8 Unforgettable Train Trips You Can Take in America

1. Amtrak's Coast Starlight (Seattle to Los Angeles)

This gorgeous voyage down the Pacific coast offers breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, lush woods, and dramatic ocean vistas, making it one of the most picturesque train journeys in the country.

2. Amtrak’s California Zephyr (Chicago to San Francisco)

This route, which passes between the Rockies and Sierra Nevada mountains, is regarded as one of the most magnificent long-distance train rides, offering breathtaking vistas of canyons, rivers, and vast plains.

3. Grand Canyon Railway (Williams-Grand Canyon, Arizona)

This vintage train trip takes you across the high desert and into Grand Canyon National Park, providing a rare opportunity to see one of America's greatest natural wonders.

4. Amtrak’s Empire Builder (Chicago to Seattle/Portland)

This train excursion takes you past the Northern Plains and into the Cascade Mountains, where you'll see some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country, including Glacier National Park.

5. The Rocky Mountaineer (Denver to Moab)

This luxurious train excursion takes you through Colorado's Rockies and into Utah's red-rock landscapes, with breathtaking views of towering canyons and untamed wilderness.

6. Amtrak’s Southwest Chief (Chicago to Los Angeles)

This route takes you into the heart of the American West, via deserts, mountains, and well-known monuments such as New Mexico's Red Cliffs.

7. The Napa Valley Wine Train (Napa, CA)

For a more leisurely journey, this vintage train provides breathtaking vineyard vistas across Napa Valley while you savor delicious meals and world-class wines aboard a classic locomotive.

8. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (Colorado)

This vintage steam train trip takes guests on a picturesque tour of the rocky San Juan Mountains, with breathtaking views of deep canyons, towering peaks, and the Animas River.