The United States might not be known for its luxury train rides—at least, not compared to experiences like the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express or the British Pullman, A Belmond Train—but we do have our fair share of scenic rail journeys. In the East, there’s the Greenbrier Express, the Mount Washington Cog Railway, and the Shenandoah Valley Limited. The West famously has the Grand Canyon Railway. The latter, however, isn’t the only stunning route travelers can embark on in Arizona.
The Verde Canyon Railroad brings passengers from Clarkdale, Arizona—a small town about 25 minutes from Sedona and two hours from Phoenix—to Perkinsville and back. The entire four-hour trip covers 40 miles and goes by some pretty incredible sights, including the ghost town of Perkinsville, ancient Native American ruins, and even a 734-foot man-made tunnel. Not to mention, there’s the sheer natural beauty of the Verde River and the red-rock formations the region is known for.
Your exact experience aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad will depend on a few factors. For starters, you’ll get to choose where you ride, whether it’s in one of the 12 classic passenger cars, the caboose (a private luxury experience for six or fewer adults), or in the locomotive, alongside the engineer and conductor (only one guest per journey). The passenger cars are decked out in living room-style seating and panoramic windows, and each one is connected to an open-air viewing car.
Another factor that affects the journey is when you ride. If you choose to book the Saturday Starlight Tour, for instance, you’ll get to witness the variation in light and color that blankets the canyon as the day shifts into night. This exact tour is only offered from May through October each year, and it’s billed as a “sensational sunset to starlight journey deep into the wild heart of Arizona.” The jaw-dropping Western sunset is, of course, a highlight, but you’ll also get to witness the canyon at dusk and see how it appears in twilight, with the stars and moon shining down.
The railroad recommends passengers arrive at the station 1.5 hours before the scheduled departure. That way, you can have time to pick up a meal to take aboard the train, purchase drinks and gifts, and visit the John Bell Museum, which showcases the history of the railroad and is housed inside a boxcar.
Adult tickets for the Saturday Starlight Tour are $139 and include a complimentary charcuterie box, bottled water, and a glass of champagne or sparkling cider.
