All Aboard for a Romantic Dinner Train Trip
Take a train trip where the destination doesn't matter
When was your last train trip? Commuting to work doesn't count--I'm talking about the last time you took the train for a scenic trip, a vacation jaunt, or as a way to get to a vacation destination. If your last train trip was too far back to remember, it's time to reconnect with the soothing clickity clack of the rails.
Hop aboard and dig in!
I've recently begun exploring dinner train options as a potential holiday or anniversary present for my in-laws. There are many railroads that offer dinner train trips. Two websites to look through are Rails USA and Xperience Days.
Dinner train trips offer a romantic alternative to the usual anniversary dinner out at a restaurant. You can still stare into each other's eyes, but there's also the option of watching the scenery passing by. The rhythmic clacking of the train's wheels, combined with a cocktail or two, are sure to ease your stress and lull you into a tranquil mood. There won't be a steady flow of diners coming and going, brushing by you at five-minute intervals. Instead, you'll relax in a cocoon of warmth, low lights, and quiet background chatter.
The menu options on a dinner train range from pizza to a three-course Italian meal or a five-course seafood and steak extravaganza. While some rail lines have good reviews for the quality of their food, your expectations shouldn't be too high. Most train trips are for the experience and atmosphere, and less about the food. If you crave a five-star meal, make reservations at a five-star restaurant instead.
If you like a show with your dinner, many dinner trains also offer Murder Mystery shows on one or more nights of the week. If you're a fan of these amateur, but very fun, productions, check with the train line to see if they offer them. Also check to see if there's a dress code, as some lines, such as the Cape Cod Central Railroad, prohibit jeans, t-shirts, flip flops and other casual clothing. Proper attire adds to the authentic atmosphere of elegance that the railroad aims to project.
If, like me, you've ever desired to travel on the Orient Express or ride the rails through the Canadian Rockies, explore the local, scenic railroads in your own neck of the woods. Enjoy a train trip with no destination for a change--just a chance to eat a relaxing meal while the world passes you by.