Conway Scenic Railroad

I had higher expectations but it was still a nice relaxing ride. 70% of the time was spent riding through a wall of trees and towns. When you enter the train, for best views sit on left side. Once it did open up, the views were great. Definitely consider a fall ride during peak for the best color.

We had a really enjoyable experience. We travelled in Dome class which does give you better views. The trees along the track obscure much of the views so you really have to enjoy the journey itself. It is quite an expensive activity so you really have to like riding a train. I feel like they could have made the experience more valuable with a complimentary drink and snack. There is a snack bar on board but queues are long. Overall we are glad we did the journey but I wouldn’t repeat it

Riding the Conway Scenic Railroad was a truly unforgettable experience like stepping back in time while gliding through some of New Hampshire’s most breathtaking landscapes. The vintage train cars were beautifully restored, and the ride itself was smooth, peaceful, and full of charm. As we traveled through lush forests and over scenic bridges, the fall colors were absolutely stunning, making every moment feel like a moving postcard. The staff were incredibly friendly and shared fascinating local history throughout the journey, adding depth to the views outside the window. Whether you're a train enthusiast or just looking for a relaxing and scenic escape, this ride is a perfect blend of nostalgia, nature, and New England charm.

The people are nice. That’s about it. The three pretty scenes we saw are pictured. The rest was not very scenic. It is out and back not a loop. If you do it choose seats within numbers 1-20 on the right side of the train. We mostly saw trees and peoples houses. (We were in seats 33 & 34) We really wanted to love it.

Being a local this is something I've been curious about and wanted to try. Well today was the day and honestly it was kinda meh. We spent tickets for first class. Figure why not spend the extra money for good views and comfy seats. Well..seats weren't great, they were older borderline dining room style chairs. Seems like the other cars had way better and more comfortable seating, just didn't have the table. If you are motion sick in the slightest of ways! Take Dramamine, or a motion sick helper. Some parts of the track aren't smooth and the train rocks a lot. NOTE: The ticket you get from Will Call Window claims you "need" or are obligated to change your seat for other guests for viewing purposes. HOWEVER in the ticket disclaimer when purchasing a ticket it's noted "Guests must not change seats or occupy areas other than their assigned seat. Guests should not move around the train, except where absolutely necessary." People may make an issue of this. P.S bring a deck of cards if you go. We will not be back.

TLDR: possibly worth it to see fall foliage, but pricy tickets for cramped seating and long excursion for limited views I booked the Mountaineer train ride, which I was influenced to do via social media. The first class ticket was expensive, I was basically sitting knee-to-knee with a stranger. The narration for the majority of the ride was unbelievably monotone and the views were nothing special. To give the benefit of the doubt, I think this year’s fall season isn’t as spectacular as in the past, so I understand that is not the fault of the railway. However I spent most of the time reading, on my phone, and waiting for the 4 hour ride to be done with. If you cannot hike to see the foliage due to health issues or handicap, I think this would be a good experience. But I wouldn’t do this again, and I definitely did not think it was worth the amount I paid. Maybe would have been a better experience if the foliage was prettier this year. Overall, nothing special; I had a better experience hiking at The Basin earlier in the day

We took a 1-hour ride to celebrate our anniversary and had a lovely time! We bought first-class tickets and had the car entirely to ourselves (on an August Sunday). The views were lovely, the seats and car were comfortable (and the A/C had no trouble keeping up with the August heat), and we had a delightful time. For the first half of the trip there was a pre-recorded narration of the sights coming up (in a soothing Mr. Rogers–style voice — we felt like he liked us just the way we are!), which helped me get in position for photos. The second half of the trip (coming back along the same track) had no narration. Probably not good for small children with limited attention spans, but a delightful, relaxing experience for adults who like scenery and history. One thing to watch out for: We did not allow for the dense traffic we experienced on our way to the station, and we ended up being the last people aboard and had to scramble to get our boarding passes. In general, traffic in the area during the summer was a lot thicker and slower than I expected. (Since we were the only people in the first-class car, though, it didn’t matter that we were the last ones aboard.) There were a few fun historical exhibits in the station; it's worth taking the time before or after your ride to check those out.

Ride the train! We bought the premium seats up in the bubble and it was nice, but I don't think the view would have been too much different from the lower seats in the car below. Restrooms and a snack bar are available. We took our ride on Labor Day, and because of track maintenance, the train went the opposite direction that it normally goes, and it really wasn't very scenic. (It's probably better going the normal way.) It's a unique experience riding in a train, and still worth the money, even if it's just trees... Parking at the facility is limited, but public parking is available close by.