Virginia ~ Whiskey Tasting ~ Train Rides
Published: July 4, 2026
By: Adam Burns
The Virginia Scenic Railway, based in Staunton, Virginia, has quickly become one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most distinctive tourist rail experiences, blending historic rail travel with modern culinary and entertainment events. Among its most popular specialty excursions is the “Bourbon & BBQ” tasting train, an adults-oriented rail journey that pairs scenic views of the Shenandoah Valley with guided bourbon tastings and Southern barbecue-inspired cuisine. The result is a three-hour experience that combines railroad nostalgia, regional landscapes, and carefully curated food and drink into a single immersive outing.
A Scenic Railway in the Shenandoah Valley
The Virginia Scenic Railway operates in the heart of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, a region known for its rolling farmland, mountain vistas, and historic towns. From the train’s windows passengers can take in views of the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains, open fields, forested ridges, and rural communities that define this celebrated landscape. Shenandoah Valley Blue Ridge Mountains
These excursions offer riders what the railway describes as a “front-row seat” to some of Virginia’s most picturesque countryside, with routes that pass through tunnels, over bridges, and alongside fields and forests.
The railroad operates several themed excursions throughout the year, including wine tastings, beer tastings, murder-mystery dinner theater, and seasonal holiday rides. Each event uses the same basic format: a round-trip rail journey lasting roughly three hours, departing from Staunton and traveling through the valley before returning to the station.
While scenic sightseeing trains have long been popular with tourists, the Virginia Scenic Railway has leaned into a more experiential model—turning the train itself into a venue for culinary events and social gatherings.
The “Bourbon & BBQ” Experience
Among these themed events, the Bourbon & BBQ tasting train stands out for its distinctly American flavor. Designed primarily for adult passengers, the excursion focuses on pairing carefully selected bourbons with barbecue-inspired charcuterie offerings while the train rolls through the Shenandoah Valley.
The experience centers around a curated selection of bourbons sourced from distilleries across the United States. Guests sample several varieties during the trip, guided by an onboard bourbon specialist who explains the origins of each whiskey, the distillation process, and the distinctive flavor profiles that differentiate each brand.
The tasting is paired with a specially prepared barbecue charcuterie spread, designed to complement the bourbons being served. Smoked meats, savory sides, and other Southern-style flavors are arranged to enhance the tasting experience, allowing passengers to explore how different bourbons interact with various food pairings.
In essence, the event transforms the train into a rolling tasting room, where both the scenery and the flavors evolve throughout the journey.
The Setting: Historic Railcars
A key part of the experience lies in the railway’s equipment. The Virginia Scenic Railway uses a collection of restored passenger cars, many dating to the mid-20th century. One notable piece of equipment in the fleet is a Vista-Dome car built by the Budd Company in 1948, originally used on the Western Pacific Railroad’s famous California Zephyr. After modernization and refurbishment, the car now operates on the Virginia Scenic Railway under the name “Shenandoah.”
While the railroad offers different classes of service on most trips - ranging from private dining to domes and lounge seating - this particular experience offers guests a private tables for the experience. As result, seating for these trips is always limited! To learn more about the Virginia Scenic's Bourbon & BBQ train please click here to visit their website.
A Growing Trend in Tourist Railroading
The Bourbon & BBQ train reflects a broader trend within the tourist railroad industry. Across North America, heritage railways increasingly offer themed culinary and beverage experiences to attract new audiences.
These events often include:
- Wine or beer tasting trains
- Dinner trains
- Holiday-themed excursions
- Special culinary collaborations
The Virginia Scenic Railway embraces this model with multiple tasting experiences such as the Sip & Savor Express (wine tasting) and Ales & Rails (craft beer tastings). Each event features guided tastings paired with food and scenic rail travel.
By combining hospitality with historic transportation, the railway transforms what might otherwise be a simple sightseeing trip into a full evening experience.
A Social Experience on the Rails
Beyond the food and drink, the Bourbon & BBQ train functions as a social event. Passengers often book the excursion as a date night, celebration, or group outing, taking advantage of the relaxed atmosphere and built-in entertainment.
The pacing of a train journey naturally encourages conversation. Unlike restaurants or bars where guests remain stationary, the constantly changing scenery adds visual interest and creates a sense of occasion. As the train winds through fields and forests of the Shenandoah Valley, passengers enjoy both the scenery and the shared experience of tasting and dining together.
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