Are you planning to travel around the USA and spend your next vacation in different states? Although flights will take you to various destinations in real time, you will miss a significant part of your vacation. Wouldn’t you like to start your vacation before you even arrive at your destination? You will be surprised at how much you have not yet discovered in the USA when traveling by train.
The 10 Most Scenic Train Rides in the US
There is something magical about train travel, especially if it is a picturesque landscape. All you do is just look out the window and admire the beauty of nature, taking pictures from time to time.
1st Place: Amtrak Empire Builder
Are you interested in spending more time traveling from Chicago, Minneapolis to Seattle during your vacation? The Amtrak Empire Builder is one of the best train routes in America, where you can enjoy stunning views such as the Mississippi River, Glacier National Park, the Cascade Mountains, and long tunnels. You can always make 20-minute stops at various points to stretch your legs.
2nd Place: Mount Washington Railroad
This is the world’s first saw-shaped railway that takes you to the top of a mountain. Climb aboard the train for a three-mile journey to reach the highest peak in the Northeast. The ride is scheduled to take three and a half hours, including an hour at the top to admire the stunning views. This railway is open to visitors from April to November. There are many events and special offers to enjoy the ride.
3rd Place: Grand Canyon Railroad
It’s a shame that most visitors to the Grand Canyon miss out on the fantastic train ride. They take a walk in the sky, stop at viewpoints, and even stay overnight in one of the classic lodges, but traveling through the Grand Canyon by train is a completely different experience. Many of the train cars have glass-domed ceilings that offer amazing panoramic views. The journey starts in Williams and goes through prairies and pine forests. You will arrive at the South Rim in just 2 hours and 15 minutes. The historic village buildings of the South Rim will intrigue you and you will want to immerse yourself in their history. You will remember this trip for a long time.
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4th Place: Coastal Trip on Amtrak
Travel from Seattle to Portland or Los Angeles on the Amtrak Coast Starlight. The 1,377-mile journey takes you to the best of the West Coast, including San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Portland, Sacramento, and more. You’ll travel past enchanting waterfalls, the snow-capped Cascade Mountains, lush forests, and the Puget Sound. The views of the Pacific Coast will leave you with unforgettable memories. Enjoy panoramic views from floor-to-ceiling windows on this 36-hour journey. The dining car serves up delicious fare, including the signature peppercorn steak. This is one of the most scenic train journeys in the U.S. for the amazing experiences it offers.
5th Place: Napa Valley Wine Tour, California
Would you like to explore America’s most famous wine trail? Come to Napa Valley in California. Try the Wine Valley Drive to admire stunning views and enjoy the best wines. You will see beautiful wineries and rolling hills with lush rows of vineyards. Along the way, you will sip wine along with a multi-course lunch.
6th Place: Southwest Desert Road Trip
Leave congested Southern California, and you will soon climb the Cajon Pass to reach the Mojave Desert. See miles of painted desert as you continue the 2,256-mile train ride. Soon you will pass through red rock canyons with scrub oak, tamarisk, juniper, and ponderosa pine trees. Often the rock is inches from your face as you train snakes through these canyons. In Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas, you will see big city centers and beautiful small towns. It is an epic 40-hour train ride across the USA.
7th Place: Alaska Coastal Wildlife
Alaska is an incredible wilderness with stunning views. The Alaska Railroad Wilderness Classic spans 114 miles through the stunning Kenai Mountains. The train goes to areas inaccessible to cars. You will pass glaciers, cross a river gorge and five tunnels. On this four-hour journey, you have the opportunity to see bears, moose, and bald eagles. Get to Seward and explore the village.
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8th Place: Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
This trip through the San Juan Forest will help you appreciate how beautiful America’s western wilderness is. Along the Animas River, you’ll see old stagecoach trails, abandoned mining villages, and the stunning Colorado peaks. You’ll enjoy a ride on a railroad that has been transporting silver and gold since 1812. There are plenty of specials, such as beer and wine trips from September to October, and Polar Express-themed trips in November.
9th Place: Cass Scenic Railroad, West Virginia
Take one of the scenic train rides in the USA from Indiana and enjoy a trip to Whittaker or Bald Knob. You will see the mountains of West Virginia using the same line that lumbermen used to transport lumber to Cass in 1901. Make your first stop at Whittaker Station and have a snack while you take in the beautiful surroundings. The small town of Cass has been preserved and looks the same as it did 100 years ago.
10th Place: Hawaiian Railway Society, Oahu, Hawaii
Speed along at 15 mph on this classic 90-minute tropical train. This is an old sugar cane train. Along the way, you’ll see crashing waves and nodding palm trees. The train has a rear deck for even better views. You’ll pass ghost towns and sisal plantations. You can even ride in the founder’s parlor car from 1900 on the second Sunday of every month. The maple, mahogany, and oak furnishings will make you feel like Hawaiian royalty.
