The US is prime road-trip country, but, to get the best views and the most relaxing experience, you really can’t beat a trip on one of America’s railroads. We’ve rounded up our favorite 20 journeys from across the land, taking in everything from epic cross-country escapes to short-run heritage routes in beautiful natural surroundings. Remember to double-check state travel advisories before planning a trip.
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Rocky Mountaineer: Rockies to the Red Rocks
A new Rocky Mountaineer route will take passengers on an exciting two-day journey between Denver, Colorado and Moab, Utah, with an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The Rockies to the Red Rocks will be launched in August 2021 and all packages include meals aboard as well as accommodation in Moab, Glenwood Springs and Denver. (Photo taken before COVID-19 – you can learn more about Rocky Mountaineer’s health and safety policies here.)
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Rocky Mountaineer: Rockies to the Red Rocks
Highlights of this remarkable journey include crossing the Continental Divide and enjoying spectacular scenery and extraordinary landscapes, including Ruby Canyon, Mount Logan and Mount Garfield (pictured). Like its SilverLeaf service level Canadian counterparts, the train will only run during the day and features oversized windows and glass-domed coaches to maximize the views.
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California Zephyr: Chicago, Illinois to San Francisco, California
Whichever way you travel – Chicago to San Francisco or vice-versa – the 2,438-mile (3,924km), 51-hour cross-country journey on the California Zephyr is a breathtaking experience. From the impossibly majestic mountain ranges of the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada to the vast expanse of the Utah desert, the route offers stunning scenery from start to finish.
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California Zephyr: Chicago, Illinois to San Francisco, California
There’s a variety of accommodation on the train, from coach class seats to superliner bedroom suites, and travelers in private rooms have access to flexible dining that includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and a wide selection of drinks. A ride in the observation car, called Sightseer Lounge, is an unmissable experience, especially when passing through the rocky Colorado scenery. Currently, the train departs three days a week, but check the website for updates.
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Pacific Surfliner: San Diego to San Luis Obispo, California
The Pacific Surfliner skirts 350 miles (563km) along California’s Pacific Coast between San Diego and San Luis Obispo. Skimming the gleaming coastline and the Pacific Coast Highway, the Surfliner passes the narrow Simi Valley towards the Santa Susana Mountains and the Simi Hills. Leaving Los Angeles, the train then runs parallel with the Old Pacific Highway before re-joining the Californian waves and various coastal towns and nudging into San Diego.
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Pacific Surfliner: San Diego to San Luis Obispo, California
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Cape Cod Central Railroad: Hyannis to Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts
A heritage railway dating back to the mid-1800s, the Cape Cod Central Railroad offers scenic excursions, swanky dining journeys and special events from May to October. The standard circular two-hour trip starts from Hyannis, known as the Capital of the Cape. It winds its way through the quaint villages of West Barnstable and Sandwich (the oldest on the Cape), along the Cape Cod Canal and across the landmark Buzzards Bay vertical lift bridge.
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Cape Cod Central Railroad: Hyannis to Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts
On the way, travelers see sand dunes, salt marshes and cranberry bogs and hear fascinating commentary about Cape Cod Canal and other points of interest. The 2021 season is scheduled to go ahead as planned, but tickets are not yet available – check the website for the latest information.
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Cardinal: New York City, New York to Chicago, Illinois
Cardinal, Amtrak’s thrice-weekly service, takes travelers overnight from New York City to Chicago, calling in at Washington DC, Charlottesville, Cincinnati and Indianapolis. Three other routes connect these busy cities, but the Cardinal is easily the most scenic of them all. The views get especially arresting across the Shenandoah Valley, over the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Allegheny range, before winding through West Virginia’s gorgeous New River Gorge.
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Cardinal: New York City, New York to Chicago, Illinois
Heading westward, the train rolls along the banks of the Ohio River to the skyline of Cincinnati. From there, the journey continues via Indianapolis, before wending its way up to Chicago in time for breakfast. There’s a wide range of accommodation and dining options available – check the website for current information on service times and amenities offered.
