There’s something romantic about rail travel: a train slowly curling through nature with the chance to simply relax and soak up the views, leaving the navigation to someone else. And boarding a vintage train during the cooler months is the perfect cure for the winter doldrums.
That’s where the Nickel Plate Express comes in, which offers themed rides on its 1950s-era Santa Fe Railway passenger cars from its home outside Indianapolis, Indiana. On board, enjoy a cozy ride with complimentary hot chocolate, curl up with a cocktail and a good book, or meet up with friends for trivia night on the rails.
In February, the company hosts several themed rides, including a romantic 2-hour Valentine’s Day jaunt complete with shareable charcuterie boards and curated cocktails, along with rom-com, Gilmore Girls, and 1980s-themed trivia nights.
Tickets for trivia nights start at $55 and include a charcuterie box to snack on while playing along with themed cocktails and mocktails for purchase.
Then there’s the “Winter Read and Ride” series, which features tickets starting at just $15 and rolls away from the station on select Fridays and Saturdays in February. While on board, drinks and snacks are available for purchase with each ride lasting two hours. And if riders truly want to dive into their book without any distractions, there’s the Gaylor Coach Car, which is a designated quiet space for adults 18 and over.
Come spring, travelers can sign up for the Easter Express in which fans of the Easter bunny are treated to a story and a treat while riding through the countryside. And when the weather warms up, adventurous travelers can book the 7-mile-long railbiking rides aboard pedal bikes specially designed to sit on rail tracks.
Noblesville sits less than 30 miles north of downtown Indianapolis, boasting antique shops and indie-owned boutiques, plus an historic square, according to Hamilton County Tourism. Enjoy time at a local restaurant, grab a sweet treat at the old-fashioned ice cream soda shop Alexander’s On The Square, or take an art class at one of the studios in town before heading to Indianapolis, which is considered one of the best weekend getaways to take from Chicago.
Beyond these train journeys, there are plenty of other cozy ways to get out on the rails. Hop on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway in Manitou Springs, Colorado, to take in mountain views, channel festive movie fun with The Polar Express train, or celebrate the holidays by riding to some of Europe’s best Christmas markets.
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