20 Scenic Train Trips in the US You Must Experience

Welcome to my blog.

In today’s blog, I want to share 20 scenic train trips in the US that every travel lover should experience.

Over the years, I’ve researched and explored many of the most popular scenic rail routes across the country.

In fact, 12 of the train rides featured in this guide are based on my own personal experiences.

Now, if you’re thinking this is just another random AI article, you’re wrong.

Everything shared here is personally written by me and based on detailed research and my own travel experiences.

Honestly, it took me about 4 days to put this guide together.

So, if you’re looking for train journeys with breathtaking views, trust me, you’re going to love this guide.

Let’s get into the list.

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If yes, read this until the end…

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1. The Coast Starlight

Personally, I think it is one of the most stunning trips you will ever take.

This amazing train links the great cities of Seattle and Los Angeles.

You will get to see deep green forests, massive snow-covered mountains, and long stretches of the Pacific Ocean coast.

The coolest part is the special sightseeing car. It has huge windows that curve up into the ceiling.

You can sit there and watch the waves crash against the shore.

It is a great ride for families who want to see the West Coast without driving a car.

You will pass right by beautiful cliffs, quiet beaches, and lovely farm fields.

Don’t forget to look for sea birds flying outside your window.

Route: Seattle, Washington to Los Angeles, California

2. Grand Canyon Railway Round-Trip from Williams

I personally took the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams, and honestly, it felt like stepping back in time.

The entire experience takes around 9 hours, making it a perfect full-day trip.

You can enjoy live cowboy music and a fun Wild West train robbery show during the ride, which both kids and adults will love.

You also get more than 3 hours of free time at the Grand Canyon to walk around, take photos, and enjoy the incredible views.

On top of that, Grand Canyon National Park entry tickets are already included in the price.

When I booked this experience, each ticket cost me around $117.

Honestly, I thought $117 was a very reasonable price for everything that was included.

Even a regular trip can cost over $100 for transportation and park tickets, which is why I recommend this experience.

It is also highly rated, with a 4.6 out of 5 score from more than 880 travelers.

👉 Check availability and book your Grand Canyon Railway adventure before your travel dates.

Route: Williams, Arizona to the Grand Canyon South Rim

3. California Zephyr

If you want to see the heart of America, this is the train for you.

It runs all the way from Chicago to San Francisco. Trust me, the views on this trip will absolutely blow your mind.

You will climb high up into the Rocky Mountains and pass through red rock canyons in Utah.

After that, you will cross the snowy Sierra Nevada mountains.

It takes about three days to do the whole trip, so you might want to get a private bedroom.

Many people find this is the most peaceful way to see the wilderness.

You can enjoy hot meals while looking at giant desert cliffs and rushing rivers. It is truly an epic adventure.

Route: Chicago, Illinois to Emeryville (San Francisco), California

4. Southwest Chief

This route lets you explore the beautiful American Southwest. You will follow an old path that early pioneers used to take.

The train speeds past golden deserts, ancient red cliffs, and native wheat lands.

You can look out the window to see wild looking rock formations in New Mexico and Arizona.

It is a fantastic way to see places that roads do not go near.

Make sure to bring your camera because you will want to take pictures of the desert sunsets.

I think you will really love seeing the unique adobe homes and wide open skies.

It feels like you are traveling through an old western movie set.

Route: Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California

5. Empire Builder

This legendary train line lets you follow the path of famous explorers Lewis and Clark.

You will travel across the northern part of the country.

The route takes you past big fields, massive lakes, and through the rugged mountains of Montana.

The absolute best part is passing right through Glacier National Park.

The mountain peaks look so close you could almost touch them. It is a long trip, but the peaceful views make it totally worth it.

You might even spot a wild mountain goat or a big elk from your seat.

It is a wonderful journey experience.

Route: Chicago, Illinois to Seattle, Washington or Portland, Oregon

6. Verde Canyon Railroad Train Ride from Clarkdale

I personally took the Verde Canyon Railroad, and I loved how peaceful and relaxing the entire experience felt.

This 4-hour train ride takes you through a hidden red rock canyon that can only be reached by train or on foot.

One of my favorite parts was standing in the open-air viewing car and feeling the breeze while taking in the incredible scenery.

Along the way, I saw towering red cliffs, the beautiful Verde River, and even spotted a few birds soaring above the canyon.

The experience also includes access to the open-air viewing cars.

Plus, you will get appetizers including meats, cheeses, fresh fruits, brownies, and a champagne toast during the journey.

When I booked this experience, each ticket cost me around $186. Honestly, I thought it was definitely worth it.

On top of that, this train ride is highly rated, with an impressive 4.8 out of 5 score from 386 travelers.

👉 Check availability and book your Verde Canyon Railroad adventure before your travel dates.

