Take a Fall Foliage Dinner Train Through Kentucky Bourbon Country
I may have found the perfect little fall road trip.
Imagine settling into a restored 1940s dining car and enjoying a multi-course meal as the train rolls through the Kentucky countryside during one of the year's prettiest times.
And it's only a few hours from Evansville.
My Old Kentucky Dinner Train departs Bardstown, Kentucky, offering lunch and dinner excursions through the heart of bourbon country. And while the train operates throughout the entire year, there's something particularly appealing about climbing aboard once the Kentucky countryside starts to put on its fall colors.
Ride Through Kentucky Bourbon Country
The regular lunch excursion lasts approximately two hours, while the dinner excursion runs about 2.5 hours.
And this isn't a box lunch on a sightseeing train.
Meals are prepared fresh during the trip and served at your table as the train makes its way through the countryside. The route passes farmland and woods along with landmarks including the Jim Beam distillery, the Jesse James safe house, and the Jackson Hollow Trestle in Bernheim Forest.
The train itself adds to the experience, with passengers dining aboard beautifully restored 1940s dining cars.
The Fall Menu Sounds Pretty Fantastic, Too
Beginning in October, My Old Kentucky Dinner Train switches to its fall and winter menu.
Lunch selections include comfort-food favorites like pot roast and the Kentucky classic Hot Brown, while dinner options include prime rib, brandy pecan pork, grilled chicken Marsala, and teriyaki-glazed salmon. Entrees include freshly baked rolls, the train's Golden Spike Salad, and a seasonal dessert.
The depot has a full-service bar where you can grab a drink before boarding, and drinks are also available aboard the train. My Old Kentucky Dinner Train even offers a separate 21-and-over Bourbon Excursion featuring a four-course meal and guided bourbon tasting.
Make a Fall Day Trip Out of Bardstown
If you're coming from the Evansville area, I'd be tempted to make a whole day or even a weekend out of this one.
Bardstown is one of those ridiculously charming Kentucky towns that's worth exploring on its own, with a walkable historic downtown surrounded by some of the biggest names in Kentucky bourbon country.
I've spent some time there because my daughter once lived there and worked at Fresh, the cutest little coffee shop and bakery in Bardstown, and it really is a great little getaway.
Add in a vintage train ride through the fall foliage, and you've got a pretty solid excuse for an October road trip.
Lunch excursions currently start at $96 for adults, while dinner excursions start at $116 for adults. Because October dates can fill quickly, check the live calendar for current availability before making the drive.
You can explore excursions, menus, and current availability directly through My Old Kentucky Dinner Train.
Stay in Bourbon Barrel Cabins at This Secluded Kentucky Retreat
Gallery Credit: Ryan O'Bryan