Knowing the ten best train trips in the United States is an exciting topic for those who love tourism. We are talking about fans exploring different countries through the railways’ routes that cross them.
It is a unique activity for travelers who want to immerse themselves in natural landscapes before reaching their destination. They consider it the best way to enjoy the world’s spaces through which they move.
This North American country offers a lot to its visitors, from forests full of vegetation to passing through frosts, great prairies, and rivers. So, if you are interested in the subject, this article is for you. Here we develop a top of the ten best options to tour this country by locomotive.
Your best options for train travel over the United States
Numerous options are available today to the traveler to travel anywhere in the world, by air, sea, or land. However, this time we will address what we consider the best train trips in the United States.
Grand Canyon Railway (Arizona)
We are talking about the famous Grand Canyon, whose rails border countless trees. Pines, near-gold poplars, first spruces corresponding to the Kaibab Protected Forest, and more will accompany you on the trip. It is a unique tour that, without a doubt, you will enjoy more than you can.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway (Georgia)
Traversing the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia, it runs through its spaces along the Toccoa River. It truly is one of the best train rides in America. And it also implies a stop in the towns of McCaysville and Copperhill, in Georgia and Tennessee, respectively.
The Mount Washington Cogwheel Railway in New Hampshire
It is the first train in the world to reach the top of a mountain, a true feat of engineering. This tour takes about three hours round trip, and you can only enjoy it until the end of November. It implies you should book it in advance since travelers highly demand it.
Durango & Silverton Route in Colorado and its narrow-gauge train
Crossing the San Juan National Forest, this train makes it easy to appreciate the beauty of the west of the country. Next to the Animas River, you can see old, abandoned mining camps. Also, there are paths and even old carts with vast peaks in the background.
Napa Valley Wine Train (California)
In addition to the incomparable landscapes in California, traveling on this train will allow you to taste excellent wines. Among the different travel packages, some tours include a variety of lunches and dinners.
Adirondack Scenic Train (New York)
It offers wonderful travel between Utica and Lake Placid via historic railcars, covering villages like Thendara and Saranac. Among its unique events is the possibility of tasting wines and beers. But it also allows you to celebrate events such as Halloween and even Christmas.
The train next to the Great Smoky Mountains (North Carolina)
Through this train, you will be able to appreciate more than 125 tree types along the way and about 1000 flowering plants. Likewise, the landscape has more than 300 animal specimens, which makes this trip an excellent instrument to appreciate nature fully.
It even also offers gastronomic packages and extraordinary events such as Halloween. All of this makes it one of the best train rides in America.
Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad and Museum (Washington)
Here are the “Autumn Leaves” trips starting Saturdays and Sundays in October. These whisk passengers between black poplars, red alders, dense coniferous forests, dogwoods, and vine maples.
On the other hand, it offers private trips and even a reconstruction of the civil war for those interested in September. For this and more, it is a suitable option for those who seek to integrate natural beauty and American historical knowledge.
Hocking Valley Scenic Railroad (Ohio)
Traversing rolling hills between Nelsonville and Logan, this train has been ferrying passengers along the winding Hocking River since 1972. In October, they facilitate special train trips for those interested in observing the natural foliage, while others in November relate to Santa Claus.
Steam train and river Essex barge (in Connecticut)
Through this train travel, you can cross land and river-type waters, allowing you to enjoy a boat ride on the Connecticut River. You can also visit New England towns and Pratt Cove’s swampy areas. It also facilitates historical journeys with memorable narratives about them.
The Polar Express across the United States
In addition to the best train trips in the United States mentioned above; it is worth highlighting some options called Polar Express. It is because they are prominent in areas of this country linked to cold snowfalls or at least Christmas. It is something that many prefer:
- Alaska’s Aurora Winter Train.
- Christmas Feast Train from Strasburg, Pennsylvania.
- Holiday Trains, Arkansas and Missouri.
- Canyon & Christmas Trains, Arizona.
- Nightcaps with St. Nick, Tennessee.
- Christmas Tree Train, Colorado.
Among these, you will be able to find options for those top ten mentioned above in case you prefer its essence. Undoubtedly, the range of travel in the United States is limitless.
Travel by train to integrate yourself into nature through modern transport.
Undoubtedly many options are available for human beings to move from one place to another in the modernity in which we live. However, nothing is better than the trains for those who want to get to know the places they travel in depth.
Among these, you will be able to appreciate the natural beauty of the places you pass through. Well, it also allows you to reflect on the nature and humanity of their respective society. Therefore, when looking to integrate and draw conclusions about a specific place, traveling by train may be your best option.
