When you’re visiting Sedona, Arizona on September 18th you’ll have the opportunity to take an ultimate Starlight Tour into the scenic Verde Canyon with the Verde Canyon Railroad (a favorite attraction to all that come to Sedona). Two FP7 locomotives, two of 12 remaining in North America, are the muscle that pulls the renovated passenger cars on this special voyage into the Canyon.

The Tour leaves the depot at 5:30 pm in full daylight. As it traverses the canyon you will be awestruck by the beauty of the high cliffs that are bathed in amber hues. Photographers refer to this as the “golden hour,” when sunshine flows down canyon walls like warm honey. As the train chugs into Perkinsville you will be treated to a lavish sunset that streaks the sky. The beauty does not end at Perkinsville. On the return trip you will be treated to serene glimpse of the nocturnal stirrings of wildlife and a dazzling canvas of moon and stars.

Verde Canyon Railroad offers two very special options on this romantic evening.

Grape Train Escape
The grape train express offers you a Tour of Italy. Kick back and join in the fun on this relaxing “Buena Sera” on this season-closing favorite. The Wines evoking the hills of Tuscany will warm your spirits as the nights grow cooler, and satisfy your palate.

Sunset Tequila Limited
Features premium tequila tastings accompanied by festive Mexican food and other south-of-the-border drink specialties. This is a perfect opportunity for those eager to learn more about the complex spirit. Tequila Sunset Limited includes the smooth and oh-so rich taste of Cruz Del Sol Ultra Premium Tequila along with the first-class train passage. For more information or to purchase your tickets visit Verde Canyon Railroad.

Looking for lodging in Sedona

• Casa Sedona Bed & Breakfast Inn
  “An Invitation to Indulge”
  Casa Sedona is a nationally recognized Bed & Breakfast Inn nestled on an acre of natural and manicured gardens where beauty and serenity abound.
• Best Western Inn of Sedona
  “Unbeatable Views of Sedona’s Red Rocks”
  The Best Western Inn of Sedona offers a wide variety of money saving, fun-filled Sedona vacation packages. Excellent views of the red rocks of Sedona!
• Poco Diablo Resort
  “On eight acres of lush landscaping in Sedona’s Red Rocks”
  Poco Diablo Resort combines comfortable accommodations, top-notch amenities, golf and tennis, all in a great location with breathtaking vistas of the Red Rocks.
• Baby Quail Inn
  “Sedona’s Best Lodging Value”
  Travelers to the Baby Quail Inn, are assured of cleanliness, comfort, convenient location and sensible rates.

The Verde Canyon Railroad located in Clarkdale, Arizona just 25 minutes from Sedona offers you a chance for a family adventure into the Verde Canyon. For families, winding down the summer and getting kids excited about school again can be a challenge. Fortunately, there’s still plenty of opportunity to spend quality time together. In reality, it’s an easy fix. If you do nothing else to say good-bye to summer, take one day for a Family-Time Adventure by booking passage on Verde Canyon Railroad. When their conductor yells, “All aboard,” he’s referring to all of your family.

A journey into the untamed back-country of Arizona provides the type of experience that resonates with the entire family. A ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad is equal parts excitement and romance: perfect for boys and girls. Trains also offer a rich educational experience (but mom and dad may want to keep that their little secret). Kids grow up fast, the train travels slowly. You do the math.

Sure, you can spend two hours sitting in a movie theater with everybody staring straight ahead, or you can spend four hours talking, exploring and discovering a whole new world together. Enjoy the plush comfort of the cars while savoring dramatic scenery. Relax and learn about the history and geology of the region from the train’s narration. Share ice cream sandwiches while hanging out on the open-air viewing cars as you scan the high desert terrain for wildlife and waterfowl. Watching bald eagles float on canyon air currents or seeing Great Blue Herons bob for fish in the river are the stories that will be told over and over again at the dinner table.

Even before the train pulls out of the depot there are memories to be made. Visit the John Bell Railroad Museum where history abounds, pick up a souvenir at the Boxcar Gift Store full of items for every age group, and then dine picnic-style on the shady patio with appetizing food and drink from Copper Spike Café. Verde Canyon Railroad is more than just a train ride, it is a chance to slow down and reconnect with the people that matter most. Forget about day to day distractions; pack up the entire brood for one more family-time adventure this summer.

