You Can Ride the Oldest Continuously Operating Railroad in the U.S.—Complete With Vintage Train Cars and Scenic Views

"In Strasburg, Pennsylvania, this vintage steam train—America's oldest continuously operating railroad—offers a nostalgic 45-minute round-trip through Amish Country (4.5 miles each way) in perfectly restored original equipment. First launched in 1832 and converted to a freight service by local investors in 1958, it still hauls freight today while welcoming passengers for historic rides. You can choose themed excursions like lunch or dinner service, wine-and-cheese or whiskey tastings, and even a Bonnie and Clyde experience, and pick from distinctive cars: the President's Car once used by the top brass, the First Class Parlor Car with plush seating for every guest, the cozier First Class Lounge, or the Dining Car with real tables for a fantastic bite. Expect a deliberately slow pace suited to early-20th-century steam engines and panoramic views of more than 2,500 acres of Lancaster County farmland, much of it tended by Amish neighbors. Rides run daily with specialty outings for occasions like Mother's Day, Father's Day, and the holidays, and your ticket helps preserve the railroad’s history by being reinvested back into the line." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines