31 Scenic Train Rides Retirees Say Are Worth Booking for the View

31. Strasburg Rail Road, Pennsylvania

A short, charming ride that’s perfect for combining with a stop at one of the area’s excellent farm markets or an excursion to browse Lancaster County’s many antique shops.

You can enjoy views of the bucolic farmland by way of a steam-powered train and get to see some truly historic equipment in authentic surroundings. Call ahead to find out what kind of cars are available for the day as open-air options are weather-dependent.

30. Texas State Railroad, Texas

The Texas State Railroad offers this simple, stress-free half-day excursion between Palestine and Rusk on a vintage-style train ride through a lush green corridor of pine trees.

Locomotives, stations, and events vary according to dates, so call ahead to find out what’s included.

29. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, Georgia And Tennessee

Traveling along the Toccoa River to McCaysville, GA, and Copperhill, TN, this relaxed excursion offers a scenic alternative to the bustle and crowds at popular scenic overlooks. Get off and explore these quaint communities and enjoy a stroll and a bite to eat.

Fall foliage makes for a popular excursion, but it’s equally enjoyable during the spring and summer.

28. Cape Cod Central Railroad, Massachusetts

Escape the beach and the crowds of an all-inclusive beach resort to explore Cape Cod’s cranberry bogs, its canal heritage, and other scenic views via railroad.

Choose from a day-trip train, lunch, or dinner excursions.

It’s an easy-going alternative to the hustle and bustle of summering by the beach. Read more: Caribbean all-inclusive resorts Americans regret booking.

27. Essex Steam Train And Riverboat, Connecticut

A scenic, relaxing excursion aboard vintage train cars paired with a ride on a classic riverboat makes this experience one-of-a-kind. The trip showcases the natural beauty and charm of small-town living along the Connecticut River Valley.

Call ahead to find out exactly what’s included, as itineraries change according to dates.

26. Branson Scenic Railway, Missouri

Enjoy an exciting ride through the woods and valleys, over trestles, and through tunnels in the heart of the Ozarks. Get away from the Branson commercial strip and discover another side of this popular tourist destination.

Check ahead for special events and itineraries, including dinner excursions and regular service.

25. Boone And Scenic Valley Railroad, Iowa

Take in views of the Iowa countryside aboard this scenic excursion from Boone, IA.

Enjoy the treetops during summertime, take in the changing colors in the fall, or gaze into the depths of the Des Moines River Valley as you pass over a high railroad trestle.

24. North Shore Scenic Railroad, Minnesota

Looking out of the train’s windows at Lake Superior is what makes this excursion. Opting for the shorter trips will keep you closer to the water’s edge while longer options will take you farther out into northern woods. Either way, a scenic ride is awaiting and it’s a nice change of pace if you’re visiting Duluth.

Best used as a cool-weather excursion when the idea of exploring the old railroad rolling stock and seeing the harbor is enticing and the pace of Duluth is just right. Read more: historic U.S. hotels worth the extra money.

23. Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, Oregon

Bay views, vintage equipment, old-timey coastal communities and salt air combine to make a nice excursion that doesn’t take an entire day to enjoy. This makes the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad easy to incorporate into a beach town stay.

Just double-check the schedule and seasonal options to make sure the timing and itinerary works before planning a meal around this scenic train ride.

22. Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, California

It’s important to note that this excursion does not head into Yosemite Valley and it departs from near Yosemite’s southern entrance. That said, it’s not necessarily a bad idea. If you’ve seen Yosemite Valley plenty of times or have an affinity for steam-powered railroads then this excursion could be nice. Basically, the excursion is a quick peek at Sierra forests, how a steam-powered train works and the logging history in the area.

Best used as an easy way to step out of the bustle of Yosemite, get in the shade and enjoy the past. It’s only about an hour roundtrip, too.

21. Napa Valley Wine Train, California

Views of California’s famous wineries are nice but it’s the ambiance, food and scenery that make this excursion worth taking. It’s a splurge item and definitely worth considering as such.

Read up on the various options because they vary greatly, especially wine tasting excursions, special events and basic lunch excursions.

