Editor’s note: This article is an editorial travel guide based on public railway information, route resources, operator details, and traveler commentary we found online.
There is a difference between a scenic rail journey and a slow bus on rails. What follows are some suggestions that offer a genuine reason to take the window seat.
31. Strasburg Rail Road, Pennsylvania
One could argue Strasburg is no grand cross-country affair, which is precisely what makes it appealing. It is an old-fashioned, short hop that pairs well with a more leisurely day in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, perhaps a stop at an antique shop or one of the farm markets in Lancaster County.
The atmosphere is the reward: the steam, the fields and fences, and a train that seems preserved and not put on for show. We would check on accessibility and the current cars first, though; the open-air option has its charms until the weather says otherwise.
30. Texas State Railroad, Texas
You will find a certain pine-country calm to the Texas State Railroad that the map does not do justice to. There is nothing as dramatic as snow-capped canyons between Palestine and Rusk, but the green tunnel of the route has a way of drawing you in.
For a half-day out on the rails without the logistics to match, it is hard to beat. Just make sure to see what locomotive and depot setup is in operation on your date of travel, as events and the season can alter the experience.
29. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, Georgia And Tennessee
The draw of the Blue Ridge is that the train is not the sole purpose of the visit. The line to the Toccoa River puts McCaysville, Georgia, and its sister town of Copperhill, Tennessee, within easy reach for a small-town lunch or a stroll.
It is a fall foliage ride if ever there was one, yet spring and summer possess a gentler appeal. For those who prefer their rail travel to lead to some wandering in town, this is preferable to another overpacked mountain overlook.
28. Cape Cod Central Railroad, Massachusetts
Cape Cod Central caters to the type of traveler interested in canal history and cranberry country, and who wants a coastal feel without having to set up a beach chair.
The views may not be as loud as a lighthouse postcard, but they reveal a side of the Cape most drivers never see. Be selective about your choice of lunch, dinner or daytime excursions.
If the group is accustomed to resort getaways, give the slower tempo here a fair comparison with Caribbean all-inclusive resorts Americans regret booking rather than assuming the path of least resistance is the better one.
27. Essex Steam Train And Riverboat, Connecticut
Treat the Essex Steam Train as a proper Connecticut River Valley day and it is at its best. Between the vintage coaches and the river views in tidy New England towns, there is an old-weekend air to it.
The combination of train and riverboat is what sells it. But do not book the version in your head and miss what is actually running; verify the schedules and packages for your date.
26. Branson Scenic Railway, Missouri
For anyone making the trek to the Ozarks, the Branson Scenic Railway is a simple enough addition. There is a certain appeal to this route as it winds through tunnels and trestles into wooded valleys, offering a view of Missouri that you will not find on the main tourist drag.
While it may not be the most demanding or lengthy ride here, it has a wide audience. One should make a point of checking if the day in question is for a regular excursion, a dinner train or some seasonal affair, as they are quite distinct.
25. Boone And Scenic Valley Railroad, Iowa
Iowa is not what one would call dramatic rail country by way of marketing, so Boone comes as something of a surprise. A high trestle over the Des Moines River Valley puts an end to any such notions in short order, particularly with the green of summer or autumn colors in the woods below.
It is an ideal way to break up a road trip. Do not go in looking for luxury polish; this is a Midwestern rail experience through and through, with the odd bridge moment that makes for a better photograph than expected.
24. North Shore Scenic Railroad, Minnesota
A window seat on the North Shore Scenic Railroad is how Duluth visitors see Lake Superior. The shorter runs keep you near the water’s edge, but put in for a longer excursion and the north woods will have the lake feeling like more than a backdrop.
For a cooler-weather change of pace it goes down well with some time in the harbor and old rail equipment from a low-stress city base. Those weighing American travel options might find a similar mood at historic U.S. hotels worth the extra money.
23. Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, Oregon
With the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad the scenery does its job right from the start. Between the bay views and salt air, the vintage equipment and small towns give the impression of a vacation detail, not a side trip to a museum.
The length of the route is accommodating for a day in a beach town when an all-day commitment is not wanted. Just be sure to confirm your departure and what is in season before you plan lunch.
22. Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, California
You do not board this train for Yosemite Valley. You take it for the Sierra forest, the steam and the logging history, as a milder outing from the park’s southern entrance. That is an important distinction.
Should the party be in pursuit of granite vistas, this could seem underwhelming. But for an easy hour on the rails with some shade and history, it is the reset the schedule calls for.
