From Amtrak routes along California’s coast to the wild beauty of the Alaska Railroad, the best way to see the vast natural beauty of the US is by train. Every year, instead of flying home to southeastern Virginia, I always opt to take the train. My journey typically starts in New York, winding down the Northeast Corridor before stopping in Washington, DC. While this busy stretch of track is far from the most scenic train ride in the US, there were still moments when I found my face pressed against the window—like near Havre de Grace, Maryland where the Susquehanna River widens—unable to look away.
It was a reminder of how the joys of slow travel can sneak up on you, even in familiar places you may have traveled through countless times before. That said, there are certain train routes in the US with scenery so mesmerizing that they are worth taking for the sights alone. Amtrak, of course, has more than 30 different train routes crisscrossing every US region, from the vast deserts of the Southwest to the sparkling coast of California, and majestic mountain ranges in between.
But even more private rail operators in states like Alaska and Hawaii offer their own scenic train rides that shouldn’t be overlooked. The challenge, then, becomes picking which train trip to take—and when. Below, we’ve selected 13 of the most scenic train rides in the US that are worth booking for the views alone. This story has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Tickets from $1,778 Over the course of 35
Tickets from $1,778
Over the course of 35 hours (!), you’ll see all sorts of natural beauty, from stunning ocean views to the peaks of the Cascade Mountain Range, as this train travels from Seattle to Los Angeles. The scenery almost makes up for that whole “being on a train for 35 hours” thing. Follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark sans the 19th-century diseases or agony.
This Amtrak trek, which travels from Chicago to the Pacific Northwest, makes pit stops in Minneapolis–St. Paul, Spokane, and Portland, and offers vistas of the Mississippi River and Mt. Hood, among other natural landmarks. Gaze upon the grandeur of one of the world’s natural wonders—Grand Canyon National Park aboard the Grand Canyon Railway. Departing from Williams, Arizona, 30-some miles west of Flagstaff, this train weaves past forests of ponderosa pine and parts of the Sonoran Desert into the heart of canyon country, where you’ll spend the day exploring before boarding a return trip—just in time for sunset.
Choose between one of six train cars to take in the scenery, but for the best views, book a seat in the streamliner-era observation car or the swanky luxury dome. Tickets from $70
The Northeast is more known for its commuter trains that deposit tourists or busy professionals in major cities such as New York, Washington, and Boston. But one train line is a lovely exception. Amtrak’s Adirondack route, which relaunched in 2023 following its closure during the pandemic, runs from New York City to Montreal.
The 10-hour journey starts at Moynihan Train Hall
The 10-hour journey starts at Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station, follows the Hudson River up to Albany, then goes through Saratoga Springs and the stunning Lake Champlain before reaching Canada. A year-long service, the Adirondack train attracts hikers, leaf peepers, and those who want to dip their toes into the sand on the beach. Hop off at the Port Henry station to visit Port Henry and Bulwagga Beach and unwind from the journey or at Saratoga Springs to check out a horse race or a winery.
Take this route in the fall during peak foliage season to watch New England’s changing autumnal colors change or during the winter to watch pristine white snow glide by the window. Tickets from $79
Though the California Zephyr runs from Chicago to San Francisco in a little more than 51 hours, it’s indisputably the western portion of the route—through Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and northern California—that deserves your attention.
Snake through the Rocky Mountains, past the photogenic canyons of Colorado’s Western Slope, and enjoy an entire half-day trek through Sierra Nevada, complete with views of Donner Lake and the Truckee River. For a quieter adventure, use Green River, Utah, as your home base to explore Arches National Park, Crystal Geyser, or Labyrinth Canyon. Tickets from $252
The Ewa Train, located 20-miles west of Honolulu, is a scenic two-hour round-trip train ride offering leaf-peeping rail expeditions and year-round oceanside views.
The Hawaiian Railway Society is the only operating
The Hawaiian Railway Society is the only operating historic railway in Hawaii, and the ride pairs history—live narration about Oahu’s old sugar plantations and the ghost town of Gilbert—with breathtaking vistas from Kahe Point and the Waianae Mountain range. It even includes a pit-stop for ice cream to help beat the heat. For a more high-end experience, book the Parlor Car 64 ticket, built in 1900 and used to transport Hawaii’s royalty and dignitaries.
Unlike the standard ride, Parlor Car 64 is only available on the second Sunday of each month, and tickets sell out quickly. Tickets from $20
The largest and most wild state in America offers its own photo-worthy railroad adventure: The Coastal Classic. The journey begins in Anchorage, heads south around the Turnagain Arm waterway, and through the stunning Kenai Peninsula. Awe-struck passengers will marvel at how closely the tracks wind alongside wilderness and sea alike—so close it feels like you can reach out through the window and grasp at them.
Waterfalls and glaciers can be seen along the journey to Seward, where passengers can decamp for a roster of outdoor activities: a cruise along the Resurrection Bay or Kenai Fjords National Park, or perhaps dog sledding with Alaska’s famous Iditarod Champion sled dogs. For more intel, read our full guide to the Alaska Railroad here. Tickets from $490
Spanning the Northwest from Portland to Vancouver, the Amtrak Cascades parallels the titular mountain range during this more than eight-hour adventure.
The Pacific Northwest is on full display
The Pacific Northwest is on full display on the Cascades: The route crosses the majestic Columbia River, provides views of Mount St. Helens, and hugs the shore of picturesque Puget Sound as it passes through Seattle. Plus, Amtrak’s new Aero trains are now available on this route—meaning you can take in the views while enjoying the modern amenities, upgraded dining options, and most importantly, larger sightseeing windows.
Tickets from $72
You don’t have to be a wine connoisseur to appreciate the natural beauty of northern Napa Valley’s agricultural corridor—but it helps. It was originally built by a local millionaire, California Gold Rush baron Samuel Brannan, in 1865 to transport Napa visitors to a spa resort in Calistoga. Today, the Napa Valley Wine Train gives travelers a chance to sip local vintages from a luxurious railcar while passing vaunted vineyards on a three-hour round-trip journey.
The day starts in Downtown Napa at the Oxbow Commons, before traversing to St. Helena. On the way, passengers stop at some of Napa Valley’s most famous wineries, such as Charles Krug and V. Sattui. Tickets vary based on package
From the rolling farmlands of Illinois, across the Mississippi River, to the red mesas of New Mexico, and into the Mojave Desert, the Southwest Chief traverses more than 2,000 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Travelers wary of a full 40-hour venture can take just a partial piece of the route, but don’t miss the most scenic stretch, which spans Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and southern California, including the Ratón Pass—a National Historic Landmark along the Santa Fe Trail. To extend your journey, take an Amtrak Connection bus to the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, Arizona to explore the south rim of the Grand Canyon, or a shuttle from Lamy, New Mexico to spend a day or overnight in nearby Santa Fe.
Source: www.cntraveler.com