20. Leadville Railroad, Colorado

This excursion gives Rocky Mountain views at high-elevation without the price tag that can come with luxury train excursions elsewhere in Colorado. Along the route you’ll take in mountain peaks, mining history and other points of interest in the region.

Best used in conjunction with a Colorado Rockies stay or as part of a high-country road trip that tries to avoid the hassles and traffic of standard Colorado excursions. Read more: overlooked American West stops worth building a road trip around.

19. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, North Carolina

Departing from Bryson City, this excursion takes you along the banks of a river and into the Smoky Mountains.

Opting for the Nantahala Gorge excursion will give you a bit of a thrill while Tuckasegee excursions are a bit milder.

Best used as an easy-to-manage excursion from Bryson City or a place to calm your nerves after a rollercoaster-y Nantahala River whitewater excursion. Read more: scenic drives that are better when you stop often.

18. Grand Canyon Railway, Arizona

Departing from Williams, AZ, the Grand Canyon Railway is one of the best ways to visit the canyon.

If you’re planning on making it to the canyon anyway and can’t face the prospect of fighting for a parking space when you get there, not to mention traffic, then this is the way to go. You’ll arrive at the South Rim of Grand Canyon and take in views of the area from a unique perspective.

Best used as part of a longer excursion that features the Grand Canyon. Read more: U.S. national parks ranked from hidden gems to overrated.

17. Mount Washington Cog Railway, New Hampshire

This is an incredibly steep train ride to the top of the highest mountain in New England. Weather is extremely fickle here – you can have incredible views of dozens of mountains and then find yourself engulfed by clouds or insanely windy conditions within minutes.

Check their website for the nitty gritty on what to bring, cancellation/refund policy, schedules, etc.

16. Conway Scenic Railroad Mountaineer, New Hampshire

This is an old-fashioned, nostalgic train ride with stunning scenery along the way. The route travels through Crawford Notch in New Hampshire – watch out for the bridges and cliffs.

This train ride is beautiful any time of year, but fall is a must-do. That said, fall tickets are the most expensive and hardest to get. Consider factors including the best time to go and the length of the ride which is important for those with an aversion to lengthy train rides.

15. Amtrak Adirondack, New York To Montreal

This train from New York to Montreal takes travelers through the Hudson Valley, charming upstate NY small towns, and along Lake Champlain.

This train ride isn’t exactly short, as detailed in the Adirondack schedule for departure and arrival times, and US-Canada border rules could be an issue, but it’s a wonderful way to see NY, especially if you’re traveling to Montreal. Track issues have arisen in the past that have caused schedule changes – check for current service updates before traveling.

14. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, California

If you’re headed to Southern California, skip the smelly, traffic-filled roads and opt for this scenic train ride. Stretches of the route hug the beach/coast for beautiful views.

There are several locations you can start/end your trip – pick the best place to start depending on your schedule. Read more: coastal small towns retirees still say are worth the drive.

13. Verde Canyon Railroad, Arizona

If you want to see some of the best of Arizona – red rocks, cottonwood trees, canyon scenery – but can’t seem to find an accessible location for the gorgeous landscapes, try out the Verde Canyon Railroad. The train provides shade and beverage/snack service and takes travelers to vistas you can’t access by car.

The Verde Canyon Railroad is near Sedona. Check which side of the train to sit on, price, length of trip, etc.

12. Royal Gorge Route Railroad, Colorado

This is a bucket-list train ride along the Arkansas River with canyon walls on either side and an incredible suspension bridge overhead.

Find out which car is right for you – dome, open-air, dinner car, etc.

11. Cass Scenic Railroad To Bald Knob, West Virginia

This is a steam-engine train ride up Bald Knob surrounded by gorgeous scenery and Appalachian charm. It’s an authentic experience to say the least and offers plenty of scenery.

Consider whether you’ll be comfortable with the smoke and slow-moving train. Cass is an old logging town.

