There was only one way to leave Nashville in a 1950’s passenger train, wine tasting and a few hours in a small Tennessee town.
Luckily, the Tennessee Wine Tasting Excursion Train does just that!
Provided by the nonprofit Tennessee Central Railway Museum, the train leaves Nashville and winds its way east through Middle Tennessee, making its way to the town of Watertown, where passengers are let off the train for lunch and time to shop before heading back to the city.
Wine tastings are available for those onboard and all trips are adults-only.
It is an adults only trip and has onboard wine tasting and also part train journey, part wine tasting and part small-town daytrip and is different to only attending a winery.
If you are thinking of booking it – here is how the experience went and what you must know before you buy the ticket:
What Is Nashville’s Wine Train?
The Tennessee Central Railway Museum operates historic railroad equipment on selected Saturdays during the year as they travel on special themed passenger excursions.
Its wine trains are an adults-only excursion among other adults-only excursions run by the museum.
Winery staff are aboard conducting tastings and there is a free wine glass also, extra may be purchased during the trip. You must be 21 and have proof of id with you.
The experience is not so much a winery tour as it is more of an old-fashioned rail ride that includes wine with the trip.
It’s not about spending an entire afternoon in a tasting room; you are on restored passenger cars traveling through Middle Tennessee.
Where Does the Train Leave From?
The train departs Tennessee Central Railway Museum at 220 Willow Street, Nashville.
While the train will be departing from Tennessee Central Railway Museum at 220 Willow Street in Nashville, that is close enough to downtown Nashville for most to walk, cab, Uber or bike for a fun city outing if already visiting Nashville and staying centrally located.
According to the museum, parking is free for their excursions with attendants helping the passengers find nearby lots and street parking.
On recent wine excursions, boarding times are generally set before departure. As an example, the October 10, 2026 train lists boarding 9am and departs at 10am.
Even then ALWAYS check your tickets. Sometimes they change. Departure time can change on different excursions.
Where Does the Wine Train Go?
The Nashville wine train goes east from Nashville to Watertown, Tennessee.
What I believe is confusing several people, is that the train does not actually go straight to the winery at DelMonaco now.
DelMonaco has confirmed in September 2026 that the excursion stops in Watertown instead, where passengers can leave the train and spend some time around town before boarding for the return trip to Nashville.
Watertown is a small,
historic community in Wilson County, with a town square, restaurants and retail shops.
But actually it is a big part of the trip to do the layover there.
You are not on the train the six or seven hours without breaks. The trip stops at Watertown for an hour and a half break, where passengers leave the train to stretch their legs, eat lunch and explore before returning.
How Long Does the Wine Train Take?
Make this a big part of your day.
Right now, at the time of publication, the Tennessee Central Railway Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, describes its Nashville-to-Watertown wine excursions as roughly six-hour trips, not including boarding time, although individual event schedules can lead to a longer total length.
For example, on October 10, 2026, the excursion is listed:
Boarding time: 9:00 a.m. Departure: 10:00 a.m. Destination: Watertown Approximate return to Nashville: 5:30 p.m.
I would consider this a full-day outing, not something to wedge in between lunch and dinner reservations.
So be careful not to schedule anything important immediately after the train it is due to return downtown if you go. Actual excursion trains run on actual railways and as the museum’s website states trip times can “vary”.
How Long Do You Get in Watertown?
This was one of the most common questions raised about the original article.
Although the museum assures that the train will stop in Watertown during each wine trip for lunch and shopping, its current information does not guarantee a fixed time.
That’s an important distinction.
I do not give a specific 60 or 90 minute layover unless it is on your date of booking, because railroad schedules do change.
It is probably safest to assume that Watertown is good for a relaxed lunch and a poke about, than to pin your complicated itinerary on a specific minute of your being there or leaving it.
What Happens With the Wine Tasting?
Staff from the winery conduct tastings onboard the train. Tastings are included in the wine excursion price.
Guests also receive a complimentary wine glass.
Those that wish may have the option of purchasing additional alcoholic drinks on board. The DelMonaco excursion on October 2026 stated wine, beer and cocktails would be available for sale on the route.
Visitors are not to bring their own food or drinks on the train.
Food, snacks and beverages are offered for sale from a historic dining car. The menu can change, but the museum says the usual quick service offerings are hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, bottled drinks, beef and wines plus snacks.
I would still expect your mains at Watertown than a formal meal onboard.
What Are the Different Seating Options?
Here helps to know what you are paying for.
The type of seats varies with the excursion, but a few types are used by the Tennessee Central Railway Museum.
Coach Seating
Coach Cars feature large windows on each side and traditional reclining passenger seats similar to other train cars.
