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Florida's Whiskey Train Rides

Published: October 11, 2025

By: Adam Burns

The romance of rail pairs naturally with a fine pour of whiskey: slow travel, picture windows, convivial conversation, and the ritual of a well-made dram. While some regions of the U.S. have established whiskey- or bourbon-themed rail excursions, Florida’s rail scene is a bit different.

The state’s offerings focus on dinner theater trains, modern intercity service with onboard bars, and seasonal pop-up events rather than dedicated, regularly scheduled whiskey trains. If you’re dreaming of a whiskey-forward journey by rail in the Sunshine State, here’s what’s available now, what to watch for next, and how to craft a memorable experience of your own.

What you can ride today

Seminole Gulf Railway’s Murder Mystery Dinner Train

If you’re looking for atmosphere, this Southwest Florida standby delivers. The Murder Mystery Dinner Train combines a multi-course dinner, live interactive theater, and a leisurely evening ride aboard vintage railcars. It operates year-round, with themed shows that change periodically. There’s a full bar on board, so while it’s not a whiskey-specific excursion, you can certainly order your favorite bourbon or rye to accompany dinner and the show.

Expect a three- to four-hour round trip, assigned seating at shared tables, and a five-course menu that typically includes choices for the main course. The route runs through the Fort Myers area at a relaxed pace that suits dining and conversation.

Advance reservations are essential, weekends sell out, and smart-casual attire fits the vibe. If your goal is a refined, rail-forward evening where whiskey is available and the journey is the experience, this is currently Florida’s closest analog to a classic “whiskey train.”

Brightline

Brightline is Florida’s modern higher-speed intercity service linking Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Orlando (at Orlando International Airport’s Terminal C).

It’s not a themed excursion, but it does offer the most seamless way to enjoy rail travel and a proper drink. Premium-class tickets include complimentary beverages, typically covering beer, wine, and spirits. In standard class, you can purchase drinks from onboard service and at station bars before departure.

Practically, that means you can sip a whiskey highball between Miami and West Palm, or unwind with a neat pour on the longer Miami–Orlando leg.

Trains are clean and contemporary, with comfortable seating, Wi‑Fi, and reliable schedules—ideal for building a rail-and-whiskey weekend that hops between South Florida cities without the hassle of driving.

Amtrak’s Silver Service

Amtrak connects Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and beyond via the Silver Meteor and Silver Star. On most departures you’ll find a café car selling beer and wine; availability of spirits can vary by route and season. In general, Amtrak does not allow consumption of personal alcohol in coach seating; if you’re in a sleeper, you may consume your own in your private accommodation. For a whiskey-forward ride, check current onboard menus before you book, and plan to pair a train trip with tastings or bars near your arrival station rather than relying on the café car for a deep selection.

What Isn’t Here (Yet)

As of this writing, Florida does not have a widely advertised, regularly scheduled whiskey tasting excursion like Kentucky’s bourbon-themed rail experiences found at the My Old Kentucky Dinner Train. Some museums and excursion lines may host occasional adult-oriented events or special tastings, but these are typically one-offs rather than fixed seasonal series. If you’re set on a dedicated whiskey train, you may need to look out of state. If you’re flexible on the “theme,” you can still have an excellent rail-and-whiskey adventure in Florida with a bit of planning.

Distilleries to consider pairing with train travel

While not typically accessible door-to-door by train alone, several Florida distilleries produce whiskey and offer tours and tastings. Two to know:

St. Augustine Distillery (St. Augustine): Known for Florida-made bourbon and rye, plus a polished visitor experience. Pair with an Amtrak trip to Jacksonville, then rideshare to St. Augustine for a day trip or overnight.

Manifest Distilling (Jacksonville): An award-winning craft distiller producing rye whiskey among other spirits. The Jacksonville Amtrak station isn’t downtown, so plan a short rideshare.

Check hours, tour availability, and bottle shop rules before you go. Distillery calendars can change seasonally, and some experiences require reservations.

Final Thoughts

Florida doesn’t yet offer a dedicated “whiskey train” in the classic sense, but you can absolutely craft a memorable, rail-centric whiskey experience. Combine the theater and charm of Fort Myers’ dinner train with Brightline’s sleek city-to-city service, add thoughtful stops at quality bars and a distillery visit or two, and you’ll capture the essence of what makes whiskey-by-rail special: unhurried travel, rich flavors, and the simple pleasure of watching the Sunshine State roll by your window.