Ride A Rail Bike Along The Bluegrass Scenic Railway At This New Kentucky Bucket List Destination
By Andrea Limke|Published September 08, 2023
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Andrea Limke
Author
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
For over 15 years, I’ve called Kentucky home and have lived in this region my entire life. My personal Kentucky bucket list grows on a weekly basis as I discover even more to love about this state. The back roads and small towns between Lexington, Frankfort, and Louisville are some of my favorite areas of Kentucky, so when a brand new attraction opened in Versailles, I knew I had to check it out. If you follow along with things to do in Kentucky, chances are you’ve heard of the opening of Rail Explorers USA in the Bluegrass. We booked an evening tour for our family of four and it was such a unique, memorable night out together. I’m excited to share our experience and everything you need to know before you ride the rails with Rail Explorers USA in Kentucky.
Have you seen these incredible images of rail biking in Kentucky? Did you know this was a thing? I knew Rail Explorers USA had other locations, but I was thrilled to find out they now have an excursion in Versailles, right in the heart of Kentucky.
We live in Northern Kentucky, and when I knew we'd be heading south to Versailles for a Friday evening, I made sure we made time for a stop at Wallace Station. This classic Kentucky eatery is one of my favorites with delicious food, great outdoor scenery, and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.
Rail Explorers USA is set up on the museum property and is very easy to get to. They offer rides all day long and into the night and we were lucky enough to snag one of the last nighttime rides that was available for this season.
We arrived about an hour early to watch the sun set and hang out on the property. It was a beautiful evening and we chatted with the friendly staff member while we waited for the bikes to return from another ride.
Arriving early is a great idea because they have a beautiful set up of chairs, fire pits for chilly days, and plenty of space to relax. You can even bring your own drinks to enjoy while you wait.
While you're waiting, be sure to check out the Airstream for some Rail Explorers merchandise. You can also bring along a water bottle for the ride and refill it for free with their water jug.
Having two active children, we are always looking for unique things to do as a family and all four of us were beyond excited to try something new together.
The nighttime atmosphere was actually ideal on a warmer summer day so we avoided the heat. This time of day would also be perfect for fall with a slightly spooky vibe. And don't worry about it being pitch black! They give each group a lantern to light the way.
Another reason to arrive early is to watch the Rail Explorers staff at work, bringing in the bikes, rotating them, and setting them up for the next ride. It's such a cool process and adds to the fun of the experience.
Once the bikes are ready, the staff calls everyone together for a safety briefing and then you're off to find your assigned bike. We had a 4-person bike, but they also have bikes for two. They then send bikes out on the track one at a time so everyone is spaced out and you really feel like you're out on your own adventure. While the rail bike is pedal powered, it is extremely easy and the experience is for all ages and abilities. One rider is responsible for the break (must be 16 or older) and that person must also pedal the entire time.
After about 30 minutes of riding, the group stops at the end of the rail at the overlook by Young's High Bridge. Of course this was a different experience at night, but it was a nice break to get off of the bike, take in the evening view, and learn about the history of the bridge. You can also see the Wild Turkey Distillery from this overlook.
While we were hanging out, the crew turned the bikes around for our return trip. We all hopped back on, buckled up, and enjoyed a moonlit ride back to the museum. A few things to keep in mind when you do visit: We tried to listen to music from our phone while riding, but the bikes on the tracks are pretty loud, so it wasn't really necessary. You can bring a small cooler with drinks and there is a spot to set that, as well as water bottles, jackets, etc.
We will definitely be back for a daytime ride, but I also highly recommend a ride at night. You ride over bridges, through horse farmland, between small cliffs of rock, and it was just as exhilarating in the evening.
I’m so grateful to have crossed “rail biking in Kentucky” off of my bucket list. I am not at all surprised that Rail Explorers is booked out through the rest of the 2023 season. Right now, the last ride is scheduled for the end of October, but they will start back up again in May of 2024! Definitely keep an eye on the Rail Explorers social media and website for future bookings, but the 2024 schedule will open up on the site by February 1st. The staff also mentioned that you can call the day of and see if there happen to be any cancellations. This is rare, but maybe worth a try! The phone number is 1-877-833-8588.
If you have any other questions about Rail Explorers, the FAQ section on the site is very helpful!
