A Trip on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Last Saturday, the air was crisp and the sky clear and blue. It was the perfect day to explore some of the natural sights in the area, so I decided to spend a few hours on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad runs through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and , the Brecksville Station is one of the main stops riders are being directed to for the railroad's scenic tours. 

I got on the train a little bit after 1:45 p.m. on Saturday. It’s easy enough to purchase a ticket from any station on the trip, but a piece of advice: if you don’t have good balance or a strong stomach, order them in advance. The train rocks and rolls pretty consistently, a familiar feeling to anyone who’s ever been on a boat. 

After getting my ticket, I passed by the souvenirs and through the concession car (much like a movie theater lobby on wheels). A good number of my fellow passengers were families; it’s a pretty kid-friendly way to spend an afternoon, but the trip might be a bit long for the really little ones. The round-trip from the Brecksville Station was almost two and a half hours. 

I was expecting some sort of explanation as we passed through Boston Mills and Peninsula on our way to Akron, but the car was silent, save for the quiet conversations of my fellow passengers. While it would have been nice to learn about some of the landmarks along our way, it was a peaceful and interesting way to see the region. We passed through commercial areas—like the Boston Mills’ hills for skiing—wooded portions of the national park, wide rivers and residential properties filled with kids’ playhouses and jungle gyms. It was a nice microcosm of our part of Ohio in general, and the way we can go from cities to open spaces and back again in less than an hour.  

Some of the passengers got off the train in Peninsula, a small town with restaurants and places like an art gallery for guests to explore before picking the train up again on the way back. I opted to stay on for the entire round-trip, but both options are included in the ticket price.

Most rides are $10 per person right now, said Kelly Steele, director of marketing and sales for the railroad. In the summer, that cost goes up to $15 for adults, but it’s still $10 for kids, and ticket costs can vary for special events. 

The railroad runs year-round; my trip on Saturday was nice, but I bet it’s really beautiful during the vivid green of late summer or the rich rainbow of fall leaves.