Scenic train rides in the U.S. are pretty much the best. The rumble of the car on the tracks, the scenery reeling past your window, and the old-fashioned charm of railway travel all combine to make trains the most romantic method of land transit. Excluding your morning subway commute, of course.

America’s railroads were once indispensable arteries of trade and travel that connected the nation’s major cities. Today, air shipping and the highway system have demoted trains from crucial to quaint, but riding the rails is still a great way to tour some of the most beautiful regions of the country. Check out these breathtaking train rides in the US, located all across the nation.

1. Cog Railway, New Hampshire
Robert Linsdell/Flickr
The Mount Washington Cog Railway, 3168 Base Station Rd, Mount Washington, NH 03589, USA
Mobilus In Mobili/Flickr
This gorgeous train ride will take you to the summit of Mount Washington and back. Chug along sweeping landscapes of stone and rugged mountainsides while learning about the area from your conductor. The most thrilling moment of the trip comes as the train begins its descent when it appears as if the car is going to tumble off the edge of the mountain! Don't worry though: this railway has been safely running without a hitch for almost 150 years. In fact, it's the oldest cog railroad in the world. The ride to Mount Washington runs from early May to mid-October, and the journey totals about three hours. The Cog Railway is one of the most scenic train rides in the USA, this epic journey is top of our list next time we're in New England.

Take a peek at the Cog Railway in New Hampshire in this video from Dynamo Productions:
2. Silver Creek and Stephenson Railroad, Illinois
Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad & Museum, W Lamm Rd, Freeport, IL 61032, USA
Silver Creek and Stephenson Railroad Museum/Facebook
Have you ever wanted to be a train conductor? This place can make your dream come true. Silver Creek and Stephenson Railroad is run by a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing the joy of historic trains with the public. Hop on board their 1912 steam locomotives for a 3.4-mile trip through the beautiful Freeport countryside. The company also sets aside "throttle time" when guests can actually take control of the train (with LOTS of guidance and supervision, of course). They do spooky train rides during the fall season, too!
3. Steam Into History, Pennsylvania
Steam into History, 2 W Main St, New Freedom, PA 17349, USA
smallbones via Wikimedia
This steam train takes its history seriously. Passengers are taken through York County along the route that President Abraham Lincoln and Union troops traveled during the Civil War. Guests will learn all about the era through incredible reenactments, and maybe even run into the famous president himself. Steam Into History is one of the closest things you'll ever do to time traveling.
4. Cass Scenic Railroad, West Virginia
JWorst/Flickr
Cass Scenic Railroad, 12369 Cass Rd, Cass, WV 24927, USA
Ron Cogswell/Flickr
Winding around the mountains of West Virginia is the Cass Scenic Railroad, one of the most picturesque train routes in the country. Visitors will get the chance to experience the thrill of the Golden Age of the railroads while cruising through the wilderness on old, refurbished logging flat-cars that once traveled through the rainforests of British Columbia. The journey between Whittaker Station and Bald Knob takes about 4.5 hours, during which the locomotive will climb to an astounding 4,700 feet. Guests should dress warmly, wear dark clothing (the steam engine may leave you ever so slightly sooty), and be prepared for an incredible adventure.
5. Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad, Iowa
Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & James H. Andrew Railroad Museum, 225 10th St, Boone, IA 50036, USA
Jerry Huddleston/Flickr
If you like the idea of a scenic railroad adventure, but don't want to spend all day on a train, this Iowa railroad is a great option. Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad takes visitors on picturesque journeys around the Des Moines River Valley in Boone that are only about 2 hours long. Catch a ride Memorial Day through October 31, Thursday through Sunday. If you're interested in pairing the natural show outside your window with a gourmet meal, the railroad's dinner trains are a great option. Note: The train pictured is not one of the railroad's passenger trains.
6. The Denali Getaway, Alaska
Ken Levine/Flickr
Anchorage Depot, 411 W 1st Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA
Kenneth Cole Schneider/Flickr
Cruise through the stunning Denali National Park on a train that offers nearly 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape. Booking a ride on the Denali Star Train is a great way to experience the beauty of the park without committing to days of hiking. If you can't resist the pull of the wild, however, Denali National Park offers almost limitless opportunities for wilderness exploration. Among other activities, guests can try their hand at rafting, glacier climbing, gold panning, and fishing.
7. Saratoga & North Creek Railway, New York
North Creek Road, N Creek Rd, Greenfield, NY, USA
Mobilus In Mobili/Flickr
This is a great scenic train option for history buffs. Climb aboard a vintage rail car and enjoy fresh gourmet meals while chugging alongside the gorgeous Hudson River. The locomotive stops at nine different stations and makes fascinating stops at different historic sites in the Adirondack Mountains. If you decide to schedule your trip for the snowy winter season, the railway offers a heated and convenient shuttle service straight to Gore Mountain. Oh, and it's definitely one of the best fall-color train rides in New York.
8. Historic Jefferson Railway, Texas
Historic Jefferson Railway, 400 E Austin St, Jefferson, TX 75657, USA
Historic Jefferson Railway
The Historic Jefferson Railway offers rides on a 50-year-old, antique steam locomotive that actually runs through the incredible Cypress Bayou. Stops include the Diamond Don Gator pit, where guests will have the chance to see a live feeding of 14 alligators. The train also traverses sites filled with 19th-century ruins and beautiful local wildlife. Thrill-seekers won't want to miss their Halloween Runaway Fright Train special, and the Rail of Lights Christmas train is sure to charm even the most hardened of Scrooges.