21. Napa Valley Wine Train, California
The Napa Valley Wine Train is as much about the meal and the atmosphere as the view. From the dining car one can enjoy a slow roll past the vineyards of one of California’s best known wine regions with polished service.
It is the choice for those who want to make the journey part of the splurge. Read the fine print on the packages though; a tasting trip, a special event and a lunch ride are effectively three different things.
20. Leadville Railroad, Colorado
Leadville Railroad begins at altitude and never lets you forget the alpine setting. The train is only part of the draw; there is also the satisfaction of being well above the ordinary Colorado traffic with mining history and mountain peaks to consider.
A sensible option for Rockies scenery without the price tag of a full-day luxury package. When the rest of the itinerary involves high-country and backroads, coordinate with overlooked American West stops worth building a road trip around.
19. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, North Carolina
You do not need to look hard at an ad for the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad to get the picture. The vintage train, the mountain river and forested slopes, plus a base in the small town of Bryson City all speak for themselves.
It is one of the more straightforward scenic rides on paper. Then there is the Nantahala Gorge excursion, which has a certain drama to it that appeals to many.
The Tuckasegee is a gentler affair with a small-town air. One picks the ride according to mood in much the same way as scenic drives that are better when you stop often.
18. Grand Canyon Railway, Arizona
On a minute-by-minute basis, the Grand Canyon Railway may not be the most scenic. But the destination does plenty of the heavy lifting. A departure from Williams puts you in a vintage Arizona frame of mind well before arriving at the South Rim.
There is good reason to book: it spares you the fatigue of approach roads and parking that can put a damper on a canyon visit.
Do not be so quick to assume the famous route is the best; make a comparison with U.S. national parks ranked from hidden gems to overrated for a fuller view of the matter.
17. Mount Washington Cog Railway, New Hampshire
The Mount Washington Cog Railway is memorable in an almost unreasonable way. As the train makes its way to New England’s highest point, the steepness of the grade will have even those with no interest in rail engineering taking notice. It is all about the weather.
On a clear day the summit feels immense, but wind and clouds can alter the mood in short order. One should consider the refund rules, what to wear and the schedule as part of the experience and not mere fine print.
16. Conway Scenic Railroad Mountaineer, New Hampshire
New Hampshire gets its share of rail drama from The Mountaineer through Crawford Notch, the sort usually reserved for the West. With its old rail atmosphere, cliffs and bridges, this is more than a simple mountain-town run.
Fall is when it is at its strongest, though demand and prices follow suit. Book for the scenery by all means, but check the duration and seat type first if you are bringing along anyone who prefers a quick and easy loop.
15. Amtrak Adirondack, New York To Montreal
For the East Coast traveler wanting views of rivers, lakes and mountains without a flight west, the Adirondack is the answer. The line north out of New York will take you through the Hudson Valley and upstate towns and Lake Champlain en route to Montreal.
Track conditions or border formalities can have an effect, so verify things close to your departure date. When done right, it is a civilized old-school kind of journey with enough to see to make the slower pace worthwhile.
14. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, California
The Pacific Surfliner is practical yet still a treat. There are stretches where the train runs right up against the Southern California coast, allowing you to put in some time with the ocean rather than contend with the freeway.
It is easy to make an ad of it with the beach towns angle. If that is what is drawing you in, then put it side by side with coastal small towns retirees still say are worth the drive.
13. Verde Canyon Railroad, Arizona
With the Verde Canyon Railroad you get to see red rocks, cottonwoods and canyon walls that would be hard to put in front of you from a car. It has a specificity to it, not your generic Arizona ride.
It is a good option for those after some Sedona-area beauty away from the crowded overlooks. For a trip already heavy on the desert, it is a controlled way to have some canyon drama with the added benefit of shade and a snack.
12. Royal Gorge Route Railroad, Colorado
The Royal Gorge Route Railroad makes a simple promise and delivers: canyon walls close in until the train seems small. You get a sharper visual from the Arkansas River and the gorge and the suspension bridge above than most short excursions offer.
Upgrades come at a price, but the right seat is worth it. Check on the dome, dining and open-air possibilities before you commit. This is a ride where the car you choose can define the memory.
11. Cass Scenic Railroad To Bald Knob, West Virginia
Cass is different. The train climbs with purpose. Between the steam power, the grades and the views of Bald Knob in an old logging-town setting, it is rugged, not polished. An afternoon of history and elevation in the Appalachians is what it is.
