Day 1 Schaumburg, IL

All aboard! We’ll ride the rails of West Virginia and go back to the days where rail travel was the way of travel and coal and lumber towns thrived. We’ll make our way to Schaumburg, Illinois for our overnight.

Day 2 Charleston, WV

Today’s journey will take us through Indiana, the Hoosier State to Ohio, the Buckeye State then into West Virginia, the Mountain State. We’ll check into our accommodations in Charleston, WV before enjoying an included dinner. (B, D)

Day 3 Beckley, WV

Today we’ll watch the mountains go by as we make our way to Beckley, West Virginia. We’ll makes a stop at the Hawk’s Nest overlook along the way to the New River Gorge, home to the second largest and highest single-span, steel arch bridge in the world. We’ll see a panoramic view of the area’s mountains and valleys from here. Upon arrival to Beckley, we’ll visit the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine. We’ll head underground with an experienced coal miner in a “man car” for a tour. Dinner is included tonight. (B, D)

Day 4 Elkins, WV

Our highlight today is the Cass Scenic Railroad Shay steam engine that takes you up to Bald Knob scenic overlook, the third highest point in West Virginia at 4,842 feet. As we travel back down, we’ll stop and tour an old logging camp. A hobo lunch is included on the train. We’ll continue to Elkins, West Virginia where we’ll have an included dinner before checking into our hotel for the next two nights. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Elkins, WV

This morning we’ll board the New Tygart Flyer from the 1908 restored depot here in Elkins. Our train ride features two separate mountain grades, an “S” curve tunnel, passage into a 1,500 feet deep canyon with steep, dense forest slopes, and a high bridge over the rushing Shavers Fork of the Cheat River. An included lunch is served onboard. Tonight, we’ll attend a dinner show at the Gandy Dancer Theater. (B, L, D)

Day 6 LaVale, MD

Today will be unforgettable as we travel on the Potomac Eagle Scenic Rail. The journey begins at Wappocomo Station, situated next to a charming homestead and a sprawling view of the mountains. Enjoy the sounds of vintage diesels as they lead us through beautiful pastures and farms dating back to the 1700s. As we wind along the South Branch of the Potomac River, we’ll enter a visually striking gorge known as the "trough." One of the most scenic spots along the South Branch, the Trough is home to American bald eagles. Today’s journey includes lunch. We continue to LaVale, Maryland for our overnight. (B, L)

Day 7 Roanoke, WV

Our railroad adventure continues today as we travel through Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. We’ll visit the Cumberland Visitor Center and see how they transported coal from the Allegheny mountains in the “Grand Old Ditch.” Then we’ll ride the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. Travel back through time aboard a restored diesel locomotive climbing the Allegheny Mountains then over an iron truss bridge, around Helmstetter’s Horseshoe Curve and through the 914 foot Brush Tunnel under Piney Mountain. We continue to Roanoke, West Virginia to our overnight accommodations at the Stonewall Resort. (B)

Day 8 Athens, OH

Our first stop today will be at Appalachian Glass for an interactive glass blowing demonstration. You’ll also receive a special gift after your tour. Then we’ll have lunch on your own before visiting Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park. Once we are on the island we’ll do a tour of it’s Palladian mansion and grounds, visit the museum and take a horse-drawn carriage ride. (B)

Day 9 Janesville, WI

Today we’ll travel through Ohio and Indiana to Wisconsin to our overnight destination in Janesville. Tonight we will gather as a group for a pizza party. (B, D)

Day 10 Home

We’ll say goodbye today as we travel across Wisconsin back to good ole Minnesota! (B)