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9. Silver Chef, Branson Scenic Railway, Missouri
Branson Scenic Railway/Facebook
Branson Scenic Railway, 206 E Main St, Branson, MO 65616, USA
Branson Scenic Railway/Facebook
This ride is a foodie's delight. Located at 206 E Main Street in Branson, this amazing train ride in Missouri will deliver a gorgeous 40-minute ride through the Ozarks, complete with delicious food and drink. Families will also be delighted to know that the train offers a "Polar Express" train that runs throughout the holiday season.

Enjoy a tour showing more of Branson's train rides on the Branson Scenic Railway in this video from Terry Barner:
10. Tuckasegee River Excursion, North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad/Facebook
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, 45 Mitchell St, Bryson City, NC 28713, USA
Timothy Wildey / Flickr
One of the best routes offered by the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, this train ride begins in Bryson City and continues for 4.5 hours. Visitors will be whisked through the stunning countryside of North Carolina, where they'll pass through the Cowee Tunnel and alongside "The Fugitive" movie set. The trip includes an hour-long stop in Dillsboro, which is the perfect opportunity to browse local shops and refuel on tasty food before heading back to Bryson City.
11. The Pacific Surfliner, California
San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
Nick Chill/Flickr
Speed from San Luis Obispo to San Diego in this incredibly scenic coastal train journey on The Pacific Surfliner. The trip winds along the world-famous Del Mar beach and gives passengers the opportunity to take in sweeping views of the ocean without getting the least bit sandy or sunburned. Tip: Make sure you grab a seat on the right side of the train, depending on the direction of the journey!
12. Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad, Colorado
Leadville Railroad, 326 E 7th St, Leadville, CO 80461, USA
Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad Facebook
Relax and drink in the sights and sounds of the Rocky Mountains on the legendary Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad. This train journey is a delight for all of your senses. This railway is open during the summer season (May to October, usually), and train departure times vary. All rides are round-trip and last about 2.5 hours.
13. Las Vegas Monorail, Nevada
Las Vegas Monorail, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Phil Guest/Flickr
This is the ultimate way to see the Las Vegas strip without emptying your pockets or getting stuck in awful traffic. Stops include popular venues like MGM Grand, Bally's/Paris Las Vegas, Flamingo/Caesars Palace, Harrah's/Imperial Palace, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas Hilton, and Sahara. The Las Vegas Monorail's cars are air-conditioned (a huge plus) and provide an incredible view of the dazzling sights around town, especially at night. Trains run all week until the wee hours.
14. Hiwassee River Rail Adventure, Tennessee
Hiwassee River Rail Adventure, 9406 US-411, Delano, TN 37325, USA
TennesseeOverhill
This journey is an offshoot of the Tennessee Valley Railroad. Hop on the Hiwassee Loop and experience one of the best ways to see the breathtaking scenery of the region. The train leaves from Etowah and some locomotives offer seating with high-level dome viewing.
15. Ashland Amtrak Train, Virginia
Ashland, 112 N Railroad Ave, Ashland, VA 23005, USA
Bill Dickinson / Flickr
It may not be a historic steam engine, but the Ashland Amtrak Train is steeped in history. Head to the quaint downtown Ashland train station to view a fascinating museum of railroad-related artifacts and historical articles. The train ride itself is also incredibly lovely.
16. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, Georgia
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, 241 Depot St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, USA
opus2008 / Flickr
The beautiful Blue Ridge Scenic Railway runs through the even more beautiful Blue Ridge region of Georgia. The trip begins in Blue Ridge, a lovely town nestled in the Chattahoochee National Forest. From there, the 4-hour, 26-mile round-trip journey takes passengers along the Toccoa River in vintage closed or open-air rail cars. Guests will have a 2-hour layover in Copperhill/McCaysville (the town actually has two names due to being on the GA/TN border), which is a great spot to grab some grub or shop for antiques.
17. New River Train Excursions, West Virginia
New River Train Excursions, 935 7th Ave, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
New River Train Excursions/Facebook
Note: Unfortunately this railway is no longer running.

