One Virginia excursion train sends you through a tunnel about a mile long while you sit in a passenger car from the 1940s. That fact alone made me want to rethink the whole Thanksgiving plan.
Another ride starts its holiday season right after Thanksgiving, with hot cocoa, cookies, and Santa walking the aisle. Over at a big theme park, a little train loops past millions of twinkling lights, and the park opens on Thanksgiving Day itself.
Turkey is great. But by Friday, most of us are full, restless, and staring at the same living room walls.
Grandparents doze, kids bounce, and somebody starts a debate about pie.
I started hunting for rides that could fix that problem, and the list got surprisingly fun. Some trains climb mountains, some circle zoos, and one runs past free-roaming animals on a safari route.
A few are big outings, and a few take ten minutes. Which one would your crew pick first?
1. Buckingham Branch Railroad
Behind those polished excursion trains stands a hardworking shortline with its home base in tiny Dillwyn. The Buckingham Branch Railroad owns and operates the scenic rides that leave Staunton.
Those passenger excursions started in 2023, so the whole idea is still pretty fresh. Think of it as a freight-style railroad that decided to share the view.
Curious where the trip from Staunton to Ivy came from? That route belongs to this company’s network, and it makes a sneaky great surprise gift.
A Thanksgiving weekend ride works the same way. You can tell the family you’re going for a drive, then hand them boarding passes at the station.
Dillwyn itself sits in rural Buckingham County, and the headquarters keeps weekday office hours. It’s not a boarding spot, so plan your actual ride from the Staunton station.
Why mention the railroad at all? Knowing who runs the line helps when you’re comparing routes, checking schedules, or wondering why the tracks feel so well cared for.
Here’s a fun trivia card for the dinner table, too. The same company behind your holiday train also moves real cargo across Virginia during the rest of the week.
Address: 1063 Main St, Dillwyn, VA 23936
2. Rappahannock Railroad Museum
Free museums are rare, and free train rides are rarer. This Fredericksburg spot offers both, run by friendly volunteers who clearly love rail history.
The ride lasts about 30 minutes on a real maintenance car. It’s uncovered, so you’ll roll through a wooded area with nothing between you and the crisp November air.
Pack gloves and a hat. The route crosses a road and heads down toward the mainline, where you might spot a passing train if luck is on your side.
Back on the ground, three train cars hold exhibits worth poking around. One baggage car displays 20th-century artifacts once used by railway workers.
Model train setups add another layer of fun for kids and grown-up train fans alike. Expect somebody in your group to stare at them way longer than planned.
Timing matters here, since the museum opens Saturday mornings from 9 AM to noon. That makes the Saturday after Thanksgiving a natural fit for a quick morning outing.
Go early, get your ride in, and still have time for lunch. Restrooms are on site, but there’s no restaurant, so bring snacks or leftovers.
Address: 11700 Main St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
3. Gypsy Express
Small trains carry big smiles, and this one proves it in Gypsy Hill Park. The Gypsy Express is a miniature train made for kids, with room for parents to tag along.
You’ll find it in Staunton, the same city where the bigger scenic trains depart. That means you could stack a grand excursion and a mini ride into one holiday trip.
Toddlers who can’t sit through three hours will love this shorter option. It’s quick, simple, and just the right amount of choo-choo for tiny attention spans.
The park setting helps too. After the ride, you can stretch your legs and burn off some of that Thanksgiving pie with a lap around the grounds.
Listed hours run weekend afternoons from 1 to 5 PM. Since outdoor kiddie rides can be seasonal, check with the city before heading over in late November.
There’s no restaurant attached, so bring a snack if your crew gets cranky. A thermos of hot cocoa could turn a short ride into a full mini adventure.
Little rides can make big memories. Years from now, someone might remember this tiny train longer than the turkey.
Address: 370 Constitution Dr, Staunton, VA 24401
4. Burke Lake Train & Carousel
Ten minutes doesn’t sound like much until you spend it gliding past woods and a lake. That’s the deal at Burke Lake Park, where a miniature train loops through scenic parkland.
The ride feels like a little blast from the past. Pair it with a spin on the carousel, and you’ve got an old-fashioned outing in Northern Virginia.
Families coming off a big Thursday feast will like the low-key pace. Nobody needs a reservation for a fancy dinner or a three-hour itinerary here.
Picnic tables sit nearby, so pack those leftovers into a basket. A turkey sandwich tastes better outdoors, especially with a lake view.
Kids can also hit the playground and slides before or after the train. Public restrooms make the whole stop easier for younger riders.
Listed hours show weekend operation from 11:15 AM to 5:45 PM. Rides like these often wind down for the season in the fall, so confirm with Fairfax County Parks before you go.
If the train is running, it’s an easy Saturday win. If not, the park still offers trails for a walk that beats another nap on the couch.
Address: 7115 Ox Rd, Fairfax Station, VA 22039
5. Virginia Scenic Railway
Leftover turkey sandwiches can wait, because this railway serves bistro-style meals at a private table. Even better, those tables sit inside modernized passenger cars from the 1940s.
Two routes leave from Staunton, and both last about three hours round trip. The Alleghany Special heads toward the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests and turns around in Goshen.
Prefer a little drama? The Blue Ridge Flyer rolls east through Fishersville and Waynesboro, then enters the mile-long Blue Ridge Tunnel before turning around in Ivy.
