Longview to Mineola Sidetrack: Iron Horse Festival

All aboard for a fun and affordable train adventure through the East Texas Piney Woods! Visit Longview and Visit Mineola invite you to board the Amtrak train in Longview on Saturday morning to spend the day in Downtown Mineola for activities, food and unique shopping.

Only one eventbrite registration needed per group. However, individual train tickets must be purchased per person through Amtrak.

Amtrak tickets between the two cities start as low as $6 each way for adults, and children ages 2-12 are half price when purchased with an adult ticket.

The self-guided trip starts at 8:28 a.m. with a westbound train ride from the Historic Longview Depot and arrives in Mineola at approximately 9:25 a.m. Times are subject to change due to Amtrak delays. Greeters will be available at both depots to welcome your arrival and give local advice.

In Mineola, participants can explore downtown, grab lunch at local eateries, ride on a mini-train, browse unique shops, watch a matinee movie, visit the Mineola Historical Museum, or participate in special events.

The eastbound train departs from Mineola at 5:15 pm* and arrives in Longview at 6:15 pm.* Back in Longview, you can head downtown to eat dinner, grab an ice cream, coffee, or beer, and try your hand at axe throwing.

Step 1: Please register here via eventbrite with Visit Longview / Visit Mineola to let us know you are coming. Each group needs just one eventbrite ticket. Registered participants will be entered for a chance to receive welcome gifts! However, this is NOT your train ticket, see step 2 for that.

Step 2: Buy your train tickets directly through Amtrak.com. Enter round trip travel from Longview (LVW) to Mineola (MIN) for your selected date. https://www.amtrak.com/home

For more information, contact Visit Longview at 903-758-3521 or Mineola at 903-569-6183.

*All departure and arrival times are subject to change based on Amtrak availability. Please be aware that your schedule may need to be flexible as Amtrak may be delayed arriving. Download the Amtrak app or visit Amtrak.com to track train arrival and departure estimates on day of travel.

Join us in Mineola via train ride from Longview for our Annual Iron Horse Heritage Festival on September 28th! There will be food, entertainment, vendors, motorcycle show, weenie dog race, watermelon eating contest, pie baking contest, and more!

More Info Here!

Check out Mineola.com for Mineola attrations. We recommend some of the following activities within walking distance of the depot during your day trip.

• Catch a free ride on the Mineola Mini-Train at Iron Horse Square. Available select dates only.
• Watch an afternoon matinee movie or play at Historic Select Theater Lake Country Playhouse.
• Explore the unique food and shopping available in Downtown Mineola.
• Discover the past at the Mineola Historical Museum.
• Buy some fresh food from the Mineola Farmer's Market, located next to the depot
• Take your picture on the big red caboose.

While this trip is all about the train ride from Longview to Mineola, we encourage you to check out VisitLongviewTexas.com for a full listing of things to do and see in the Longview area. We especially think you'll love the great museums, restaurants, breweries, bars, ice cream, and other businesses located within Downtown Longview and the Arts!Longview Cultural District.

• Try some artisan ice cream from Wild Honey Creamery
• Pick up a Longview, Texas or East Texas Souvier at Visit Longview Marketplace.
• Enjoy a craft brew from Oil Horse Brewing or wine at Greenside Beverage Company
• Find a great read and a drink at Books and Barrels
• Re-caffeinate at Silver Grizzly Espresso
• Grab dinner at Roma's, Judd's, or Cace's Kitchen
• Throw axes at Twisted Axes.
• E xplore art, history, imaginative play, and nature at Longview Museum of Arts, Gregg County Historical Museum, Longview World of Wonders, Longview Public Library, or the Longview Arboretum and Nature Center.

Host or Publisher Visit Longview and Visit Mineola