Cars are king these days, but there’s something to be said for winding through the beautiful landscapes of America in an old-fashioned train car. These are the best scenic train rides in America, and they’ll allow you to see the sights without lifting a finger – except, perhaps, to lift your drink. Skip the traffic and cruise through the valleys, mountains, and fields of this nation on one of these dreamy railroad adventures. These train trips are scenic, romantic, and adventurous.

Table of Contents

Short Scenic Train Tours

1. Arcade & Attica Railroad, New York
Flickr/Jonathan Filbert
Arcade, NY 14009, USA
North Java, NY 14113, USA
Flickr/Jonathan Filbert
  • Location: Arcade and North Java, New York
  • Known for: This short-line scenic ride aboard a WWII-era diesel train travels between Arcade and North Java.
  • Where to stay nearby: Cozy Two-Story Barndominium


The scenic Arcade & Attica Railroad will take you across 15 miles of breathtaking terrain in western New York. It passes through historic and beautiful areas near Buffalo and is positively amazing during the fall. It runs from Memorial Day through October, usually, and also offers festive holiday rides during the winter.
2. Tuckasegee River Excursion, North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Depot Street, Depot St, Bryson City, NC 28713, USA
Timothy Wildey / Flickr


The Tuckasegee River Excursion is only one of the numerous routes offered by this railroad, but we think it's the best. Hop on at Bryson City and roll for 4.5 hours, soaking up the gorgeous countryside of North Carolina. You'll pass through the Cowee Tunnel and alongside "The Fugitive" movie set. An hour's excursion in Dillsboro will let you refuel and stretch your legs before you head back.
3. White Pass Summit Excursion, Alaska
Facebook/White Pass & Yukon Route
201 2nd Ave, Skagway, AK 99840, USA
Facebook/White Pass & Yukon Route


This trip will leave you awestruck. Cruise on up to 3,000 feet in elevation while passing glaciers, mountains, waterfalls and iconic natural landmarks like Bridal Veil Falls and Dead Horse Gulch. You'll want to bring your camera for this 40-mile round-trip ride. This White Pass & Yukon Route excursion is truly unforgettable.
4. My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, Kentucky
My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, 602 N 3rd St, Bardstown, KY 40004, USA
Facebook/My Old Kentucky Dinner Train
  • Location: Bardstown, Kentucky
  • Known for: Take a lunch or dinner train excursion aboard a vintage train. Enjoy a gourmet dinner as the train treks through Kentucky's countryside.
  • Where to stay nearby: Stay in a historic Early 1800s Guest House


This is an old-fashioned way to see the splendor of the Bluegrass state. The 35-mile round-trip adventure starts in Bardstown and will take you through some of the most stunning fall foliage in the region. You'll get to dine in vintage cars while experiencing the natural beauty of Kentucky.
5. Cass Scenic Railroad, West Virginia
12363 Cass Rd, Cass, WV 24927, USA
Ron Cogswell/Flickr
  • Location: Cass, West Virginia
  • Known for: The 11-mile journey aboard the Cass Scenic Railroad is one of the best scenic train trips you can take. And it's all aboard a steam locomotive that will take you back in time!
  • Where to stay nearby: Snowshoe Log Cabin - Dancing Star


This is one of the most picturesque train routes in the country. Visitors will be ferried across the wilderness of West Virginia on an old-fashioned steam engine train, taking in the sights between Whittaker Station and Bald Knob during this 4.5-hour trip. The train reaches an astounding 4,700 feet in elevation, so you'll feel like you're jetting through the mountain peaks. The Cass Scenic Railroad is an unforgettable adventure indeed!

Overnight Scenic Train Rides

6. Coast Starlight, California
Facebook/Amtrak


This is definitely a lengthy train ride, but it's surprisingly affordable. You'll breeze by amazing landmarks like Mount Shasta, San Francisco Bay, the Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and the stunning cliffs along the Pacific Coast Highway. There's truly no better way to see the sights along the Pacific Coast than the Coast Starlight, and with the cost of gas these days, it might be the deal of the decade! It's one of the best. luxury train vacations you can take.
7. Empire Builder
Chicago, IL, USA
Seattle, WA, USA
Wikimedia Commons/Steve Wilson
  • Location: Chicago, Illinois and Seattle, Washington
  • Known for: The Empire Builder will take you on a magnificent 46-hour journey between Chicago and Seattle. Of course, you can choose a shorter trek along the route but why do that when you can do the whole thing?
  • Where to stay nearby: Charming 3-BR House in Logan Square


With a name like Empire Builder, expectations are high for this train to deliver a monumentally great experience. The good news: it doesn't disappoint. You'll be taken across the Great Plains on pretty much the same route that Lewis and Clark took across the West. You'll get to see Glacier National Park, the Cascade Mountains, Whitefish, and countless other scenic spots. The best part may be the glass-domed observation lounge that provides a view like no other. At 2,206 miles, this trip clocks in as the longest on the list. This is one of your best options for luxury train travel in the USA.
8. Southwest Chief
Chicago, IL, USA
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Christopher Quinlan/Wikimedia Commons


Take an overnight journey aboard Amtrak on its Southwest Chief route. You'll travel between Chicago and Los Angeles with stops in Kansas City, Albuquerque, and Flagstaff. You'll pass through eight states and see a variety of landscapes from mountains and valleys to plains, fields, and deserts. It's a great way to see the variety of landscapes across America.

