ARKANSAS, USA — It's that time of year when the leaves are changing into yellow, red, and orange shades, and this year 5COUNTRY is showing off vibrant colors.
Due to significant rainfall throughout the summer and fall months, the colors this year are bright. Last year, we had an extreme drought during the summer months. Once autumn rolled around, the leaves turned brown and died.
Now, we are experiencing a revival of color that will last until late November.
The Arkansas-Missouri Railroad has one of the best seats in 5COUNTRY for those looking to see those fall colors.
Before you leave for your trip, you'll start in Springdale to pick up your tickets and then be welcomed onto the train by your conductor.
You'll be served lunch and then you're off on a 75-mile ride south to Van Buren. On the way, you'll pass through cities such as Rudy, Chester, Winslow, and Mountainburg, cross over bridges, and go through the 1,700-foot tunnel that was built in the late 1800s.
While you're coasting through 5COUNTRY, your conductor is sharing the history of each city you pass through and how the rail has affected that city.
Once you arrive in Van Buren, passengers are free to adventure around downtown.
More passengers board the train to take a short trip back north to Winslow. That short time still has all the landmarks that passengers say are well worth the ride.
Some highlights are the trestles that drop up to 200 feet, and when the tree line breaks, you get to see the amazing colors on the mountainside.
After the short Winslow trip, the passengers heading back to Springdale take a steady ride back up and get to see the fall colors all over again.
If you can't make it this fall, the train also has themed rides during the holiday season. The Holiday Express and Pajama ride are for those kiddos looking to meet Santa and ride the train across Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley.
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