Washington winters are beautiful. But admittedly, the time period between the holiday season and the start of spring can be a little dreary. Add some excitement to your weekend by taking your family on a scenic train ride through some of Western Washington’s most stunning landscapes! The Northwest Railway Museum’s winter rides on the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad are a breathtaking way to experience the beauty of the region in a whole new way.
The Northwest Railway Museum is located in charming Snoqualmie.
Northwest Railway Museum / Google The heritage railway incorporates five miles of the line constructed in 1889 by the Seattle, Lake Shore, and Eastern Railway. The museum includes the historic Snoqualmie Depot, which was originally built in 1890.
Although it has been renovated several times, the Snoqualmie Depot is still a functioning train depot.
Northwest Railway Museum / Facebook Visitors can view the railroad history exhibits in the former gentlemen’s waiting room and freight room. And it has quite a history too. The Snoqualmie Depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it’s also a City of Snoqualmie and King County Landmark.
Of course, most visitors come to ride the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad, which journeys through Upper Snoqualmie Valley the original Seattle Lake Shore and Eastern Railway of the 1880s.
Northwest Railway Museum / Facebook It isn’t every day you can hop on an antique train and feel like you’re traveling back in time!
Throughout the year, the train rides offer different themes.
Northwest Railway Museum / Facebook Of course, December is all about the Polar Express, when the Santa Train takes little ones to the North Pole. Thomas the Tank Engine often arrives in July with a Thomas the Train-themed adventure.
The Winter Excursion Train Rides typically kick off in November and run through mid-March.
Northwest Railway Museum / Facebook You’ll head west from North Bend through Snoqualmie to the top of Snoqualmie Falls, which is a spectacular sight. Then, you’ll travel east back to North Bend..
The winter train ride lasts around 2 hours and runs every weekend.
Nick Cornell / Google You’ll even have the opportunity to stop at the Railway History Campus for an extra dose of history before re-boarding the train back to North Bend.
The Northwest Railway Museum is a fun, affordable way to beat winter boredom. And the scenic winter sights are definitely unforgettable!
Northwest Railway Museum / Facebook In fact, these landscapes might just have you falling in love with winter.
Have you ever ridden the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad? Visit the Train Museum website to plan your next weekend adventure.
Northwest Railway Museum / Google
The heritage railway incorporates five miles of the line constructed in 1889 by the Seattle, Lake Shore, and Eastern Railway. The museum includes the historic Snoqualmie Depot, which was originally built in 1890.
Northwest Railway Museum / Facebook
Visitors can view the railroad history exhibits in the former gentlemen’s waiting room and freight room. And it has quite a history too. The Snoqualmie Depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it’s also a City of Snoqualmie and King County Landmark.
It isn’t every day you can hop on an antique train and feel like you’re traveling back in time!
Of course, December is all about the Polar Express, when the Santa Train takes little ones to the North Pole. Thomas the Tank Engine often arrives in July with a Thomas the Train-themed adventure.
You’ll head west from North Bend through Snoqualmie to the top of Snoqualmie Falls, which is a spectacular sight. Then, you’ll travel east back to North Bend..
Nick Cornell / Google
You’ll even have the opportunity to stop at the Railway History Campus for an extra dose of history before re-boarding the train back to North Bend.
In fact, these landscapes might just have you falling in love with winter.
