This Little-Known Wine Train Near Nashville Feels Like a Private Luxury Escape
Just outside Nashville sits a vintage railway experience that most visitors never hear about.
The Tennessee Central Railway Museum operates special wine train excursions that combine historic rail travel with wine tasting and small-town exploration. If you’re looking for a unique day trip that feels luxurious without the crowds of typical tourist attractions, this hidden gem delivers an unforgettable journey through Middle Tennessee’s countryside.
A Hidden Wine Train Experience near Nashville
Most people who visit Nashville stick to Broadway’s honky-tonks and never discover this remarkable railway adventure. Located at 220 Willow Street, the Tennessee Central Railway Museum has been quietly operating wine train excursions that transport passengers back to the golden age of rail travel.
The experience begins at a working rail museum where vintage train cars wait on the tracks. Unlike crowded tourist trains in other cities, these excursions maintain an intimate atmosphere that genuinely feels like your own private escape.
The museum itself operates only on Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM, but the wine train journeys are special events that book months in advance. Passengers board authentic 1950s-era railcars complete with period details and vintage charm.
What the Tennessee Central Railway Museum Wine Train Actually Is
Picture yourself settling into a vintage railcar seat while a knowledgeable wine representative pours samples from the local Delmonico Winery. That’s exactly what happens on these wine train excursions to Watertown, Tennessee.
The journey covers 168 miles round-trip, with the outbound leg lasting about two hours. During this time, passengers receive tastings of 12 to 13 different wines, each served in a complimentary souvenir glass you take home.
The train makes a stop in Watertown for approximately two and a half hours, giving you time to explore the small town, enjoy live music at the winery, and grab lunch at local restaurants. The return trip takes slightly longer, offering a relaxing ride back to Nashville.
Inside the Wine Train: What the Experience Is Really Like
Boarding happens about an hour before departure, though experienced passengers recommend arriving two hours early. Each seat comes with wine information sheets, a tasting list, and your keepsake wine glass.
The wine representative explains each pour with details about scents, flavors, and food pairings.
Air conditioning keeps the cars comfortable, though some vintage cars cool better than others. A snack car offers drinks, candy bars, hot dogs, and chips for reasonable prices during the journey. Entertainment varies by excursion, with some featuring musicians performing throughout the cars.
The Wine, the Views, and the Old-Fashioned Railcar Charm
Delmonico Winery provides all the wines for the tasting journey, offering everything from dry whites to sweet fruit wines.
Rolling through Middle Tennessee’s countryside, you’ll see small towns, bridges, and changing landscapes. The windows are beveled glass, giving them an authentic vintage character.
The railcars themselves steal the show with their 1950s appointments and authentic details. Some cars feature original seating, while others, like the dining car and dome car, offer different vantage points and atmospheres.
That musty, historic smell reminds you these are genuine vintage cars, not replicas. The slight rocking motion and rhythmic clacking of wheels on tracks create a meditative quality that modern transportation simply can’t match. It’s nostalgia you can actually experience, not just imagine.
Who This Wine Train Adventure Is Perfect For
Couples looking for a romantic day trip without the typical dinner-and-a-movie routine absolutely love this experience. The wine, scenery, and vintage atmosphere create natural romance without trying too hard.
Groups of friends make up a large portion of passengers, often celebrating birthdays, bachelorette parties, or just enjoying a Saturday adventure together. The social seating arrangement helps everyone mingle and meet interesting people.
Wine enthusiasts who want to try something beyond standard tasting rooms find this format refreshing and fun. You’re not just standing at a counter—you’re on a moving journey through the countryside.
What to Know Before Booking Your Wine Train Tickets
Book five to six months ahead because these excursions sell out incredibly fast. The museum’s website at tcry.org lists upcoming wine train dates and other special events throughout the year.
Tickets cost around $80 per person, which includes the train ride, wine tastings, and a souvenir glass. Food in Watertown and any wine purchases are separate expenses you should budget for.
Arrive at least two hours early to park, use restrooms, explore the museum, and board without stress. The single-line boarding process can feel chaotic if you cut it close.
Watertown has limited dining options—a Mexican restaurant, a meat-and-three, a BBQ food truck, and a coffee shop. Exit the train quickly if you want to snag a table at Casa Amigos, the most popular lunch spot.
Why This Wine Train Is One of Nashville’s Most Underrated Day Trips
While tourists pack into the same Broadway bars and hot chicken restaurants, this wine train offers something genuinely different. It’s the only excursion of its kind in the United States, making it a truly unique Nashville-area experience.
The seven-hour adventure feels luxurious because it’s unhurried and thoughtfully paced. You’re not being rushed from one activity to another—instead, you settle in and enjoy the journey itself.
The combination of wine, vintage trains, small-town exploration, and scenic countryside creates memories that last far longer than another night on Lower Broadway. Plus, the intimate scale means you avoid the overwhelming crowds that plague Nashville’s most popular attractions.
For anyone seeking an escape that feels both special and accessible, this little-known wine train delivers exactly that.
