Virginia’s Best Kept Secret: Unveiling Majestic Beauty On This Scenic Railway
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They say “Virginia is for lovers”, nevertheless it’s for scenic prepare rides and extra!
It’s not usually that you just hear of Virginia being a high vacation spot, however that is since you’re unaware of the state’s best-kept secret.
While CNN reported Richmond is the very best city to go to within the U.S., the state’s lesser-known prepare is doubling down on the place the very best websites are positioned.
Rightfully named the Virginia Scenic Railway, it is time to unveil one of the beautiful prepare rides in America, taking you thru majestic magnificence on 3 totally different routes.
The ‘Alleghany Special’
The first route provided is the ‘Alleghany Special, bounded by Virginia’s beautiful Alleghany and Blue Ridge mountains.
Your launch level would be the small, charming city of Staunton an hour and 45 minutes from Richmond and a couple of and half hours from Washington DC, the two closest notable cities.
Oddly sufficient, one of the environment friendly methods to get right here is by Amtrak, the place the Virginia Scenic Railway recommends the Cardinal Amtrak.
But this route exudes something however large metropolis vibes as you head west by way of farmlands and beautiful mountain views – you will positively need to snag a window seat along with your digicam in hand!
Especially when the journey really comes alive as you enter the plush wilderness of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.
The prepare shares tracks with Amtrak and freight trains making this basic classic trip stand out much more.
According to the Virginia Scenic Railway’s web site, the present schedule has the prepare leaving Staunton at 10:30am Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for a 3-hour round-trip journey.
Beer and wine can be found for pre-order and onboard (restricted to 2 per particular person), however smooth drinks and meals are included along with your ticket, which is $120 and purchasable on-line.
There aren’t any seat assignments per se, however tables seating as much as 4 individuals are assigned based mostly on the scale of your social gathering.
The ‘Blue Ridge Flyer’
This route chugs alongside by way of time capsule cities, beautiful pure websites, and the thrilling Blue Ridge tunnel carved into the mountainside—positively not for the claustrophobic!
Nearly a mile lengthy, that is only a small blip in your journey as you make your approach east reverse of the ‘Alleghany Special’ by way of Shenandoah Valley’s pleasant small cities of Fishersville, Waynesboro, and your start line of Staunton, additionally an awesome place to make your base if wanted.
The route gives elevated views of the Blue Ridge mountains, particularly close to the tunnel the place you’ll ascend 1,000 ft earlier than coming into darkness.
Between Afton and Ivy is the place you will need to benefit from a window seat earlier than turning again by way of the tunnel but once more.
This route has all the identical facilities because the ‘Alleghany’, together with the identical ticket worth of $120.
The foremost distinction being the schedule as this prepare departs at 3:30pm each Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Christmas In July? Booking Is Available For ‘Santa’s Scenic Railway’
It’s by no means too early to be within the vacation spirit! Many vacationers are nonetheless within the midst of having fun with their summer season, however reserving is accessible for ‘Santa’s Scenic Railway’.
No, it would not happen in July, however you’ll be able to go forward and plan your Christmas or, higher but, Thanksgiving.
This jolly prepare trip begins November twenty fifth with ticket costs almost half the worth of different routes at $65 per particular person.
Ending December twenty second, you will have almost a month-long window to plan out this festive, family-friendly occasion.
Virginia is one in every of many states with ‘winter wonderland’ climate good for the new drinks served onboard, together with a ‘candy deal with’.
This trip lasts about 50 minutes and is extra of a novelty than an epic journey by way of the area’s sightly mountains.
Christmas vibes galore with the actual Santa Claus on board ho-ho-ho-ing for photo-ops and the Railway encourages all of the festive apparel you’ll be able to muster.
You know what meaning…
Time to go thrift searching for ugly Christmas sweaters!
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed below are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, permitted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the submit.