We’re happy to answer all these questions because we like distinguishing ourselves as unique among Florida dinner train and dinner theaters. Once you learn more about us, we’re sure you’ll agree that your experience with the Murder Mystery Dinner Train will be one you’ll never forget. And to learn more specific information about various aspects of our business, visit the category pages at the top of our site. There’s a lot to learn, especially about our holiday dinner trains in Lee County. We thank you for your interest!
All trains depart from and return to our Colonial Station depot in Fort Myers located at 2805 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers FL 33966.
From I-75 (Exit 136) From I-75, take exit 136 and head West on Colonial Boulevard. Drive west about three and one-quarter miles. After crossing Metro Pkwy, turn right immediately after passing McDonald's, at the entrance to the Lee County Public Education Center. Then drive left back towards the railroad tracks to our coral-colored station.
From US-41 (Cleveland Ave) From US-41, head East on Colonial Boulevard about three-quarters of a mile. Immediately after crossing the railroad tracks, turn left into the entrance for the Lee County Public Education Center. Then drive left back towards the railroad tracks to our coral-colored station.
From Daniels Parkway heading north along Metro Parkway. Take Metro Parkway North approximately 6 miles from Daniels. Using the right-left turn lane, turn left onto Colonial Boulevard (heading west), then turn right immediately after passing McDonald's, at the entrance to the Lee County Public Education Center. Then drive left back towards the railroad tracks to our coral-colored station.
From Downtown Fort Myers heading south along Metro Parkway. Proceed South on Metro Parkway to Winkler Avenue. After crossing Winkler, continue south on Metro Parkway approximately ¼ of a mile and turn right onto the entrance road of the Lee County Education Center. At the stop sign, turn left and proceed left around the parking lot loop road past the McDonalds, 5/3 Bank, and the used car dealer until you reach our coral-colored passenger station. You will see signs for Murder Mystery Dinner Train parking.
Please allow an extra 20-30 minutes of travel time due to seasonal or construction traffic.
From US-41 (Cleveland Ave) From US-41, head East on Colonial Boulevard about three-quarters of a mile. Immediately after crossing the railroad tracks, turn left into the entrance for the Lee County Public Education Center. Then drive left back towards the railroad tracks to our coral-colored station.
From Daniels Parkway heading north along Metro Parkway. Take Metro Parkway North approximately 6 miles from Daniels. Using the right-left turn lane, turn left onto Colonial Boulevard (heading west), then turn right immediately after passing McDonald's, at the entrance to the Lee County Public Education Center. Then drive left back towards the railroad tracks to our coral-colored station.
From Downtown Fort Myers heading south along Metro Parkway. Proceed South on Metro Parkway to Winkler Avenue. After crossing Winkler, continue south on Metro Parkway approximately ¼ of a mile and turn right onto the entrance road of the Lee County Education Center. At the stop sign, turn left and proceed left around the parking lot loop road past the McDonalds, 5/3 Bank, and the used car dealer until you reach our coral-colored passenger station. You will see signs for Murder Mystery Dinner Train parking.
Please allow an extra 20-30 minutes of travel time due to seasonal or construction traffic.
You may make your reservations online through our secure website for parties up to eight (8) people, For larger parties and all other inquiries, please call 239-275-8487. The Colonial Station and Gift Shop will be open one (1) hour before the scheduled train departure each day. However, you may call us at 239-275-8487 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., seven days a week except for Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. Advanced purchase is required for all Dinner Train events.
Regularly Schedule Murder Mystery Dinner Train Prices effective April 4, 2024: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays $129* / Saturdays $135* for all trains on or after May 22, 2024.
Special events and other trips may have different pricing.
*Per Person, NOT including Taxes or Gratuities. Coffee (regular or decaffeinated), Tea (regular only), and Iced Tea (regular only) are included with ticket price. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks (from our selections of beer, wine, drink specials and cocktails) may be purchased onboard the train with a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express). Prices, train and show schedules are subject to changes without notice. Certain holidays or special events may have different pricing. Please check the Events page, or ask our Reservationists. All prices, schedules, menus, hotel offerings and promotions are subject to change without notice and at the sole discretion of Seminole Gulf Railway. Certain holidays or special events may have different pricing. Please confirm the up-to-date price for your specific date through our secure online booking system or by calling our reservations staff at 239-275-8487.