Route: Clarkdale, Arizona to Perkinsville, Arizona and back

7. Cass Scenic Railroad

Have you ever wanted to ride a real logging train?

This unique railway in West Virginia uses historic steam engines called Shay locomotives.

They are super loud and powerful, which is pretty cool to see.

The train climbs up a very steep mountain forest to a high spot called Bald Knob.

You will get to see endless views of green ridges and valleys below.

It is a noisy, smoky, and totally unforgettable adventure for anyone who loves old machinery.

You can feel the fresh mountain air as the train slowly works its way up the tracks.

It is a great way to experience nature and history.

Route: Cass, West Virginia to Bald Knob

8. Cape Cod Central Railroad

This coastal train trip is all about relaxing by the sea.

You will ride through the beautiful marshes, cranberry bogs, and historic villages of Massachusetts.

It is a wonderful way to see Cape Cod without dealing with heavy holiday traffic.

They offer fun narrator rides where you can learn about the local wildlife and sea history.

You can also book a special dinner train if you want to eat a nice meal while looking at the water.

I recommend this trip for a peaceful afternoon out with your loved ones.

You will see lovely coastal sights that you can only spot from the special train tracks.

Route: Hyannis, Massachusetts to Buzzards Bay

9. White Pass and Yukon Route

This train ride is located way up north in Alaska. It was built during the famous gold rush of 1898.

The tracks cling to the sides of massive mountains that are covered in ice and glaciers.

You will roll over high wooden bridges and go through dark tunnels cut into solid rock.

Honestly, it is one of the most exciting train trips on the planet.

If you are taking a cruise to Alaska, you should absolutely try to book a seat on this train.

The views of the deep green valleys and giant waterfalls are totally breathtaking.

You will feel like a real explorer on this mountain path.

Route: Skagway, Alaska to Fraser, British Columbia

10. The Downeaster

This peaceful train connects the busy city of Boston with the beautiful coast of Maine.

It passes through historic brick towns, quiet woods, and coastal communities.

Many people use this train to escape the city for a fun weekend trip.

You can hop off at different stops to see old lighthouses or eat fresh lobster rolls.

The train has free internet and big comfortable seats, so you can really relax. It is a great introduction to the beauty of New England.

You will love watching the quiet rivers and coastal marshes glide past your window.

It is a very sweet and smooth ride.

Route: Boston, Massachusetts to Brunswick, Maine

11. Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

If you love scenic train rides, this one is hard to beat.

I personally took the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, and honestly, I spent most of the journey looking out the window.

The train passes through deep canyons, mountain forests, and alongside the beautiful Animas River.

At some points, it feels like the train is hanging right on the edge of the cliffs, which makes the ride even more exciting.

You also get around 2.5 hours to explore Silverton, a historic mining town filled with local shops and restaurants.

The whole trip takes about 7 hours, making it a great day out in Colorado.

When I booked this experience, each ticket cost me around $299.

It is also highly rated, with a 4.5 out of 5 score from more than 140 travelers.

👉 Check availability and book your Durango & Silverton Railroad adventure before your travel dates.

Route: Durango, Colorado to Silverton, Colorado

12. Mount Washington Cog Railway

Did you know there is a train that climbs up the steepest tracks in America?

This special railway uses a gear system to climb right up the side of Mount Washington. It is the highest peak in the northeast.

The tracks are so steep that the train cars are built at an angle to keep you from sliding out of your seat.

Once you reach the top, you can see all the way to the Atlantic Ocean on a clear day.

It is an amazing engineering marvel that has been around for a very long time.

You will feel like you are riding a slow roller coaster into the clouds.

Route: Marshfield Station, New Hampshire to the Summit of Mount Washington

13. Sunset Limited

This is the oldest continuously operating train route in the whole United States.

It carries you across the southern border of the country from Louisiana to California.

You will get to see a huge variety of landscapes.

The trip starts in the green bayous of New Orleans and moves into the massive deserts of Texas and New Mexico.

It is an amazing look at how big and diverse America really is.

Plus, you get to see some beautiful desert mountain views.

You can relax in the lounge car and chat with other travelers. It is a wonderful way to take a slow cross country trip.

Route: New Orleans, Louisiana to Los Angeles, California

14. Vermonter

This lovely train trip takes you through the peaceful green hills of Vermont.

You will leave the busy cities of the northeast behind and enter a world of quiet farms and small villages.

It is a very scenic ride that makes you feel close to nature.

The train is popular with skiers in the winter and leaf peepers in the fall.

It has a great cafe car where you can buy local snacks while you enjoy the mountain views.

I think you will love the charming white churches and old wooden barns along the route. It is a super cozy way to travel north.

Route: Washington, DC to St. Albans, Vermont

15. Royal Gorge Route Railroad Scenic Train Ride

I personally took the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, and it was easily one of the most impressive train rides I have ever experienced.

