GOWANDA GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Murder, Meatballs and a Midnight Ride: The Mama Mia Murder Mystery on the Gowanda Line
A five-hour evening that pairs a catered buffet and interactive dessert mystery with a scenic round-trip excursion from Gowanda to South Dayton — this guide explains what to expect and how the night flows.
Murder, Meatballs and a Midnight Ride: The Mama Mia Murder Mystery on the Gowanda Line.
Experience a delightful 5-hour event that blends dining, theater and rail travel: a catered buffet at The Gowanda Moose, a round-trip train excursion from Gowanda to South Dayton, and a return to The Moose for a dessert 'Who dun it' mystery — an intimate evening of food and theatrics staged by In All Seriousness.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Scenic round-trip aboard the New York & Lake Erie Railroad
The evening includes an excursion train journey from Gowanda to South Dayton, giving guests a relaxed, windowed ride between the meal and the after-dinner performance.
Buffet dinner at The Gowanda Moose
Guests check in at The Gowanda Moose for a buffet-style dinner catered by the Moose before boarding the train — a communal meal that sets the tone for the evening’s entertainment.
Dessert and an interactive 'Who dun it' show
After the train returns, the event concludes back at The Gowanda Moose with dessert and a hosted interactive mystery designed to engage attendees in solving the crime.
What the day feels like
How the evening unfolds
The event runs roughly five hours: guests check in, share a buffet dinner, transfer to the train station for the out-and-back excursion to South Dayton, then reconvene for dessert and a staged 'Who dun it' finale — a deliberate sequence of dining, travel and performance designed for social interaction.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this evening is best suited for — and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
No specific gear requirements are provided by the operator for this dinner-and-show train event.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the event?
The event lasts approximately 5 hours.
Where and when do I check in?
Check in starts at 4:30 PM at The Gowanda Moose, 201 Aldrich St, Gowanda, NY 14070.
What does the event include?
A buffet dinner catered by The Gowanda Moose, a round-trip train excursion between Gowanda and South Dayton, and a dessert 'Who dun it' mystery hosted by In All Seriousness.
Is there an age requirement?
The event is intended for ages 16 and up.
Who operates the train portion of the evening?
The excursion is operated by the New York & Lake Erie Railroad.
Where does the train travel to?
The train makes a round-trip run from Gowanda to South Dayton.