Standard Train Excursions

Train excursions operate regularly in the summer and fall months. There are several excursion options to choose from. Our standard excursions are listed below, and other special events listed here. The Lake Superior Railroad Museum is open daily from 10-5pm.

Good things to know:

  • Reservations are recommended for all excursions, and some trains require reservations in advance. A credit card is required to make reservations.
  • All excursions are round-trip
  • On most excursions, children ages 2 and under are free in coach sections of the train. However all ages need tickets on these trains: First Class Duluth Zephyr, Elegant Dinner Train, Summer BBQ, and Murder Mystery, ages 0-13 will need a purchased ticket.
  • Combo Admission to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum can be added with 50% off admission if you have a train ticket. You can purchase museum passes at this rate anytime, with your tickets or when you arrive.
  • Wheelchair accessibility is available on the Duluth Zephyr and Pizza Trains only at this time – there are no accessible restrooms for wheelchairs onboard the historic railcars. >>More ADA information here<<

The Duluth Zephyr

Operates May to mid-October

The Duluth Zephyr is our most popular trip! Great for all ages, this train operates regularly in the summer and fall, operating a 75-minute trip (1hour, 15 minutes) through downtown, along the shoreline of Lake Superior, through the historic Congdon Neighborhood wooded area, until it reaches a side-track stopping point where the train stops briefly to turn around and return to the Depot.

Ticketing & Seat Options:

  • First Class Option: Ride in the Dome Car and enjoy the unique upstairs viewing area, with an attendant designated just for you. Space is limited to about 60 passengers in the domecar per trip. Enjoy complimentary snacks while you experience the spectacular views from above, in the “SkyView” Dome Car. Learn more about the Dome Car here. Steps are required for reaching the upper level of the dome/seating, more info on accessibility here.

  • Coach Seats: Ride in one of several historic coaches. Some have open windows, some have air conditioning/heat, its up to you! A concession car is also available to explore.


FIRST CLASS DOME (upstairs): $44.00
All ages (including babies) need a purchased ticket

COACH SEATS: Adults – $22.00, Children (3-13) $11.00
Ages 2 and under are free and do not need tickets

Large Group (10+) pricing and reservation info can be found by clicking here.
  • Reservations are not required for this excursion, but recommended. Tickets may be purchased anytime prior to departure.
  • Beverages and snacks are available onboard the train. Pepsi products, juice, and water. Beer, wine, and seltzers are also available for ages 21+.
  • Light snacks available for purchase such as candy and chips. Cash and cards are accepted.
  • Schedules subject to change from what is listed above, for most up-to-date, Click here for daily calendar.
  • Trains usually operate daily in late spring, through mid October.

First Class Seats:

View Domecar Stairway Here

Coach Seats:

The Pizza Party Express

Evenings on Weekends in Summer/Fall

This is a 2-1/2 hour trip up the North Shore with pizza and fun for all ages. All ticketed passengers get one 8″ Domino’s personal pizza, soda included, and a dessert later on the ride. The first part of the trip is narrated as we pass by all the sights of Duluth, on the way back enjoy the music and commentary about railroading and the area played throughout the train. A bar with Beer/Wine/Seltzers is also available for sale, along with snacks for purchase, such as candy and chips. Cash and credit cards are accepted.

The Pizza Party Express operates Wednesday-Saturday evenings (see calendar for exact dates).


Reservations Required for this excursion, additional fees may apply on peak days (Saturdays), Ages 2 and under are free (no pizza included).

Coach Seats: Adults – $34.00, Children (3-13) $22.00
Domecar Seats (limited dates available)
: Adults – $54.00, Children (3-13) $44.00

Click here to view Domecar upgrade availability

Pizza train reservations must be made by 2pm the day of the excursion. Menu options available: Pepperoni, or Sausage, or Cheese. Gluten Free cheese also available. Menu choices must be made at the time of reservation.

Groups: Seating is in groupings of 4 in most cars. We do not have assigned seating, and staying together isn’t too hard, and coaches generally hold about 60 passengers, so it is hard to sit directly across from eachother or directly in the same vicinity. If you have a large group, plan on arriving earlier for checkin to get an earlier boarding time so that you can get seats across from or nearby one another.

Large Group (10+) pricing and reservation info can be found by clicking here.

Coach Seats:

Domecar Seats:

The Two Harbors Turn

Full Day Excursion on Weekends

The premiere excursion of the railroad is a six-hour full day ride up the North Shore with a layover-stop for lunch (food not included in ticket price), touring and shopping in beautiful Two Harbors. Return to Duluth between 4 and 5pm.

Entrance to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum is included with your ticket prior to your departure on that day. Doors open at 9am. You can purchase museum admission the day before or after at 50% off. This trip is usually not wheelchair accessible. Pets are not allowed.

Snacks and two non-alcoholic beverages are included with every ticket, and additional concessions can be purchased from the bar-car. The train is fully stocked with Pepsi products, juice, and water (two included). As well as beer, wine, seltzers for purchase. Additional light snacks such as chips and candy will also be available.

The train arrives at the Two Harbors Depot, today the Lake County Historical Society. There are some local eateries and shops within walking distance, and the railroad provides free shuttle busses on most trips that can take you to other locations in town. A handy passenger guide is provided to passengers with information on the great local businesses in town.

This excursion operates on weekends starting in July, and most weekends the rest of the summer/fall: Friday, Saturday, and Sundays.

  • Summer Two Harbors Turn:
    July – September, Fridays-Sundays
    Premiere Main-level Seats: Adults – $75.00, Children $65.00
    Premiere Domecar Seats: All ages – $90.00

  • Fall Colors Tour (Same trip, in autumn):
    September – October, Fridays-Sundays
    Premiere Main-level Seats: Adults – $95.00, Children $85.00
    Premiere Reserved Domecar: All ages – $110.00

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Ticket Options:

  • Premiere Main-level Seats: Ride in one of several historic coaches and loungecars on the railroad. Open seating allows you to move anywhere you want to with a limited number of passengers so everyone can spread out throughout the train. These seats are restricted to the main level and are unassigned so you can move around and explore the entire train (except the upper dome seating). All the cars have air conditioning/heat, accordingly.

  • Premiere Reserved Domecar Seats: Choose from two different domecars on the train, and select your reserved seats. In addition to your Dome seats, you have access to the rest of the main-level seating in our various loungecars, and bar car. You have the freedom to explore the train and return to your reserved seats whenever you’d like. You can learn more about the Dome Car here. Is the Domecar full the day you are coming? Click here for a wait list.


Note: The Two Harbors train excursion is subject to delays due to Canadian National Railway (CN) freight traffic. Please consider this when making plans for after the train ride. Delays are rare, but can be an hour or more.

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Pictures from Two Harbors:

View Track Routemap:

View More Special Excursions & Events Here