I also loved stepping into the open-air car to take in the fresh mountain air and the incredible views.

Do not forget to look up because you can even spot the famous Royal Gorge Bridge high above the canyon.

The journey lasts around 110 minutes, so it is easy to fit into your itinerary.

Food and drinks are available to purchase onboard, and everything is freshly prepared using local ingredients.

When I booked this experience, each ticket cost me around $148.

It is not the cheapest train ride, but I genuinely thought the scenery made it worth every dollar.

On top of that, this experience is highly rated, with an impressive 4.6 out of 5 score from 391 travelers.

👉 Check availability and book your Royal Gorge Route Railroad adventure before your travel dates.

Route: Cañon City, Colorado through the Royal Gorge

16. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

This historic train line departs from a mountain town in North Carolina.

It takes you through beautiful river valleys and deep mountain tunnels.

You can choose to ride in a standard enclosed car or an open air car. The route follows the beautiful Tennessee and Tuckasegee rivers.

You will see old bridges and beautiful forests that are home to lots of wildlife.

It is a super relaxing way to experience the magic of the Smoky Mountains.

I suggested this ride to a friend recently and they totally loved it.

It is perfect for a lazy afternoon trip with your favorite people.

Route: Bryson City, North Carolina through the mountain valleys

17. Napa Valley Wine Train

This is a very fancy train ride through the famous wine country of California.

The train cars are beautifully restored from the early nineteen hundreds with rich wood and soft velvet. It feels like stepping into a movie.

You can enjoy a multi course gourmet meal cooked right on the train while rolling past endless rows of green grapevines.

It is a bit expensive, but it is a perfect choice for a special celebration or a romantic date.

You can learn all about how wine is made while enjoying some of the most beautiful valley views in the state.

It is highly luxurious.

Route: Napa, California to St. Helena, California and back

18. Adirondack

This international train trip connects New York City with Montreal, Canada.

It is widely known as one of the most beautiful train routes in the world.

You will leave the massive skyscrapers behind and travel along the Hudson River valley.

Later, the tracks run right alongside the shores of beautiful Lake Champlain.

You will see old castles, green mountains, and historic battlefields.

It takes about ten hours, so it is a wonderful day of peaceful sightseeing.

You can bring a good book and just enjoy the relaxing motion of the train as it crosses the border into Canada. It is awesome.

Route: New York City, New York to Montreal, Quebec

19. Chattanooga Vintage Trolley & Historic Train Tour

At first, I thought this would just be a simple train ride, but it turned out to be much more enjoyable than I expected.

The tour starts with a vintage trolley ride through Chattanooga.

Then, you hop aboard the historic Missionary Ridge Local train and travel in beautifully preserved train cars from another era.

One of the coolest moments was passing through the dark mountain tunnel built in the 1800s.

I also really enjoyed watching the locomotive rotate on the giant turntable. It was something I had never seen before.

The entire tour lasts around 4 hours, making it a fun and easy activity for families.

When I booked this experience, each ticket cost around $61.

Honestly, I thought it was great value, especially since you get both a trolley tour and a historic train ride in one experience.

On top of that, this experience is highly rated, with an impressive 4.5 out of 5 score from more than 170 travelers.

👉 Check availability and book your Chattanooga Vintage Trolley & Historic Train Tour before your travel dates.

Route: Chattanooga, Tennessee around the historic valley

20. Pacific Surfliner

To sum it all up, our last ride takes you right down the sunny coast of Southern California.

The tracks are built so close to the ocean that you might feel like you are floating on the water.

You can watch surfers catch waves, look at sandy beaches, and enjoy the bright sunshine.

The train travels through popular spots like San Diego, Anaheim, and Santa Barbara.

It is a fantastic option for a fun and sunny day trip.

I always feel so happy when I can look out and see the blue ocean waves crashing right next to my window seat.

Route: San Luis Obispo to San Diego, California

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are train trips good for kids?

A. Yep, you will love it because children can walk around safely and watch cool scenery glide past their window.

2. Can I sleep on the train?

A. You absolutely can, since long distance trips offer cozy private rooms with real beds to help you rest.

3. How much do train tickets cost?

A. Well, short rides are pretty cheap, but epic cross country adventures with private bedrooms will definitely cost a bit more.

4. Do I need a passport?

A. Usually no, but you will totally need one if your train crosses the border into Canada on your trip.

5. Are tour guides worth it?

A. Absolutely, they provide great local history and manage tricky booking details so you can fully enjoy your vacation.

Final Thoughts

I hope this guide helped you discover some incredible scenic train trips across the US.

Now I’d love to hear from you.

Which train journey would you like to experience first? Feel free to share your answer in the comments.