When we were at Hot Creek Springs in Nevada, we met a few locals who insisted we needed to check out the train rides at the Nevada Northern Railway in Ely. So this time around, after visiting the Great Basin National Park, we decided to do just that, take a train ride on the Nevada Northern Railway in Ely. The Nevada Northern Railway in Ely offers different daily excursions, depending on the season. However, their Sunset, Stars & Champagne is one of the most popular ones, and for good reason. I mean, who could say no to sunset, stars, and champagne? On this tour, you start with a gorgeous sunset view, then the yummy champagne, and finish off with the night sky sparkling with tons of stars. And on a clear day, you can even see the Milky Way! We had such a wonderful time, and we think you NEED to do it. Here’s everything you need to know!
You can take the Sunset, Stars & Champagne train ride at the Nevada Northern Railway Museum in the small town of Ely, Nevada. This is where you can buy your tickets and also board the train. You can easily GPS your way there. We have the address listed below:
Nevada Northern Railway Museum
1100 Ave A, Ely, NV 89301
The Nevada Northern Railway Museum offers many different train rides depending on the season. There are standard daily excursion trains as well as specialty train rides such as the Sunset, Stars & Champagne, Haunted Ghost Train, Santa Reindeer Flyer, Firework Express, and more. The prices for these tours vary. You can check out the museum website for different tours and more up-to-date pricing. When we went, it was $58/adult.
You can get your tickets either online or in person. For specialty train rides, we highly recommend reserving your tickets in advance. These tours sell out very quickly. Our Sunset, Stars & Champagne train ride was a last-minute decision. So, we actually got our tickets in person, on the day of. However, we got them early in the afternoon, hours before departure time.
We got to the train depot about 15 minutes before our departure time. It gave us a bit of time to check out all the trains and get our bearings. When it was time, we made our way onto the train. The boarding process was very easy. Because we went on a weekday, it wasn’t busy. We were able to get a nice seat outside. It can get cold once the sun goes down. So, make sure to bring a jacket with you. You do have the option of sitting inside the cabin. However, if you want to remain outside to see all the good stuff, you’ll need that jacket.
Once everyone boarded, the announcement came on to go over safety instructions. Then, we were off. It was a leisure train ride. The train headed North of Ely, toward the Great Basin National Park. We didn’t go that far on this trip, but I believe the Nevada Northern Railway offers tours that go there. On the train, volunteers were walking around to answer any train-related questions that you might have.
While the train made its way into Nevada’s high desert, we were served with champagne, or soda if you don’t drink. You can also get wine or beer instead of champagne. Everyone has 2 free drink tickets. You can get your second drink at the bar inside the train cabin. Here, you can also buy snacks. As we sipped on our champagne, the train climbed above Steptoe Valley, giving us a panoramic view of the oncoming sunset. When we went, we didn’t get the best sunset, but the view was still spectacular.
Soon, our train reached the end of its route. The train stopped for a short time while the employees switched the engine to the other side of the train. On our way back, the sky got darker, and the stars started to come out. We lucked out. It was a clear sky for us. So, we were able to see tons of stars, including the Milky Way. There were volunteer astrology students on board, showing us all the stars and constellations. They were very knowledgeable.
We had such a great time. The Sunset, Stars & Champagne tour with Nevada Northern Railway was unique and very informative. Of course, the champagne is a plus. We can’t wait to check out some of their other tours next time we’re in the area. If you’re staying in Ely, there are a lot of things to do. Of course, the Great Basin National Park is a must. We love the Bristlecone to Alpine Lakes trail there. Gandy Warm Spring is another cool spot to check out. And if you’re going to Gandy Warm Spring, the Devils’ Gate Slot is right next to it. If you love caves, Lehman Caves has some great tours. For wild caves, check out Goshute Cave.
Happy Adventuring. Don’t forget to check out the related posts below for more inspiration on your upcoming adventures. While at it, follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel! We’ll love you forever!
These are the gear that we personally use and find helpful for this particular adventure. Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.
Our favorite biodegradable, eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen!
This is Vy's favorite hiking bag! It has tons of room for snacks and water!
It's always good to bring a GPS tracker with you. We use the Garmin inReach.
This jacket is packable into a super small and light little ball. Perfect for when you just need a little…
This jacket is packable into a super small and light little ball. Perfect for when you just need a little…
Our favorite hiking/travel jacket. It's warm and packable, perfect to bring on a hike or a road trip.
Our favorite hiking/travel jacket. It's warm and packable, perfect to bring on a hike or a road trip.
If you tend to have foot blisters on hikes, get this! We use this all the time.
These hiking poles are sturdy, and great to help keep your balance on short or longer hikes
Compact GoPro pole that extends to 25", perfect to bring on your adventure.
This is our go-to camera for all of our adventures. It comes with us everywhere!
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Hi! We are Dustin & Vy, the proud creators of Live That Adventure. We created this website because we wanted to inspire others to live their lives to the fullest. On here, you’ll find everything from hiking, canyoneering, kayaking, and snorkeling to adventure and travel tips, gear reviews, and bucket list items such as bungee jumping or wing walking. We’ll show you the ropes so you can do them too!
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