For all you train lovers, allllll aboard for an incredible road trip you won’t soon forget. Railroads are so neat because they’re a history lesson and an exhilarating travel experience all in one. Here in Texas, we’re pretty big on trains. From locomotive museums to depots that put on holiday-themed rides to even hotels with train cars for rooms, there’s no shortage of railroad fun to be had in the Lone Star State. All about for a railroad-themed road trip in Texas that will take you to train rides, historic sites, and much more throughout our great state.

The Google Map with exact addresses and directions can be found here.

googlemaps.com
1. Jefferson Railway (Jefferson)
Facebook/Historic Jefferson Railway
Jefferson Railway features an old-fashioned team train that was built in 1964. Residents of Jefferson and nearby towns look forward to the holiday-themed train rides all year long, including but not limited to a Halloween train, Christmas train, and New Year's train. Be sure to check their website for upcoming events and train schedules.

400 E Austin St, Jefferson, TX 75657
2. Texas State Railroad (Palestine)
Facebook/TexasStateRR
Families flock to Palestine from all over Texas to hop on a train and explore East Texas. Texas State Railroad hosts many special events throughout the year, including the ever-popular "Polar Express" ride coming up during Christmastime. More information about dates, tickets, and prices can be found here!

789 Park Road 70, Palestine, TX 75801

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3. Austin Steam Train Association (Austin)
Yelp/Ron H.
You have the unique opportunity to ride on a restored diesel train at the Austin Steam Train Association. The most popular ride is the six-hour Hill Country Flyer, which takes two hours each way and has a two hour lunch break. As soon as you step onto the train, you'll be whisked back into the 1950s and 60s and learn what locomotive travel was like back then. Don't miss this incredible historic event! Be sure to check their website for the current schedule.

401 E Whitestone Blvd C-100, Cedar Park, TX 78613
4. Antlers Inn (Kingsland)
Yelp/Cris R.
Antlers Inn isn't a train ride, but it's something even cooler - a train hotel! It used to be a normal old building, providing lodging for travelers on the Austin and Northwestern Railroad. After a fire destroyed the depot and, consequently, the hotel's business, Antlers Inn was sold to a private individual who lived in it with his family until 1993. Then, it was sold to the current owners, who restored the main house and brought in cabooses as additional sleeping quarters! How's that for INNovative? Be sure to check their website for more information.

1001 King Ct, Kingsland, TX 78639
5. Old Tunnel State Park (Fredericksburg)
TripAdvisor/kagamel
Although there's nothing apparently train-related about Old Tunnel State Park, history begs to differ. It used to be a railroad tunnel, something extremely uncommon in the Hill Country due to the unstable landscape. A train going to Fredericksburg used to use this tunnel until being decommissioned, but the gaping abyss is far from abandoned - millions of bats make their home here from May to October and it's truly a sight to see.

10619 Old San Antonio Rd, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
6. Texas Transportation Museum (San Antonio)
Facebook/texastransportationmuseum
Railroad and history buffs, this one's for you. The Texas Transportation Museum has exhibits showing how railroad transportation has evolved over time. There's even a train yard in the back with dozens of REAL locomotives for the whole family to explore! Your $10 admission fee gets you entrance into the museum as well as a ride around the property. Be sure to check their website for more information.

11731 Wetmore Rd, San Antonio, TX 78247

Have you ever been to any of these places along a railroad-themed road trip in Texas? What was your experience like? What’s your favorite train-themed place or train ride in Texas? Let us know in the comments below!

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railroad-themed road trip in Texas

Jackie Ann | January 12, 2021

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Featured Addresses
400 E Austin St, Jefferson, TX 75657, USA
789 Park Rd 70, Palestine, TX 75801, USA
401 E Whitestone Blvd, Cedar Park, TX 78613, USA
1001 King Ct, Kingsland, TX 78639, USA
10619 Old San Antonio Rd, Fredericksburg, TX 78624, USA
11731 Wetmore Rd, San Antonio, TX 78247, USA