Indiana Dinner Train Rides In Jasper
Published: January 4, 2026
By: Adam Burns
In the rolling hills of southern Indiana, the Spirit of Jasper offers one of those rare attractions that feels equal parts throwback and treat-yourself night out: a classic excursion train paired with a full meal served onboard. Departing from the Jasper Train Depot in downtown Jasper, the Spirit of Jasper has built its reputation around comfortable, restored passenger cars, friendly onboard service, and themed trips that turn a simple train ride into a memorable evening.
While the operation runs a variety of excursions throughout the season, its most popular experiences are the dinner-oriented “Ride & Dine” trips—events designed specifically for couples’ nights, small group outings, celebrations, and anyone who wants a leisurely meal without rushing a reservation.
The Basics
All public excursions depart from the Spirit of Jasper Train Depot at 201 Mill Street, Jasper, Indiana. The train’s published information also lists office hours (typically 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET) and customer service contact details for booking questions.
Onboard, you’re riding in refurbished, climate-controlled cars set up for comfort and conversation—exactly the kind of setting that fits a dining experience. Seating and service are arranged so that the meal is a central part of the trip rather than an afterthought, and many Ride & Dine departures run in the evening, giving the whole experience a “special occasion” vibe.
The signature experience: Ride & Dine dinner trains
The classic Ride & Dine format is straightforward: board at Jasper, settle into your seat, enjoy a scenic run, and then enjoy a catered dinner served onboard during the outing. The Spirit of Jasper’s Ride & Dine listings commonly show a 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET window for the evening trips, giving you a generous, unhurried couple of hours to eat, sip, and watch the countryside roll by.
A key detail for many riders: the train notes that there’s typically a cash-only bar available in Parlour Car 400, and that the catering partner provides beverages other than coffee (with coffee often handled separately by the caterer). This is helpful to know before you arrive—bring cash if you’d like bar service.
The Food
Ride & Dine menus vary by date and theme, but they generally lean into crowd-pleasing comfort food that fits an onboard service environment. Because menus are posted for specific departures, it’s worth checking the excursion’s booking page before buying tickets—especially if you’re traveling with dietary restrictions or simply want to choose a date based on the featured meal.
Popular themed dinner options to watch for
The Spirit of Jasper uses the Ride & Dine framework to create themed variations—often tied to local partners, seasonal flavors, or “date night” concepts. Availability changes year to year, but the following categories show up as recurring favorites.
Pizza & Beer Ride & Dine (21+)
One of the most talked-about variations is the Pizza and Beer Ride & Dine, which has been promoted as an adult outing (21+) pairing a casual meal with beer service. In at least one published description, the trip includes pizza from a local favorite and beer tickets, with additional bar service available.
If you’re traveling with friends and want something lively, this is often the “group night out” pick—less formal than a traditional dinner, more social, and built around the fun of eating and sampling onboard.
Chocolate, Wine & Dine
For couples—or anyone who prefers a sweeter, more “tasting-style” evening—the Chocolate, Wine & Dine rides lean into dessert pairings and wine sampling. Local news coverage has highlighted scheduled Chocolate, Wine & Dine departures (with evening runtimes similar to the standard dinner format), emphasizing wine tasting and chocolates as the centerpiece.
These are often popular for anniversaries and birthdays, so booking early is smart when you see them appear on the calendar.
Spirit of Autumn Ride & Dine
Seasonal rides can be especially scenic in southern Indiana, and the Spirit of Jasper’s Spirit of Autumn Ride & Dine is designed to capitalize on that. The train’s description notes that the trip includes a pause in a serene setting before entering Huntingburg, with dinner served during that stop, followed by the return run to Jasper.
If your audience is looking for fall color, cozy vibes, and a dinner that feels like part of a seasonal tradition, this is the Ride & Dine variant to highlight.
Sunday lunch and special meal excursions
In addition to evening dinners, Jasper’s tourism information notes additional food-focused trips—such as Sunday lunch excursions prepared by a local restaurant—alongside evening Ride & Dine departures.
If you’re writing for families or travelers who prefer daytime outings, lunch-oriented trains can be the more accessible option.
What to expect onboard
One reason dinner trains remain popular is that they slow everything down—in the best way. Instead of rushing through a meal, you settle in and let the evening unfold: gentle motion, conversation, and a steady rhythm of service as food comes out course by course (or buffet-style, depending on the departure).
A few practical notes to set expectations:
- Arrive early at the depot. Even if boarding is smooth, you’ll want time for parking, ticket scanning, and grabbing a photo near the platform.
- Bring cash if you plan to use the bar. The train has explicitly described bar service as cash-only on at least some excursions.
- Expect a social setting. Dinner trains are naturally interactive—people dress up a bit, celebrate milestones, and enjoy the novelty of dining on rails.
And for content purposes, it’s worth mentioning that the Spirit of Jasper also runs non-dinner events (festival shuttles, quick trips, and other themed outings). That breadth helps explain why the dinner options are so central: they’re the “flagship” experiences in a broader excursion calendar.
Why the Spirit of Jasper stands out
Plenty of excursion railroads offer scenic rides, and plenty of restaurants offer a great meal. What makes the Spirit of Jasper’s dinner trains compelling is the way they combine both into a single, self-contained experience: you’re not just going somewhere—you’re enjoying the journey as the event.
For visitors to Jasper and Dubois County, it’s an easy anchor attraction: start with the depot, enjoy a Ride & Dine, and then build the rest of the weekend around downtown Jasper, local dining, and nearby attractions. And for locals, it’s the kind of outing that stays fresh because the themes change—pizza and beer one month, wine and chocolate the next, and a fall dinner ride when the leaves start turning.
If you’d like, I can also add a short sidebar box for your site (hours, address, typical ride length, what to bring, and “best for” bullets) in the same style we’ve used for your other excursion articles.
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