Minnesota Zephyr

My boyfriend & I had a great time on the train back in Sept '06. We're engaged 6/4/07!!! Now , 'Nothin' would be finer' than to get married on the MN Zephyr train with our family present. We want to share this wonderful experience with them. Pros: There is a photographer on board but there is no obligation to buy the photo's (we did) Cons: smoking area. more

Don't bother with this trip, unless you happen to remember travelling this way. The experience just is *not* worth the price. The soup tasted like campbell's. The salad had *WAY* too much dressing. The prime rib reminded me of the $15 special at the VFW down the road from our house, and the cheesecake was, well, cheesecake. Added a couple cocktails, a $26 bottle of wine, the MANDATORY $7/person service fee, our initial cost rose from $170 to well over $230. Adding insult to injury, they pleasantly asked for an 18% gratuity to top it all off... You have got to be kidding me. A 3-hour train ride with a mediocre meal (for the price) while being nickle-and-dimed until the wallet is bleeding is not my idea of a good time. The scenery was nonexistant (nighttime), the music was 1940's jazz (when they remembered to turn it on) and the singers were fabulous. If you like to casually toss away your money, this ride is for you. Ridiculous! Never again! Pros: Nice atmosphere, ambiance Cons: Are you kidding, $200+ for a $25 meal? more

We were married aboard the MN Zephyr by a local retired judge; the ceremony was wonderfully short! The train photographer took awesome pictures; the wedding party was seated together, service / food were wonderful! Only disappointment was not very much snow outside yet. The wedding party had limosine service from Stillwater to Forepaugh's in St. Paul for the reception- open bar & eight huge trays of food; guests had the mansion's entire first floor, all 3 fireplaces, and superb waitstaff. At 9pm they limoed over to the WR Inn to kick up their heels on a lit up wooden dance floor to the live music of ""TFB"". And at the end of the evening, the newlywed's best friends (Chuck & Kim Borst) gave the newlyweds a ride home w/ everyone singing at the top of their lungs! Both the MN Zephyr and Forepaugh's will be wonderful places to spend romantic anniversaries for MANY years to come! more

Take a ride on the Zepher and see a little of what train travel used to be like back in the the really good old days. Having traveled on the Orient Express and many of the crack US trains when they were really forms of transportation ;made me appreciate the Zepher all the more. the food was delicious(Prime Rib) and the added entertainment of the strolling singers added totally to the ambience of the evening! All theother ""passengers"" were equally taken with the atmosphere. We all had great conversations about things present and past. Absolutely take this ""trip"" at least once YOU WON""T BE DISAPOINTED!!! Pros: Elegant, Really good food, Charming entertainme more

I found my experience to be quite enjoyable an will be repeating it again very soon. The Grand Dome is exceptional. Pros: quite, personal, entertaining Cons: Walkingthroughsmoking more

Expect to enter another era as you embark on this outing. The slower pace requires adaptation - but let it refresh rather than frustrate you. See the historical pictures in the train station. Fortunately our tablemates (strangers) turned out to be great people who are now good friends. The meal was a feast. Our prime rib was done perfectly to our specs and HUGE. Salad and veg were delicious, also perfect cheesecake and great coffee. Strolling singers great with 40s-era songs. Beverage service was disappointingly slow, but the great evening made up for it. Order ALL your beverages right away, you might not get another chance. Semi-formal dress required - don't worry. Be tastefully comfortable. Pros: easy free parking, generous portions, gourmet quality Cons: slow beverage service more