All aboard for a memorable journey on one of Texas’ most scenic train rides.
Scenic train rides have something special about them. You never know what you’ll see, even though the train takes the same route every trip. I always gaze out the window to look for wildlife. Even if I’m on a train to see dogwood blooms in Palestine, TX, or something else, I keep an eye out for any wild animal. Do something different and book your family on one of these top scenic train rides in Texas.
So, are you ready for a scenic train ride through the Lone Star State? History buffs, train lovers, and the whole family will love these family-friendly excursions aboard one of Texas’s top scenic train rides.
5 Top Scenic Train Rides In Texas
When I visited a winery in Burnet, TX, the lady behind the counter, who was pouring our wine, told us about a train ride excursion that passes through Burnet and offers wine tasting and more. It then dawned on me that many of you might want to know about it, along with the other four train rides in Texas I found. I’m on the lookout for any new train routes to share with you!
Find special events and excursions on these major train rides throughout Texas year-round. Enjoy these fantastic train rides through Texas, and book a seat!
1. Texas State Rail – East Texas
The Texas State Railroad, built by inmates in the past, is a heritage railroad between Rusk and Palestine, TX. A vintage steam locomotive that takes passengers on a 4-hour round-trip train ride through the Piney Woods of East Texas. And when the dogwoods are out, it makes for a lovely scenic ride. The train has a one-hour layover at the Rusk Depot, where each passenger receives a box lunch to enjoy outside on the depot grounds.
My mom and I bought tickets for the Dogwood Lunch Train Excursion and enjoyed the views, chatted with other passengers, and felt the breeze from the caboose.
Palestine has many attractions and makes a fabulous mother-daughter trip.
Did you know…
The Texas State Railroad is the Official Railroad of Texas.
Special Events on the Texas State Railroad:
- Dogwood Lunch Train
- Easter Lunch Train
- Wine In The Pines
- Speakeasy Special
Book your ride on the Piney Woods Express Steam Train for 2026 through East Texas’s Piney Woods.
Book your ride on the Piney Woods Express Diesel Train
Rocken The Rails – Concert Train 2026 – Black Top Mojo
The magic returns with POLAR EXPRESS on the train! In November and December, delight your family on the Texas State Railroad with hot chocolate, cookies, caroling, and a visit from Santa (P.S. – he has a gift for every child).
The adventure begins on November 14, 2025, with departures from Palestine Depot. Wear something cozy and get ready for a journey to the North Pole. They say the tickets will sell out fast. See link above.
2. Grapevine Vintage Railroad – North Texas
The Grapevine Vintage Railroad is an excursion and special event railroad in Grapevine, Texas that runs from the Main Street station in Grapevine to the Fort Worth Stockyards.
I enjoyed the Cotton Belt Excursion with my family a long time ago. I’d love to do it again. Two of my favorite places to roam—Grapevine and the Stockyards! You’ll love the Victorian coaches.
Train Excursions:
- Cotton Belt Excursion (Grapevine/Fort Worth Stockyards)
- Trinity River Train Excursion (Historic Stockyard Station/Fort Worth’s Trinity Park)
- Grapevine Bear Creek – Grapevine Cotton Belt and back) Great for families with toddlers.
Special Events on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad
Get ready for the holidays in the Christmas Capital of Texas, Grapevine, TX!
North Pole Express – Grapevine’s Christmas Train
Starts at the end of November
Tickets for Santa’s North Pole Express and other beloved traditions will go on sale in October. Excursions start Friday, after Thanksgiving. It features classic Christmas sing-alongs, cheerful elves, and time with Santa Claus himself, all aboard luxury 1920s-era coaches.
Christmas Capital of Texas events:
- Santa’s North Pole Express
- Christmas Wine Trains
- Classic Christmas movies at the Historic Palace Theatre
- Christmas Cartoons & Crafts at Lancaster Theatre
- Hometown Christmas at the Grapevine Tower Gallery
- Elf Adventure at Settlement to City Museums
- Historic Nash Farm Christmas events
- Christmas at the Grapevine Observation Tower tickets
3. Austin Steam Train Association
From first-class coach to excursion coach to first-class lounge to adult-only first-class dining cars and wheelchair-accessible cars, the Austin Steam Train Association has you covered. I can only imagine how much fun this ride would be; seeing the Texas Hill Country in a new way is genuinely thrilling. I just learned about it, and now I’m booking a seat! It promises to be the Texas train ride of your life!
There are three depots: Cedar Park, Bertrem, and Burnet. All depots are located in the northern Hill Country.
Some excursions go to the Canyon Of The Eagles, overlooking Lake Buchanan. Burnet and Cedar Park offer dining and lodging. You can purchase a ticket for a locomotive cab ride, but be prepared to pay $500-$700.
Pro Tip: Check out the Buckeye Trail and Eagle Cliff cars for wheelchair accessibility.
Special Event on the Austin Steam Train:
- Take a break from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a train ride through the hill country on the Bertram Flyer!
- Explore vintage train cars on the Hill Country Flyer while you wind through the Texas Hill Country, crossing the South San Gabriel River bridge and Short Creek Canyon.
- Saint Paddy’s Express
- Wedding Oak Wine Train.
- And more.
Bluebonnet Festival Flyer on the Austin Steam Train 2026
Don’t miss the Bluebonnet Festival Flyer ride straight into downtown Burnet for the Annual Bluebonnet Festival on April 11-12, 2026. Book at austinsteamtrain.org/makereservations/
4. Texas Eagle Train Amtrak
Chicago – St. Louis – Dallas – San Antonio – Los Angeles, and everywhere in Texas, departs daily.
Amtrak’s Texas Eagle will take you deep into the heart of Texas, traveling between Chicago and San Antonio through Austin and Dallas. Continue your trip to Los Angeles on the Sunset Limited. Wind through the Land of Lincoln, across the Mississippi River, and through the Ozarks to Little Rock and the piney woods of East Texas. Then back through Dallas and Austin, ending in San Antonio. I’m not sure if I got that right, but it’s a long train ride!
Two additional Amtrak train Routes in Texas are the Sunset Limited and the Heartland Flyer.
Fun Facts about the Top Scenic Train Rides in Texas
- What is the longest train ride in Texas? Texas Eagle
- Famous Texas Train – Texas Eagle
Make one of these scenic train rides in Texas your next trip!
Texas Train Museums
- Texas Transportation Museum – San Antonio. Unlimited 15-minute rides are included with admission to the museum.
- Austin Steam Train Association Museum is in Cedar Park, TX (link is above)
- Railroad Heritage Center – Palestine, TX
PIN IT!
the Jefferson train is no longer being run but the depot and rolling stock are for sale!!
Thank you. I have noted this in my story.
I’m looking for something fun to do around my birthday at the end of September. I’ve been wanting to take a train ride that leaves somewhere around the greater Houston area that is a round trip. Searching over the internet has proved challenging because I see lots of trips to take on a train but nowhere to find out the cost or book a trip. I need help with this.
I’ve searched hi and low for train rides in Texas and these in this article are the only ones I’ve found so far. Check Amtrack.