Special events and other trips may have different pricing.
*Per Person, NOT including Taxes or Gratuities. Coffee (regular or decaffeinated), Tea (regular only), and Iced Tea (regular only) are included with ticket price. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks (from our selections of beer, wine, drink specials and cocktails) may be purchased onboard the train with a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express). Prices, train and show schedules are subject to changes without notice. Certain holidays or special events may have different pricing. Please check the Events page, or ask our Reservationists. All prices, schedules, menus, hotel offerings and promotions are subject to change without notice and at the sole discretion of Seminole Gulf Railway. Certain holidays or special events may have different pricing. Please confirm the up-to-date price for your specific date through our secure online booking system or by calling our reservations staff at 239-275-8487.
We currently accept VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Please have your card ready when making your reservation over the phone or online.
Cancellation and Refund Policy effective May 1, 2024
All cancellations of prepaid train reservations (per passenger) and or hotel rooms must be made by 12 noon of the day prior to the day of train departure, in order to receive a refund, less processing fees. ALL cancellations of train or hotel reservations, in whole or in part, will incur a NON-REFUNDABLE cancellation processing fee of $5.00 per passenger cancelled and or hotel room night cancelled. The total amount of cancellation fees will be deducted from the amount of the refund. Seminole Gulf Railway will make best efforts to process all refunds within two (2) business days.
However, prepaid reservations for the dinner train or hotel room nights MAY BE EXCHANGED, without incurring fees, for the face value of the prepaid amount for use on another date, subject to availability of available seats and or hotel rooms. Note that not all trains or dates have the same pricing. Any difference owed for a higher priced train or hotel room will be charged to the purchaser by Seminole Gulf Railway. The difference for a lower priced train, date or hotel room will be given at face value in the form of “in-store” credit for use in the Seminole Gulf Railway gift shop or on the Murder Mystery Dinner Train to use for beverage purchases. Such exchanges must be made by 12 noon of the day prior to the day of train departure without fees. Exchange requests for another date made AFTER 12 noon of the day prior to train departure, are subject to a $5.00 per passenger rebooking fee.
Otherwise, refunds or exchanges are not available.
All cancellations must be received in writing via email, or live on the phone with one of our reservationists. Cancellations left in our voicemail system will not be honored until they have been confirmed by one of our reservationists.
All cancellations of prepaid train reservations (per passenger) and or hotel rooms must be made by 12 noon of the day prior to the day of train departure, in order to receive a refund, less processing fees. ALL cancellations of train or hotel reservations, in whole or in part, will incur a NON-REFUNDABLE cancellation processing fee of $5.00 per passenger cancelled and or hotel room night cancelled. The total amount of cancellation fees will be deducted from the amount of the refund. Seminole Gulf Railway will make best efforts to process all refunds within two (2) business days.
However, prepaid reservations for the dinner train or hotel room nights MAY BE EXCHANGED, without incurring fees, for the face value of the prepaid amount for use on another date, subject to availability of available seats and or hotel rooms. Note that not all trains or dates have the same pricing. Any difference owed for a higher priced train or hotel room will be charged to the purchaser by Seminole Gulf Railway. The difference for a lower priced train, date or hotel room will be given at face value in the form of “in-store” credit for use in the Seminole Gulf Railway gift shop or on the Murder Mystery Dinner Train to use for beverage purchases. Such exchanges must be made by 12 noon of the day prior to the day of train departure without fees. Exchange requests for another date made AFTER 12 noon of the day prior to train departure, are subject to a $5.00 per passenger rebooking fee.
Otherwise, refunds or exchanges are not available.
All cancellations must be received in writing via email, or live on the phone with one of our reservationists. Cancellations left in our voicemail system will not be honored until they have been confirmed by one of our reservationists.