Both trips run Thursday through Sunday, which lines up nicely with a long holiday weekend. Dining class includes the meal, while dome and coach riders can pre-order boxed meals.
Got little ones who already have a wish list? The Santa Express runs between Thanksgiving and Christmas and lasts about an hour, with sparkly decorations, hot cocoa, and a cookie.
Santa shows up to hear Christmas wishes, and festive outfits are encouraged. Ugly sweaters from last year finally get a second chance.
Tickets sell ahead of time, so book early instead of hoping for a spare seat. Holiday weekends tend to make the Shenandoah Valley a popular escape.
Address: STA, 415 Bridge St, Staunton, VA 24401
6. Caribou Train Station
Over ten million twinkling lights is a lot of extension cords. At Busch Gardens Williamsburg, the Christmas Town celebration puts them on display, and the park opens on Thanksgiving Day.
Caribou Train Station serves the park’s railway, which was built in 1975, the same year the park opened. During the holidays, that line becomes the Christmas Town Express.
Singing along to holiday songs is part of the ride. You’ll roll past lights and decorations while the train makes a continuous loop through the park.
Here’s a handy detail. During Christmas Town, the train doesn’t stop at other stations, so plan to ride the whole loop and hop off where you started.
Christmas Town runs on select dates from mid-November, with daily operation starting around Thanksgiving week. That makes it one of the easiest holiday trains to fit into the long weekend.
Evening rides show off the lights best. Bundle up, grab a spot, and let the kids be as loud as they want during the sing-along.
Is it cheesy? A little.
Will your teenager secretly enjoy it? Probably, though they may never admit it out loud.
Address: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd, Williamsburg, VA 23185
7. Virginia Zoo
More than 700 animals live here, and a train helps you see a good slice of them. The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk covers 53 landscaped acres along the Lafayette River.
Over 150 species call the place home. That’s a lot of walking, so the train ride gives tired legs a break after Thursday’s feast.
The route is easy to follow, which helps when you’ve got a stroller and three opinions. The train adds a fun bonus without turning the day into a hike.
Kids can also visit the petting area for goats. A playground gives them one more spot to spend energy that somehow survived Thanksgiving.
A cafe and food court mean you don’t have to pack lunch. A gift shop waits near the end, so set a souvenir budget before anyone spots the plush animals.
Hours run daily from 9:30 AM to 4 PM. Weekends tend to be busiest, so an early start on Friday could feel calmer.
Retired and disabled military veterans get free admission. That’s a nice perk if Grandpa served and came along for the holiday visit.
Address: 3500 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23504
8. Metro Richmond Zoo
Free-roaming animals and a safari train make this zoo feel like a road trip in miniature. You’ll ride right up close to animals that wander the grounds.
Metro Richmond Zoo spreads across 70 acres of rolling countryside in Moseley. About 150 species live here, including a white rhino.
Want a bird’s-eye view? A sky lift carries you over the park, including a pass above the rhinos.
Giraffe feeding is another highlight that kids talk about for days. Feeding shows add an educational twist without feeling like a lecture.
Then there’s the cheetah that lives with a golden lab. It sounds made up, but it’s a real pairing, and it’s one of the zoo’s best-known sights.
A zip line tree course offers something for older kids who think trains are too tame. That gives teenagers a reason to put down their phones for a while.
Buying tickets in advance is recommended, especially around a holiday. Hours can change seasonally, so check the schedule before you load up the car.
Address: 8300 Beaver Bridge Rd, Moseley, VA 23120
9. Mill Mountain Zoo
Few zoos come with a giant star next door. Mill Mountain Zoo sits on top of Mill Mountain in Roanoke, right beside the famous Roanoke Star.
The mountaintop location brings pretty views and plenty of shade. Trees line the paths, so the walk feels relaxed instead of rushed.
Better yet, the train here runs year-round. That’s great news for a late November visit, when many outdoor rides have already gone quiet.
More than 50 native and exotic animals live at this small zoo, along with birds and reptiles. Its size makes it easy to see in a morning.
Families with young kids will like that compact layout. Nobody ends up carried back to the car crying from a five-mile trek.
A cafe, gift shop, and playground round out the stop. Hours run daily from 10 AM to 4 PM, with Saturday afternoons usually the busiest.
After the zoo, take a few minutes at the star for a photo with the valley below. It makes a pretty great holiday card shot, especially if everyone actually looks at the camera.
Address: Mill Mountain Spur SE, Roanoke, VA 24014
10. NOVA Wild
Riding a camel was probably not on your Thanksgiving to-do list. At NOVA Wild in Vienna, it could be.
The star for train fans is a tour ride that drives your party around the grounds. Along the way, you’ll get a look at the animals and learn a bit about them.
Interaction is a big theme at this compact zoo. Kids can feed baby goats, pet animals, and even see a giraffe up close.
Pony rides and wagon rides add more options for little ones. That variety makes it a handy pick when cousins of different ages are visiting.
NOVA Wild keeps daily hours from 10 AM to 5 PM. Saturday and Sunday afternoons get busiest, so a Friday visit might give you more elbow room.
Buying tickets ahead is recommended. A gift shop sits on site, and gender-neutral restrooms make family trips easier.
If you live in Northern Virginia, it’s a nice way to try something different without a long drive. Your out-of-town guests will head home with a story about a camel, which beats another tale about traffic.
Address: 1228 Hunter Mill Rd, Vienna, VA 22182
