Often, a Halloween train will have a theme -- such as pirates-- and guests are encouraged to dress up. Plan ahead and book early, as many Halloween trains run only on a couple of dates in October.
Pumpkin patch train rides are a fun option, with young kids. The train travels to a pumpkin patch, where kids can pick out a pumpkin to take home. Several trains run "The Great Pumpkin Patch Express Train" featuring characters from the Peanuts comic strip; the Peanuts cartoon tv special, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," has been a Halloween classic since it aired in 1966.
Halloween Train - Samples
- Cape Cod Central Railroad - Halloween Fun Train:
2009 has a Wizard of Oz theme.* Kids in costume ride for half-price.
- WW&F Railway Halloween Train - Alma, Maine:
With costume judging, and pumpkin judging.
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Stanley Park Ghost Train:
Popular 10-minute ride on the Miniature Railroad in Stanley Park; other fun on-site too.
- Adirondack Scenic Railroad, Lake Placid, NY:
Kids can dress up for the Oct. 31 Halloween Train, which runs several times during the day. (An adult train runs the night before.)
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Durango CO:
Peanuts™ The Great Pumpkin Patch Express Train runs on multiple nights in October; have fun with Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and other characters from the classic Peanuts comic strip, and take home your own pumpkin.
- Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, NC:
Another tourist railroad that offers the Peanuts™ Great Pumpkin Patch Express. Hayrides, live music, hay bale maze, bouncy house; meet Charlie Brown, Lucy and Snoopy, and pick out your own pumpkin. Runs through most of October.
- Seminole Gulf Railway, Florida
Pumpkin Patch Express includes a small pumpkin for painting. For grown-ups, Murder Mystery Train has Halloween Ghost Train party nights.
*Always check web sites for updates!