Yes. Prepaid advance reservations are required. Please use our secure website or call 239-275-8487 locally or 1-800-SEM-GULF (736-4853) to check availability or book your trip. No seats will be reserved for a given train without prepayment. Do not email reservation requests or cancellations.
Our standard Wed-Sun Murder Mystery Dinner Train is a three and 1/2 hour roundtrip journey. However, certain special events such as our New Year’s Eve Gala are longer.
Yes. This is a REAL train that travels along a working freight rail line serving Southwest Florida. Our train, like all trains, does sway from side to side. The approximately three and 1/2 hour trip will travel from Fort Myers across the Caloosahatchee River up into rural Lee and Charlotte Counties and back again to our Colonial Station. The train will stop several times to enroute for you to enjoy your entrée served on board and the mystery show.
We have returned to our long standing seating plan, which is in the railroad tradition of four (4) people per table. All tables are fixed and aligned along either side of the central aisle.
- Couples with be seated together at tables of four (4).
- Parties of 3 or 4 will be seated at their own 4-top table.
- Parties of 5 people or more will be seated at mutliple adjacent tables.
- There is no ability to combine tables together
Book a hotel stay with us at package rates available only through Seminole Gulf Railway’s Murder Mystery Dinner Train to stay with our hotel partner, the Courtyard by Marriott . Many offerings include a hot breakfast buffet at the hotel. Call our reservations staff to book your get-away package now at 239-275-8487 or 1-800-SEM-GULF (736-4853). All room rates are double occupancy. Any hotel rooms booked online are NOT confirmed until you have received a HOTEL confirmation number from one of our reservationists.
We have special rates for groups of 24 or more paying passengers on our Murder Mystery Dinner Train trips. Please contact Elizabeth Serowka for further details (1-800-SEM-GULF) or locally at 239-275-8487.
ALL reserveations of 9 or more people are required to prepay the gratuity for the meal service for each person included in the headcount of the group. The standard prepaid gratuity rate for regualrly scheduled Murder Mystery Dinner Trains on Wednesday through Sunday evenings, not includding special events like the New Year's Eve Gala is: $10.00 per person.
ALL reserveations of 9 or more people are required to prepay the gratuity for the meal service for each person included in the headcount of the group. The standard prepaid gratuity rate for regualrly scheduled Murder Mystery Dinner Trains on Wednesday through Sunday evenings, not includding special events like the New Year's Eve Gala is: $10.00 per person.
All trains depart on time from our Colonial Station in Fort Myers. All trains will return to that location. We ask that all guests arrive and check-in at least forty-five minutes (45 minutes) (3/4 hour) before the posted departure time. Guests may board the train once it has arrived at the station. Please be sure to bring your confirmation page with you to present at time of check-in. If you are using a gift certificate to pay for a portion or all of your tickets, please bring the original gift certificate with you for redemption.
Although, vintage rail passenger equipment, like that used on Seminole Gulf Railway’s Murder Mystery Dinner Train, is exempt from ADA regulations under U.S. Code: Title 42: Section 12184, Seminole Gulf Railway makes reasonable efforts to accommodate persons with disabilities who desire to be customers of Seminole Gulf Railway’s Murder Mystery Dinner Train. For handicap assistance information, contact our reservations staff at [email protected], or call at 239-275-8487.
All passengers should be aware of the following information BEFORE PURCHASING THEIR TICKETS:
All passengers should be aware of the following information BEFORE PURCHASING THEIR TICKETS:
- The passenger cars in use were constructed before disability accessibility regulations came into existence. Vestibules, stairs, step-boxes, seating, and especially doorways, passageways, aisles, and onboard restrooms may not accommodate all passengers in all dining cars.
- Seating for passengers with wheelchairs are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Due to the nature of the vintage railcars used on the dinner train, we have only one (1) dining car that can accommodate a standard size wheelchair. That one dining car has one (1) wheelchair-accessible restroom.