It can be slow and smoky and very old-fashioned, so do not count on every member of the group being a fan of the full haul without checking comfort levels first.
10. Cumbres And Toltec Scenic Railroad, Colorado And New Mexico
A rail trip on Cumbres and Toltec feels earned thanks to the variety of high desert and mountain country. The 10,000-foot drama at Cumbres Pass, the old trestles and alpine edges are part of the package.
Those with an appreciation for historic detail and a long day in the saddle will find their reward here. Because it is a matter of season and route, one should check the operating calendar, your departure point, bus return and meal arrangements before making plans to build a trip on top of it.
9. Durango And Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Colorado
There is a reason the Durango and Silverton is considered the quintessential Colorado mountain train. Between the Animas River and the old mining towns, the narrow gauge and canyon work to put you in a part of the West that has not been fully modernized.
Do not take its popularity for granted; some forethought is called for. If you have any intention of putting in time in Silverton as opposed to being in transit all day, be selective about your car, your season and whether to go one way or round-trip.
8. White Pass And Yukon Route, Alaska
For the cruise passenger looking for an easy win in Alaska, the White Pass and Yukon Route from Skagway offers plenty of drama in short order. The Klondike Gold Rush lore, trestles and waterfalls do not disappoint.
Timing is the chief consideration here. Since the ride is tied to seasonal demand and often a cruise itinerary, make sure to confirm your excursion length and have your border or passport in order if the line takes you into Canada.
7. Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic, Anchorage To Seward
You get a good measure of Alaska with the Coastal Classic without having to mount an expedition. The run from Anchorage to Seward will put water, backcountry and mountains in front of you in a way the road cannot.
Seward is what makes it so appealing; with some harbor time or a visit to Kenai Fjords and Resurrection Bay, the outing becomes a full day. Those who would rather be at the wheel can find the scenic drives retirees say are better when you stop often as a road-trip alternative.
6. Alaska Railroad Denali Star, Anchorage To Fairbanks
The Denali Star is the big idea in Alaskan rail. From Anchorage and Talkeetna through to Fairbanks and Denali National Park, there are long miles where the view outweighs the timetable. When the weather is right, Denali makes the train a moving vantage point.
This is no casual afternoon out; it belongs in a multi-day itinerary. Given the serious distances involved, commit only after you have looked over the class, luggage policy and park connections.
5. VIA Rail The Canadian, Toronto To Vancouver
In the Canadian you have the North American sleeper fantasy in full measure. The boreal, the prairie and the mountains on the way to Vancouver impart a sense of distance that is hard to come by these days. But it is a commitment.
One does not book this for a quick scenic hop. Get ready for the slow travel experience and accept that delays are a reality and not something to be written off. Check the service class and schedule first.
4. Rockies To The Red Rocks, Colorado And Utah
The Rockies to the Red Rocks lives up to the advertising: a daylight train from the Colorado high country to the Utah canyons. The whole point is the windows and the pace, not the act of transportation.
It is a higher-intent proposition given the cost, so it is not for everyone. But for those with Moab or Glenwood Springs in mind, it can be the vacation rather than the means to get there.
3. Amtrak Empire Builder, Chicago To Seattle Or Portland
The Empire Builder is well ranked for what it puts on offer: a northern passage to Glacier country and the Pacific Northwest on a scale that is hard to match.
It has the plains, the towns and the kind of conversation between stops that feels like old America. A good strategy is to plan your sleep and the best segments before you put down money.
And if you are considering a warm-weather escape, compare the mood of the rails to Caribbean islands ranked from hidden gems to overrated before you settle on another week at the beach.
2. Amtrak Coast Starlight, Los Angeles To Seattle
The name Coast Starlight is still apt for a long route like this. With its overnight atmosphere and runs through the Cascades and California hills to the coast, it has a broad appeal for the scenery enthusiast and the train aficionado alike.
Punctuality is not always to be had and the views are at the mercy of daylight. Book with some patience and realistic expectations; the reward is in the slow unfolding of the trip, not a flawless timetable.
1. Amtrak California Zephyr, Chicago To Emeryville/San Francisco
How many rail trips can make a highway journey seem small? That is the hook the California Zephyr provides.
The constant changes from the plains to Denver, the Sierra Nevada and the approach to the Bay Area make it a must for the window seat. Check on roomette availability and connection buffers, then think of it as a proper journey.
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