Great Northern Train Ride, Wisconsin, United States

4BUD H 5:00 PM Oct 23, 2022

Anniversary dinner train date
We had been on the dinner train before (I think 2016), so we were more familiar with what to expect than some other passengers were (I heard some discussions wishing for more explanations and train history, etc than were given), but this was the "closeout" event celebrating our 38th anniversary, so we enjoying each other's company to the extent we might not have paid attention to an intercom dialog anyway. The train left almost on time (7 minutes was no big deal to us), and the colors, although not peak, were still wonderful - and the lights aimed outward beneath the car after sunset were a great addition to the views into the woods! Kelly, our server, was fantastic! She was most helpful in drink selections, prompt with service, and with her sense of humor, kept us entertained throughout the trip. The dinner was very nice: The appetizers (no, I don't think they were bacon wrapped pig testicles...) were FABULOUS, as were the soup and dinner rolls. The entrees were OK (beef for my wife, salmon for me), but not 5-star, but the dessert mousse allowed the dinner to finish strong. Unlike some around us who were unprepared to pay cash on board, I had read the appropriate lines on the web site and had brought some cash with me for drinks and gratuities. All in all, it was a very pleasant evening, and we would do it again for sure. If someone could tell me what days next year will be peak colors, I might make reservations now.

3Cathy G 5:00 PM Oct 9, 2022

Fun But Cold
We took the Great Northern Dinner Train Ride on October 8, 2022. The train ride starts around 5:30 returning you to the station around 8:00. Your train ride comes with a nice dinner in a private car. Dinner starts with an appetizer, moves on to dinner rolls, soup, entree and dessert. Coffee and water come with your meal. You purchase any mixed drinks or wine that you might want with your meal. We had light to view the countryside until a little around 7:00. Then in the fall it is dark, but the train has LED lights that provide you with some view for the remaining hour+ of the trip. There is one server per car who does a great job of hustling to get out drinks and each course of your meal. However, if you need anything once he has served your course, you are waiting until he makes the next round. Our train car was not heated. We ate with our coats on and were still very cold. People asked about heat, but were told the heat in our car was not working or was working as well as it would for the duration of our ride. It was very uncomfortable. This train ride could be a very fun experience if the cars were warm enough to actually enjoy the meal being served. So our advice would be to go in warmer weather.