For me, traveling means that the journey is the destination. Researching and planning stops on a long road trip for photos, activities, or other experiences are part of the fun and finding a way to create a theme out of the trip is even better! If you’re looking for a theme for your next excursion, then you just might enjoy this railroad and train-themed road trip through Arizona. It has a great combination of history, exercise, sightseeing, eating, and sleeping.
Google Maps You can access the road trip map at this Google Maps link. Overall, it covers 357 miles and totals approximately 7 hours of driving time. We recommend choosing 5 to 7 activities and doing this as a weekend trip so that you have plenty of time to explore each place, eat, and rest. Let’s check out these awesome places!
- Arizona Railway Museum (Chandler)
Arizona Railway Museum/Facebook This railroad museum is dedicated to detailing and preserving the Southwest’s railroad history. When you visit, you can find several dozen locomotives, passenger cars, cabooses, and more on display, showing off this fascinating piece of history. Address: 330 East Ryan Road, Chandler Details: azrymuseum.org
- McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (Scottsdale)
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park/Facebook
Afterwards, pay a visit to McCormick-Stillman Park in Scottsdale for a more interactive version of train history. You’ll not only find historic trains on display but also toy-sized model trains operating, a museum, trains to ride, and a train-themed playground for the kids.
Address: 7301 East Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale
Details: therailroadpark.com
- Adobe Mountain Train Museum (Glendale)
Maricopa Live Steamers Public Runs/Facebook This museum in Glendale covers more than 160 acres and is dedicated to preserving Arizona’s railroad history. Here, you’ll find model trains, plenty of history, and free train rides on Sundays! Address: 23280 North 43rd Avenue, Glendale Details: adobemtndesertrrpark.com
- Peavine Trail (Prescott)
Alisa Cooper/Facebook Located next to Prescott’s Watson Lake, Peavine Trail is an easy, 6-mile trail that follows a former railroad track dating to 1893. Perfect for a morning stroll, you’ll have a chance to walk the same path as well as enjoy beautiful views and a chance to spot wildlife. Trailhead location: Google Maps Details: City of Prescott
- Verde Canyon Railroad (Clarkdale)
Verde Canyon Railroad/Facebook If you’re able to book a ride, be sure to check out Verde Canyon Railroad for a 4.5-hour ride following the Verde River to Perkinsville, a ghost town. During the ride, you’ll get to enjoy a meal, drinks, and, of course, some spectacular views! Since rides are typically scheduled for mid-day, be sure to plan your trip accordingly. Address: 300 North Broadway, Clarkdale Details: verdecanyonrr.com
- The Crown Railroad Cafe (Flagstaff)
Kent F./Yelp For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you’ll want to dine at this restaurant in Flagstaff. It sits right across the street from the Amtrak and historic train station, so you’ll get a chance to watch the trains pass during your meal. Plus, for those moments when the massive trains aren’t moving, there is a small model train that operates on a track in the restaurant. Just look up! Address: 3300 Historic Route 66, Flagstaff Details: thecrownrailroadcafes.com
- Canyon Motel & RV Park (Williams)
Canyon Motel & RV Park/Facebook Feeling sleepy? Book a stay at the Canyon Motel & RV Park, where you can spend a night in a historic train car or caboose! The red cabooses date to 1929 and one of them is rumored to be haunted! Address: 1900 Rodeo Road, Williams Details: thecanyonmotel.com
- Grand Canyon Railway (Williams)
Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel/Facebook The last stop on our list is the Grand Canyon Railway, an epic trip from Williams to the Grand Canyon and back. You’ll find a variety of train packages and experiences, including a special Polar Express route for the kids, a staged train robbery, and even a chance to experience a historic steam locomotive! Address: 233 North Grand Canyon Boulevard, Williams Details: thetrain.com
Want to explore another themed road trip through Arizona? Since October is a spooky month, we think you’ll love reading This Haunting Road Trip Through Arizona Ghost Towns Is One You Won’t Forget. See if you dare to take the trip!
Google Maps
You can access the road trip map at this Google Maps link. Overall, it covers 357 miles and totals approximately 7 hours of driving time. We recommend choosing 5 to 7 activities and doing this as a weekend trip so that you have plenty of time to explore each place, eat, and rest. Let’s check out these awesome places!
Arizona Railway Museum/Facebook
This railroad museum is dedicated to detailing and preserving the Southwest’s railroad history. When you visit, you can find several dozen locomotives, passenger cars, cabooses, and more on display, showing off this fascinating piece of history. Address: 330 East Ryan Road, Chandler Details: azrymuseum.org
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park/Facebook
Afterwards, pay a visit to McCormick-Stillman Park in Scottsdale for a more interactive version of train history. You’ll not only find historic trains on display but also toy-sized model trains operating, a museum, trains to ride, and a train-themed playground for the kids.
Address: 7301 East Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale
Details: therailroadpark.com
Maricopa Live Steamers Public Runs/Facebook
This museum in Glendale covers more than 160 acres and is dedicated to preserving Arizona’s railroad history. Here, you’ll find model trains, plenty of history, and free train rides on Sundays! Address: 23280 North 43rd Avenue, Glendale Details: adobemtndesertrrpark.com
Alisa Cooper/Facebook
Located next to Prescott’s Watson Lake, Peavine Trail is an easy, 6-mile trail that follows a former railroad track dating to 1893. Perfect for a morning stroll, you’ll have a chance to walk the same path as well as enjoy beautiful views and a chance to spot wildlife. Trailhead location: Google Maps Details: City of Prescott
Verde Canyon Railroad/Facebook
If you’re able to book a ride, be sure to check out Verde Canyon Railroad for a 4.5-hour ride following the Verde River to Perkinsville, a ghost town. During the ride, you’ll get to enjoy a meal, drinks, and, of course, some spectacular views! Since rides are typically scheduled for mid-day, be sure to plan your trip accordingly. Address: 300 North Broadway, Clarkdale Details: verdecanyonrr.com
Kent F./Yelp
For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you’ll want to dine at this restaurant in Flagstaff. It sits right across the street from the Amtrak and historic train station, so you’ll get a chance to watch the trains pass during your meal. Plus, for those moments when the massive trains aren’t moving, there is a small model train that operates on a track in the restaurant. Just look up! Address: 3300 Historic Route 66, Flagstaff Details: thecrownrailroadcafes.com
Canyon Motel & RV Park/Facebook
Feeling sleepy? Book a stay at the Canyon Motel & RV Park, where you can spend a night in a historic train car or caboose! The red cabooses date to 1929 and one of them is rumored to be haunted! Address: 1900 Rodeo Road, Williams Details: thecanyonmotel.com
Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel/Facebook
The last stop on our list is the Grand Canyon Railway, an epic trip from Williams to the Grand Canyon and back. You’ll find a variety of train packages and experiences, including a special Polar Express route for the kids, a staged train robbery, and even a chance to experience a historic steam locomotive! Address: 233 North Grand Canyon Boulevard, Williams Details: thetrain.com
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