Luxury Train Travel in the USA

9. Alaska Railroad, Alaska
Alaska Railroad - Fairbanks Depot, 1031 Alaska Railroad Depot Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA
Alaska Railroad - Seward Depot, 408 Port Ave, Seward, AK 99664, USA
Facebook/Alaska Railroad
  • Location: Fairbanks and Seward, Alaska
  • Known for: Travel between Fairbanks and Seward while seeing some of the best scenery Alaska has to offer.
  • Where to stay nearby: Fairbanks Log Cabin


See the Last Frontier in style with a ride on the Alaska Railroad. This historic railroad has been ferrying passengers across the wild and dazzling Alaskan terrain since 1914. They offer an extremely popular holiday train ride that feels just like hopping aboard the Polar Express. You'll spot snow-covered mountains, fields of sparkling ice, and some pretty amazing sunset vistas.

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10. Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel, Arizona
233 N Grand Canyon Blvd, Williams, AZ 86046, USA
Facebook/Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel
  • Location: Williams, Arizona
  • Known for: Ride a classic restored train with the Grand Canyon Railway. Choose one of six classes of service and travel through the ever-changing landscape that Arizona is known for.
  • Where to stay nearby: Elephant Rocks Golf Cottage


Get up close and personal with the Grand Canyon from the comfort of an air-conditioned train car. You'll skip the traffic and be taken directly to the Grand Canyon's south rim on the Grand Canyon Railway. Along the way, keep a lookout for bald eagles, elk, and the dramatic plateaus of the reservation. You'll travel around 130 miles round-trip, and each mile will be more beautiful than the last.
11. Napa Valley Wine Train, California
1275 McKinstry St, Napa, CA 94559, USA
Napa Valley Wine Train/Google Local
  • Location: Napa, California
  • Known for: See California's best-known wine region aboard the luxurious Napa Valley Wine Train. Enjoy wine and delicious cuisine as the train travels through the gorgeous scenery Napa Valley is known for.
  • Where to stay nearby: Spanish Bungalow with Hot Tub


Have you ever been to Napa Valley? Whether or not you've visited California's most famous wine region, seeing it by train is a whole different experience! Climb aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train for an unforgettable adventure as you take in the serene beauty of the wine region while sipping on wine and enjoying a delicious gourmet meal.

Best Train Rides Through the Mountains

12. The Mount Washington Cog Railway, New Hampshire
3168 Base Station Rd, Thompson and Meserve's Purchase, NH 03589, USA
Robert Linsdell/flickr
  • Location: Thompson and Meserve's Purchase, New Hampshire
  • Known for: Giving scenic train trips for more than 150 years, The Cog is the first of its kind in the world and leads to spectacular views from the summit of Mt. Washington.
  • Where to stay nearby: Romantic Cottage for Two in the Heart of the White Mountains


This little railroad offers what is definitely one of the most gorgeous train journeys in the country. The Mount Washington Cog Railway, also known as the Cog Railway is like nothing you've ever experienced before, and we think you'll love it.
13. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Colorado
Durango & Silverton Railroad Silverton Station, E 10th St, Silverton, CO 81433, USA
Flickr/Alan English CPA


The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad locomotive ride will make you feel like a true explorer. The railroad operates between Durango and Silverton, and is a designated National Historic Landmark. Cruise along sheer cliffs, past historic mines and stunning panoramic views of the dramatic countryside.
14. Mt. Hood Railroad, Oregon
110 Railroad Street, Hood River, OR 97031, USA
Mt. Hood Railroad
  • Location: Hood River, Oregon
  • Known for: Take an exciting scenic train ride through the Columbia River Gorge with views of Mount Hood. This train ride through the mountains is one to remember!
  • Where to stay nearby: Westside Hood River Home


This gorgeous vintage train twists and winds through the lush forests and orchards on Mount Hood. Every single ride on this train is incredibly picturesque, but they do offer a variety of themed excursions. Try out the scenic train, holiday train, and and Easter train.
15. Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Colorado
Pikes Peak Cog Railway/Facebook
Pikes peak cog railway, 515 Ruxton Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829, USA
Julianne19/TripAdvisor