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Grand Canyon Railway: Williams to Grand Canyon Village, Arizona
The trip on the Grand Canyon Railway begins in Williams, a small town 30 miles (48km) west of Flagstaff. Meandering its way through ponderosa pine forests and open prairie, the train terminates in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, before heading back to Williams. The train departs at 9:30am daily.
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Grand Canyon Railway: Williams to Grand Canyon Village, Arizona
Those who pick the Dome car will have access to a private bar service with incredible views on the side. Opt for the luxury Parlor and you’ll be able to step out onto the open-air rear platform and see the changing landscape from a different perspective. Passengers can keep their eyes peeled for wildlife including elk, mountain lions, mule deer, bald eagles and horned owls too.
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Strasburg Rail Road, Pennsylvania
America’s oldest operating railroad, the Strasburg Rail Road first puffed off the buffers in 1832. Today it takes its passengers on a whistle-stop tour through Pennsylvanian Amish country. Touring the farmlands of Lancaster County, tended by the Amish, the regular excursion is a short but sweet 4.5 mile (7.2km) journey each way.
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Strasburg Rail Road, Pennsylvania
Four steam locomotives still pull original rolling stock on the 45-minute round trip to and from Paradise, and an audio commentary dispenses nuggets of knowledge on the nation’s oldest continuously operating short line railway. There are typically numerous special outings, such as the Wine & Cheese ride, themed dinner trains and unique friends and family experiences, like escape rooms, trivia nights and even a cabaret – check the website for current availability. Keen trainspotters can also look out for the Amtrak trains racing past on a parallel line.
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Southwest Chief: Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California
The Southwest Chief train beats a 40-hour-journey through the American West, escorting travelers from the shore of Lake Michigan to the Pacific Ocean. It passes through eight states and calls in at Kansas City, Albuquerque and Flagstaff along the way. The epic journey is often billed as Amtrak’s most scenic and crosses the Mississippi, sweeping past wheat fields, pueblos, peaks and deserts.
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Southwest Chief: Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California
The train, departing three times a week, carves its way through canyon passages so narrow you could almost touch the walls as you pass. The Chief also follows the weathered wagon path of the old Santa Fe Trail – an experience impossible to recreate on the road. Passengers might have to hustle for a spot in the Observation Car to soak up the best views, but it’s well worth it. See the website for up-to-date schedules.
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Coast Starlight: Los Angeles, California to Seattle, Washington
The Coast Starlight is a wonderful 35-hour journey, linking some of the West Coast’s finest cities, including Los Angeles, Oakland, Portland and Seattle. Soon after leaving LA’s sprawl behind, the Starlight treats travelers to some of the most glittering Californian views on the Pacific Coast. After that, there’s the snow-capped peaks of the Cascade Range and Mount Shasta, lush forests and fertile valleys to enjoy.
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Coast Starlight: Los Angeles, California to Seattle, Washington
The train typically departs three times a week and is grouped among the most spectacular train routes in America. As with all long-distance Amtrak trains, there’s a wide range of accommodation available, as well as the Sightseer Lounge to soak in those sparkling views of the Pacific shoreline.
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Tennessee Valley Railroad, Tennessee
The Tennessee Valley Railroad is a rolling museum of vintage trains, offering a variety of trips that show what traveling was like during the Golden Age of Rail. Excursions include a 50-mile (80.5km) half-day round trip to the Hiwassee Loop from Etowah, as well as a six-hour tour of the historic Civil War town Chickamauga, Georgia, via the former Central of Georgia Railroad.
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Tennessee Valley Railroad, Tennessee
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Cass Scenic Railroad, West Virginia
The Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is a charming lumber heritage railroad in the mountains of West Virginia’s Pocahontas County. The 11-mile (18km) each way route takes in gorgeous country views and the historic company town of Cass. Steam locomotives whisk passengers to the summit of Bald Knob, the highest point on Back Allegheny Mountain, on a 4.5-hour round trip. Passengers ride on open-sided log cars and a traditional “King of the Road hobo lunch” (meat and potatoes cooked in foil) is served on board after passing Old Spruce junction.
