Not every memorable journey starts at an airport. Across the U.S. and beyond, some of the most memorable travel experiences happen on the rails. With panoramic windows, unhurried pace, and ever-changing views, scenic train rides offer a grounded way to explore landscapes that planes just pass over.
Here’s a list of 16 scenic train routes that let you skip the plane without missing out on the views.
Coast Starlight (California to Washington)
Running between Los Angeles and Seattle, the Coast Starlight shows off the West Coast’s best angles. You’ll pass ocean cliffs, snow-dusted mountains, and dense forests, all without needing a pair of hiking boots.
The observation car has floor-to-ceiling windows—perfect for catching that golden Pacific sunset. It’s a long ride, but the scenery more than makes up for the hours.
Rocky Mountaineer (Colorado to Utah)
This luxury train through the Rockies skips overnight travel, so you don’t miss a single canyon or cliff. It rolls past red rocks, mountain tunnels, and deep gorges—all while serving meals that rival upscale restaurants.
The glass-domed coaches let you look up as well as out, turning even a simple bend in the tracks into a show. It’s the kind of ride where looking out the window never gets old.
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Grand Canyon Railway (Arizona)
This route brings you right to the South Rim, but the trip there is just as special. Departing from Williams, Arizona, the train crosses wide-open high desert and thick pine forests before reaching the canyon.
Musicians and actors on board create an old-timey Wild West feel without making it cheesy. By the time you arrive, the Grand Canyon feels earned—not just seen.
Amtrak’s Adirondack (New York to Montreal)
The stretch between Albany and Montreal is where this ride really shines. You’ll skirt the Hudson River, pass by vineyards, and glide through the Adirondack Mountains with Lake Champlain to your side.
It’s especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves shift from green to blazing orange and red. Bring a sweater and lean into the cozy, scenic vibe.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge (Colorado)
This historic steam train climbs along cliffs above the Animas River with barely a guardrail in sight. It’s not for the faint of heart—but the views of the San Juan Mountains are unforgettable.
With open-air cars and a slow pace, the ride feels more like a moving lookout than transportation. You’ll probably end up with soot on your shirt and a hundred photos on your phone.
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Alaska Railroad (Anchorage to Fairbanks)
From glaciers to moose, this route has more natural highlights than most road trips. The train cuts through remote valleys, mountain passes, and thick boreal forests that you can’t access any other way.
It’s one of the rare places where you might spot a bear from your seat. In winter, there’s a chance of seeing the northern lights shimmer above the tracks.
California Zephyr (Chicago to San Francisco)
This is one of Amtrak’s most scenic long-haul routes, crossing plains, rivers, and multiple mountain ranges. It climbs the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada, offering views you’d miss from any freeway or flight path.
It’s a great ride for thinking, writing, or just watching America roll by. Time slows down—but in a way that feels welcome.
White Pass & Yukon Route (Alaska)
Built during the Klondike Gold Rush, this narrow-gauge railway hugs the side of cliffs with mountain peaks overhead. The ride is short but intense, especially with the vintage train cars and sharp drops.
Views of glaciers, waterfalls, and rugged terrain make it one of Alaska’s most thrilling train journeys. It feels part-adventure, part-history lesson.
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Amtrak’s Empire Builder (Chicago to Seattle)
This cross-country train covers a lot of ground, but the stretch through Glacier National Park steals the show. Massive alpine meadows and jagged peaks stretch past the windows, and wildlife sightings aren’t uncommon.
The ride also gives you a front-row seat to the vast Great Plains before things get mountainous. It’s the type of journey that reminds you just how wide the country really is.
Mount Washington Cog Railway (New Hampshire)
This steep climb to the highest peak in the Northeast isn’t your average ride—it’s more like a vertical challenge. The cog system helps the train ascend sharply through thick forests and above the tree line.
Once at the summit, you’re above the clouds on clear days. It’s a quick trip, but the altitude shift and sweeping views pack a punch.
Cass Scenic Railroad (West Virginia)
Originally built for logging, this old-school steam train now hauls tourists instead of timber. The ride is rugged and slow, winding through switchbacks and steep grades in the Appalachian Mountains.
You’ll hear every creak of the tracks and smell the wood-fired engine as you climb. It’s a throwback kind of ride—and that’s part of the charm.
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Verde Canyon Railroad (Arizona)
This desert ride winds through red rock canyons and along the Verde River, with bald eagles often spotted overhead. Open-air cars and shaded lounges offer two ways to take in the view.
The slow speed lets you really absorb the layered cliffs and cottonwood groves. It’s a quieter, less touristy alternative to some of Arizona’s busier spots.
The Cascades (Oregon to British Columbia)
This route connects Eugene, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver—stringing together some of the Northwest’s best scenery. Forested hills, river valleys, and Puget Sound views fill the windows, especially between Portland and Seattle.
The trains are fast, sleek, and modern, making them an easy pick for scenic day trips. Even locals ride it just for the view.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (North Carolina)
This heritage route runs deep into the heart of the Smokies, with river crossings and mountain tunnels along the way. Depending on the season, you’ll see wildflowers, fall foliage, or snow-dusted peaks.
Some rides feature open gondola cars or themed excursions, but the landscape is the real draw. It’s a relaxed way to see the mountains up close.
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Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner (California)
Running along the Southern California coast, this train offers ocean views for much of its journey between San Diego and San Luis Obispo. You’ll pass cliffs, surf towns, and even beaches where the sand nearly touches the tracks.
It’s one of the few rides where you can actually watch surfers from your seat. Pair it with a sunset, and it doesn’t get more West Coast than that.
The Cardinal (New York to Chicago)
This lesser-known route cuts through the Appalachian Mountains and Shenandoah Valley, with rivers, tunnels, and ridges lining the way. It’s quieter than some of Amtrak’s major routes, but the views feel personal and untouched.
The train moves through small towns and remote countryside that most people only ever fly over. It’s a peaceful kind of beauty—slow and steady.
The Scenic Route Still Matters
In a world that moves fast, these train rides remind us that there’s value in taking the long way. They offer more than just a way to get from one place to another—they turn the journey itself into something worth remembering.
With every curve in the track, you’re not just watching the landscape change—you’re part of it. There’s still magic in travel that doesn’t require a boarding gate.
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