10 Bucket-List Amtrak Routes That Showcase the Best of the U.S.

While epic road trips are among the best ways to explore the U.S., not everyone is cut out to spend endless hours driving or riding as a passenger. Another way is to take a train, and Amtrak offers several preplanned routes that showcase the best of the U.S.

From the sandy shores of the Pacific Coast to the mountains and deserts of the southwest to the idyllic coastal communities along the Atlantic, discover 10 scenic Amtrak routes to add to your bucket list.

10. Downeaster: 3.5 Hours

Between Brunswick, Maine, and Boston, Massachusetts, the Downeaster Train's 143-mile route provides a perfectly memorable way to explore New England in a day. At just 3 hours and 25 minutes of travel time, ditch the headaches of car travel and traffic and embark on a magnificent adventure from Boston to the rugged coastline of Brunswick, Maine.

Here, you can explore iconic lighthouses, lovely small towns, and rich maritime history. And don't forget to try a lobster roll, Maine's most iconic dish.

9. Pacific Surfliner: 9 Hours

The Pacific Surfliner provides passengers with a picturesque 351-mile journey through some of Southern California's most impressive coastal scenery. From beach towns with wide stretches of sand along the Pacific to vibrant downtown areas of the region's most iconic cities filled with world-class attractions like Disneyland and Universal Studios, discover the best of SoCal on this train route.

Beginning south, you'll hop aboard the Pacific Surfliner in San Diego before heading north with stops in Anaheim, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo—the route's end point. Train stations are typically within walking distance of popular attractions, dining options, and shopping. But your train ticket also includes rides on most shuttle buses if you prefer to explore other destinations at each stop along the route.

8. Amtrak Cascades: 10.5 Hours

Would you like to visit two countries in one train trip? On the Amtrak Cascades, you can visit both Canada and the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. on a 10.5-hour train trip. This Amtrak excursion begins in Vancouver, B.C., a Canadian city known for its scenic coastal mountain range along the Pacific, its outdoor lifestyle, and attractions such as Stanley Park and Granville Island. Explore Vancouver before setting foot on the Amtrak Cascades, which leaves from Pacific Central Station. Make sure you have your passport with you, as this train crosses the border into the U.S.

The first stateside stop is Mount Vernon, Washington, in the scenic Skagit River Valley, a hub for agriculture in the state. Eventually, the train enters the cities of Seattle and Tacoma, with views of Puget Sound, before heading south past Mount St. Helens and through the awe-inspiring Columbia River Gorge at the Washington-Oregon border.

Stops in Oregon include Portland, an incredibly vibrant, walkable city with a world-class culinary scene; the capital city of Salem; and Eugene, located at the southern end of the Willamette Valley.

7. Carolinian: 13.5 Hours

To experience the charm of the South, book your tickets on an excursion aboard Amtrak's Carolinian. This 13.5-hour journey begins in the Big Apple, where you'll board the train at Penn Station. From here, the train ride travels through Newark and Trenton in New Jersey, through Philadelphia, then "Charm City" (Baltimore), and our nation's capital, before heading into the southern destinations.

Enjoy the scenery, rich history, and culture of Richmond, Virginia, while visiting attractions like the American Civil War Museum, and experience the warm Southern hospitality of both Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina.

6. Vermonter: 14 Hours

From our nation's capital to the northernmost reaches of Vermont, near the Canadian border, the Vermonter winds its way from the Mid-Atlantic region through New York, then into New England. The best time of year to take this train ride is, of course, during the fall when the New England states are ablaze with color.

If you can't wait until fall for this Amtrak excursion, it's still enjoyable any time of the year, as it passes through charming small towns and, eventually, Vermont's majestic Green Mountains. The Vermonter offers daily service between D.C. and St. Albans, Vermont, 15 miles from Canada.

5. Texas Eagle: 32.5 Hours

Heading directly south from Chicago, the Texas Eagle is the best way to see Texas. With 32 hours 25 minutes of travel time, book a Superliner Roomette, Bedroom, or Suite, so you can relax comfortably as the train rides from Chicago through southern Illinois, St. Louis, Missouri, into Arkansas, and then Texas, the highlight of this trip.

Discover the striking, modern skyline of Dallas before heading into Austin. The end of this train line is San Antonio, where you can stop by the Alamo and then take a stroll along its famous River Walk, lined with restaurants, shops, and bridges over the San Antonio River.

Your train travels don't have to end in Texas, though; from San Antonio, continue your journey by boarding Amtrak's Sunset Limited and head to Los Angeles for more fun on the rails.

4. Southwest Chief: 40 Hours

Crossing through eight states, from the city of Chicago onwards through Missouri, Kansas, eastern Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California to the Pacific coast, the Southwest Chief is an unforgettable 40-hour adventure.

From the train's window, you'll have a front-row seat while crossing the mighty Mississippi River, passing through golden plains, mountain passes, and the vast deserts of the southwest. The train eventually stops in Los Angeles, home to Hollywood movie studios, palm tree-lined streets, and wide, sandy beaches where you can lie in the sun for a while.

Along this route, plan on disembarking the train in Flagstaff to check out the Lowell Observatory, where an astronomer discovered Pluto, or take an Amtrak Connection bus to Williams for another scenic train ride on Grand Canyon Railway into the heart of Grand Canyon National Park.

3. Empire Builder: 46 Hours

With daily departures, you can easily plan a 46-hour excursion with Amtrak's Empire Builder, which travels between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest, tracing much of the Lewis and Clark Trail along the way. Take in the Chicago skyline views as the train pulls out of the station, heading towards the Mississippi, then through the Twin Cities.

Sleep tight in your onboard accommodations before waking up the next morning to North Dakota's golden plains, before the train tracks divert to the Big Sky Country of Montana. A highlight of this trip is passing by Glacier National Park, the crown jewel of the state. The Empire Builder eventually makes its way through Washington State, including Spokane and Seattle, where the train trip ends, but your PNW adventure may just be beginning.

2. Floridian: 47 Hours

Although the name of this train trip is the "Floridian," the route travels 47 hours from Chicago, passing through Pittsburgh, D.C., Savannah, and Tampa, on its way to sunny, vibrant Miami, known for its white-sand beaches and Art Deco architecture.

Along the way, soak in the views, from urban centers to the Allegheny Mountains, the Potomac Valley, and the scenery of the southern states, while relaxing in the comfort of your coach-class seat or the privacy of your overnight roomette or bedroom.

1. Sunset Limited: 48 Hours

With departures three times a week, the Sunset Limited is a 48-hour train excursion between New Orleans and Los Angeles, with stops in San Antonio, New Mexico, Tucson, and Phoenix. This is the southernmost route offered by Amtrak, which runs through the diverse landscapes of Bayou Country, the Southwest deserts, and the Rocky Mountains.

You can even take the opportunity to get off the train to see national parks like Big Bend in Texas and Saguaro in Arizona on this journey. Discover the best of the southwest and book your tickets on board the Sunset Limited. Seats and overnight bedroom accommodations are available along with dining.

Scenic Train Rides Across the U.S.

Exploring the U.S. by train is one of the most unique ways to see the best parts of our country, and a reminder that it's not always the destination but the journey in between that can make your travels so memorable.

If you haven't yet thought about seeing the country by train, add one or more of these Amtrak routes to your bucket list. Discover more scenic destinations by rail and book your tickets on Amtrak.com.