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Cass Scenic Railroad, West Virginia
There’s a 30-minute layover at Bald Knob, 4,842 feet (1,476m) above sea level. One of West Virginia’s highest mountains, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy fine views across two states. Back in Cass, a company town founded in 1901 by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company, passengers can soak up the atmosphere and imagine it in its logging heyday. Bookings for the 2021 season open soon – check the website for updates.
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad frequently finds itself among lists of the world’s greatest train journeys – and it’s not hard to see why. On the 45-mile (72km) each way route, the train crosses the Animas River five times and winds its way through canyons in the stark wilderness of the San Juan National Forest. Travelers pass farmlands, old stagecoach roads and the brooding Tacoma Power Plant along the way.
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The coal-fired locomotives are originals from the 1880s and the route follows in the tracks of countless miners, cowboys and gunslingers from the Old West. There are four classes to choose from during the summer season from May through to October. Normally it’s possible to combine the train tickets with other tours to historic Silverton mines or Mesa Verde National Park, however, these are currently canceled because of COVID-19. Check the website for the latest information.
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Adirondack: New York City, New York to Montréal, Canada
Passengers can cross the border with Canada in style straight from New York City on Amtrak’s Adirondack, which weaves its leisurely way through the Hudson River Valley. It passes lush farmlands north of Albany on a 10-hour journey into Montréal via Poughkeepsie, Hudson and Saratoga Springs.
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Adirondack: New York City, New York to Montréal, Canada
The train leaves daily from NYC’s Penn Station and the morning departure is perfect for taking in the views as you head north – fall is the best time to travel to witness the colorful trees lining the tracks in all their splendor. Please note that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s no service north of Albany as the US-Canada border remains closed – check the website for the latest updates.
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Mount Washington Cog Railway, New Hampshire
The Mount Washington Cog Railway, the first of its kind in the world, runs scenic rides to the summit of Mount Washington. Located in stunning Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, in the heart of the White Mountains, this National Historic Engineering Landmark is certainly a fun way to discover rural New England. Passengers ride in brightly colored vintage cars from 1869 and three-hour round trips depart daily from May to October.
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Mount Washington Cog Railway, New Hampshire
Thick forest gives way to rough terrain as the train chugs along the roughly 3.5-mile (5.6km) track, at a 37% gradient at certain points. At the summit, travelers have an hour to walk around the Sherman Adams Visitor Center and visit its Cog Railway Museum. Weather permitting, the 360-degree views embrace five states, Canada and the Atlantic. During winter, the trains only run to Waumbek Station, but summit tours are expected to resume in late May – check the website for the latest updates.
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Crescent: New York City, New York to New Orleans, Louisiana
Amtrak’s Crescent train ties together two great and vastly different cities: New York and New Orleans. The 30-hour journey kicks off from New York City’s Penn Station, rattling its way down through some of the most populous cities of the northeast corridor in an afternoon, including Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC. On the second day the views get more scenic: travelers pass through forests of dogwood trees into the Deep South via Atlanta and Birmingham, Alabama before arriving in the Big Easy in the late evening.
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Crescent: New York City, New York to New Orleans, Louisiana
Departing three times a week, the journey is at its best in summer, when passengers in the Lounge Car are normally joined by guides from the National Park Service, who are able to share plenty of interesting facts about the points of interest along the way. Because of track work, there will be no trains operating between Atlanta and New Orleans on select dates in January and February – check the website for the latest updates.
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Redwood Forest Steam Train, California
California’s Roaring Camp Railroads offers two contrasting heritage services, both of which are great fun. The Redwood Forest Steam Train experience offers the chance to ride on a narrow-gauge steam train over trestle bridges and through towering redwoods. The train is pulled by one of the original 1890s narrow-gauge steam locomotives that were used to haul the giant redwood logs out of the mountains, and are among the oldest and most authentically preserved in America. (Image taken before the COVID-19 pandemic.)
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Redwood Forest Steam Train, California
The train travels from Felton in the Santa Cruz Mountains to the summit of Bear Mountain for 75 breathtaking minutes. Conveniently, conductors are on hand to narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest. Adults can typically book an Engineer For The Day experience and ride in the cab to assist in the locomotive’s running, while little ones will love a day out with Thomas the Tank Engine – check the website for the latest information on schedules and tickets.
