In a world driven by speed, airports, and digital check-ins, there’s something deeply romantic — and restorative — about slow travel. Train journeys offer a kind of immersive experience that modern transportation can’t replicate. In the United States, where road trips and air travel dominate, scenic rail travel is a hidden gem, one that delivers dramatic landscapes, vintage charm, and an old-world elegance that’s all too rare.
From the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies to the lush wine valleys of Northern California and the dramatic coastline of the Pacific Northwest, these scenic train rides take you back in time — both in pace and perspective.
Whether you’re craving a multi-day epic across vast landscapes or a short nostalgic day trip, these rail journeys prove that the journey can be just as breathtaking as the destination.
1. California Zephyr – Amtrak (Chicago to San Francisco)
Route: Chicago, IL → Emeryville, CA (near San Francisco)
Distance: 2,438 miles
Duration: ~51 hours
The California Zephyr is arguably the most iconic long-distance train ride in America — and for good reason. Traversing seven states and two mountain ranges (the Rockies and Sierra Nevadas), this route offers a masterclass in American geography.
Why it feels like time travel:
The journey recreates the golden age of westward expansion. Glass-domed observation cars harken back to 1950s rail luxury, and when you glide past the Colorado River or through the snowy peaks of the Sierra, you’ll feel like you’re watching history unfold.
Highlights:
- Glenwood Canyon, CO — striking red rock formations
- Moffat Tunnel — piercing the Continental Divide
- Donner Pass — where history, snow, and scenery converge
Insider Tip: Book a roomette or sleeper car for maximum comfort, and head to the Sightseer Lounge early for the best views.
2. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad – North Carolina
Route: Bryson City → Nantahala Gorge or Tuckasegee River
Duration: 4–4.5 hours (round trip)
This heritage railroad winds through the lush Southern Appalachians, passing river gorges, waterfalls, and old trestle bridges that make you feel like you’re in a period film.
Why it feels like time travel:
The vintage steam locomotives, restored 1940s-era passenger cars, and the whistle echoing through forested mountains make this more than a ride — it’s a cinematic throwback.
Highlights:
- Fontana Lake and Nantahala River views
- Special seasonal rides like the Moonshine Experience or the Polar Express
- Charming downtown Bryson City, with a historic depot
Best Time to Go: Autumn, when the foliage turns gold and crimson.
READ ALSO: 7 Most Beautiful Train Rides Around the USA
3. Empire Builder – Amtrak (Chicago to Seattle/Portland)
Route: Chicago, IL → Split to Seattle, WA & Portland, OR
Distance: ~2,200 miles
Duration: ~46 hours
Following much of the path once used by early fur traders and Lewis & Clark, the Empire Builder showcases the grandeur of the Northern Plains, Glacier National Park, and the Cascade Mountains.
Why it feels like time travel:
This route channels the spirit of exploration. There’s an almost uninterrupted horizon for much of North Dakota and Montana — pure prairie isolation that seems unchanged in centuries.
Highlights:
- Glacier National Park’s snow-capped peaks
- Crossing the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers
- Remote stretches of Big Sky Country
Insider Tip: Sit on the north-facing side of the train for the best mountain views.
4. Coast Starlight – Amtrak (Los Angeles to Seattle)
Route: Los Angeles, CA → Seattle, WA
Distance: 1,377 miles
Duration: ~35 hours
This coastal journey is the epitome of slow, scenic travel. Starting in sunny Los Angeles and ending in the lush Pacific Northwest, it offers staggering views of cliffs, forests, and Pacific surf.
Why it feels like time travel:
You’ll trace much of the historic Pacific Coast Highway — but on rails — while passing sleepy seaside towns and misty redwood forests. It’s a cinematic journey full of nostalgia.
Highlights:
- Ocean views near San Luis Obispo and Big Sur
- Cascades and Mount Shasta
- Portland’s steel bridges and Seattle’s skyline
Tip: Don’t miss the Wine Tasting & Cheese Pairing events onboard in the first-class cars.
5. Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad – Colorado & New Mexico
Route: Antonito, CO ↔ Chama, NM
Distance: 64 miles
Duration: Full-day round trip
This narrow-gauge heritage train climbs to over 10,000 feet, winding through canyons and forests on the original 1880s Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad.