10. Cumbres And Toltec Scenic Railroad, Colorado And New Mexico

Cumbres and Toltec is one of America’s most scenic railroads, climbing through old western high desert country, over old trestles and bridges and into the edge of the alpine world at Cumbres Pass at 10,000 feet.

Plan ahead: Read about Cumbres and Toltec operating schedule and the stations where trains begin/end. Learn more about connecting buses. Learn more about meals, too.

9. Durango And Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Colorado

Durango and Silverton is a nostalgic ride through canyons along the roaring Animas River past historic mining towns aboard classic, narrow-gauge railroading equipment.

Plan ahead: Learn more about the different kinds of cars. Learn more about operating schedules in various seasons. One-way or round-trip? Learn more about making connections back from Silverton if taking a one-way trip.

8. White Pass And Yukon Route, Alaska

White Pass and Yukon Route from Skagway offers a taste of the Klondike Gold Rush days with spectacular scenery, historic tales, thrilling trestles and roaring waterfalls.

Plan ahead: Learn more about the duration of the various excursions and operating schedule. If continuing on into Canada, check the required border documents for your excursion.

7. Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic, Anchorage To Seward

The journey from Anchorage to Seward is considered one of the most scenic train rides anywhere. Enjoy views of Alaska’s pristine backcountry, its waters and mountains that can’t be seen from a car or bus.

Plan ahead: If traveling from Anchorage on a cruise itinerary, make sure you’ve got adequate time in Seward to explore the cute little harbor town and maybe take a Kenai Fjords cruise to see glaciers up close or explore Resurrection Bay. That could consume a day. Learn more about operating schedule. Read more: scenic drives retirees say are better when you stop often.

6. Alaska Railroad Denali Star, Anchorage To Fairbanks

The Denali Star runs from Anchorage through Wasilla and Talkeetna to Denali National Park, then on to Fairbanks.

Plan ahead: Depending on your plans, you may be looking at several days by train. The journey between Anchorage and Fairbanks or Denali National Park is a long one. Learn more about Denali Star operating schedule, where to store your luggage if leaving and re-boarding trains in Talkeetna or making connections at Denali National Park.

5. VIA Rail The Canadian, Toronto To Vancouver

The Canadian is an unforgettable train journey through Canada’s majestic and diverse landscapes: lush green boreal forests, golden prairies and the rugged beauty of the Canadian Rockies as it makes its way to Vancouver.

Plan ahead: Be prepared for delays. Enjoy the unfolding vistas. Commit to slow travel.

4. Rockies To The Red Rocks, Colorado And Utah

Rockies to the Red Rocks travels by daylight between Colorado’s majestic high country and the unique canyonlands of Utah. Formerly operated under the Rocky Mountaineer name, the U.S. journey runs as Canyon Spirit in 2026.

Highlights include scenic stops in Moab and Glenwood Springs. In 2026, choose the two-day Denver–Moab route or the three-day Denver–Salt Lake City route, with overnight stops in Glenwood Springs and Moab on the longer journey.

3. Amtrak Empire Builder, Chicago To Seattle Or Portland

The Empire Builder takes you through the northern plains and their small, friendly towns.

Then come the jagged mountains of Glacier country and the majestic splendor of the Pacific Northwest.

It’s an experience you’ll never forget. Read more: Caribbean islands ranked from hidden gems to overrated.

2. Amtrak Coast Starlight, Los Angeles To Seattle

This train offers a unique experience with an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Pacific Northwest and California. The route passes through the magnificent Cascade Range and gorgeous hill country in California. An overnight journey with some beautiful coastal riding in North America.

Plan ahead: Delays happen. Riding through some of the best coastal sections in daylight is not guaranteed.

1. Amtrak California Zephyr, Chicago To Emeryville/San Francisco

From the endless expanse of the Great Plains to the gateway to the West in Denver; from the rugged splendor of the Sierra Nevada mountains to the gateway to Northern California in the San Francisco Bay Area, the California Zephyr is a journey that offers something for everyone.

Plan ahead: Allow plenty of connection time at intermediate stops if continuing on elsewhere. Consider upgrading to a roomette or bedroom.