For more information visit Verde Canyon Railroad.

*Article provided by Verde Canyon Railroad.

This special train leaves the depot at 5:30 p.m. in full daylight. As it traverses the canyon the high cliffs are bathed in amber hues. Photographers refer to this as the “golden hour,” when sunshine flows down canyon walls like warm honey. As the train chugs into Perkinsville, a lavish sunset streaks the sky. The return trip offers a serene glimpse of the nocturnal stirrings of wildlife and a dazzling canvas of moon and stars.

Verde Canyon Railroad also offers specialty options on this romantic summer evening. The Grape Train Escape is a rolling wine tasting adventure! Superb wines featured on the 24th will be from Chile and Argentina and will be paired with delectable appetizers as the train glides through the soft-focus twilight. Savor your Vino from open-air viewing cars as twilight lures the canyon’s creatures to the water’s edge of the Verde River.

Sunset Tequila Limited features premium tequila tastings accompanied by festive Mexican food and other south-of-the-border drink specialties. This is a perfect opportunity for those eager to learn more about the complex spirit. Tequila Sunset Limited includes the smooth and oh-so rich taste of Cruz Del Sol Ultra Premium Tequila along with the first-class train passage. For more information visit Verde Canyon Railroad.

Are you looking for Sedona Lodging for your Summer Vacation? Check out theses Sedona Hotels, B&B’s and Resorts.

• Kokopelli Suites
  “Voted 2010 Best of Sedona Hotel”
• Best Western Arroyo Roble Hotel & Creekside Villas
  Awarded “Best of the Best in Customer Care”
• Casa Sedona
  “An Invitation to Indulge”
• Poco Diablo Resort
  “Making your Sedona Vacation as satisfying as possible”
• Best Western Inn of Sedona
  “Unbeatable Views of Sedona’s Red Rocks”
• Wildflower Inn
  “Offering you the comfort and convenience you deserve”
• Baby Quail Inn
  “Sedona’s Best Lodging Value”

The best part of school for many kids was looking forward to summer. Vacations and summer are forever entwined in our consciousness. Adults may not have the luxury of three languid months of freedom, but everyone still looks for ways to escape, travel and seize a new experience. That’s what makes the Verde Canyon Railroad such an idyllic summer getaway.

Above the harsh heat of the low desert and the chill of the high country, the Verde Valley makes the perfect place to spend Summer Outside the City. Every train that departs the Verde Canyon Railroad depot plunges into the peaceful backcountry, far from the clamor and hubbub of urban life. Passengers relax in the comfort of climate-controlled cars before stepping out onto open-air viewing platforms to soak in the lush scenery. Stress and tension slip away as the train curves through towering canyons following the tree-shaded, graceful Verde River.

The Verde Canyon cannot be accessed by road or path. It can only be seen by those fortunate passengers riding the rails. Vintage diesel locomotives pull the train over track laid nearly a century ago. Along the way it passes prehistoric Native American ruins and remnants of pioneering settlements. It’s the kind of adventure we dreamed about as kids, and as adults, we feel blessed to be able to share the journey with our own children.

All summer long passengers can choose between a dramatic daylight trip or a romantic evening ride aboard the Saturday Starlight Tours, including Grape Train Escape and Sunset Tequila Limited. The evening trains leave the depot on select Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. As they traverse the canyon, shadows lengthen and high cliffs are bathed in amber hues. Trains arrive in Perkinsville amidst a sprawling sunset. The return trip offers a serene glimpse of the nocturnal stirrings of wildlife and a dazzling canvas of moon and stars. Other than Starlight Tours, trains depart the depot at 1:00 p.m. and return at 5:00 p.m..

The Verde Canyon Railroad depot is located in Clarkdale, Arizona, 25 minutes from Sedona and two hours north of Phoenix. For more information visit Verde Canyon Railroad.

*Article provided by Verde Canyon Railroad.

Starlight brings out the Spirits of Summer

While you are staying in Sedona, Arizona this summer do not miss your chance to take an amazing evening tour with the Verde Canyon Railroad (a favorite attraction to all that come to Sedona) as they present their amazing  “Starlight Tours”

With all due respect to other parts of the country, you haven’t really seen a night sky unless you’ve seen a Western night sky. A glittering canopy of heavenly bodies used to be a common sight, but as artificial light from cities gobbles larger chunks of the night-scape, star-laden skies have all but vanished. Not so in the Verde Valley. Lack of light pollution combined with haze-free, low-humidity desert climate makes this portion of Arizona a paradise for stargazers.

