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- Grand Canyon Railway. Ride the historic cars of the Grand Canyon Railway to one of the nation's grandest national parks on a Grand Canyon Railway Adventure tour.
- Amtrak Coast Starlight. Travel alongside the jaw-dropping Pacific coastline and visit western urban centers on the legendary Amtrak Coast Starlight. The Starlight, equipped with Superliner sleeping, sightseer lounging, and dining cars, takes you on a 36-hour trek from Seattle to Los Angeles.
- Amtrak Empire Builder. If long train odysseys across the country are up your alley, then the Amtrak Empire Builder traces the steps of Lewis & Clark through the heartland, from Chicago to the Pacific Northwest.
- Rocky Mountaineer. The Rockies to Red Rocks experience is quite different than others, offering a unique approach to rail travel dedicated to sightseeing between Moab, Utah and Denver, Colorado.
- Durango & Silverton Railroad, Colorado. Visit Durango in southwestern Colorado and you can travel back in time more than 130 years by hopping aboard the historic Durango & Silverton Railroad steam train.
- Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, New Mexico and Colorado. The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad is the longest steam railroad at 64 miles, and the highest, at 10,015 feet, in the entire country.
- Mount Washington Cog Railway, Mount Washington, New Hampshire. The Mount Washington Cog Railway, also called “The Cog,” runs both steam and biodiesel powered locomotives and takes a little less than three hours round trip, climbing approximately 3,500 feet up to the highest summit in New England.
- Amtrak Cascades, Eugene, Oregon to Vancouver, British Columbia. This is an all-day ride at over 11 hours, but the trip is filled with spectacular scenery, with an abundance of seascapes and mountain peaks, including Mount Baker in the north and Mount Rainier in the south, along with misty rainforests, distant islands, tranquil countryside and wildlife.
- Rockies to The Red Rocks
- Durango & Silverton Railroad
- Glacier Discovery Train
- Denali Star Train
- Southwest Chief
- Coast Starlight
- Grand Canyon Railway
- Verde Canyon Railroad
- Santa Fe’s Adventure Train
- Austin Steam Train
If you love dramatic landscapes, this train trip could be perfect for you. The Rocky Mountaineer’s newest luxury train route traces the Colorado River, with views of mountains, canyons, and cliffs. If the scenery out your window isn’t enough, enjoy the luxury on the train. You’ll enjoy gourmet dining and deliciously crafted cocktails, all under the coach’s beautiful glass-domed ceilings. Rocky Mountaineer has a reputation for luxurious train travel in Canada, and this is their first route in...
Durango To Silverton, Colorado
We think this train is spectacular, and we aren’t alone: USA Today ranked it the top train in the U.S. for 2021 and 2022. Once you step inside, we think you’ll agree. First things first, this train is a throwback: It was declared a national historic landmark and gives passengers a real glimpse of what locomotives were like in the late 1880s. The trip is special, too — passengers travel through Colorado’s San Juan Mountains between Durango and Silverton. It’s a 3.5-hour trip, but you’ll probab...
Anchorage, Alaska
If you’ve never explored Alaska, Anchorage is a great place to start. It’s the state’s biggest city and is chock full of great restaurants, hotels, and cultural destinations. But in Alaska, it’s the natural landscape that takes center stage — so trains are a great way to take it all in. The Alaska Railroad offers round-trip service from Anchorage to several coastal cities and the state’s interior. Don’t miss the Glacier Discovery Train, which starts in Anchorage and heads southbound to Grandv...
Fairbanks, Alaska
Or head north on the Denali Star Train from Anchorage to Fairbanks, a 12-hour journey with enchanting views of fresh snow and frozen rivers. This is the land of the northern lights, so you’ll be in for a treat. But keep an eye out for bears, moose, and eagles — from the safety of your train window, of course. Read more in Peggy Cleveland’s7 Gorgeous Train Trips You Can Only Experience From Anchorage.
The Southwest Chief runs all the way from Chicago to Los Angeles — and what a way to see this country. You’ll see the rolling plains of the Midwest, cross the Mississippi River, traverse Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, and voyage through the New Mexico desert. If that’s too much, consider doing just a segment or two. You can hop on and off as it suits you. No matter how much time you spend on this train, you’ll enjoy a glimpse of America like never before. Read more in Jill Dutton’s 8 Great Stops...
