Want to take in Tennessee's fall foliage by train this year? Here are six train rides in and near Tennessee where you can do just that.
Tennessee Central Railway Museum Fall Foliage Excursion – Nashville
Enjoy a 94-mile excursion aboard a restored classic streamlined stainless steel passenger train through Middle Tennessee to picturesque downtown Watertown. The Tennessee Central Railway Museum offers several tour options, including a fall foliage excursion and a wine tasting tour. Check its website for details.
- Departs from: Nashville
- Layover: Watertown
- Length: 94 miles roundtrip
- Cost: $80 per person, $40 for children under 12, $160 for dome seats
- To book: tcry.org/train-rides
Tennessee Valley Railroad, Chicamagua Turn – Chattanooga
Travel on a vintage train from Chattanooga to historic Chicamagua, Georgia, while learning about railroad and Civil War history in the region. A 90-minute layover in Chicamagua gives guests the opportunity to explore the historic Gordon-Lee Mansion, or enjoy local shops. Dining options are available onboard.
- Departs from: Chattanooga
- Destination/layover: 90 minute layover in destination Chickamagua, Georgia
- Hours: Six hours
- Cost: $60 and up for adults
- To book: tvrail.com
Tennessee Valley Railroad, Missionary Ridge Local – Chattanooga
Climb aboard a restored locomotive for a 65-minute ride through Chattanooga, crossing four bridges and passing through the Missionary Ridge Tunnel, built before the Civil War. Guests also have access to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum grounds and exhibit building, a guided turntable demonstration and locomotive restoration shop.
- Departs from: Grand Junction Depot
- Destination/layover: 25-minute layover at East Chattanooga yard
- Length: 65 minutes
- Cost: $26 and up for adults
- To Book: tvrail.com
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad – Nantahala Gorge Excursion
Ride a steam train built in 1942 through western North Carolina's hills and valleys. Locomotive 1702 was constructed for use by the U.S. Army Transportation Corps during the Second World War. On certain days, the excursion includes a live turntable demonstration with the 353,540-pound engine.
- Departs from: Bryson City, North Carolina, about two and a half hours from Knoxville
- Destination/layover: One hour layover at the gorge
- Length: 44 miles, 4½ hours roundtrip
- Cost: $63.72 to $145.80 for adults
- To book: gsmr.com/nantahala-gorge-excursion
Big South Fork Scenic Railway – Stearns, Kentucky
Travel the historic Kentucky-Tennessee Railway line on a picturesque 45-minute ride to the abandoned coal mining town Blue Heron, within the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Blue Heron mines operated from 1937 until 1962.
- Departs from: Stearns, Kentucky, about three hours from Nashville
- Destination/layover: Blue Heron
- Length: 3 hours
- Cost: $28 for adults, $18 for children
- To Book: bsfsry.com
Andrews Valley Railbike Tours – Andrews, North Carolina
Pedal a motor-assisted railbike on a 9-mile, 1.5-hour trip on historic railroad tracks through Andrews Valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Passengers can choose from railbikes, a passenger cart, a two-person Fairmont Speeder or a two-person Choo-Choo speeder.
- Departs from: Andrews Train Depot, Andrews North Carolina, about two hours from Knoxville and Chattanooga
- Length: 9 miles
- Hours: 1.5 hours roundtrip
- Cost: $59.99 plus tax and fees
- To Book: andrewsvalleyrailtours.com
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Where to book a 2026 fall foliage train ride in Tennessee, nearby
