In an age where everything is about going fast, there is something wildly refreshing about taking the scenic route. And this is what rail travel is all about. Trains may not be the fastest way to get around, but they sure do have the best views and ambiance.
America has deep roots in the rail industry. What started from the need to connect vast landscapes before planes zipped us around has become a timelessly cool travel experience.
It’s less about the destination and more about the journey. It’s about slowing down to absorb the beauty of the USA from an up-close-and-personal perspective. From coastline to coastline, these are ten of the most beautiful train rides you can take across the U.S. today.
10. Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Colorado
Colorado is home to close to 60 mountains that surpass the 14,000-foot elevation mark, and Pikes Peak is one of them.
While it’s not a way to get from one A to B, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway is one of the oldest and most exciting mountain trams in the world. It’s one of just two cog railways in the country, traversing up a rickety track all the way to the top of the 14115-foot summit. It’s one way to do a hike without having to lift a foot!
9. Pacific Surfliner, California
The Pacific Surfliner is for those who want West Coast vibes without the highway gridlock. The train, operated by Amtrak, runs between San Diego and San Luis Obispo, hugging the Southern Californian coastline for most of the way.
The mellow cruise up (or down) the coast is easily the best way to travel in California. The train stops past several beaches in Orange, Ventura, and San Luiz Obispo counties. Best of all, it’s affordable enough to consider as part of your daily commute, and there are plenty of trips each day.
Just make sure to grab a seat on the coastal side, if possible!
8. Mount Washington Cog Railway, New Hampshire
The Mount Washington Cog Railway in New Hampshire is the second of the two cog railways in the country. To add to its titles of accomplishment, it’s the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railways, built in 1869, and it’s the second-steepest.
It’s an East Coast marvel, and riding up its steep incline feels like a historic and vertigo-inducing experience. It’s basically like a vernacular train that transports skiers to the top of a mountain, but more historic. Along the route, the train passes thick forests and rocky gorges and eventually reaches a summit with panoramic views.
Summer is beautiful and green, but I recommend bundling up and riding the railway after a snowstorm!
7. Aurora Winter Train from Anchorage to Fairbanks, Alaska
If you dream of witnessing Alaska’s wild beauty inside a cozy, heated train, the Aurora Winter Train is a good option. It travels between Anchorage and Fairbanks, allowing passengers to gaze across the untouched icy landscapes from a comfortable vantage point.
As the name suggests, it only runs during winter, passing incredible landscapes, from dense evergreen forests to valleys blanketed with snow. If you weren’t one of the lucky few to witness the Northern Lights from your hometown recently, you might want to consider a January trip on this wintery wonderland express.
6. Grand Canyon Railway, Arizona
The Grand Canyon is no hidden gem, but did you know it had its very own heritage railway line? There is nothing worse than reaching this bucket list destination just to be stuck behind hundreds of cars trying to get to the same place.
Taking the Grand Canyon Railway is like traveling through time. It transports passengers between Williams, Arizona, through the Sonoran Desert straight to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon without the hassle of traffic or parking.
The cars are vintage, with staff donning their best formalwear, giving a real taste of the Wild West back in its hey day.
5. Skunk Train, California
California’s Skunk Train is as retro as rail travel gets. The Skunk has been chugging through the redwood forests since 1885. It passes through the massive groves, over scenic bridges, and through tunnels before arriving at the stunning Noyo River Canyon.
There are few different routes to choose from, including the Pudding Creek Express, Wolf Creek Turn, and even a few seasonal journeys during Christmas. Journeys last around two hours and are one of the best ways to explore the Mendocino County and redwood forests of California.
4. Cass Scenic Railroad, West Virginia
The Cass Scenic Railroad is both a state park and a heritage train. The train and its track were built in 1901 to carry wood through the West Virginian mountains. Today, it is one of the best-preserved examples of America’s 1900’s locomotive industry.
Its route is a four-and-a-half-hour round trip to the highest peak of Back Allegheny Mountain, West Virginia’s third-highest point. You’ll be glad to know that not much has changed over the century in this part of the Appalachian Mountains.
Its open-air cars with old wood benches make it one of the most unique train rides in the world!
3. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, North Carolina
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad rolls straight through North Carolinas famous mountains, passing the most beautiful lakes, rivers, caves, bridges… The list goes on.
It’s a good thing the railway has two route options because one trip isn’t enough to take in the beauty. The first is a 32-mile, four-hour excursion on the Tuckasegee River Excursion, which includes a lunch stop at the southern town of Dillsboro. Alternatively, the 44-mile Nantahala Gorge Excursion option follows the Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers across Fontana Lake.
There are several different locomotives to choose from, but all of them are restored vintage trains. I recommend booking this trip for fall when the mountains are blanketed in orange and yellow hues.
2. Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, New Mexico
The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad is like a ride straight into the Old West. It snakes along the New Mexico-Colorado border, passing through lush meadows, steep mountain passes, and tunnels carved into the cliffside. In fact, it crosses the border eleven times.
And it’s not all about the scenery. The trains are vintage, and some are even steam-operated, giving passengers a taste of U.S. locomotive history. For the best experience, snag a spot in the open gondola car and breathe in the fresh Rocky Mountain air.
1. Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad, Colorado
The Durango to Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad operates on a classic three-foot wide track – it’s in the name, after all. Its narrow track makes it possible for the train to hug the tight curves through the spectacular Rocky Mountains.
Originally used to haul silver and gold across the Rockies back in the late 1800s, there are now a few routes, including a Christmas special and an overnight package.
Special mention must be made for the San Juan Mountains and the Animas River Canyon, which are no doubt the scenic highlights of the journey.
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