This was absolutely worth the money. The views were awesome. I took so many postures. We were in the Scottsdale car and Michael was our car attendant. He did an excellent job of filling drink orders while telling stories, giving history and pointing out sites. Not easy on a moving train. Craig was outside and also did a magnificent job of giving details of wildlife, pointing out types of trees and different rock formations. They made a superb team. The good and drinks were all delicious. Well worth the money. We will be back to take the Starlight tour. Maybe in the fall when it won’t be as hot. Even with the temperature being over 100, we had an excellent time.
The Verde Canyon Railroad was a neat experience, and the views were absolutely amazing. The scenery along the route was definitely the highlight of the trip, with incredible landscapes that made the ride worthwhile.
We were traveling during a hot time of year, which made it challenging to spend much time outside, but the outdoor attendant in the Scottsdale car was fantastic. I believe his name was Craig, and he did an excellent job sharing information about the area, the history, and what we were seeing along the way. He really enhanced the experience and was clearly passionate about what he does.
The train cars themselves were very comfortable, especially the couches, which made it easy to relax and enjoy the ride. The food was also good and added to the overall experience. One thing to note is that they are not able to make substitutions or changes to the charcuterie boards for dietary restrictions, so keep that in mind if you have specific food needs.
The indoor attendant was also friendly, but since he was responsible for bartending as well, there wasn’t as much opportunity to hear commentary while we were inside the train car. We would have loved to have had Craig’s narration available inside too, especially since the history and information about the area are such an important part of the experience.
One thing to be aware of is that the round-trip journey follows the same route both directions, so the ride back is not a different scenic route.
Overall, we enjoyed the experience and the incredible views.
Highlight of our trip to AZ! The train is set up so nicely- very comfortable to just hangout and relax. As others have said, the right side is the side with the better views for sure. I thought 4 hours was going to feel long and it was actually the right amount of time! We did the starlight ride and in April, it’s not much of a starlight ride but we got sunset which was absolutely incredible! Romm was our host and he was super personable and knowledgeable of the whole experience. The outside carts are really nice as well and you have incredible views throughout. We didn’t have the complementary food and didn’t love the cocktails on board to be honest but that’s OK, it didn’t negate the experience at all. There’s no need to get there 1.5 hours ahead. We got there about 45 minutes ahead, checked in, checked out the gift shop and museum and ordered a drink and it was more than enough time. Overall, a really fun and unique experience that I feel is worth the price! We would love to do it again one day.
An Unforgettable Journey on the Verde Canyon Railroad!
If you are considering booking the Verde Canyon Railroad adventure, do not hesitate—it was an absolute highlight for our entire group! From start to finish, the scenery, food, and staff made for a world-class experience.
Spectacular Views & Special Touches
The canyon scenery is nothing short of breathtaking. Cruising through the red rocks offered constant photo-worthy moments. Getting to start the journey with a champagne toast and enjoying a delicious charcuterie board was a fantastic bonus that set a wonderful, relaxing tone for the trip.
Great Food at the Depot
The food far exceeded our expectations. Our party split between a few different menu items:
The Hamburgers: Fresh, flavorful, and a huge hit.
The Salads: Crisp, fresh, and exceptionally good.
Chicken Salad wrap: generous and tasty.
Shoutout to the Amazing Crew
What truly elevated the entire trip was the phenomenal staff. They were welcoming, informative, friendly, and overall top-notch:
Prescott Car: A huge thank you to Chris and Josh for making the trip so much fun!
Scottsdale Car: Bravo to Michael, Mia, and Scooby Doo for taking such great care of us.
Their commentary and local insights added so much value to the sights we were seeing.
Bottom Line: Stunning views, fantastic bites, and an unmatched crew. Whether you're a local or visiting Arizona, this trip is an absolute must-do!
Very fun, definitely recommend doing this. Comfortable seats, the champagne and charcuterie board was good and our daughter got some sparkling apple cider in stead of champagne. The views are amazing and it feels so special to do this on an old fashion train. The guide told us about the history of the track and surroundings and showed us special spots. We ordered a couple of cocktails at our very nice waitress and they were delicious and strong. My daughter got an ice cream. It felt like being in a movie. Such a fun activity and a nice change from all the hiking. Good airconditioning too.