The Pikes Peak Cog Railway will take you straight to the summit of Pikes Peak. You'll scale the 14,115-foot mountain and have about 30-40 minutes to check out the view at the top. This train actually goes so high up that staying any longer than the allotted time at that lofty height can result in altitude sickness. Obviously, you'll want to bring your camera and sense of adventure.
16. Conway Scenic Railroad, New Hampshire
Conway Scenic Railroad, 38 Norcross Cir, North Conway, NH 03860, USA
Conway Scenic Railroad
  • Location: North Conway, New Hampshire
  • Known for: Hop aboard the Mountaineer for one os the best scenic train rides in America! Traveling through Crawford's Notch and Mount Washington Valley, this 4-to-5.5-hour train ride should go straight to the top of your bucket list.
  • Where to stay nearby: Scenic Cathedral Ledge Bavarian Chalet


New England isn't as lousy with amazing train rides as the western half of the country, but there are plenty of amazing railroad excursions to be had on the East Coast. The Conway Scenic Railroad will take you through 50 miles of gorgeous forest and mountainous terrain, delivering amazing views of the White Mountains and fall foliage. There's a first class car as well as a fabulous dining car. This train travels everyday, so you're in luck no matter the season.
17. Amtrak's Adirondack
Manhattan, New York, NY, USA
ironmike9/Flickr
  • Location: Manhattan, New York
  • Known for: This journey aboard Amtrak's Adirondack will start in Manhattan, wind its way through the Hudson Valley, and will cross the Canadian border where it will stop in Montreal.
  • Where to stay nearby: Luxury in the City


Time aboard the Amtrak Adirondack is time well spent. Not only will you get to spend some time in NYC (we suggest coming a day or two early to explore the city) but you'll get to see Hudson Valley's wine country. Remember your passport for this journey as the train will cross into Canada and make its final destination in Montreal.
18. Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, New Mexico
500 Terrace Ave, Chama, NM 87520, USA
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad/Facebook


For a train ride through the mountains, being aboard the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is hard to beat! Starting in Chama, New Mexico, this rail journey will take you to an elevation of over 10,000 feet as it travels through Cumbres Pass. This is the highest mountain pass reachable by train in the country so it's a journey worth taking. Eventually the train will reach Antonito, Colorado before returning to Chama.

Best Coastal Train Rides

19. Amtrak Cascades, Oregon
303 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
Eugene, OR, USA
Facebook/Amtrak Cascades
  • Location: Eugene, Oregon
  • Known for: As one of the most scenic Amtrak train rides, you'll travel between Eugene, Orgeon and Vancouver, B.C. in Canada, with several other stops in between on the Amtrak Cascades.
  • Where to stay nearby: Charming Cottage by CosiDesign


What could be more amazing than winding your way through fields of colorful irises on your way past the Olympic Mountains? Pretty much nothing. Amtrak Cascades goes all the way from Eugene, Oregon to Vancouver, British Columbia, so it's a great way to experience a bit of international adventure without lifting a finger.
20. The Pacific Surfliner, California
Flickr/Steve Boland
San Luis Obispo, 1011 Railroad Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA
Flickr/Don Barrett


Hopping aboard this train is almost like spending a day at the beach. The Surfliner travels between San Luis Obispo to San Diego, and cruises by the world-famous Del Mar beach. Be sure to sit on the correct side of the train to get the best view of the waves!

 

 

There’s truly nothing like a classic railway adventure. Have you been aboard one of the best scenic train rides in America yet? For more U.S. travel inspiration, check out our list of the 24 places you absolutely must go to in America.

 

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More to Explore

Best Scenic Train Rides in America

Tori Jane | September 22, 2022

Is there luxury train travel in the USA?

Yes, there certainly are luxury train travel options available in the USA. If you’re looking for scenic yet incredibly comfortable train travel options, check out the following train excursions:

 

Which Amtrak route has the best scenery?

There are so many fantastic scenic train excursions in the US that are provided by Amtrak. The following two Amtrak routes may have the best scenery:

  • The Amtrak Adirondack is a ten-hour journey beginning in New York City that darts through upstate; it’s easily one of the best fall color train rides in the US!
  • The Amtrak Empire Builder, which starts in Chicago and ends in Seattle is a long and scenic route that shows off some of the west that you wouldn't ordinarily get to see.

 

What train ride takes you across the United States?

Traveling from coast to coast is an exciting experience and you can certainly do it by train! Take the Highlights of America - Coast to Coast train excursion through Amtrak which starts in Washington DC and then travels to Chicago, Williams in Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park, and Los Angeles. The trip takes 11 days and makes 5 stops.

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