Getting out of the house is often hampered by the fact that most houses are located inside a bigger and fancier house. Step outside of the house outside of your house with today's Groupon for a trip on the Sierra Dinner Train trip, which leaves from Oakdale. Choose from the following trips:

• For $24, you get one adult ticket to the Spring Express trip (a $48 value) at 12 p.m. on either April 9 or May 7.
• For $24, you get a ticket to the Sunset Happy Hour trip (a $48 value) on May 14 at 6:30 p.m.
• For $24, you get a ticket to the Memorial Day Weekend special ride (a $48 value) on May 28 at 11 a.m.

Trawling the third oldest railroad in North America, Sierra Railroad's Dinner Train cradles sightseeing passengers as it trundles through 5 to 16 miles of flowered meadows, dense forests, and farm fields before heading back to its Oakdale launch point. Rolling out of the station at noon, the 2.5-hour leisurely Spring Express ride shoots passengers through a verdant variety of landscapes while a strolling musician strums throughout the train. With the Sunset Happy Hour trip, riders enjoy a 2.5-hour dusky sojourn that ambles through the pastoral countryside as the sun dips below the horizon, allowing passengers to comment on her cornea-damaging beauty while enjoying a half-off discount on all beer, soda, and water. Alternately, choo-choo choosers can opt for the three-hour Memorial Day weekend jaunt, when the leisurely train chugs down the tracks next to fields of California poppies and blooming vernal flowers.

The vivid scenery around the Sierra Railroad and its proximity to Hollywood catapulted the railroad to screen stardom in its heyday, with show business execs borrowing its iconic terrain for more than 300 films, TV shows, and commercials, dubbing the tracks The Movie Railroad. Inside the heated or air-conditioned cars, passengers gaze upon the sights from a pampered perspective as they comfortably recline, and an open-air car allows patrons to practice presidential stumping.

Riders may purchase food and drinks aboard the train, and infants under 1 year old ride for free. All passengers must check in a half hour before scheduled departure time.