Скачать или смотреть Verde Canyon Railroad - Clarkdale, AZ

Per Verde Canyon Railroad's site, “In 1888, the Montana copper magnate William Andrews Clark arrived in Arizona. A hundred years later, the magnetic David Louis Durbano landed in Clark’s same footsteps. Even though a century separated each arrival, the serial entrepreneurs came to the southwestern state for the same reason: Money. The two men would only meet in history books, linked together over tracks through time by a vintage rail line. One would leave a manmade ruin like the Colosseum; the other, a rail adventure to praise. This is the Verde Canyon Railroad story, captured in an illuminating coffee table book Tracking Down the Past. One of the visionaries behind the Verde Canyon Railroad and the woman behind the man, author Linda Durbano, shares the incredible and inspiring history of this scenic rail line beginning with its storied past dating back to territorial times before the 48th state even existed.William Andrews Clark, a pompous tycoon who lent his name to both the United Verde Copper Mining Company town of Clarkdale, Arizona, and Clark County (Las Vegas), Nevada, was the original visionary who saw the need for a rail line to transport copper from his booming mining operation in Jerome to the fuel the Industrial Revolution. Clark died in 1925, and his ill-equipped heirs sold the mine, the town and the railroad. After the mines shuttered and the smelter closed in the 1950s, the rail line still continued to haul freight in a diminished capacity. In 1988, Dave Durbano, a native Utahn, entrepreneur, owner of several shortline railroads and Western Railroad Builders, first saw what the route had to offer. His vision, honed with the creative artistry of wife Linda (and much sweat equity), came to life as Verde Canyon Railroad on November 23, 1990.”

Verde Canyon Railroad, by far, is one of our most favorite experiences in the area. While pricey, it’s completely worth it. It started out with grabbing your tickets at check-in, then heading to the cafe/store to browse/dine. From there, we headed to the museum to check out all the artifacts from the railroad, then waited to board.

On board, depending on group size, your ticket will either be for a two-person table (with wing-back chairs) or a sofa. It comes with a charcuterie box for each person along with sparkling wine or cider. There’s also an extensive bar menu on board. And yes, you have access to the outdoor seating!

For the next 2 1/2 hours, you’re treated to some of the most magical scenery you can find in the red rocks - the outdoor seating is perfect for the best views (and photos).

TIP: If you can do it, go for the wine tasting/star gazing tour and do it on a new moon when it’s dark and all the stars are visible. We heard this is the best one out of the rides offered.

TIP: If you do not plan on dining at the cafe, be there at least 45 minutes ahead - they recommend two hours on their site and it was way too much time.

TIP: No outside food is allowed. If you have any allergies, they do not accommodate for that, so make sure to get whatever snacks they have, at the cafe.