See for yourself on the Verde Canyon Railroad’s wildly popular Starlight Tours. Select Saturday evenings June 26, July 24, August 21 and September 18 the train leaves the depot at 5:30 p.m. in full daylight. As it traverses the canyon the high cliffs are bathed in amber hues. Photographers refer to this as the “golden hour,” when sunshine flows down canyon walls like warm honey. As the train chugs into Perkinsville, a lavish sunset streaks the sky. The return trip offers a serene glimpse of the nocturnal stirrings of wildlife and a dazzling canvas of moon and stars.

As if having the heavens drop in your lap isn’t enough, Verde Canyon Railroad also offers specialty options on these romantic summer evenings. Grape Train Escape is a rolling wine tasting adventure, focusing on a different wine producing region for each run. Superb wines will be paired with delectable appetizers as the train glides through the soft-focus twilight. Savor your Vino from open-air viewing cars as twilight lures the canyon’s creatures to the water’s edge of the Verde River.

Sunset Tequila Limited features premium tequila tastings accompanied by festive Mexican food and other south-of-the-border drink specialties. This is a perfect opportunity for those eager to learn more about the complex spirit. Tequila Sunset Limited includes the smooth and oh-so rich taste of Cruz Del Sol Ultra Premium Tequila along with the first-class train passage. For more information visit Verde Canyon Railroad.

Are you looking for Sedona Lodging for your Summer Vacation? Check out theses Sedona Hotels, B&B’s and Resorts.

• Poco Diablo Resort
• Best Western Inn of Sedona
• Kokopelli Suites
• Wildflower Inn
• Casa Sedona Bed & Breakfast
• Baby Quail Inn

Ask any mom and she’ll tell you the thing she wants most for Mother’s Day is to relax and spend time with her family. So this year forget about that busy restaurant and being rushed through a meal. Forget about that harried trip to the mall fighting the crowds. Make a reservation on the Verde Canyon Railroad and give mom exactly what she desires. Surrounded by her loved ones, she’ll enjoy a leisurely stress-free day aboard a vintage luxury train as it explores one of the most beautiful canyons in the Southwest.

Throw Mama On the Train for Mother’s Day, May 9, and she’ll remember it for the rest of her life. Each mother will receive a special gift to honor the day, but more importantly each mother will have four hours to decompress from endless tasks and frantic schedules. All afternoon, mom faces no responsibilities but to soak up the sights and enjoy the indulgent pampering that Verde Canyon Railroad has made famous for two decades.

Springtime paints the Canyon with a lavish brush as wildflowers blaze across open meadows and tumble down the rocky slopes above the Verde River. Mother Nature’s dazzling display seems to peak right around Mother’s Day and that just can’t be a coincidence. Stroll with mom out onto the canopied open-air viewing cars where views of mountains are so close it seems you can reach out and touch them while you marvel at the extraordinary array of wonders cradled by the canyon. Sharing this environment with family makes the scenery all the more stunning.

Those wishing to truly spoil mom can book first-class passage where she can lounge in overstuffed couches, sip champagne and savor tasty appetizers served by an attentive wait staff, or try the caboose for a private party of six where you can have her all to yourself. For more information on the event visit Verde Canyon Railroad.

Looking for Sedona lodging? Check out these Sedona hotels, Sedona resorts and Sedona bed & breakfast

• Best Western Inn of Sedona
• Wildflower Inn
• Casa Sedona Bed & Breakfast
• Kokopelli Suites
• Baby Quail Inn

Cinco de Mayo is a patriotic holiday commemorating a significant event in the history of Mexico. On May 5, 1862, the Battle of Puebla was a victory won against overwhelming odds. Cinco de Mayo has come to symbolize the triumph of freedom, a message that rings true to people of all backgrounds. Today, it is recognized as an opportunity to come together and celebrate Hispanic culture with food, drink, music and friends.

The festivities continue as the train clickety-clacks into the lush back-country carved by the Verde River. Historical narration creates an intriguing portrait of the rolling landscape and the rugged people who settled here. Sip a margarita from the comfort of the coaches until a seductive spring breeze pulls you out onto open-air viewing cars to savor heart-squeezing panoramas of a stunning canyon wilderness. Don’t be surprised to see eagles, those symbols of freedom, circling majestically overhead. For more information visit Verde Canyon Railroad.

