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Oktoberfest Train Rides: A Complete Guide

Published: September 20, 2025

By: Adam Burns

There’s something undeniably perfect about pairing Oktoberfest with a train ride. Autumn color blurs past the window, a band strikes up an oompah beat, and your tasting flight of Märzens and festbiers arrives with a warm pretzel or a brat.

Across the United States, heritage and scenic railroads lean into the season with beer-forward excursions that celebrate Bavarian tradition and local craft brewing.

If you’re planning a fall getaway, here are several of the most popular Oktoberfest-inspired train experiences to consider. Dates, menus, and lineups change year to year, so always confirm details with the railroad before you book.

Verde Canyon Railroad – Ales on Rails (Clarkdale, Arizona)
The desert might not be the first place you picture for Oktoberfest, but Verde Canyon Railroad’s Ales on Rails has become a fall favorite. Departing from Clarkdale, the train glides into the red-rock walls of the Verde Canyon, where bald eagles soar and sycamores glow gold along the river. Before boarding, the depot typically opens a lively tasting garden featuring Arizona craft brews (think Märzens, lagers, and seasonal ales) along with bratwurst and other pub fare. Onboard, you can settle into climate-controlled cars or step out to open-air viewing cars to take in the scenery between sips. Trains often run on select afternoons in September and October, timed so the return rolls in at sunset—prime photo time in the canyon. It’s relaxed, scenic, and easy to pair with a Sedona or Jerome weekend.

Georgetown Loop Railroad – Oktoberfest on the Loop (Georgetown, Colorado)
In Colorado’s high country, the Georgetown Loop Railroad brings classic mountain railroading together with Bavarian flair. This 19th‑century narrow-gauge line climbs between Georgetown and Silver Plume over trestles with big views of aspen groves and the surrounding peaks. On select fall weekends, the railroad layers in Oktoberfest touches: local microbrew tastings, brats or pretzels, and often live polka or German folk music at the depots. The ride is relatively short but dramatic, and the timing usually coincides with peak aspen color. Families appreciate the festive atmosphere (many trains offer non-alcoholic options), while beer lovers get a taste of Colorado’s brewing scene with a postcard backdrop.

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad – Ales on Rails (Cleveland/Akron, Ohio)
Running through Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has built a following for Ales on Rails, an evening series that celebrates craft beer as the leaves turn along the Cuyahoga River. Guests typically enjoy a curated flight—often including an Oktoberfest-style lager—paired with light bites as the train rolls between the Rockside and Akron Northside stations. The park’s boardwalks, marshes, and river views feel especially atmospheric in late September and October. This is a seated tasting experience in vintage coaches, and trains commonly sell out quickly, so plan ahead. If you prefer wine, the railroad also runs popular Grape Escape excursions in the same season.

North Shore Scenic Railroad – Oktoberfest Express (Duluth, Minnesota)
Duluth’s North Shore Scenic Railroad leans into its city’s beer culture with themed excursions, and its Oktoberfest Express is a crowd-pleaser. Departing from the historic Duluth Depot, the train generally follows the Lake Superior shoreline or the St. Louis River corridor while guests sample seasonal beers from regional breweries. Expect German snacks, festive décor, and sometimes a soundtrack of oompah standards. The Lake Superior views add a crisp, northern flavor to the celebration, and because the line runs right from downtown, it’s easy to pair with Duluth’s restaurants and taprooms before or after your ride.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad – Brew Train (Durango, Colorado)
While not branded strictly as “Oktoberfest,” the Durango & Silverton’s Brew Train is an autumn tradition that scratches the same itch. Steam-powered trains chuff along the Animas River into rugged canyon country, with open gondola cars offering immersive views of cliffs, pines, and (with luck) golden cottonwoods. Select trips bring aboard a lineup of regional breweries pouring tastings, often complemented by onboard bites and a festive, live-music vibe at a remote picnic stop or turning point. It’s hard to top the D&SNG’s mix of historic locomotives, high-country scenery, and craft beer for a fall day out.

North Carolina Transportation Museum – Brew & Choo: Oktoberfest (Spencer, North Carolina)
For a festival-plus-ride experience, the North Carolina Transportation Museum’s Brew & Choo has featured Oktoberfest editions that combine a craft beer tasting event on the museum grounds with short train excursions. Expect dozens of regional beers, food trucks, live music with a Bavarian twist, and stein-holding contests, alongside time to explore the museum’s impressive collection of locomotives and rolling stock. The ride component is typically a leisurely loop on museum trackage—more about the ambiance and the variety of pours than long-distance travel—making it a great social outing for groups.

Adirondack Railroad – Beer and Wine/Oktoberfest Trains (Upstate New York)
Operating from hubs like Utica and Thendara, the Adirondack Railroad offers beer and wine trains through the foothills of the Adirondacks and has run Oktoberfest-themed editions in some seasons. These are generally evening excursions with tasting flights, light snacks, and scenic stretches through forest and wetland as the sun dips. When the maples begin to flare scarlet and orange, the views pop, and the railroad often partners with regional brewers for a local lineup. If your fall plans include Old Forge, the Fulton Chain of Lakes, or a leaf-peeping road trip along Route 28, this is an easy add-on.

East Troy Railroad Museum – Oktoberfest Dinner Train (East Troy, Wisconsin)
In the upper Midwest, the East Troy Railroad Museum uses historic interurban cars to host intimate dinner trains, including an Oktoberfest-themed menu on select dates. Think schnitzel or sauerbraten, spaetzle, red cabbage, and German-style beers served as you glide through kettle moraine prairie. This is a sit-down, coursed experience rather than a tasting flight format, and the restored vintage cars add a nostalgic glow to the evening. Because seating is limited, the Oktoberfest dinners tend to sell out; booking early is wise.

Why these rides are fan favorites
- Seasonal scenery: Many of these trains pass through peak fall color or dramatic landscapes that are at their best in late September and October.
- Local flavor: Oktoberfest trains often showcase regional breweries, so you’re tasting place as much as style.
- Atmosphere: Live music, pretzels, brats, and stein-holding fun turn a scenic ride into a full-on celebration.
- No driving required: Enjoy tastings without worrying about parking or traffic on winding leaf-peeper roads.

Planning tips for a smooth trip
- Book early: Special-event trains are limited-capacity and often sell out weeks in advance, especially Saturday departures.
- Check the fine print: Some rides are 21+ only; others are family-friendly with non-alcoholic options. Bring a valid ID.
- Pick your car: Many railroads offer choices between standard coaches, premium seating with tables, or open-air cars. Dress in layers—autumn weather swings fast.
- Arrive early: Pre-boarding tasting gardens or depot festivities are part of the fun. Early arrival also helps with parking and check-in.
- Eat before or plan to snack: Some trains include light bites; others offer full meals. If it’s tasting-focused, don’t ride on an empty stomach.
- Consider transportation: While you won’t be driving during the ride, plan a safe way to and from the station.

A note on schedules and availability
Event names, partners, and exact offerings change year to year, and a few trains run only on select weekends. Before you make plans, check the railroad’s official website or call the ticket office for current dates, menus, and age policies. If your chosen train is sold out, ask about waitlists or shoulder-date alternatives—Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons are often easier to snag than Saturday nights.

Whether you’re clinking steins in the Arizona sun, swaying to polka in a Colorado mountain valley, or savoring a Märzen as Lake Superior slides by your window, an Oktoberfest train turns a classic fall tradition into a moving feast for the senses. Prost—and happy travels on the rails.