Santa Fe, New Mexico, has long been nicknamed “The City Different,” as a nod to its uniqueness and creativity. Among its most memorable attractions is a historic railroad that once carried artists and archaeologists, dreamers and scientists, some of whom traveled on the train incognito before participating in the top-secret Manhattan Project.

Launched in 2021 by a team of local rail enthusiasts, including Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin, the Sky Railway operates on an 18-mile spur track between Santa Fe and the town of Lamy that was originally constructed in 1880.

Today, the revitalized rail line offers an innovative lineup of themed journeys, including a murder mystery route, a “fright train,” and trips focused on wine, beer, and margaritas. The latest addition to the Sky Railway lineup is The Stargazer, a cosmic trip that leads travelers below New Mexico’s notoriously dark skies and leans into the landscape’s extraterrestrial mystery.

The Stargazer route travels through the New Mexico desert to the Galisteo Basin, a preserve south of Santa Fe with wide-open horizons and very little light pollution. The best stargazing is found on the train’s open-air flatbed cars, with a Champagne flute in hand. Live music sets the tone for the night journey, while onboard astronomers share stories about the stars and the area’s extraterrestrial history.

The creation of The Stargazer journey was led by George R. R. Martin, head of Sky Railway’s creative development team. “We need to be bold, wild, and exciting, with something different up our sleeve,” Martin said of his vision for the project. “In the long run, we need to try things that other railroads would never dare attempt.”

The Stargazer journey departs and returns to the Santa Fe Depot and takes between 2 and 2.5 hours. Each ticket includes a seat in a heated, enclosed train car, along with a welcome toast, live music, astronomer insights, and access to the open-air stargazing car. Additional snacks and drinks can be purchased onboard.

The Stargazer runs once monthly, typically on the first or second Friday, with tickets starting at $139 a person. Those who book the The Stargazer: Close Encounters upgrade, at $164 per person total, are treated to a theatrical alien encounter on the journey back from the desert.