Entry No. 2 — the Santa Fe file — filed under: train ride
Sky Railway — The Stargazer
A restored vintage train pulls out of the Santa Fe Depot after dark and runs 2 to 2.5 hours into the unlit Galisteo Basin, where passengers move from the heated, mural-painted cars (murals by artist Joerael Numina) out onto an open-air flatbed carriage so professional astronomer guides — the Santa Fe Reporter names astronomer Peter Lipscomb — can laser-point their way across Venus and the rest of the sky. On select fall dates the return leg becomes "Close Encounters," a GRRM-conceived UFO-mystery ride staged in the dark.
The story
You board at the historic Santa Fe Depot at 430 West Manhattan Avenue, but this isn't a sleepy historical commuter line. Sky Railway—co-owned by fantasy titan George R.R. Martin—turns a stretch of restored track into a roving high-desert ritual. Inside the heated cars, artist Joerael Numina’s murals cover the interior walls while musicians play and champagne flows on the way out. But the real destination isn't a town on a map; it's the sudden, absolute void of the Galisteo Basin after dark.
Once the train rattles out past the reach of city light, you move out of the enclosed cars onto an open-air flatbed carriage. Out here in the unlit basin, professional astronomers like Peter Lipscomb cut through the dark with high-powered green lasers, pointing out Venus, planetary clusters, and deep-space objects visible through Santa Fe’s thin air. On select fall nights, GRRM’s sci-fi tendencies take over completely when the return leg flips into 'Close Encounters'—a full UFO-mystery performance staged in total darkness.
What it's like
Expect a dramatic temperature drop the second you step off the heated lounge car onto the open flatbed carriage, so bring heavy outer layers regardless of how warm the depot felt when you boarded. The train operates as a 2 to 2.5-hour loop, giving you time to drink and listen to live music indoors before transitioning outside to stand under the stars with the guides. Advance reservations are mandatory, with tickets starting at $139 per person.
The move: Book The Stargazer (from $139/person, 2–2.5 hrs), take the champagne toast and live music in the enclosed car on the way out, then step onto the open flatbed for the astronomer-led constellation tour over the Galisteo Basin; check the calendar for a Close Encounters date if you want the UFO-mystery upgrade on the return.
- 📍 Santa Fe Depot / Galisteo Basin
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 430 W Manhattan Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Jean Cocteau Cinema — Stick with the George R.R. Martin connection right in the Railyard District for pre-train drinks or a movie.
- Ark Books — Pick up reading on high-desert night-sky lore and esoteric histories down the block before rolling into the unlit basin.
- The Matador — Cap off a trip into the dark desert with a subterranean, cash-only drink down an easily missed stairwell downtown.
Good to know
Where does the Stargazer train depart from and how long is the trip?
The train departs from Santa Fe Depot at 430 W Manhattan Ave and runs a 2 to 2.5-hour round trip into the dark Galisteo Basin.
What happens during the stargazing portion of the trip?
Passengers step onto an open-air flatbed carriage where professional astronomer guides use laser pointers to map out Venus and constellations across the sky.
What is the 'Close Encounters' option?
On select fall dates, the return leg of the trip turns into a George R.R. Martin-conceived UFO-mystery experience staged in the dark.
Do I need advance tickets?
Yes, reservations are required. Tickets start around $139 per person, which includes live music, astronomer-led guidance, and a champagne toast.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · The New York Times · nationalgeographic.com · sfreporter.com · outsideonline.com
last checked: 2026-07-20