Though you can't go wrong catching a ride on this train during the summer months, this journey is truly best undertaken once the leaves start to turn. Chug through the gorgeous New River Gorge and take in the beauty of the autumn foliage without having to plan your own route through the region's forests. The fall foliage tours run in October.
18. Eureka Springs and North Arkansas Railway, Arkansas
Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway, 299 N Main St, Eureka Springs, AR
Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway/Facebook
If you're a fan of railroad memorabilia, you'll love this train ride. Offering excursion tours and catered dinner trips from Eureka Springs, the Eureka Springs and North Arkansas Railway stops off at a depot filled with vintage train items and signage that is sure to spark your imagination. Each tour lasts slightly less than an hour, which makes this a convenient and fun way to spend an afternoon with the family or get a much-needed break from the everyday.

The Eureka Springs and North Arkansas Railway is a fun experience - enjoy some footage from Yau Dy in this video:

Do you know of any other incredible scenic train rides in the US that we missed? Are there other beautiful train trips that need to be on the list? Let us know in the comments section!

Looking for more great train rides in America? Discover more of the best scenic railroads in America that show off some of the prettiest landscapes.

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Train Rides in the U.S.

Tori Jane | October 04, 2022

What are some of the most scenic train rides in the U.S.?  

Some of the most scenic train rides in the U.S. include:

 

There are quite literally hundreds of amazing train rides in the U.S. to choose from, so knowing which one(s) to go with can feel a little overwhelming at first. Some of the top picks for the most amazingly scenic US train rides include amazing options like the incredible Denver to Moab (Rockies to the Red Rocks) excursion, which is a two-day ride from Colorado to Utah and easily one of the most amazing adventures you'll ever go on. Then, there's the amazing Williams to Grand Canyon excursion on Arizona's very own Grand Canyon Railway, which is a two-hour delight through some of the most incredible landscapes in Arizona. It's a front-row seat to one of the most beautiful destinations in the United States.  

Which scenic train rides in the United States are worth adding to my bucket list?  

Some of the scenic train rides that are worth adding to your bucket list include:

 

In a few words: all of them. Seriously! If it’s a scenic train ride in the United States, it’s going to be worth taking. There are the ones mentioned above – Rockies to Red Rocks and the Grand Canyon Railway – but there are so many more that it’s impossible to pick the best steam train rides in the USA, or include them all in one short list (it would be pages long if we tried). Some other once-in-a-lifetime scenic US train rides include gems like the Empire Builder’s 46-hour Chicago to Portland excursion, and if you find yourself in Alaska, you can’t miss the opportunity to do the Anchorage to Fairbanks ride on the Alaska Denali Star.  

What are some of the most scenic train rides in the world? 

Some of the most scenic train rides in the world include:

 

Of course, the United States isn’t the only place to have some truly breathtaking scenic train excursions; there are many around the world worth adding to your bucket list, too, like the Jacobite Steam Train, which starts in the Scottish Highlands town of Fort William and traverses 84 miles round-trip. In Australia, there’s the to-die-for Kuranda Scenic Railway, which whisks riders through one of the world’s oldest rainforests in Queensland. It is intensely beautiful, and like any of the most popular train rides in the United States, it’s well worth the effort to do it.

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