12 Most Panoramic Train Rides Across the U.S.

Whether it’s an epic, multi-day Amtrak trip or a much shorter journey you have in mind, there are some genuinely mind-blowing train routes to take in the US. Hop on board in Chicago, Los Angeles, Anchorage, Manhattan, the Smokies, or even Hawaii for the experience of a lifetime. From Coast Starlight or the Southwest Chief to the Rocky Mountaineer or the Napa Valley Wine Train, these US rail routes guarantee picture-perfect views.

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Southwest Chief

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The Southwest Chief is an Amtrak route encompassing over 2,000 miles between Chicago and Los Angeles. Highlights during the 40-hour trip include the majestic Mississippi River, fertile Illinois farmland, the spartan Mojave Desert, and the red earth of New Mexico.

Hawaiian Railway Society

The Hawaiian Railway Society trip takes in sweeping views from Kahe Point. You’ll also pass sugar plantations, breathtaking beaches, and even a ghost town. An ice cream – or Dole whip – stop is even built into the two-hour itinerary.

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Head for the hills by boarding this historic railroad service in compact Bryson City. Book your four-and-a-half hour trip for fall if you can, when the North Carolina foliage is spectacular. However, fabulous views of Nantahala Gorge, Fontana Lake, and the Nantahala River are guaranteed whenever you take your journey.

Coast Starlight

Let an Amtrak train transport you between Los Angeles and Seattle in style. You’ll cover well over 1,350 miles during the 36-hour journey. Head to the sightseeing lounge car for full-length panoramic windows, passing the likes of Santa Barbara, San Francisco, and Sacramento while heading north.

Napa Valley Wine Train

The Napa Valley Wine Train was built in 1865 to take visitors to a Calistoga spa. Now, you can take a three-hour round trip on board to see the rolling vineyards of California. Sampling the local wines while traveling past the local farmland is de rigueur.

Maple Leaf

The clue is in the name of the Maple Leaf. If you travel in the fall, you’ll enjoy all the glorious foliage of the northeastern US before breaking the border into Canada. Boarding at Manhattan’s Penn Station only adds to the sense of adventure.

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Grand Canyon Railway

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We’re blissfully unaware if there’s a better way to see the gargantuan crevasse than via the Grand Canyon Railway. Hop on in Williams to head out to the canyon for the day. En route, you’ll pass through the Sonoran Desert and fragrant pine forests before having free time to explore one of America’s most famous natural wonders.

Cass Scenic Railroad

If you want to see West Virginia’s mountain highway, take the Cass Scenic Railroad. Dating back to 1901, it was initially constructed for transporting wood. Now, the locomotive can whisk you to 4,842 feet above sea level at Bald Knob.

California Zephyr

Amtrak’s California Zephyr passes through both the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada. While the entire route can transport you between Chicago and San Francisco in just over 50 hours, the western section is undoubtedly the most picturesque.

Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic

The Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic can transport you through America’s wilderness state. Along the way, you’ll see the Kenai Peninsula’s lovely woodland, glaciers, and waterfalls. Board in Anchorage, bound for Resurrection Bay and the port city of Seward.

The Rocky Mountaineer

Cabins made using as much glass as possible ensure magnificent mountain views for those riding the Rocky Mountaineer. Expect to see red rocks aplenty from the vast windows while sipping on a cocktail. It’s the very definition of traveling in style.

Cascades

The classic Cascades Amtrak train runs from Portland all the way to Vancouver in Canada. Eight hours pass quickly when you take in such stunning scenery, including the mighty Columbia River, picturesque Mount St. Helens, and pretty Puget Sound.