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Trip Ideas|Unique Trips

West Virginia’s Autumn Colors Express Will Take You On A Full-Day Fall Foliage Excursion

The Autumn Colors Express offers a unique, full-day train excursion through West Virginia's fall foliage in vintage rail cars.

Published Sep 2, 2019

Written by 

Natalie Clunan

When the fall foliage starts to peak in West Virginia, you'll want to snag every opportunity to take in the natural show of vibrant color. One of the most relaxing ways to go leaf-peeping is aboard a train. But not just any train... a full-day excursion on the rails designed to treat you to the fall colors that you just can't see any other way. The Autumn Colors Express will run round-trip from Huntington to Hinton for an entire day full of spectacular scenery.

This train ride follows the same route as the former New River Train that was a popular annual fall foliage excursion for the past 50 years. The New River Train was discontinued due to regulations and funding issues. Railexco, an excursion rail company has picked up the route running the Autumn Colors Express to continue the half-century tradition.

Get your fall foliage fix aboard the Autumn Colors Express as it winds through the New River Gorge from Huntington to Hinton and back. You'll be able to soak in a one-of-a-kind view of the hues of autumn.

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Autumn Colors Express

This is no ordinary railway excursion. The train is comprised of privately-owned vintage rail cars from across the nation.

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Facebook/Autumn Colors Express

Each car is completely unique but provides a luxurious ride on the rails. For a full-day trip, you'll enjoy the added comfort of these special vintage cars.

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Facebook/Autumn Colors Express

Select which kind of railway car you want to ride in. From chairman's class to coach, there are six different levels to choose from when you purchase your tickets.

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Facebook/Autumn Colors Express

The Autumn Colors Express will depart the Huntington depot at 8 a.m. and make its way to Charleston. Travelers will also be able to board the train in our capitol city before it departs.

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Autumn Colors Express

Besides just gazing at the stunning golds, oranges, and reds of the trees, you'll want to keep your eyes peeled for other sights along the way. The train will pass by Kanawha Falls, Hawk's Nest Dam, and the historic Thurmond Station before arriving in Hinton.

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Facebook/Autumn Colors Express

You'll arrive in Hinton at 11:30 a.m. just in time to check out Railroad Days, a unique fall festival. The train will depart at 3 p.m. to make its return journey to Huntington.

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Autumn Colors Express

The Autumn Colors Express will run for three days only, Friday, October 25th, Saturday, October 26th, and Sunday, October 27th. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit their website.

Looking for more ways to enjoy fall in West Virginia? Check out this ghost town that is perfect for an autumn day trip.

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Trip Ideas|Unique Trips

This Scenic 55-Mile Drive Just May Be The Most Underrated Adventure In West Virginia

Updated Jun 25, 2024

Written by 

Cristy

Webster County, West Virginia is home to the scenic Mountain Parkway Byway and Backway. This underrated West Virginia scenic drive takes travelers through the mountains, valleys, and small towns of Webster County, offering stunning views of the landscape and a fascinating glimpse into mountain life, both past and present. The byway is also home to a number of different attractions, including Holly River State Park. If you love scenic drives in West Virginia, the Mountain Parkway Byway and Backway should definitely be on your list!

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What is the Mountain Parkway Byway and Backway? The Mountain Parkway Byway and Backway is an underrated, 45-mile scenic loop through Northern Webster County, West Virginia, with several additional "spurs" that either shorten or lengthen the adventure along this scenic route.

Sign for "Backway Mountain Parkway" surrounded by lush green trees in a forested area.
Brian Powell/Flickr

The byway starts and ends in either Webster Springs, which is the county seat, (traveling north), or at the Randolph County line (traveling south). It winds its way through the scenic mountains and valleys of the region.

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Webster County Tourism

The byway (the easier drive) mostly follows WV Route 20, while the backway (a more difficult route) forms the drive's loop along County Road 3.

A winding road surrounded by lush green trees under a bright sky.
Doug Kerr/Flickr

As you cruise this scenic route, you'll see along the way many hidden historical sites and attractions, including but definitely not limited to Hacker Valley, McCray Rocks, Mount Zion Church, and Mollohan Mill.

