Skip to content
In the U.S. trains are a really beautiful way to travel. Train rides let people see coasts, deserts, mountains, and woods historical places easily.
1. Rockies To The Red Rocks: A Luxurious Southwest Escape
Canyon Spirit used to be Rocky Mountaineer and runs luxury luxury trains. It is a dream train ride in the American West.
Route Details: This two-day trip starts in Denver Colorado and ends in Moab Utah. You will travel valleys, rock formations and big big Rocky Mountains. The train’s glass windows let you see beautiful views easily and clearly.
Highlights: It passes Ruby Canyon with red cliffs and the Pacific and Atlantic divide. Fine meals, friendly staff and lively stories are part of this fun trip.
Season Time: Mid-April to late summer.
Price Range: $2,617–$3,072
2. Coast Starlight: From City Skylines To Seaside Serenity
The Coast Starlight is basically one of Amtrak’s most amazing train rides. It travels from Los Angeles to Seattle with beautiful amazing ocean views.
Route Details: The route includes Santa Barbara San Francisco Portland with beaches and snowy summits.
Highlights: The lounge with windows makes views of cliffs, woodlands and coast really really nice. This is a popular choice for people who want both ease and beauty. It has places to eat and sleeping cars.
Travel Time: 36 hours
Price: Starts at $150 for coach; sleeper options cost more.
3. Pacific Surfliner: Coastal California At Its Best
The Pacific Surfliner is a cheap, beautiful way to travel and it is fun. It takes you quickly actually with fast fast speed and great views. It goes along the Pacific Coast and connects San Diego to Luis Obispo. Amtrak actually operates, runs and manages the Pacific Surfliner service.
Route Details: The route stops in Anaheim, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara for nice stops.
Highlights: Water views are seen as the train kind of passes close to the shore. Sunset rides show the nice golden California coast beautifully.
Travel Time: 8–9 hours
Price: Around $61 for coach; upgraded seating available.
4. The Grand Canyon Railway: A Ride Through Time
The Grand Canyon Railway brings people to the South Rim in historical fashion. It starts in Williams, Arizona. It has been around since 1901 and is still one of the most unique train rides in the United States.
Route Details: The 65-mile trek lasts little over two hours and takes you through Ponderosa pine woods, plains, and high desert. Seeing old cars, even ones with glass domes, makes the experience better.
Highlights: Live cowboy musicians and fake railroad robberies add to the dramatic experience. And nothing beats riding in style to the Grand Canyon and being welcomed by its huge natural beauty.
Travel Time: Just over 2 hours
Price: $45 (coach) to $120 (luxury dome car)
5. Empire Builder: Cross-country Adventure Across America’s North
The Amtrak Empire Builder travels 2200 miles from Chicago to Oregon and is long. This route inspired by Lewis Clark shows middle America in amazing amazing ways.
Route Details: Stops include St Paul Minneapolis Glacier Park with plain river mountain views.
Highlights: Empire Builder is great for train fans and train enthusiasts who love trains. The multi-day trip is more comfortable with roommates and sleepers, and many people plan their trips to see the Northern Lights in Montana.
Travel Time: 45–46 hours
Price: Coach starts around $208; Roomette from $1,305
6. Denali Star: Alaska’s Wilderness On Display
The Denali Star is the most famous train of the Alaska Railroad. The Anchorage to Fairbanks train goes 350 miles with amazing rural scenes.
Route Details: Stops include Wasilla Talkeetna Denali Park which has big tall Mount Denali.
Highlights: Moose, bears, and elk can roam easily, so you can often see wildlife. The GoldStar Service has a top level with a glass roof and an open viewing deck that is great for taking pictures.
Travel Time: 12 hours
Price: $221 for Adventure Class; $445 for GoldStar
7. The Skunk Train: Into The Redwoods Of Northern California
Started in 1885 Skunk Train rides to Mendocino old beautiful redwoods. Wolf Tree Turn goes 16 miles into Noyo Canyon and back again.
Route Details: This old-fashioned train starts in Willits and goes through some of California’s oldest and largest trees. It crosses trestles and tunnels.
Highlights: The trip ends near the Wolf Tree, a huge, very old oak. Beer wine is available on board this relaxing beautiful trip to nature.
Travel Time: 2 hours
Price: Starts at $65; VIP upgrades available
8. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad: Appalachian Charm
The Great Smoky Railroad is actually loved by kids and nature lovers alike. It is totally based and located fully in Bryson City, North Carolina. The Nantahala Gorge Excursion is one of its many ways that stands out.
Route Details: The train follows the Nantahala River, over the Fontana Lake Trestle, and goes through Nantahala National Forest.
Highlights: Pumpkin Express and Polar Express bring themed really fun fun activities. People enjoy fall trips since the leaves become super colorful.
Travel Time: 3.5–4.5 Hours
Price: $59–$114 Depending On Class
9. Mount Washington Cog Railway: Climbing The Northeast’s Highest Peak
It starts in New Hampshire and rides to Mount Washington’s Northeast high point.
Route Details: The cog railway since 1869 climbs a steep three miles with gears. First cog-based train actually to climb and reach up to a mountain.
Highlights: The peak offers an amazing great great view of Canada Maine Atlantic ocean. It is exciting but the weather at the top is usually bad even in the summer.
Travel Time: 3 hours round-trip
Price: $52–$95 depending on season and seating
10. Napa Valley Wine Train: Elegance Meets Epicurean Delight
The Napa Valley Wine Train is fancy with food and wine served beautifully. You travel through middle California wine country with wineries and fields and vineyards.
Route Details: The route leaves Napa downtown and travels actually nicely through the valley. Vista Dome Train offers gourmet food and great great amazing lunch views.
Highlights: Pullman railcars have brass wood finishes which add a nice beautiful touch. Four courses wine tasting beautiful scenes make this Napa ride lovely.
Travel Time: 3 hours
Price: Starting at $320 per person
Final Thoughts
In the U.S. scenic train rides are fun romantic trips with views. Every trip lets you ride the Empire Builder coast-to-coast or Napa winery train. Train rides have great comfort and awesome views that are unforgettable.