Looking for even more things to do this winter? These Washington state parks are even better in the off-season!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Northwest Railway Museum, 38625 SE King St, Snoqualmie, WA 98065, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Snoqualmie Valley Railroad & Related Info November 26, 2022 Jennifer Does Washington have any scenic train rides? Washington’s rail system is surprisingly full of rail excursions and themed rides. Some of the most popular scenic train rides and rail adventures in Washington include:
Seattle to Leavenworth Snoqualmie Valley Railroad Chehalis River Valley Lake Whatcom Railway Tolt River Railroad Vance Creek Railriders Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Yakima Valley Trolleys
Where can I hike in winter in Washington? Winters in Washington state are known to be cold, wet, and overcast, but don’t let that stop you from exploring! There are plenty of beautiful winter hikes and hiking areas in Washington that are worth the extra effort, layers, and planning:
Padilla Bay, Skagit River Thunder Creek, North Cascades National Park Crab Creek Wildlife Area, Columbia National Wildlife Refuge Cowiche Canyon, Yakima Gold Creek Trail, Bremerton Ozette Loop, Olympic National Park Lord Hill Regional Park, Snohomish Fort Ebey State Park, Coupeville Deception Pass State Park, Oak Harbor Oyster Dome, Bellingham Mazama Ridge, Mount Rainier National Park Wallace Falls State Park, Gold Bar Iceberg Point, Lopez Island Lake Wenatchee State Park, Leavenworth Gold Creek Pond, Snoqualmie Spirit Falls, Cook
Where are the best places to play in the snow in Washington? From sledding hills and phenomenal ski resorts to the snowiest towns in Washington, the state is full of places to get out in the snow. Here are just a few places to get out and play in the snow in Washington:
Mount Baker Ski Area White Pass Ski Resort 49 Degrees/Chewelah Park Lake Easton State Park Mission Ridge The Summit at Snoqualmie Tubing Park Lake Wenatchess Sno-Park Leavenworth Ski/Sledding Hill Paradise Snow Play Area Echo Valley Ski Area Crystal Mountain Hurricane Ridge Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park
The OIYS Visitor Center
Snoqualmie Valley Railroad & Related Info
November 26, 2022
Jennifer
Does Washington have any scenic train rides? Washington’s rail system is surprisingly full of rail excursions and themed rides. Some of the most popular scenic train rides and rail adventures in Washington include:
Seattle to Leavenworth Snoqualmie Valley Railroad Chehalis River Valley Lake Whatcom Railway Tolt River Railroad Vance Creek Railriders Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Yakima Valley Trolleys
Where can I hike in winter in Washington? Winters in Washington state are known to be cold, wet, and overcast, but don’t let that stop you from exploring! There are plenty of beautiful winter hikes and hiking areas in Washington that are worth the extra effort, layers, and planning:
Padilla Bay, Skagit River Thunder Creek, North Cascades National Park Crab Creek Wildlife Area, Columbia National Wildlife Refuge Cowiche Canyon, Yakima Gold Creek Trail, Bremerton Ozette Loop, Olympic National Park Lord Hill Regional Park, Snohomish Fort Ebey State Park, Coupeville Deception Pass State Park, Oak Harbor Oyster Dome, Bellingham Mazama Ridge, Mount Rainier National Park Wallace Falls State Park, Gold Bar Iceberg Point, Lopez Island Lake Wenatchee State Park, Leavenworth Gold Creek Pond, Snoqualmie Spirit Falls, Cook
Where are the best places to play in the snow in Washington? From sledding hills and phenomenal ski resorts to the snowiest towns in Washington, the state is full of places to get out in the snow. Here are just a few places to get out and play in the snow in Washington:
Mount Baker Ski Area White Pass Ski Resort 49 Degrees/Chewelah Park Lake Easton State Park Mission Ridge The Summit at Snoqualmie Tubing Park Lake Wenatchess Sno-Park Leavenworth Ski/Sledding Hill Paradise Snow Play Area Echo Valley Ski Area Crystal Mountain Hurricane Ridge Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Washington’s rail system is surprisingly full of rail excursions and themed rides. Some of the most popular scenic train rides and rail adventures in Washington include:
- Seattle to Leavenworth
- Snoqualmie Valley Railroad
- Chehalis River Valley
- Lake Whatcom Railway
- Tolt River Railroad
- Vance Creek Railriders
- Chelatchie Prairie Railroad
- Chehalis-Centralia Railroad
- Yakima Valley Trolleys
Where can I hike in winter in Washington?
Winters in Washington state are known to be cold, wet, and overcast, but don’t let that stop you from exploring! There are plenty of beautiful winter hikes and hiking areas in Washington that are worth the extra effort, layers, and planning:
- Padilla Bay, Skagit River
- Thunder Creek, North Cascades National Park
- Crab Creek Wildlife Area, Columbia National Wildlife Refuge
- Cowiche Canyon, Yakima
- Gold Creek Trail, Bremerton
- Ozette Loop, Olympic National Park
- Lord Hill Regional Park, Snohomish
- Fort Ebey State Park, Coupeville
- Deception Pass State Park, Oak Harbor
- Oyster Dome, Bellingham
- Mazama Ridge, Mount Rainier National Park
- Wallace Falls State Park, Gold Bar
- Iceberg Point, Lopez Island
- Lake Wenatchee State Park, Leavenworth
- Gold Creek Pond, Snoqualmie
- Spirit Falls, Cook
Where are the best places to play in the snow in Washington?
From sledding hills and phenomenal ski resorts to the snowiest towns in Washington, the state is full of places to get out in the snow. Here are just a few places to get out and play in the snow in Washington:
- Mount Baker Ski Area
- White Pass Ski Resort
- 49 Degrees/Chewelah Park
- Lake Easton State Park
- Mission Ridge
- The Summit at Snoqualmie Tubing Park
- Lake Wenatchess Sno-Park
- Leavenworth Ski/Sledding Hill
- Paradise Snow Play Area
- Echo Valley Ski Area
- Crystal Mountain
- Hurricane Ridge
- Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park
