Group Adventures
Retreats, reunions, groups and guilds deserve an exclusive venue
“As with any journey, who you travel with can be more important than your destination.”
– Cecily von Ziegesar
Verde Canyon Railroad – a vintage train traveling on tracks laid over a century ago through an ancient canyon – is in the business of making time stand still. Whether it’s an anniversary, birthday party, reunion, club destination, business retreat, or just a grand celebration for a lot of friends, the Railroad’s venue is unparalleled. The combination of festive food and beverage, classic comfort and camaraderie, while being smothered in Mother Nature’s majestic wilderness, makes for a group adventure that will shine through in lifetime memories.
Your One-of-a-Kind Group Adventure Awaits
- Luxurious private coach with comfortable couches and bistro-style seating
- Access to an open-air viewing car – two seats for the price of one
- 40-mile roundtrip journey through a stunning red-rock canyon
- Complimentary glass of Champagne upon boarding
- Complimentary charcuterie trays for all guests
- Additional catering available upon request
- Ability to customize audio system
- Four hours together with valued friends or family
We remove the stress so you can relax and have fun.
All Aboard for Premium Rail Hospitality
Let the Verde Canyon Railroad staff show your group Rail Hospitality with attention to every detail. At Verde Canyon Railroad, from your initial email or call to disembarking at the end of the journey, our associates are skilled at creating the perfect atmosphere for fun and fellowship. No telephones, no Internet, no cleanup after the party. Instead, we indulge your senses with crisp canyon air and glorious red-rock formations lining this historic wilderness route. We even throw in a 734-foot tunnel to liven up the old folks.
If you believe that a four-hour trip aboard Verde Canyon Railroad is the perfect setting to escape the ordinary, read on.
Arrival
If your guests are arriving on a bus, they will be greeted by our group coordinator with tickets in hand so there is no waiting in lines. Groups also are preboarded in advance of other passengers. Our shaded pavilion is large enough to accommodate large parties seated together while enjoying beverages from the pavilion bar prior to boarding time.
Dining and Perusing
Café vouchers may be purchased for members of the group at a discounted price so everyone may order the lunch of their choice at the depot’s Copper Spike Café prior to boarding or ready to take on the train.
The John Bell Museum is full of historic photographs and memorabilia that link the Railroad’s past to the present. Storyboards that tell the story of the Canyon line the track corridor. The Boxcar Gift Store is stocked with memorabilia and keepsakes that will fit every pocketbook and every taste. There is a lot to enjoy at the depot before the whistle signals “All Aboard!”
The Journey
The train will take you and your guests on a 40-mile roundtrip from Clarkdale to the ghost ranch of Perkinsville over vintage trestles, through a 734-foot manmade tunnel, past ancient Indian ruins and over historic tracks built around towering red-rock splendor along the riparian curves of the Verde River. The 4-hour trip offers an easy adventure into the backcountry of this river-carved canyon without having to put on hiking boots.
The Venue
The soothing rhythm of the rails coupled with the sophistication of our classic train and the matchless beauty of our rare riparian canyon combine for an ambiance that can’t be duplicated in any hotel or meeting facility. Comfortable couches and bistro-style seating make this living-room atmosphere inviting for your guests in a private car that can seat from 26 to 42 passengers, depending on the size of your party. All cars are climate controlled, have beverage service, snack bars and restrooms.
Two Seats for One Price
Every passenger enjoys a comfy indoor seat and unlimited access to an adjacent open-air viewing car for spectacular 360-degree views and memorable photography. With two privately chartered cars, an open-air viewing car becomes exclusive to your party.
Courtesy and Beverages for Purchase
Each twosome receives a complimentary split bottle of sparkling wine or cider for a celebratory toast to the journey ahead. You may host an open bar, with a tab to be finalized at the end of the ride, or you may limit your guests to specific selections or timeframe (i.e., beer and wine, or soft drinks only, or only at Perkinsville), or arrange for a cash bar. The Railroad is well-known for many of its drink specialties, including its private-labeled beers and wines.
Complimentary Appetizers and/or Catering
Each passenger receives an on-the-house charcuterie tray with premium meats, gourmet cheeses, crackers, fruits and a delectable dessert nibble. An expanded onboard catering menu is available upon request for groups with at least one privately chartered car. Menu items are all prepared inhouse with only the freshest ingredients.
Onboard Audio System
Expert narration by famed Arizona writer Roger Naylor leaves passengers with a sense of history, archaeology, ancient geology, wildlife and the Native American lore of the Verde Canyon, along with railroad-oriented tunes representing a host of genres. Indoor and outdoor car attendants also are well-versed on what your guests will see throughout the journey. To make your celebration more intimate, you can substitute your personal music by furnishing us with a USB drive of your playlist at least 1.5 hours prior to boarding.
Business Made Fun
When it comes to incentive travel, management retreats or business rewards, keep your group on the right track aboard Verde Canyon Railroad. Step away from cell phones, computer screens, windowless work stations and artificial lighting. Step into another world, a place that offers the relaxing combination of a timeless canyon accentuated by the soothing rhythm of the rails – meditation in motion. Get to know coworkers and business associates in an environment that is conducive to developing lasting relationships.
Let's Work Together
We guarantee good service and a good time, every time. Fill out the questionnaire so we can get your group adventure moving forward on the date of your choice. We’ll take the stress out of the celebration so you can remember how much fun you all had! Oh, by the way, it’s a “rocking” venue so you might want to leave those four-inch heels at home.
Group Adventures Info
- A group is defined as 20 or more people, however, our cars seat between 26 to 42 persons, so we suggest that if you want a private car, you reserve an entire coach.
- Discounts apply for groups, but pricing may reflect how many people there are in your party or the car capacity being chartered.
- The entire train, with a capacity of 444 people, also may be commissioned. If the entire train is chartered, dates and times may be negotiated.
If you prefer to talk to a live person, contact Group Coordinator Ellen Roberts at 877-674-3835. We look forward to hearing from you!
