9 Most Beautiful Amtrak Rides In The United States

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The United States Amtrak train system isn’t talked about nearly enough. While it’s not the Glacier Express in Switzerland or the Flam Railway in Norway, it’s still pretty great for not having to hop on a plane ride across the Atlantic.

If you’re looking to kick back, relax, and take in the views of some of the most beautiful landscapes throughout the United States, I’ve got the perfect recommendations for you.

1. Coast Starlight

Views on one of the most beautiful Amtrak rides in the United States from the California Starlight.

The Coast Starlight is a train ride from Washington to Southern California. This gorgeous train ride will take you between L.A. and Seattle, passing through beautiful areas like Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Portland, and more!

To top it all off, this train ride happens every day! Not only will you experience passing by the beautiful Cascade Mountain Range, but you will also appreciate views of the Pacific Ocean. It’s by far the most beautiful train ride in the United States.

2. California Zephyr

The California Zephyr Amtrak car, one of the most scenic train routes in the U.S.

Next up on this list is the long train ride from Chicago to California. On the California Zephyr, you can travel from the Midwest to San Francisco. The trip takes a whopping 52 hours but is well worth it for the views and memories.

I recommend booking a roomette or bedroom on board this train to enhance your experience. Along the journey, you’ll pass through Omaha, Denver, and Salt Lake City, just to name a few!

3. Pacific Surfliner

The Pacific Surfliner, one of the most scenic Amtrak rides in the United States as it passes along the Pacific Coast.

Another of my favorite train rides in the United States is the Pacific Surfliner. As the name suggests, this beautiful train ride takes you along the Pacific Coast. It’s a little over 350 miles and takes about 9 hours, but time will fly aboard this train as you take in the spectacular views of the ocean and beaches you pass by.

This is definitely one of the best ways to appreciate California’s coast as you travel from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. And the cherry on top? You won’t be stuck in that infamous California traffic. Instead, onboard the Amtrak, you can take in the views, walk around, or even nap.

4. Lake Shore Limited

A train seat with mountains in the distance.

Like the name suggests, the Lake Shore Limited Amtrak Route is all about lakes. This train ride takes you from Chicago to New York City, and along the way, you’ll pass by Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, the Mohawk River, and many more incredible landscapes.

As someone who grew up visiting different lakes, I’m all about this train ride. It’s a short distance, but it’s still enough distance to provide a fun ride with unique scenery.

5. Empire Builder

A train pulling into Minneapolis as it snows.

The Empire Builder is another lengthy train ride that is well worth experiencing for yourself. This train ride is 46 hours long but takes you from Chicago to Seattle.

On board your train, you’ll appreciate views of the Mississippi, the Minneapolis skyline, and the North Dakota Plains, as well as the unbelievable mountainous scenery of Montana and onwards to Seattle. There’s never a dull moment aboard this train as the landscapes change frequently, and the mountain views will leave you in awe.

6. Sunset Limited

The sun setting while people ride on a train.

If you want to uncover the bayou, some of America’s most beautiful shores, the southwestern desert, and the mountains in California, this train ride is for you. The Sunset Limited Route will take you all the way from Louisiana to California.

This train ride is not for the faint of heart. The journey lasts three days, but the scenery is well worth it. You’ll be able to capture glimpses of the Louisiana Bayou, the desert, and mountain ranges along this path. It’s the southernmost route that Amtrak offers and is an experience unlike anything else.

7. Southwest Chief

An Amtrak that is sitting in the station.

The Southwest Chief is all about venturing through the Southwest. The Thai train journey will take you from Chicago to Los Angeles as you pass through areas of the country known for their ranches, pristine landscapes, and Western vibes.

If you’ve never witnessed the Southwest, this train ride is well worth it for the desert views.

8. Winter Park Express

An Amtrak train with snowy mountain views.

There’s nothing like taking the Winter Park Express. This short journey from the heart of Denver to Winter Park is the perfect winter adventure. Not only will you surpass the I-70 traffic, but you won’t have to worry about parking hassles either. On this seasonal winter train ride, you can board the Amtrak and get off just steps from the slopes.

The cherry on top is that you can bring your board and skis at no additional cost. If you’re looking to hit the slopes this coming winter, the Winter Park Express should definitely be on your travel bucket list.

9. Vermonter

An Amtrak train traveling with snow surrounding it.

If you want to head from Washington D.C. to Burlington, Vermont, this is the way to do it. This scenic journey takes you through many states, including New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and others. It’s the perfect way to kick back and relax while traveling up the East Coast.

I’ve personally driven from Virginia to Vermont and can vouch for how nice train travel up the East Coast is because you can take in the views, nap, and walk around without being in charge of driving or sitting in traffic.

This journey takes about 14 hours but is well worth it for the different landscapes you’ll see. I recommend taking this route during the winter to head up to Vermont for its fantastic snow conditions and world-class ski resorts!