Let Beauty Pass You By
America has some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes in the world, and there's no better way to take in beauty of nature than on a train ride. Not only do you not have to worry about things like rest stops, hotels, and finding food on road trips, but you can also sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. Many of the routes listed come with sightseer lounges filled with floor-to-ceiling windows, but even economy seats will provide drool-worthy views on these 10 routes.
1. California Zephyr
The California Zephyr is regularly named the most beautiful train journey in America. Traveling between Emeryville, California and Chicago, the California Zephyr takes passengers through the Rocky Mountains and the great plains of the midwest. While this journey is 52 hours long without WiFi, it's worth it for the views.
Kabelleger / David Gubler (http://www.bahnbilder.ch) on Wikimedia
2. Coast Starlight
The Coast Starlight snakes up the Pacific Northwest from LA to Seattle. Scenery varies from the Pacific Ocean to the snow-capped peaks of the Cascades, plus, you don't have to worry about any crazy California traffic Keep an eye out for Mt St Helens toward the end (or beginning) of your journey.
3. Southwest Chief
Connecting Chicago with LA, the Southwest Chief is the train to take if you want to make a stop at the Grand Canyon. This route features gorgeous pueblo and mission architecture, Joshua trees, and tiny towns straight out of an old western. This route allows you to follow the Santa Fe trail of old without the risk of dysentery.
Christopher Quinlan on Wikimedia
4. Texas Eagle
The Texas Eagle is the longest train route in America, clocking in 65 hours between Chicago and LA! As this route arcs southwest, you travel across the Mississippi River through the Ozarks (an underrated region if you ask us) to the majesty of Texas. Because this route is so long, you truly have the opportunity to see it all. Make sure you remember the Alamo!
5. Sunset Limited
The most southerly route in Amtrak's roster, the Sunset Limited doesn't get nearly half the credit it deserves. The Sunset Limited first made the trip from New Orleans to LA in 1894 and has been delighting in-the-know travelers ever since. From sunlit bayous to towering mesas, this route has some of the most diverse landscapes Amtrak has to offer; you can even see Mexico from your seat.
Jerry Huddleston from Hampton, Minnesota, US on Wikimedia
6. Amtrak Cascades
If your passport is update to date, hop on Amtrak Cascades from Vancouver to Eugene, OR. Don't mistake this route for Coast Starlight's younger sibling; Cascades features the mighty Columbia River, misty Puget sound, and scenery best appreciated with a coating of freshly-fallen snow. As a bonus, the Bistro Car features selections from Seattle's famed cafes and microbreweries.
7. Empire Builder
The Empire Builder follows in the the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, traveling from Chicago to either Portland or Seattle. To make the most of this route, we recommend traveling east-to-west in summer, that way you get to see see the Rockies and Mississippi River in their literal best light. Don't write-off the plains either, as you have a chance of seeing magnificent wildlife.
8. Capitol Limited
An underrated route, the Capitol Limited runs between DC and Chicago, making stops in Cleveland and Pittsburgh, among other places. This route follows the Potomac to the Alleghany Mountains which, while not as glitzy as the desert or the ocean, offers stunning scenery, particularly around Harper's Ferry. If you book this trip in fall, the way way the sunset hits the leaves is nothing short of magic.
9. Vermonter
If you're planning a trip in autumn, the Vermonter offers you up a buffet of fiery foliage. This runs from Saint Albans, VT to Washington DC with the best views southbound in early fall. If cuddling up by the window in your coziest sweater wasn't enough of a draw, this route also makes stops in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York.
10. Cardinal
Amtrak's best-kept secret, the Cardinal travels from New York to Chicago in a route that is anything but conventional. Chugging through both the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains through to the Shenandoah Valley and white-water rapids. However, what really gives the Cardinal the edge is its jaw-dropping ride under New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia, one of the tallest in the world.
Now that we've explored some of the most scenic routes Amtrak has to offer, let's get into some of the best places to stop.
1. Portland, OR
Portland, one of the coolest cities in the Pacific Northwest (and that's saying a lot) can be reached by the Amtrak Cascades, Coast Starlight, or Empire Builder. Bookworms will have to be dragged out of Powell's, the oldest independent bookstore in the world, while flower children can enjoy the best Japanese gardens outside of Japan.
2. Glacier National Park, MT
Even though Amtrak will take you past National Parks, there's no need to simply admire them from your seat. The seasonal Empire Builder line takes you right to the heart of Glacier National Park. Not that the jaw-dropping scenery needs a bonus, but the station leaves you right in front of the historic Glacier Park Lodge.
3. Muir Woods, CA
Okay, you'll have to do a tiny bit of driving to reach Muir Woods, but if you've already taken the California Zephyr, the drive is less than an hour. Without exaggeration, Muir Woods is one of the most stunning places on earth, home to old growth redwoods that seem to stretch all the way to heaven. This primeval forest has been under federal protection since 1908 and is worth every mile of the trip along the California Zephyr.
4. Mobile, AL
With a name like the Mardi Gras Express, it's only fitting that a route runs from New Orleans to Mobile. While New Orleans may get all the glory, Mobile has plenty to offer visitors with its long history and vibrant mixture of cultures. WWII buffs will love Battleship Memorial Park, while the candy-coloured buildings on Dauphin Street will look great on Instagram grids.
5. Montreal, QC
If your passport is up to date, you can hop over the border for a trip to beautiful Montreal, Quebec. It's easy to think of Montreal as France on a budget with its majestic cathedrals and cobblestone steps, but the city also has a renowned jazz scene, and, of course, bagels and smoked meat. Montreal sees daily service from the Adirondack train
6. St. Louis, MO
The big thing that people know about St. Louis is the Gateway Arch; don't get us wrong, it's an engineering marvel that's a must-see for any visitors, but St. Louis has so much more than that. You can visit the Budweiser clydesdales, bask in nature in Forest Park, or lose a day at the wonderfully weird City Museum. A total of 14 trains pass through St. Louis daily, so you have no shortage of choices.
7. Holland, MI
Holland is exactly what it sounds like: the Netherlands on a budget. This adorable Michigan town was founded by Dutch immigrants in 1847 and wears its heritage on its sleeve, complete with tulip fields and a 264-year-old windmill. Holland is a stop on the Pere Marquette line, which runs between Grand Rapids and Chicago.
8. Lincoln, NE
"What's there to do in Nebraska", we hear you asking, to which we answer: plenty! In addition to wonderful zoo and museum scene (especially for families with children), you can travel underground to the city's first brewery in Robber's Cave. Lincoln is serviced by the California Zephyr, though you may reach your destination at a less-than-ideal hour.
Steve Shook from Moscow, Idaho, USA on Wikimedia
9. Hartford, CT
Literary afficionados won't want to miss out on a trip to Hartford to see Mark Twain's house and the desk where Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin. You also get all the colonial charm of bigger cities like Boston and Philadelphia but with fewer crowds. Hartford is accessible from the aptly-named Amtrak Hartford Line.
10. Portland, ME
This list began in Portland, Oregan, so it's only fitting that it ended in another Portland on the opposite end of the country. Just like Oregan, Maine offers breweries, but these ones are set upon cobblestone streets against the rugged backdrop of the Atlantic. Portland is only a short jaunt from Boston on the Downeaster.
