A road trip may be one of the most enjoyable ways to travel from point A to point B, with lots of opportunities for adventure (and gas station munchies) along the route. The driver, on the other hand, may lose out on part of the surroundings due to their need to keep their eyes on the road. Consider taking one of these beautiful train trips to truly appreciate the beauty of the route.
Riding a train may be a romantic, nostalgic, and, most importantly, relaxing way to explore the country. Even a commuter train between large cities is preferable to driving, but these beautiful train trips go above and beyond. These train lines, which are geared for long-haul journeys from coast to coast or specially intended for taking in the landscape, will allow you to take in all of the breathtaking sights.
Looking for something to do on the west coast? From Los Angeles to Seattle, take the Coast Starlight. Are you planning on visiting Alaska? On the Denali Star's 350-mile journey from Fairbanks to Anchorage, see all the highlights. From charming villages to national parks, the Grand Canyon Railway and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will transport you. There are also some shorter excursions that will offer you a taste of beautiful trail ridings, such as the Mt. Washington Cog Railway or the Hawaiian Railway.
So get on, soak in the scenery, and snap as many photos as you want without having to take your hands off the steering wheel.
Jump to:
- 1. Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle
- 2. Ethan Allen Express from New York to Vermont
- 3. Alaska Denali Star from Anchorage to Fairbanks
- 4. The Grand Canyon Railway
- 5. Empire Builder: Chicago to Portland
- 6. Mount Washington Cog Railway, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
- 7. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, Bryson City, NC
1. Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle
Traveling by rail instead of driving puts a new twist on the traditional left-coast road trip. What are the benefits? There will be no confrontations over wrong-turns, and there will be a lot more picture opportunities. The 1,377-mile Coast Starlight route passes through some of the most beautiful parts of the West, including Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Sacramento, Portland, and other cities. Bounce from your seat to the dining car to the "sightseer lounge car," where all chairs face the magnificent, floor-to-ceiling windows, throughout the 36-hour journey.
2. Ethan Allen Express from New York to Vermont
While the destination is appealing, the five-and-a-half-hour trip from New York City to Vermont is as enjoyable. You'll travel through the Hudson Valley's postcard-perfect towns, stop in Saratoga Springs, which is known for its horse races as well as its hot springs, and wind your way through Vermont's appropriately named Green Mountains before arriving in charming little-big city Rutland, with its historic downtown and one helluva farmers' market.
3. Alaska Denali Star from Anchorage to Fairbanks
This 350-mile stretch across Alaska's heartland showcases the state's stunning, harsh environment. There's a reason this is the Alaska Railroad's flagship journey, with birch woods, flowing rivers, caribou and bear sightings, vistas of Mt. McKinley, and a stop in Denali National Park. If you can afford it, upgrade to a GoldStar and enjoy the breathtaking landscape from an open-air observation vehicle with nothing between you and the wild.
4. The Grand Canyon Railway
You may have previously seen the Grand Canyon, but have you ever viewed the Grand Canyon area from the train? You'll board The Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, Arizona, and travel through pine woods and grasslands, seeing pronghorn and bald eagles along the way, before arriving at the South Rim two hours and 15 minutes later. The Grand Canyon Railway's antique carriages all have interesting backstories, and some feature glass-dome ceilings with breathtaking vistas.
5. Empire Builder: Chicago to Portland
This trip can only be described in one word: epic. The Empire Builder connects Chicago and the Pacific Northwest on a daily basis, retracing most of Lewis and Clark's original journey. It takes you on a tour of must-see sights ranging from the urban (St. Cloud-Minneapolis) to the vast outdoors (big-sky country and Glacier National Park). The journey will take 46 hours, so book at least a roomette with chairs that convert to beds so you can completely stretch out after you've had your fill of moonlit vistas.
6. Mount Washington Cog Railway, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
This vintage railway, like the Little Engine That Could, chugs up Mount Washington every day, dropping passengers off at the 6,288-foot summit, the highest in the Northeast. The Cog is a functioning museum (the track dates from 1852), with the high feeling of a gondola but in a robust small train. Take in the panoramic views from the summit, which include Canada and the Atlantic on a clear day.
7. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, Bryson City, NC
Bryson City, the starting point for your train journey, maybe little, but it's packed with local treasures (like barbecue joints, a soda fountain, and a brewery). The four-and-a-half-hour Nantahala Gorge trip, which winding down the wooded Nantahala River and crossing Fontana Lake by a bridge, is a scenery-serving highlight. (Foliage aficionados take note: the leaves in the autumn are completely ablaze.)
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