- Although one ramp is available at the Fort Myers Colonial Station, some passengers may have to ascend/descend up to ten (10) steps in order to ride the Murder Mystery Dinner Train. Some special events, such as the Christmas Rail-Boat Trips will require ALL passengers to be able to ascend/descend not only the stairs on the train, but also those of the buses used to transport passengers to the boats, and possibly the at the boats themselves. Seminole Gulf Railway will provide step boxes and trained employees to assist with boarding/deboarding. However, passengers assume all liability and risk associated with boarding/deboarding the train, buses, boats, or other modes. Do not purchase tickets for these trips if you are unable to safely climb stairs or walk extended distances up to five hundred (500) ft (walkers may be used).
Many, but not all, of our fixed menu items, include at least one of the following ingredients:
- milk
- peanuts
- tree nuts/seeds
- fish
- shellfish
- wheat
- soy
- eggs
Due to limited kitchen space and carrying capacity, Vegetarian options are NOT available.
Passengers are not permitted to bring their own food or beverages aboard the train.
Passengers are not permitted to bring their own food or beverages aboard the train.
Due to limited kitchen space and carrying capacity, Gluten-Free Options are NOT available.
Passengers are not permitted to bring their own food or beverages aboard the train.
Passengers are not permitted to bring their own food or beverages aboard the train.
Due to limited kitchen space and carrying capacity, Vegan options are NOT available.
Passengers are not permitted to bring their own food or beverages aboard the train.
Passengers are not permitted to bring their own food or beverages aboard the train.
No pets of any kind are allowed onboard the train. However, certified trained service dogs are permitted to accompany the person for whom they are trained to assist. A service dog is NOT a pet.
A service animal is defined as follows: It must be trained to perform a specific task for its owner to assist with his or her disability, e.g., a seeing-eye dog. Emotional support or comfort dogs are NOT service animals and therefore will not be permitted on the train.
Passengers must be aware that there are several factors to consider before deciding to ride with their service animal:
A service animal is defined as follows: It must be trained to perform a specific task for its owner to assist with his or her disability, e.g., a seeing-eye dog. Emotional support or comfort dogs are NOT service animals and therefore will not be permitted on the train.
Passengers must be aware that there are several factors to consider before deciding to ride with their service animal:
- The motion of the train and the unnatural, high-pitched metallic sounds that the train makes as it goes over joints in the tracks may make some animals very uncomfortable.
- The train is narrow, and a walkway runs through it. Animals that are not accustomed to heavy and frequent foot traffic may be very uncomfortable. Service animals must not sit or lay down in a walkway as this presents a hazard to other guests and the animal. The service animal will not be permitted to sit on any of the seats but will be required to sit under the passenger’s seat or at his or her feet.
- Murder Mystery Dinner Train staff have been directed not to touch the service animal, but other customers may not understand the role of a service animal and may want to touch the service animal.
- Any food or water which the animal requires, and appropriate containers for serving food and water to the animal, should be provided by the owner. Sanitary toilet arrangements must also be made by the owner of the animal, and, in the interest of the health and safety of our guests, the staff of the train will not handle or dispose of animal droppings or urine for the owner. Remember that our train trips are three and one-half hours or more in duration when deciding to bring a service animal onboard.
- Should the service animal make a mess, urinate, defecate, or vomit onboard the train, the owner will be subject to a cleaning fee of $300.00.
- Should the service animal damage or destroy property of the railroad, or of other passengers, the owner of the animal is fully liable and will bear the sole cost and expense of replacement.
Consumer Advisory – Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions. – Section 3-603.11, FDA Food Code
ALL reserveations of 9 or more people are required to prepay the gratuity for the meal service for each person included in the headcount of the group. The standard prepaid gratuity rate for regualrly scheduled Murder Mystery Dinner Trains on Wednesday through Sunday evenings, not includding special events like the New Year's Eve Gala is: $10.00 per person.
Suggested gratuity on your meal is $10 per person. Your beverage service is separate and not included in the meal price. Typical gratuity on the beverage service is 15-20% of your beverage purchase.
We ask guests to dress as they would to any other fine dining restaurant and theater performance. Our dining cars are fully air-conditioned and we recommend you bring a light jacket or sweater.