Beautiful beaches, majestic mountain peaks (Mount Rainier, anyone?), and some of the most photogenic landscapes in the United States: The West Coast has something for every kind of traveler. Seeing it from the unique vantage point of Amtrak’s Coast Starlight is truly a special way to see it all. The journey is spectacular — following the coast for nearly 350 miles and traveling through some jaw-dropping mountains and rolling hills. The 1,400-mile route takes 35 hours from start to finish, but...
Seeing the Grand Canyon is a special experience, no matter how you do it. But voyaging there on the Grand Canyon Railway is truly next level. You’ll begin your journey in Williams, Arizona, where you can opt for a stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel before your trip. The hotel has an Old West feel and is especially convenient for families with small children or people with mobility differences. Once you’re on board the train, you’ll notice several classes of service available, complete wit...
Clarkdale To Perkinsville, Arizona
The Verde Canyon Railroad is another Grand Canyon train experience. While both adventures use restored rail cars and vintage trains, the vibes here are quite different. You won’t find live music or cowboy shows on the Verde Canyon Railroad. Instead, nature and scenery are the main stars of the show here — think informative, educational narration playing on-board, and open-air cars to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful views. The towering red rock buttes may take your breath away. Read more in...
Spend a couple of hours checking out this new railway line brought to you by none other than Game of Thrones creator George R. R. Martin, who happens to live in Santa Fe himself. He joined a group of benefactors and artists to revive the old Santa Fe Southern Railroad a few years ago. They renovated the original locomotives with modern, first-class amenities and offer scenic trips from the New Mexico capital to Lamy, a small town about 18 miles away. The trip takes a little over an hour. Be s...
Texas is huge. If you’re trying to get off the beaten path, consider one of several interesting train trips throughout The Lone Star State. The Austin Steam Train is a great option for anyone interested in exploring the Texas Hill Country. Hop aboard in Cedar Park, just north of Austin, and enjoy a leisurely 6-hour round-trip train ride to Burnet. If that’s too long, consider the Bertram Flyer, a shorter trip that includes time for a tour of a 1912 train depot. Read more about some fantastic...
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- New York City Ultimate Getaway From Amtrak. Lights and buildings in Times Square. The New York City Ultimate Getaway is easily one of the best Amtrak vacations, as it allows guests to experience the vibrant energy and iconic attractions of the Big Apple.
- Amtrak's California Zephyr Rail Experience. Aerial view of the bay in San Diego with the city in the background. The California Zephyr Rail Experience is an Amtrak vacation taking on boarders on a scenic train journey across the United States, from Chicago, Illinois, to San Francisco, California.
- The Amtrak New England Fall Foliage Trip. A photo of New England in Fall. The Amtrak New England Fall Foliage is a vacation package allowing one to witness the breathtaking beauty of autumn in the northeastern United States.
- Grand Tetons & Yellowstone Rail Journey With Amtrak. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. The Grand Tetons & Yellowstone Rail Journey is one of the best Amtrak vacation packages that combine a scenic train journey with visits to two iconic national parks in the American West: Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park.
- To experience some of the most inspiring views America has to offer, plan a trip to Grand Canyon National Park. The Colorado River weaves its way through the 277-mile-long canyon, making it a top destination for whitewater rafting.
- A vacation at Yosemite National Park in California is all about reconnecting with nature. Spend your visit checking out famous landmarks like Half Dome and Glacier Point or hiking Cathedral Lakes, the Mist Trail and other popular paths.
- America's first national park provides plenty of attractions to excite nature lovers, from steaming geysers to bubbling hot springs to hiking trails that stretch more than 900 miles.
- With idyllic beaches and verdant parks, Maui offers ample opportunities to relax. Here, you can spend your days admiring the scenery as you cruise along the Road to Hana, fly above the island in a helicopter or lounge across the black sands of Waianapanapa State Park.
From sea to shining sea, the United States sets a backdrop for experiential adventures of all types. Enjoy laid-back vacations whose itineraries are filled with sightseeing by train or motorcoach or action-packed expeditions that promise exciting opportunities in captivating destinations.
Jul 8, 2023 · Amtrak has more than 30 routes that travel to 46 states. Some cities have multiple passenger trains and major airports, which makes it easy to connect with routes that travel regionally and across the country. To start planning your rail vacation, here are the best places to start a train trip in the United States. T.
