cuyahoga valley scenic railroad

DRHyde9

Was surprised for my birthday and taken on a wine tasting on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Had a great time! In the past I had purchased tickets for the Rails and Ales, but my wife and I got sick. Tried calling to see if I could reschedule and after leaving two messages, never heard back. Make 100% sure you make your trip if it is for an event or good luck trying to get a hold of them. Despite that bad experience, the wine trip was fun and had great views with the train experience. I have heard that the Polar Express is such a great experience for the kids, so check it out if you have little ones.

timmiek

This was a great winter trip. We got on the train in Akron and rode the entire route. The volunteers on board were helpful and nice. I am on a walker and used the wheelchair ramp. It is nice to know there are kind people out there. Next time I would like to wander around Peninsula.

BolognaAL

Went on the Grape Escape wine tasting train ride. Food was good but wine service was slow. Sometimes waited 20 minutes for more wine. Had a good time overall, just wish the service was faster.

outerspacerobot

We took 3 children, a 2 year old, a 4 year old and an 8 year old. Of the kids, the 8 year old had the best time. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced. We bought a total of 7 tickets (Grandma, Grandpa, Mom and Dad + 3 kids) with the hope that no one would want to split up their party and take the 8th seat. (the seats are in sections of 4, 2 seats on each side facing each other) but we had a very rude woman who of course bought the last seat and sat there with not only one but TWO children on her lap. It was very rude considering that I dished out the cash for our children to have their own seats, not to mention very cramped, because the already tight spaced was not really equipped to handle two extra bodies. The great volunteers finally moved her to the other end of the train to give us more room. Other than that part of the experience, we all had a great time. We look forward to going again for the 2015 ride!

American_Cobra

The CVSR is interesting if you like old trains. I went for the scenic part, which it kind of was, but it was also a little repetitive. No glimpses of any wildlife nor particularly special plants. So I think that the people who would most enjoy this train ride are those who opt for the whole day excursion, like getting off and biking or hiking and then taking a later train back. I didn't do that. I just did the scenic tour.

I4760IRkevinb

This train is fun for young and old a like. It is very educational and their is something going on ever month for everyone to do. The train offers several different fairs. If you bike ride the metro park. You can buy a 3.00 fair and ride ticket for one way. Where you can bring on your bike and get off whenever you want to. The offer a good prices for around trips train rides to.

maryC270XH

I agree the first half of the trip took about 2 hrs (1 hr waiting for train to start moving). The CVNP could do a better job. They could hire some professional musicians or jugglers just to entertain for the first hour. Going through the North Pole and constantly wiping the steam off windows to "see" was okay. Kids seemed to enjoy it. Highlight was Santa. Our Santa was really good at his job.I know it's volunteers; but maybe for better quality and experience, some paid professionals should do some of the entertaining. Just went last night. Would not go again.

Kathyj0612

We went on the Polar Express this past weekend, and spent a decent amount of money. Unfortunately, it was not worth it. CVSR is completely run by volunteers (who do try their best), but it is very tacky. The hot chocolate and cookies were good, but not worth the $60 plus for tickets (plus, the elf didn't know the words to the "Hot Chocolate" song). The train ride would be fun in the day, but at night you can't see anything. When you finally reach the North Poll it is very cheesy. Not put together well at all (and actually you see a Bar right before the North Poll, Hmmm). Just not very high quality. We won't be returning, and I don't suggest that you spend the money.

michaeltE6914OX

Excellent day relaxing and sight seeing with family on the scenic trainride. It was very enjoyable we got off to walk around eat lunch then back on the train later to finish our ride. If you watch out the window of the train you will see all sorts of wildlife.

163karenf

We planned an outing to catch up on the train and lunch at Winking Lizard. Caught the 1:40 train south to Akron after lunch and shopping in Penisula. Very nice shops within walking distance. Be sure to ask for the audio tour tape when you get on the train, they don't offer it unless you ask. Nice narration along the way of historic events and land marks.It was a cloudy late October day so the foliage was past peak, but still a good time.Worth the money if you take the whole round trip.

423peggyl

I travelled to this park in hope to see the changed colour leaves in the fall. Unfortunately, the day I went was raining the whole day. My husband and I drove through the park from south to north then from north back to the south. It was pretty but not I was planned. We spent the rest of the day in the Aurora Farm Premium Outlet Mall. Our day was well spent.

Lisa_VO

We did the bike aboard with our ten year old daughter in early September. We choose this date to avoid crowds but it was still rather crowded. The adventure was very fun and we brought our own lunch which we ate on the train. The views from the train were not as good as I had hoped because quite often we were just riding through forests not the most scenic. We road all the way to the last stop in the north and then biked back to Peninsula. The bike trails were lovely although there are not many places to stop. So bring water. The area is very beautiful and the town of Peninsula is very charming with a few places to eat - nothing too fancy. There is a bike shop in case you need help with your bike or rentals. The hiking in the area is probably better than the bike trails and I would highly recommend taking a hike - the Brandywine Falls is a great hike plan for about an hour.

purplerosemary

once a month on a friday the cvsr does a grape escape. every month there is a different theme - such as napa valley, ohio whites, halloween, holiday wines. etc. the train ride lasts two hours. you get to sample five wines and each comes with a food sample. it doesn't look like a lot of food, but it is enough to get you thru the wines. there is no extra food, but they will serve extra of the wines until they are gone. they have cars with the traditional seating and they also have the dining or lounge car for a higher price. the higher price is worth it because it is easier to eat and drink while you are at a table. this year they had the little trays for your food that had the handle to hold your wine glass. that would be a big help if you sat in one of the standard cars. it is a lot of fun and we always get a little group and just have a great time. you do need to pay attention to the descriptions of the tours because sometimes it is all dry wines and sometimes all sweet and sometimes both.

wanderingwonders

The only reason I didn't give this ride an excellent was the fact that the dome car was very crowded. When you pay for the dome because you are told that these are the best accommodations you expect them to be. While this ride was not full the dome was and the people that sat with us finally went downstairs so they could spread their legs out a little in front of them. You literally have to put your knees between the legs of the person in front of you. Hope it is someone you know. Also the windows in the dome were very dirty at the front and back. The scenery was lovely and the crew was very nice. But don't pay the extra for the dome it isn't worth it.

MonkeysMom614

My family and I had a great time on this three hour round trip ride through the beautiful national park. Very well maintained trains and informative staff/ volunteers.