The Adirondack Scenic Railroad is celebrating this spooky season with its annual Halloween decorated train. Ghosts, witches and goblins haunt the tracks but inside the train cars will be all about fun. My children are still not on board with the scary part of Halloween. They are perfectly content to dress up in costume and receive candy for their efforts. This train ride certainly fits their requirements.

Adirondack Scenic Railroad
Take the Halloween Train!

The Halloween train starts from the Lake Placid station with a 45-minute layover in Saranac Lake. Both the Lake Placid and Saranac Lake Train Depots will be festively decorated. Lunch and snacks will be available for purchase at the club car, but the train crew will be passing out a few treats as well. While in Saranac Lake, enjoy the historic depot. There will be refreshments and a free pumpkin (while supplies last) for children. Parade that costume around as there will be a contest with prizes awarded in a variety of categories and ages.

If there is time, take the short walk to the nearby Adirondack Carousel. The Adirondack Carousel holds 24 hand carved carousel animals Indigenous to the Adirondack Park. Located right on Depot Street, the Carousel's fall hours are noon to 5 pm Wednesday through Sunday. So take a ride on the train and carousel. 

Adirondack Carousel
Take the nearby Adirondack Carousel for a ride

There will be special programming that morning wiith live animal encounters. At 10:30 am on Saturday, October 20th the Adirondack Carousel will host "Birds of Prey" with the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge and Rehabilitation Center. Drop by for free milk and cookies and meet with snakes and snapping turtles, including a boa constrictor. On November 10 the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge will bring Pippen, a red fox.

The price for the round-trip Halloween Train is $10/adults and is free for children 12 and under. I am told that the two time slots (11 am and 2 pm) fill up fast. Reservations can be made online or by calling 518-891-3238.

Keep in mind that there are playgrounds located near both the Lake Placid and Saranac Lake train depots. Boo! Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Activities™ guidebook series, Adirondack Family Time™.

train playground
Stop by this cute train playground across from the Lake Placid Train Depot