Looking for Sedona lodging? Check out these Sedona hotels, Sedona resorts and Sedona B&Bs.

• Best Western Inn of Sedona
• Wildflower Inn
• Casa Sedona Bed & Breakfast
• Kokopelli Suites
• Baby Quail Inn

Looking for lodging in Sedona?

• Best Western Inn of Sedona
• Wildflower Inn
• Casa Sedona Bed & Breakfast
• Kokopelli Suites
• Baby Quail Inn

Enjoy a beautiful train ride with the Verde Canyon Railroad during their Spring Fling. In the Verde Canyon, spring in bloom dances to nature’s choreography. Wildflowers sway in the breeze, the Verde River shimmers along the canyon floor, and new vegetation does a quickstep toward the sun against the backdrop of crimson rock cliffs. The Verde Canyon Railroad, one of Sedona’s most popular attractions, celebrates this light-hearted season with special gala events on the four-hour, round-trip train ride from Clarkdale (about a half hour from Sedona) to Perkinsville and back. The Railroad runs their trains at 1:00pm every day but Tuesday. During their Spring Fling they present not only their spring ride through the Canyon but they also offer three specialty trains to celebrate the holidays that occur during springtime. The specialty trains this spring are:

• The Lucky Leprechaun Train
  March 17th.
  Raise a glass of beer to toast St. Patty, let the lively background music set your feet a-jiggin’ and order up traditional Irish fare of corned beef & cabbage. Irish eyes will be shining with merriment as the train rolls by a landscape as emerald as the Isle.
• Easter Bunny Express
  April 4th
  Hop aboard the Easter Bunny Express for a hippity-hopping good time with the whole family. Children’s faces will wear 100-watt smiles while munching chocolate eggs and watching the twitchy-nosed Easter Bunny’s antics. A jelly bean counting contest and keep-sake photo with “Big Ears” adds to the glee and excitement at the depot.
• Cinco de Mayo Celebration
  May 5th
  Arriba! The Cinco de Mayo Celebration is as colorful as the rich heritage it celebrates. The music keeps toes tapping on the shaded patio while passengers enjoy a specialty drink and zesty Mexican lunch from the Copper Spike Café. Sip a margarita or nibble on complimentary hors d’oeuvres served in spacious first-class cars. Dance out onto the open-air cars for a breath of spring freshness and glimpse a soaring eagle in this incredible wilderness setting.

Two FP7 locomotives, only two of 12 remaining in North America, are the muscle that pulls the renovated passenger cars and adjoining outdoor viewing platforms with shaded canopies and liberate you with the sounds and sights of the high desert that characterize the Canyon. Don’t miss out on this chance to experience spring in the Canyon. I have taken the train myself every year in the spring and am always overwelmed by the beauty the Canyon provides. For more information visit Verde Canyon Railroad.

Verde Canyon Railroad’s Chocolate Lover’s Festival is an annual event scheduled to coincide with the Valentine’s Day season. This year it runs from February 10-14 and makes a delicious outing for sweethearts, or anyone with a sweet tooth.

Ride the rails into one of Arizona’s most wildly scenic and undisturbed canyons where you’ll discover the perfect backdrop for romance. Revel in the breath-snatching sights of the Verde Canyon while savoring hot cocoa, flavored coffee, specialty cocktails and a platter of sumptuous chocolate goodies. Enjoy the plush comfort of a first-class rail car and access to open air gondolas with friends, family or your one and only Valentine.

Few foodstuffs hold us so tightly in their sway as does chocolate. Cocoa butter melts at body temperature so the sensation of a chocolate morsel dissolving in a heavenly puddle on our tongue is seared in our memory. It’s exactly the kind of experience you want to share with a special someone. The same can be said for the romance of a train ride.

Just remember, if you’ve got melted chocolate all over your hands, you’re eating too slowly.

Tickets are $89.95 per person, and reservations are available by visiting Verde Canyon Railroad.

“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey!”

For more information on “Eagle Watch” visit The Verde Canyon Railroad. ]]> http://www.sedona-arizona-vacations.com/sedona-attractions/sedona-eagle-verde-canyon-railroad/feed/ 0