Whether it’s the reminder of a simpler time, the charming nostalgia or the innate magic, for some reason, everyone loves trains. Picturesque train rides or intricate miniature train-filled towns always seem to draw a crowd, which may explain why Kentucky is full of train-themed adventures! While there are several to choose from, we narrowed it down to five spots throughout the Bluegrass State that you could technically visit in one day. Although they are all so intriguing, you may want to plan a little longer than a day to experience this dreamy trip that will take you on the journey of a lifetime.
Stop #1 - Historic RailPark and Train Museum - 401 Kentucky St. Bowling Green, KY 42101
TripAdvisor/Steveslj
TripAdvisor/MrBattles Start your day in Bowling Green at the Historic RailPark and Train Museum. Opened in 2007, it’s newer to the locomotive scene, but still has plenty of history and charm. The two-story museum takes you back in time as you take a self-guided tour, and then be sure to take the guided tour (included with admission) of the restored train cars. These cars allow you to see what it was like to travel this mode of transportation when it was in its prime.
Stop #2 - The Whistle Stop - 216 E. Main St. Glendale, KY 42740
Yelp/Thao T.
Facebook/The Whistle Stop After a visit to the museum, you’ll work up an appetite. There’s no better place to visit on this trip than The Whistle Stop in Glendale. This iconic restaurant serves some of the best food in Kentucky and will surely fuel the rest of your day. As you can see by the exterior, The Whistle Stop is all about trains, but it’s also about a family-friendly atmosphere and made-from-scratch meals. Be sure to try the Fried Green Tomatoes and save room for pie.
Stop #3 - Big South Fork Scenic Railway - 66 Henderson St. Stearns, KY 42647
Facebook/Big South Fork Scenic Railway
Facebook/Big South Fork Scenic Railway The next stop is in picturesque Stearns at the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. Here, you can ride the rails aboard a historic train and experience some of the most beautiful scenery Kentucky has to offer. The railway has several different types of rides, so be sure to check out their website, linked above, for all of the exciting options.
Stop #4 - Bluegrass Railroad Museum - 175 Beasley Rd. Versailles, KY 40383
Facebook/Bluegrass Railroad Museum
Facebook/Bluegrass Railroad Museum Just outside of Lexington in Versailles, the Bluegrass Railroad Museum offers multiple train rides throughout the year. There is also a small museum to explore. The highlight of many of the rides is the stop at the historic Young’s High Bridge - an old railroad bridge that provides incredible views.
Stop #5 - My Old Kentucky Dinner Train - 602 N. 3rd St. Bardstown, KY 40004
Facebook/My Old Kentucky Dinner Train-TJ Corman
Facebook/My Old Kentucky Dinner Train-TJ Corman And you’ll wrap up your train-filled day with a memorable meal aboard My Old Kentucky Dinner Train in Bardstown. The dinner rides run most weekends (book early!) and they also offer themed trips and lunch rides. The food and ambiance is unforgettable, but the scenery and nostalgia make this train ride the perfect ending to your dreamy day.
This train-themed trip truly shows off the beauty, history, and deliciousness our state offers. How many of these Kentucky gems have you visited? Share your experience with us in the comments!
TripAdvisor/Steveslj
TripAdvisor/MrBattles
Start your day in Bowling Green at the Historic RailPark and Train Museum. Opened in 2007, it’s newer to the locomotive scene, but still has plenty of history and charm. The two-story museum takes you back in time as you take a self-guided tour, and then be sure to take the guided tour (included with admission) of the restored train cars. These cars allow you to see what it was like to travel this mode of transportation when it was in its prime.
Yelp/Thao T.
Facebook/The Whistle Stop
After a visit to the museum, you’ll work up an appetite. There’s no better place to visit on this trip than The Whistle Stop in Glendale. This iconic restaurant serves some of the best food in Kentucky and will surely fuel the rest of your day. As you can see by the exterior, The Whistle Stop is all about trains, but it’s also about a family-friendly atmosphere and made-from-scratch meals. Be sure to try the Fried Green Tomatoes and save room for pie.
Facebook/Big South Fork Scenic Railway
The next stop is in picturesque Stearns at the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. Here, you can ride the rails aboard a historic train and experience some of the most beautiful scenery Kentucky has to offer. The railway has several different types of rides, so be sure to check out their website, linked above, for all of the exciting options.
Facebook/Bluegrass Railroad Museum
Just outside of Lexington in Versailles, the Bluegrass Railroad Museum offers multiple train rides throughout the year. There is also a small museum to explore. The highlight of many of the rides is the stop at the historic Young’s High Bridge - an old railroad bridge that provides incredible views.
Facebook/My Old Kentucky Dinner Train-TJ Corman
And you’ll wrap up your train-filled day with a memorable meal aboard My Old Kentucky Dinner Train in Bardstown. The dinner rides run most weekends (book early!) and they also offer themed trips and lunch rides. The food and ambiance is unforgettable, but the scenery and nostalgia make this train ride the perfect ending to your dreamy day.
And for even more information on My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, check out our previous article here.
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Address: 401 Kentucky St. Bowling Green, KY 42101Address: 216 E. Main St. Glendale, KY 42740Address: 175 Beasley Rd. Versailles, KY 40383Address: 602 N. 3rd St. Bardstown, KY 40004Address: 66 Henderson St. Stearns, KY 42647