A brick house in Hacker Valley, with a historical marker and a welcome sign in front, surrounded by trees.
jamiev_03/Flickr

The Mountain Parkway Byway and Backway is a great way to explore the beauty of Webster County and get a taste of West Virginia's history.

Historic stone building with a clock tower, American flag, and green lawn under a blue sky with clouds.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr

This WV byway offers drivers stunning views of the rolling green hills of West Virginia, as well as connecting several area attractions, including overlooks, historical sites, parks, and trails that offer drivers the chance to explore the area.

A scenic landscape featuring rolling hills, green fields, and a blue sky with fluffy clouds.
Apartment Showcase/Flickr

For the best experience on the Mountain Parkway, plan ahead, take your time, and expect to make multiple stops to explore the attractions found along the way.

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With its beautiful views and historic attractions, this underrated scenic drive through Webster County, West Virginia is not one to miss!

A serene stream flows through a lush green forest, with rocks scattered along the water's edge.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr

And you might discover an unexpected surprise or two along the way.

A serene waterfall cascading over rocks, surrounded by lush green trees in a tranquil forest setting.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr

Along the Mountain Parkway route, you will encounter many scenic and historic attractions, including the enchanting Holly River State Park and the uniquely historic Mollohan Mill. What are your other favorite pretty drives? Please let us know in the comments section! We would love to hear your recommendations. While preparing for your road trip, be sure to take a look at The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List by OnlyInYourState so you will have everything you need! Get ready for a fun and one-of-a-kind vacation.

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Trip Ideas|Unique Trips

The Scenic Train Ride In West Virginia That Runs Year-Round

Amtrak's Cardinal train offers a scenic year-round journey through West Virginia, showcasing the state's beauty across all seasons.

Updated Apr 29, 2024

Written by 

Cristy

Our state is a train lover's paradise. We've got scenic train rides in West Virginia galore, from the Greenbrier and Durbin trains to the Potomac Eagle to the Ridge Runner and more. And while several of these trains operate almost all year round, they seem to shut down for at least a few months in late winter. All, that is, except for the Amtrak Cardinal Amtrak, the only truly year-round Amtrak train in West Virginia.

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Amtrak's Cardinal train runs all the way from Chicago to New York City three days per week.

Map showing train stations along a route from Delaware to Virginia, with marked locations and a sidebar menu.
Amtrak

The West Virginia portion of the route is considered one of the most scenic areas along the entire 26.5-hour trip.

A view of a railway track curving through greenery, with signal lights and a building in the background under a cloudy sky.
Steve5863 / Tripadvisor

You will definitely need to fit in some sleep, so we recommend packing this tiny, portable white noise machine to make getting some z's much easier.

The train's first stop in West Virginia from the east is White Sulphur Springs, with additional stops at historic depots in Alderson, Hinton, Prince, Thurmond, Montgomery, Charleston, and Huntington before exiting West Virginia bound toward Chicago.

A train approaches the White Sulphur Springs station, surrounded by greenery and a quaint building in the background.
Amtrak / Facebook

If you're at all familiar with West Virginia's geography, you've already realized that this train ride passes right through the New River Gorge National Park. It goes through West Virginia's capital city. It follows the curves of the Ohio River over the Big Sandy into Kentucky.

Amtrak train traveling along a scenic route with lush greenery and a bridge in the background.
Amtrak / Facebook

What a way to explore the Mountain State!

An Amtrak train approaches the Orange station, with a blue sky and clouds in the background.
Wikipedia/Coyote Reyne

It's a trip worth taking more than once, as each season brings its own take on the beauty and grandeur of the age-old Appalachian Mountains.

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A scenic view of a river surrounded by lush green hills, with a large bridge arching over the landscape under a blue sky.
Amtrak / Facebook

A winter trip highlights the rugged spine of these mountains, quiet and slumbering. A spring or summer trip sees them awake and full of life and vigor. A fall trip finds them robed in a splendor of vibrant hues.

A panoramic view of a snowy landscape featuring a bridge over a river, surrounded by steep, snow-covered hills.
AdamIsovitsch / iStock Collection via Getty Images Plus

To learn more about this scenic train ride in West Virginia, check prices, and scheduling, and book a trip, visit the Amtrak Cardinal Train website. Have you ever ridden the Amtrak train in West Virginia? What time of year did you make the trip?

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