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Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, North Carolina
Running on 44 miles (70.8km) of track, some of which dates back to the 1890s, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is an impossibly romantic way to experience the beauty of North Carolina. Traveling along the Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers, the vintage train cars carry day-trippers past mountains, through forests and over the historic trellis bridge Fontana Trestle on a four-and-a-half-hour round trip.
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Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, North Carolina
All the GSMR’s excursions leave from Bryson City and there’s a choice between steam or diesel locomotive journeys. As well as the standard scenic excursions, there are also special events for kids such as PEANUTS Easter Beagle Express and PEANUTS The Great Pumpkin Patch Express. Steam train journeys typically run from June to December – check the website for the latest information.
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White Pass & Yukon Route, Alaska
The snow-dusted mountains, pink and yellow wildflowers and rambling hills along the White Pass and Yukon Route appear almost Alpine – but they’re actually a snapshot of Alaska’s wilderness. The railroad has its roots in the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 19th century, when it was constructed to help gold prospectors get out of Skagway and into Canada. Today, the 110-mile (177km) stretch can be traveled in vintage cars via two excursions. On the journey, passengers take in a panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges and waterfalls.
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White Pass & Yukon Route, Alaska
The two-and-a-half-hour Summit Excursion retraces the original route to the White Pass Summit, 3,000 feet (914m) above sea level. It’s scheduled to run between April and October and tickets are already available to book. The eight-hour Bennett Scenic Journey between Skagway, Alaska, and Carcross, Yukon in Canada travels along the same route taken by gold prospectors and is currently scheduled to go ahead from May – check the website for the latest information.
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Empire Builder: Chicago, Illinois to Portland or Seattle, Washington
The Empire Builder is yet another of Amtrak’s epic cross-country routes covering vast swathes of the USA and incredibly varied terrain. There’s a historic dimension to the journey too, since the train follows portions of the Lewis and Clark Trail. Departing from Chicago, travelers glide past the Mississippi River before hitting the illuminated night skyline of Minneapolis and St Paul.
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Empire Builder: Chicago, Illinois to Portland or Seattle, Washington
The 46-hour journey takes travelers through the North Dakota plains and through Glacier National Park towards Spokane on day three. From there the route forks: there’s a Portland option, heading down through the Columbia River Gorge past sublime views of Mount Hood and Beacon Rock, or a journey to Seattle via Leavenworth, dubbed The Bavarian Village. Trains depart three times a week – check the website for the latest information.
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Denali Star: Anchorage to Fairbanks, Alaska
As the name suggests, this breathtaking train journey leads its passengers through the mighty Denali National Park. The Alaska Railroad’s flagship train, Denali Star embarks on a 12-hour ride between Anchorage and Fairbanks via Wasilla, Talkeetna and Denali. Along the 365-mile (587km) journey, the train rushes past rivers and mountains and offers expansive panoramas of Hurricane Gulch from the top of a 296-foot (90.2m) bridge.
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Denali Star: Anchorage to Fairbanks, Alaska
Passengers can typically pair their train journeys with day trips in Talkeetna, an excursion in Denali National Park, or even plan a multi-day itinerary with overnight stays along the way. In 2021, in addition to the standard stops, the train will provide a flagstop service between Talkeetna and Hurricane. The trains will depart daily between May to September – see the latest travel information on the website.
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Napa Valley Wine Train, California
One of the most leisurely ways to explore the area’s celebrated wineries, the Napa Valley Wine Train is a classic. It runs on a 36-mile (58km) loop from Downton Napa to charming St Helena on an original 1864 rail line and has a range of packages on offer, from half-a-day winery tours with tastings to lavish on-board dining experiences and special events, like the Murder Mystery dinner theater option.
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Napa Valley Wine Train, California
It isn’t just about the wine, though. There’s a lot of history packed into these century-old railcars, which trundle elegantly along a route stretching back more than 150 years. The carriages, with opulent velvet-upholstered seats, mahogany paneling and brass, have been sensitively restored to evoke the glamor of vintage train travel. Experiences and events are currently scheduled to restart from 8 April, but keep an eye on the website for the latest information.
