The Arkansas Missouri Railroad offers a train ride from Springdale to Van Buren, Arkansas.
The tracks run right through our beautiful Ozark Mountains.
We were excited to purchase tickets and take the most energetic six year old we know on a little adventure.
The conductor told us this particular car was originally built in the 1920’s and later restored. It was beautiful.
Our tickets were for the Vista Dome car. It’s a double decker car and our seats were in the top.
We were surrounded by windows, windows, windows.
Arkansas is so beautiful and our second story view was spectacular.
The train wound slowly through our gorgeous hills,
beside streams,
under highway overpasses
through tunnels, (dark tunnels)
and brought us to the lovely town of Van Buren.
The ride took just over two hours.
Then we had three hours to visit downtown Van Buren.
This part of town has old, charming buildings.
Our favorite spot was a book store that had a wonderful children’s section. Now that Mr. Big Stuff can read, we sat down and read books to each other.
Our train then chugged and puffed back over the hills,
near the bluffs,
and between the beautiful trees.
We left Springdale at 8:00 am and returned at 4:00 pm. It was one of those clear, sunny days where the morning low was 42 and the afternoon high was 79. We wore lots of layers which were added and removed depending on the sunshine and the air conditioning!
As my dear friend, Joyous, likes to say…
We were deliciously exhausted. It was a sweet adventure we won’t soon forget!
😉 -Marci
