The Most Scenic Train Rides In The U.S.

The little engines you should.
SPC-HQ via Getty Images

The phrase is “planes, trains and automobiles.” But sometimes it feels like we forget all about the train altogether, favoring a car’s convenience or the speed of a flight. But trains are a great way to travel: You’ll never hit traffic and it’s much less hassle than you find at the airport. And best of all, certain American train routes bring you much closer to this country’s natural beauty, history and wonder than a car or plane ever could.

Take a look at some of the most scenic train rides in the U.S. below. Book a ticket, then sit back and watch it all roll by.

EAST COAST

The Cape Cod Central Railroad shows off coastal Massachusetts.
The Cape Cod Central Railroad shows off coastal Massachusetts.

Route: Ride east from Bourne to Hyannis, Massachusetts
Duration: 2 hours

This coastal excursions run on approximately 27 miles of track from May through October. Traveling from the Cape to the Cape Cod Canal, you can expect to see sand dunes, woodlands, cranberry bogs and salt marshes along the way.

Route: North from New York City to Rutland, Vermont
Duration: 5 hours, 30 minutes

This daily route is named for Ethan Allen, the revolutionary war patriot who settled in Vermont. Upstate New York and Vermont both host vast wildernesses, skiing territories, lakes and mountain landscapes. See all of it go by from the first few stops in the Hudson Valley, up through the Catskills, Albany and Saratoga Springs. Stop along the way or ride all the way to the end ― Rutland, Vermont is the state’s second largest city and home to charming B&B’s and inns and several summer festivals.

WEST COAST

The Coast Starlight travels these tracks near Lompoc.
GaryKavanagh via Getty Images
The Coast Starlight travels these tracks near Lompoc.

Route: Ride north from Los Angeles through Portland to Seattle
Duration: 35 hours

The Coast Starlight is easily one of the most beautiful train rides in North America. Ride along stretches of the Pacific ocean, up through San Francisco and past lush forests and snow-covered Mount Shasta. This train runs every day.

The Pacific Surfliner rolls through San Clemente at dusk.
Allen J. Schaben via Getty Images
The Pacific Surfliner rolls through San Clemente at dusk.

Route: San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Diego
Duration: 5 hours, 45 minutes

Cruise along the Southern California coast as you travel south from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. Amtrak says that to be any closer to the water, you’d need to be on a surfboard. Jump off the train when it stops in Anaheim for a fun day at Disneyland. The train is easy to catch, with multiple departures a day.

The Napa Valley Wine Train is a great way to see wine country.
WineTraincom
The Napa Valley Wine Train is a great way to see wine country.

Route: Downtown Napa to St. Helena and back
Duration: 3 hours

Ride 36 miles roundtrip through pure California wine country beauty in antique Pullman cars. The route itself is more than 150 years old, and you’ll see some of the most expensive and well-known agricultural real estate in the U.S. The trip will also help you get a better understanding of why the geography and climate of Napa make it so conducive to cultivating vineyards. The journey is guided, and riders can choose between wine tours, dining tours or special day packages such as Mother’s Day or Father’s Day tours. The train runs throughout the year.

The Grand Canyon Railway features an upper level observation dome.
Gail Fisher via Getty Images
The Grand Canyon Railway features an upper level observation dome.

Route: Williams, Arizona, north to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park
Duration: 2 hours, 15 minutes each way

There’s just nothing quite like the Grand Canyon, and arriving by train is extra special. Watch plant life change as you leave Flagstaff behind for flower-filled valleys. Keep your eyes peeled for elk, mountain lions, and mule deer as you pass the San Francisco Peaks. Crew members provide stories, history, music and entertainment along the way, and passengers have time to explore the canyon itself when they arrive.

Views from the Royal Gorge train route.
RoyalGorgeRoutecom
Views from the Royal Gorge train route.

Route: Roundtrip from Canon City, Colorado, through the Royal Gorge
Duration: 2-2.5 hours

Take in the breathtaking scenery of Colorado’s Royal Gorge on a short guided tour. The area is steeped in American history, including when steel miners descended on the land in the 1870s. Tours include food, drink and storytelling, providing context to the scenery that’ll take the experience to the next level.

Alaska's Coastal Classic Train
Alaskaorg
Alaska's Coastal Classic Train

ALASKA

Route: Anchorage to Seward, Alaska
Duration: 4 hours

To see the Alaskan wilderness up close while you travel, go by train instead of car. You’ll spot bald eagles, beluga whales, glacial backdrops and alpine meadows as the train passes through the Kenai Mountains, which are rich with wildlife. Trains run every day.

SOUTH

Route: Bryson City to Nantahala Gorge, North Carolina
Duration: 3.5 hours to a full day, depending on the excursion

There is significant beauty to be seen and fun to be had on this route, which makes long stops along the Nantahala River and in Dillsboro, a small historic town. Jump aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad to see the Carolina mountains and more than 125 varieties of trees and plant life. Country inns, lodges, historic sites and quaint shops line this route along the Great Smoky Mountains National Park region. Trains run throughout year, but schedules vary by season.

MIDWEST

The California Zephyr zips through Utah.
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
The California Zephyr zips through Utah.

Route: Cross-country from Chicago through Omaha, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Reno to San Francisco
Duration: 51 hours, 20 minutes

People who dream of driving cross country but don’t actually want to drive should consider the California Zephyr. Scenic highlights include the Rocky Mountains, Nebraska plains, Sierra Nevadas, Moffat Tunnel, Colorado’s Gore, Byers and Glenwood Canyons, Truckee River and the San Pablo Bay and the Carquinez Strait. The train runs every day.

Route: Chicago through Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, and Idaho to either Portland or Seattle
Duration: 46 hours

History buffs and fans of the Wild West will get a kick out of this speedy train which travels daily along the Pacific Northwest and much of the Lewis And Clark trail. Expect views of true American splendor: Vast North Dakota plains, Big Sky country in Montana and incredible views of the Mississippi River.

There’s so much to see, isn’t there?

Clarification: Language has been added to clarify that the Grand Canyon itself is not visible from the Grand Canyon Railway. The departure point for the Napa Wine Valley Train has also been specified.

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