This is the basic standard choice if you do not wish to splurge on the more upgraded cars but still want to enjoy wines and the ride.
Premier Service
Many of the trips have a section in their carriages in the adults-only premier seating carriages.
Unlimited tea, coffee, hot chocolate, soft drinks, a catered snack box, fresh cookies and a pay-per-drink bar with a range of alcoholic drinks. There is something for everyone!
Dome Seating
It is an unusual option to go live.
It is the museum’s historic dome car which contains only 20 seats in its elevated glass-enclosed “dome” with 360-degree views of above the roof line of the rest of the train.
Because there are only 20 dome seats, the museum says they typically sell out first.
For people taking the train because of the surrounding environment, then dome seats would definitely be the seating of choice.
everyone must ultimately decide for themselves whether it is worth the additional cost.
How Much Does the Wine Train Cost?
It would also be dangerous to depend on tickets prices found in articles or social media, as prices vary depending on excursion and seating-class.
This is important because prices have varied already between different 2026 wine-train dates.
The safest thing is to double-check in the Tennessee Central Railway Museum current schedule for that specific excursion, before doing a booking.
In addition, all tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable with no exceptions, as per the policy of the Tennessee Central Railways Museum at this time.
As such please check your date carefully before purchasing, tickets are currently non refundable and cannot be exchanged.
Is the Train Air-Conditioned?
Yes.
Tennessee Central Railway Museum’s says all their passenger cars have “heat or air conditioning.”
This is good news if you are considering one of the upcoming summer excursions.
Several cars have restrooms, which the museum sometimes keeps locked until train is moving “because of limited water supply of cars”.
What About Accessibility?
You will need to take this into consideration before you book.
Although these are genuine historic passenger cars, boarding is not like stepping on many modern commuter trains.
The museum also states that you have to climb about five steps to get in and that train can be just more than 1,000 feet long.
Be Considerate Towards Others
People in wheelchairs and those needing other disabled care assistance must contact the Tennessee Central Railway Museum before purchasing tickets, as they will attempt to accommodate all guests and staff will determine whether your specific needs can be satisfied at that time.
You wouldn’t want to wake up the morning of your trip wondering if that particular historic rail car can accommodate your needs!
When Does the Nashville Wine Train Run?
Not something that you get to see everyday.
Due to the railroad being used for freight trains, the museum offers themed excursions on selected Saturdays as it is not a daily attraction.
According to their website as of September 2026 for October 10 Wine Tasting excursion to Watertown 2026.
Already there are wine-related journeys being formed with the museum schedule for 2027, namely:
- Saturday13 February 2027: DelMonaco Valentine’ s Wine Train To Watertown
- March 20, 2027: Grinders Switch Wine Train to Watertown
- 24th April 2027: DelMonaco wine train to Watertown
- May 8, 2027: Grinders Switch Mother’ s Day Wine Train back to Lebanon
- June 12, 2027: Grinders Switch Wine Excursion to Watertown
The events in 2027 are listed as coming soon and some of the ticket details have not yet been released
So if one date sells out or does not fit with your trip, there might be another wine excursion later in the season.
Quick Facts About Nashville’s Wine Train
Operated by: Tennessee Central Railway Museum
Departure: 220 Willow Street, Nashville
Typical destination: Watertown, Tennessee
Age requirement: 21+
Length of trip: For current Watertown excursions, around six hours, plus time for boarding
Wine Tasting: Included on specific wine excursions.
Souvenir: Free wine glass on current wine-tasting trips
Food: Will be available to purchase on board (however there will be a stop in Watertown where people could also pick up lunch).
Please do not consume outside food and drinks on board:
Food: Available for purchase onboard; Watertown stop also allows time for lunch
Parking: Free parking for our excursion passengers.
Toilets: Available on board
Climate Control: Heating and air conditioning on the train cars
Accessibility: If you are planning a class with mobility issues, please contact the museum before booking.
Refund policy. At the moment, tickets are not able to be refunded or exchanged.
Is Nashville’s Wine Train Worth Considering?
The excursion of Wine Tasting appealed more if you like the mix of experiences.
If you want to just taste some wine, it is easier to just go up to a winery.
However, if spectacular mountain scenery is all you are craving you might like another Tennessee train which puts more emphasis on mountain landscapes.
What this excursion offers is not so much epic vistas, as it is about spending a full day soaking up the sounds and smells and rhythms of vintage rail transportation.
You leave Nashville aboard an old passenger train, get to try some Tennessee wines, spend time in a small town and then take the rails back into the city.
How often do you find something like that in Nashville?
And since train operation is limited to specific dates with limited premium and domed seating, this is one Nashville activity where it makes sense to check schedule before your trip than assuming you will be able to buy tickets after you arrive.
