard the train. Wine, beer and Valentine-themed cocktails will also be available for purchase during the ride. $139 per person. February 11, 12, 14 Click here for more info. 
Easter Bunny Express
Children of all ages can visit with the Easter Bunny at the Verde Canyon Railroad depot prior to the train's departure on Saturday, April 8th, 2023. The train's favorite "seasonal employee", this honorable hare loves giving out handfuls of treats and armloads of hugs before bidding farewell to everyone on the train as it departs at 1 p.m. Get your photo taken with the big bunny. Kids should be sure to enter your best guess in the lollipop counting contest. $119 per person. April 8 Click here for more info. 
Summer Saturday Morning Trains
Visitors can begin their adventures early aboard a morning train at Verde Canyon Railroad on select summer Saturdays. Departing at 10:30 am, travel the awe-inspiring scenery of a rare riparian canyon during the cooler hours of the day. At the depot, the Copper Spike Cafe offers a tempting variety of breakfast items that may be brought aboard the train. Morning-style appetizers are included on board. $109 per person. May 13, 27 June 3, 10, 17, 24 July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 August 5, 12, 19, 26 Sept 2, 9 Click here for more info. 
Grape Train Escape
An optional event upgrade during select summer Saturday Starlight nights, Verde Canyon Railroad is pleased to feature a selection of sensational sips of various vintages from all over the world. Departing the depot at 5:30 p.m. and returning by 9:15 p.m., the Grape Train Escape serves up wines from renowned regions, paired with a spectacular blend of light and color in the canyon, ranging from bright daytime to rich sunset hues, from twinkly twilight to sensational starlight. $149. Ages 21+ May 27 June 17, 24 July 15, 29 August 19 Sept 2 Click here for more info. 
Fright Night: Fright Night is a phantom train experience. Permanently parked on abandoned rails below the Verde Canyon Railroad three haunted rail cars are open to explore at the depot nightly, for those brave enough to face their phobias of clowns, cannibalism, crime scenes, autopsies, spiders, wild snarling beasts, weddings and fun jump scares. Rates vary depending on date and are complimentary when scheduled on same day as train ticket.
Friday and Saturday nights, Sept 15-October 21 and nightly Oct 27-31, 5:00-10:00pm Click here for more info. |
Raptors (or Reptiles) at the Rails
Verde Canyon Railroad is proud to sponsor Liberty Wildlife. On select dates Liberty shares close-up glimpses of raptors from their educational program with the visitors of Verde Canyon Railroad, on the depot patio 11:00 am-12:45 pm prior to the train's 1:00 pm departure. Guests may expect to visit a Bald Eagle, or an aerie of owls, hawks, kestrels and vultures. During the summer months, cold-blooded creatures such as tortoises, lizards and snakes take the stage during "Reptiles at the Rails". Jan 17, 28 Feb 4, 7, 16, 18 Mar 4, 9, 12, 23 Apr 1, 11, 20, 22 May 6, 11, 21, 25 June 3, 15 July 4, 11 Aug 8 Sept 7, 16, 21, 30 Oct 7, 12, 15 Nov 3, 4, 12, 17 Click here for more info. 
Uncorked Wine Festival
Verde Canyon Railroad's Uncorked is an exciting event at the train station May 2-31. Beginning at 11:00 am, two hours prior to the train's 1:00 pm departure, guests may swirl, sip and savor a selection of wines served at the outdoor beverage bar. Depot festivity tickets may be pre-purchased and include wine tasting, lunch and a souvenir stemless wine tumbler. Featured wine regions include France, Italy, Chile, Argentina and Arizona. $149, age 21+. May 2-31 (excluding May 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 22, 26, 27 and 29) Click here for more info. 
Saturday Night Starlight and Moonlight Rides
Verde Canyon Railroad offers its popular Starlight excursion on select Saturday evenings, May through September, departing the depot during the cooling temperatures of late afternoon, traveling through sunset and into the starlight of wide-open western skies. Passengers begin the four-hour excursion by daylight. As the sun begins to set against a scenic Arizona backdrop, a dramatic show of ever-changing light and color transforms the cliffs and canyon through sunset, starlight and moon rise along this wild rail journey. May 13, 27 June 3, 10, 17, 24 July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 August 5, 12, 19, 26 Sept 2, 9 Click here for more info. 
Ales on Rails
Ales on Rails, Verde Canyon Railroad's ode to Oktoberfest, offers a wide range of local Arizona breweries, richly crafted beers ranging from the lightest pilsners to the hoppiest IPAs to the deepest stouts. Ales on Rails tickets include a made-to-order lunch from the Copper Spike Cafe and 4 taste tickets to savor from of a large selection of tasty AZ-brewed craft beers on the patio 11:00 AM-12:45 PM, souvenir stainless steel beer cup, plus a ticket to the 1:00 PM train. $149 per person, age 21+ Sept 12-October 31 (except for: Sept 17, 18, 24, 25 or October 8, 23) Click here for more info. 
Magical Christmas Journey: The Magical Christmas Journey™ is Verde Canyon Railroad’s all-original storybook holiday journey. The fun begins at the depot, with an elaborate miniature Christmas village, festive lights, holiday treats, a Christmas princess, animal characters and a live Bald Eagle. At the North Pole, train passengers see 10 amusing and creative buildings. Santa boards the train for the return trip where he will interact with all the children and gift them a little memento as a reminder of their Christmas Adventure. This one-hour round-trip journey is perfect for even the tiniest tot. Departure times vary, depending on the date. 4:00 pm, 5:30 pm, 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm.
November 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30 December 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 Click here for more info. |
