The Hale Farm Explorer Train Ride Near Cleveland Is Scenic And Fun For The Whole Family
By Nikki Rhoades|Published August 22, 2023
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Ever thought about taking a train ride to a farm near the Cleveland area? It may sound like something offered in a more remote region of the United States, but this special experience awaits Clevelanders just beyond their own backyards. Each summer and fall, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad — which operates in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park — gears up for an entire season of Hale Farm Explorer adventures. This four-and-a-half-hour train ride takes you from its station in Akron to the charming fictional village of Wheatfield, about 40 minutes away. It’s magical and a truly brilliant way to spend a summer or fall day. All aboard for adventure!
Hale Farm & Village is one of the premier outdoor attractions in Greater Cleveland.
If you haven't been to Hale Farm & Village, then this is one unique Northeast Ohio attraction that you'll want to add to your bucket list. It's open to the public seasonally, and it sits in a fictional village called Wheatfield. Here, a number of historic buildings operated and maintained by the Western Reserve Historical Society beckon to visitors and allow them to step back in time.
Unbeknownst to many locals, the best way to reach the farm is by train.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) is another bucket list-worthy attraction in Greater Cleveland. This national park-based train ride offers a number of unique excursions to visitors, including dinner train rides. They also offer a ride to Hale Farm & Village, which is a family-friendly excursion.
These seasonal trips depart from the Akron Northside Station, so it's not a bad hike down from Cleveland. The train operates Wednesday through Sunday each June through August, though it only operates on the weekends in September and October.
Tickets, which are $21 for children aged 3 to 12 and $33 for adults, will get you a seat in one of their coach cars.
The CVSR fleet has seven coach cars, all dating back to 1949. Beautifully restored and comfortable to ride in, these cars help make many CVSR excursions special.
You'll pass beautiful landscapes along the way ...
Part of the experience is the joy of seeing the diverse landscapes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. From your comfortable train, you'll see landscapes you're unlikely to encounter on foot ... and possibly some unique Ohio residents, too! During one trip I took a few years ago, we watched a bald eagle from our windows.
... and then you'll arrive at Hale Farm & Village.
You'll love exploring the landscape, getting to know the animals on this working farm, and chatting with the historical re-enactors at Hale Farm. With more than 30 buildings to explore, there's no shortage of things to do!
This beautiful Greater Cleveland Farm is a living history museum, and you never know who's going to pop up there.
Around Thanksgiving, Abraham Lincoln himself tends to stop by to visit. Check out the upcoming events at Hale Farm to see if there are any special events you'd like to attend ... it might make your train adventure even more memorable!
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The train ride back starts boarding at 1:50 p.m., so you'll have a few hours to explore.
The Wheatfield settlement is a time machine in disguise. When you visit, you'll find yourself transported back in time to life on the Ohio frontier. Things move at a different pace here and luxuries, like candles, are made by hand.
You'll love exploring the farm in that time, and you might even start planning your next visit before this one is over!
These guys are friendly and welcoming, and they're helpful guides along the way, too. Seasonal excursions are offered by CVSR each year, so you might consider another train trip before the year is over!
There's so much to love about excursions on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
All aboard! Adventure awaits in this scenic corner of Northeast Ohio.
This quaint train ride to a farm near Cleveland is one of a kind and it’s an experience locals adore. Who will you be taking with you on your next adventure? Tag them in the comments!
Want to extend your time in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park area? We put together a two-day itinerary for Great Outdoors Month and the second day’s schedule is set in this area … and it even includes camping options to make your stay especially fun.
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