Why it feels like time travel:
Wood-burning steam engines, open gondola cars, and hand-built trestles make this ride feel straight out of the Wild West. There are even occasional cowboy reenactments.
Highlights:
- The Toltec Gorge and dramatic switchbacks
- Autumn’s golden aspens
- Period-accurate restoration of locomotives and coaches
Travel Tip: Book the Parlor Car for plush seating, or the open-air gondola for panoramic views.
6. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad – Colorado
Route: Durango → Silverton
Distance: 45 miles
Duration: ~9 hours round trip (with a stop in Silverton)
This is one of America’s most beloved and best-preserved historic railroads. Originally built to haul silver and gold from the San Juan Mountains, it now offers passengers a front-row seat to Colorado’s alpine grandeur.
Why it feels like time travel:
From the vintage cars to the authentic coal-fired locomotive, this train replicates 19th-century mining-era travel in exacting detail.
Highlights:
- Crossing the Highline, a narrow ledge over a 400-foot drop
- The old mining town of Silverton, frozen in time
- Waterfalls, forests, and sheer cliff views
Best Season: Summer through fall, especially during wildflower or leaf-peeping season.
7. Alaska Railroad – Anchorage to Fairbanks (via Denali)
Route: Anchorage → Denali → Fairbanks
Distance: 356 miles
Duration: ~12 hours (one-way)
This isn’t just a train ride — it’s a voyage into the last frontier. With panoramic glass ceilings, onboard dining, and wildlife-spotting guides, the Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star route is unrivaled in its remoteness and grandeur.
Why it feels like time travel:
Alaska’s rugged wilderness, vast glaciers, and untouched forests offer a kind of prehistoric serenity that feels far from modern life.
Highlights:
- Views of Mount Denali, North America’s tallest peak
- Moose and bear sightings
- Traversing glacial valleys and braided rivers
Luxury Option: Upgrade to the GoldStar Service for a glass-domed car and private outdoor viewing platform.
8. Mount Washington Cog Railway – New Hampshire
Route: Marshfield Base Station → Mount Washington Summit
Distance: 3 miles
Duration: ~3 hours round trip
Don’t be fooled by its short length — this is a true engineering marvel. The Mount Washington Cog Railway was the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway when it opened in 1869.
Why it feels like time travel:
You ascend steep grades at slow speeds aboard coal-fired steam engines, climbing one of the Northeast’s most legendary peaks.
Highlights:
- 25% grade incline — among the steepest in the world
- Sweeping views from 6,288 feet above sea level
- Clear days offer views of five states and even Canada
Season Tip: Summer and early fall are ideal, but weather on Mount Washington is famously unpredictable — dress in layers.
9. Cass Scenic Railroad – West Virginia
Route: Cass → Bald Knob
Distance: ~11 miles
Duration: ~4.5 hours round trip
This historic logging railroad travels deep into the Appalachian wilderness on century-old tracks with restored Shay locomotives.
Why it feels like time travel:
This is industrial-age rail travel at its most authentic. You’ll hear the groaning of gears, smell the coal smoke, and climb through misty forests once used for timber runs.
Highlights:
- Bald Knob overlook — one of West Virginia’s highest points
- Historic Cass Town — a living museum of rail life
- Original locomotives and switchbacks from the 1900s
Pro Tip: Book in advance for fall foliage rides — they’re some of the best in the eastern U.S.
Why Train Travel Is Making a Comeback
With road rage, airport chaos, and environmental awareness on the rise, slow travel is no longer just romantic — it’s practical. Scenic rail journeys offer:
- Low-stress travel: No TSA lines, no baggage fees.
- Eco-conscious options: Trains have a lower carbon footprint per passenger mile.
- A social experience: Dine, relax, and even strike up conversations with fellow travelers.
- True immersion: The landscape isn’t a blur — it’s the show.
Final Thoughts
Train travel in the U.S. may not be the fastest or flashiest way to get around — and that’s the point. These rides allow you to appreciate vast, often-overlooked corners of the country in a way few other forms of travel can. They invite you to slow down, look out the window, and connect with the terrain in a deep, almost poetic way.
If you’ve never traveled by train, start with one of these journeys. And if you’ve already fallen in love with the rails? There’s a good chance one of these vintage routes is your next great American escape.
In another related article, How to Find Cheap Train Tickets
