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Train travel is making a comeback across America.
Thanks to the myriad headaches related to air travel or road trips (think too many cancellations and high prices) many younger Americans have rediscovered the joy of train travel.
Since last year, Amtrak — the operator of long-distance rail service in the U.S. — has risen to the occasion to meet growing demand with restored service and new routes.
Why Ride the Rails
Beyond sparing travelers the ever-present chaos at airports and pain at the pump, riding the rails offers additional benefits including:
- Quicker boarding
- Extra legroom
- Lower carbon footprint
- Gorgeous views you don’t get from 35,000 feet or cruising along the interstate
Ready to hop aboard the train travel trend? We’ve compiled a list of the country’s best train trips to find an adventure you’ll never forget.
From the Midwest to the Pacific Coast
Venture forth from Chicago and journey westward to the Pacific Coast as part of Amtrak’s nine-day Northern Rail Experience rail adventure.
Aboard Amtrak’s Empire Builder, you’ll travel through the beautiful plains of North Dakota, catch stunning views of the Missouri River — the longest river in North America — and wind through Montana’s Big Sky Country before reaching your first stop in Seattle.
You’re free for a day to explore the Emerald City and its Northwest charms and sights — Pike Place Market! Space Needle! Seattle Center! Puget Sound! — before boarding the Coast Starlight train down the West Coast for an overnight trip to San Francisco through lush forests and fertile valleys.
After several days in and around San Francisco, journey back to Chicago on the California Zephyr. Considered one of the most beautiful rail routes in North America, you’ll climb through the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains and through the Rockies for some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country.
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From the Red Rocks to the Rockies
The two-day ride from Moab, Utah, to Denver takes passengers from the Red Rocks of Utah to the Rockies of Colorado.
Catch unobstructed views of vast canyons, inspiring deserts and natural archways from the train’s glass-dome top. You’ll travel across the Continental Divide and experience sights such as Ruby Canyon and Mount Garfield.
There’s also an overnight stop at the Colorado resort town of Glenwood Springs.
Prefer a start in Denver? Packages are available in both directions, including options to start or end in Salt Lake City or Las Vegas.
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Tracking the West Coast
From the City of Angels to the Emerald City, experience the best of the West Coast on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight.
Pass through Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Sacramento and Portland on your way to Seattle as part of this grand train adventure that departs daily from Los Angeles.
Additional route highlights include San Luis Obispo — the iconic city along California’s central coast. Marvel at beaches, vineyards and castles as well as Klamath Falls, Oregon, where outdoor adventure beckons with ample opportunities for birding, rafting, golfing, hiking, fishing, surfing, biking and so much more.
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The Ethan Allen Express
Experience the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple before escaping for the more relaxed charms of New England. Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express offers daily service from New York City to Burlington, Vermont, with many marvelous sights and stops along the way.
Upon departing NYC, you’ll journey through upstate New York, including Saratoga Springs. With its grand Victorian architecture, stopping in this charming New York city is like traveling back in time. It’s also a hub for thoroughbred horse racing — in case you want to try your luck at the historic racetrack.
Along the way, you’ll marvel at the views of the Hudson River Valley, Vermont farms, villages and Green Mountains.
Your final destination is Burlington, where you can stroll along Lake Champlain or set sail for an awe-inspiring sunset cruise. Don’t forget to explore the local farmers’ markets and partake in the local brewing culture. Cheers to train travel!
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Amtrak City of New Orleans
Venture south from the Windy City to the Big Easy for a journey through America’s rich musical heritage.
Amtrak’s City of New Orleans route carries you 900 miles from Chicago to New Orleans. On this trip, you’ll ride in the shadows of American musical giants like Louis Armstrong, Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson.
Along the way, you’ll stop in Memphis to pay homage to the King of Rock ‘n Roll himself, Elvis Presley. Soak up the sights, sounds and bites of Beale Street during your stay.
After Memphis, it’s time to celebrate the blues as you travel through the Mississippi Delta on your way to New Orleans — the birthplace of jazz, which still calls out to you from every corner of the city.
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Alaska Denali Star
Experience the breathtaking beauty of America’s northernmost state — including views of Denali, North America’s tallest mountain!
Operated by the Alaska Railroad, this 350-mile train ride transports you from Anchorage to Fairbanks through the rugged Alaskan wilderness, including Denali National Park. Observe birth forests, rushing rivers from the train. You may even spot a caribou or bear!
Along the way, you’ll cross the Knik River with the majestic Chugach Mountains as a backdrop. Look for the first views of Denali as you approach the village of Talkeetna, nestled at the base of the mountain.
North of Talkeetna, you’ll veer into the Alaskan backcountry with views of the snaking Indian River and the occasional remote cabin. From the top of a 296-foot bridge, you’ll pass over the expansive Hurricane Gulch.
Train Travel is Calling
We’ve only scratched the surface of the amazing journeys you can take traveling by train across the U.S. There are so many more amazing rail adventures that carry travelers through some of the country’s most beautiful scenery and locales.
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Wherever you choose to go, you won’t regret your decision to ride the rails across America!