We ask guests to refrain from wearing ripped and torn clothing, "cut-offs", or beach attire.
We ask guests to refrain from wearing ripped and torn clothing, "cut-offs", or beach attire.
No. Smoking is not allowed on any part of the train, whether or not it is in motion.
No. The use of any smokeless tobacco product is not allowed on any portion of the train.
No. The use of any vapor or gas emitting cigarette or cigar alternative device is not allowed on any portion of the train.
The Colonial Station and Gift Shop will be open one (1) hour before the scheduled train departure each day. However, you may call us at 239-275-8487 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., seven days a week except for Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.
To purchase gift certificates please call 239-275-8487 locally or 1-800-SEM-GULF (736-4853) or purchase online. You can purchase gift certificates in whatever face value amount you wish. This original gift certificate must be surrendered at time of receipt of train tickets at the Colonial Station, 2805 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33996. Redeemable only for the $USD Amount stated on this gift certificate and applied only to the purchase of passenger tickets aboard the Seminole Gulf Railway, gift shop merchandise, beverage purchases, related hotel packages and applicable sales taxes. Not redeemable for cash. Non-refundable. Reproductions will not be accepted. All ticket, beverage, merchandise, and hotel prices are subject to change without notice. Purchase of this gift certificate does not constitute the purchase of a ticket for any train. Prepaid reservations are required for all trains to receive tickets. $50 minimum for gift certificates.
Free parking is available at the depot.
There are restrooms available throughout the train. Our staff will be happy to point out the locations for the closest restrooms.
All of our dining cars are fully air-conditioned. We recommend bringing a light jacket or sweater.
Seminole Gulf Railway asks for and collects a nominal amount of information from the person who books a reservation on one of its dinner/excursion trains. This information such as name, address, telephone number, and email address is used to facilitate further contact with the individual about the upcoming reservation and for follow-up communication, including on-going marketing, directly or through third-party marketing firms, of future events and trains on Seminole Gulf Railway. At no time does Seminole Gulf Railway sell its customer information. All customer information is maintained on a secure, proprietary database. Any customer wishing to have their information removed, or to opt-out of ongoing marketing communications, should notify Seminole Gulf Railway at [email protected].
At no time does Seminole Gulf Railway keep physically or store electronically its customers' credit card information. Any credit card information collected for the purposes of conducting the approved by the customer transaction is immediately destroyed. Any online transactions made directly by the customer are processed immediately by our secure online processor, Authorize.net. Only the record of the transaction, and not the full credit card data is transmitted to Seminole Gulf Railway.
NOTICE TO ALL
Effective April 20, 2022, passengers, guests, vendors, and staff are no longer required to wear masks on board the train, in the passenger station/depot/gift shop, or in any service area. Those that choose to wear a mask, may do so at their own discretion.
Effective April 20, 2022, passengers, guests, vendors, and staff are no longer required to wear masks on board the train, in the passenger station/depot/gift shop, or in any service area. Those that choose to wear a mask, may do so at their own discretion.
CLEANING AND DISINFECTING
- The dining cars and passenger station will be sanitized before each evening’s trip.
- Unisex and single-sex restrooms will be cleaned and sanitized on a scheduled basis.
- Doorknobs, railings, and handles will be cleaned and sanitized on a scheduled basis.
- Enhanced cleaning procedures will be conducted after each trip and once the guests have departed.
- New clean pens will be distributed to all guests to use for the murder mystery clue sheet. Guests may of course use their own pens.
- Guests are ENCOURAGED to use credit cards instead of cash for payment in the passenger station and on the train for all purchases and gratuity.
- Due to limited kitchen space and carrying capacity, Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Special Request Allergen Free Options are NOT available. Passengers are not permitted to bring their own food or beverages aboard the train.
- We ask guests to dress as they would for any other fine dining restaurant and theater performance. Our dining cars are fully air-conditioned and we recommend you bring a light jacket or sweater.
- We ask that you arrive at the Station by 5:45 PM on Wednesday through Saturday, and 4:45 PM on Sundays.