Hudson Valley Explorer

deluxe weekend dining car train journeys

Departing from New York City

Choose your overnight destination:

Lake George, Saratoga Springs or Southern Vermont

2011 season:

June 11-12, 25-26; July 9-10; 23-24

August 6-7, 20-21; September 10-11, 17-18, 24-25

October 1-2, 8-9, 15-16

For one-day dining journeys from New York City see our Wine 'n Dine Train!

Its a fantastic weekend escape through the Hudson River Valley and into the Catskills. Join us for a delightful outing complete with majestic sightseeing, fine dining and fun entertainment. Choose one destination option where you will relax overnight on Saturday evening and wake-up to explore on Sunday:

Option A: Lake George

Option B: Saratoga Springs

Option C: Vermont

Travel in comfort free from crowds and traffic hassles aboard our exclusive 1950's streamlined-era Pullman Dining Car "Epicurus". Relax as you wind along the mighty Hudson River for over 300 miles roundtrip. Enjoy awesome views of the Hudson River Valley you'll never see from any highway. Sights include West Point, Bannerman's Castle, Storm King Mountain, Bear Mountain, Hudson Highlands, stately mansions, massive bridges, and a myriad of picturesque sailboats, barges, tugboats and lighthouses. Never lose your sense of place as our large GPS monitors continuously pinpoint location of the beautiful surroundings. Experience first-hand the greatness of the Hudson that has inspired so many artists, poets and writers.

Dining aboard the Epicurus is always a special event as our chef prepares savory meals for your dining pleasure. Each day a traditional five-course "dinner in the diner" is served restaurant-style complimented by fine china and snow white linens. Choose onboard from a Meat, Seafood or Pasta entree. Soothing music enhances the experience.

The return trip to New York City is a special treat as you experience a majestic Hudson River sunset, after which we'll dim the dining room lights to enhance your twilight riverside views. Following dessert tap your feet as the train comes alive with song, dance and video.

Destination Option A: Lake George

Disembark the train at Fort Edward station, located in the foothills of the Adirondacks and immerse yourself in the many pleasures of sparkling Lake George....a wonderful family destination. Within walking distance of the village you can visit Fort William Henry where a crucial French & Indian War battle occurred.....Splash away the heat at the Million Dollar Beach or in your hotel pool....Wander the haunted halls of the House of Frankenstein Wax Museum....Taste award winning wines at the Adirondack Winery....Browse the boutiques and arcades....thrill to great nightlife....or catch a breeze aboard an open-air horse-drawn carriage. Of course no trip to Lake George is complete without a scenic cruise on an authentic Paddlewheel Steamboat.

Lake George region Special Events Dates:

June 12: LARAC June Arts Festival

June 26: Summerfest - Lake George

August 21: Lake George Family Festival - Craft Fair

September 11: Adirondack National's Car Show & Adirondack Vette Fest

September 25: Adirondack Balloon Festival (Glens Falls)

Destination option B: Saratoga Springs

"Perfect from Start to Finish" Saratoga Springs boasts dozens of famous mineral springs, spouting geysers, soothing mineral baths, The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, art galleries [incl. The Tang], great golf courses, a classic automobile museum, boutiques, fine dining, dance museum, gaming, thoroughbred racing, an antique carousel as well as peaceful places to stroll, bike and swim. History comes to life at Saratoga National Park...site of the turning point of the American Revolution.

Saratoga Springs region Special Events Dates:

July 24; August 7,21: Thoroughbred Racing at Saratoga Race Course

Destination option C: Vermont

Our final destination is Vermont...a complete escape from city life that will immerse you in the rural charms of the Green Mountain state. On an optional complimentary backcountry coach tour you'll experience an eclectic mix of the old and the new as a true Vermont native acquaints you with many wonderful scenic highlights of the lush valley between the Green Mountains and the Taconics. This personalized tour may include stops at Maple Sugar Houses, Covered Bridges, Dairy Farms Scenic Hilltops/Gorges and may include views of some jaw dropping devastation resulting from hurricane Irene. Alternatively guests may take a walking tour of Downtown Rutland and explore over one-hundred buildings that are listed in the National Historic Register including the Chaffee Art Center. During summer and early fall guests may choose the thrills of an active day at the Pico Adventure Center where an Alpine Slide and Rock Climbing wall await. Overnight in a cozy hotel or a traditional Vermont Bed 'n Breakfast Inn.

Rutland region Special Events Dates:

July 10: Small Boat Festival @ The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum

July 24: Killington Wine Festival

September 11: Vermont State Fair

October 9: Art in the Park Fall Festival

Sample Dinner Menu

[menu changes weekly]

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail

Boston Clam Chowder

Mediterranean Salad

Sirloin Steak

Baked Sea Scallops

Manicotti

served w/ Golden Mashed Potatoes & Cauliflower Casserole

Warm Bread Pudding w/ Creme Anglaise

NY Times Weekend Explorer: "The Hudson's New Wave"

:: All-Inclusive Package

Deluxe Rail Travel roundtrip aboard our exclusive Pullman

Dining Car "Epicurus"

Complimentary Five-course

Dinner served en route daily

Complimentary Beverages

en route including wine, beer

and cocktails

One Night Standard Hotel

incl. Breakfast* & Taxes

Vermont Backcountry Tour or State Fair Admission

Services of Dining Car Host/Concierge/Guide

Weekend Fare:

$299 per guest

Fare is per guest Double/Triple Occupancy Hotel. Upgrade to Single Occupancy Hotel $50. For upscale Bed 'n Breakfast accommodations with full private bath add $50 per guest. All tables seat four adult guests and are positioned adjacent to large clear picture-windows. Guests purchasing a minimum of three fares are guaranteed a private table. A surcharge of $400 per room will apply for guests desiring overnight accommodations in Saratoga Springs during summer racing season.

*Many (but not all) hotels utilized provide complimentary Continental or American Breakfast. BnB's may not be available during peak Autumn weekends.

Dining Train Timetable

(subject to change)

Saturdays Sundays

Northbound Southbound

3:15pm.....New York City....10:35pm

3:39pm......Yonkers, NY.......10.04pm

3:58pm.....Croton-Harmon.....9:45pm

6:00pm.Rensselaer/Albany.8:05pm

6:52pm..Saratoga Springs...6.57pm

7:13pm...Fort Edward, NY*...6.28pm

8:18pm......Castleton, VT.....5.12pm

9.05pm.......Rutland, VT.......4.45pm

*Fort Edward-Glens Falls station servicing the Lake George Region. Taxi fare approximately $20 one-way.

Roundtrip guests seated at tables are guaranteed riverside seating in at least one direction. Seating requests will be honored in the order in which reservations are received. All tables seat 4 guests.

Printable Amtrak Timetable pdf

Train serves Pennsylvania Station in New York City.

Special Fares for groups numbering 12 or more guests.

Custom group itineraries and exclusive luxury railcar charters available.

Personalized arrangements may be available for guests wishing to extend their vacation additional days.

Discount rates available for pre/post journey hotel lodging in New York City.

Special Note: Amtrak management insists they are will no longer be able to accommodate our frequent operation. Therefore this will likely be the last season we will operate our weekly Hudson Valley Explorer, Wine 'n Dine Train, Saratoga Dining Train and Vermont Dining trains. Travel now to avoid disappointment!

Terms and Conditions

Copyright © 2011 [Rail & Cruise Travel Center]. All rights reserved. Revised: 07/07/11

Copyright © 2011 [Rail & Cruise Travel Center]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 07/07/11