Vacation On Train Usa
Traveling in the USA can be a hectic experience. With all the hotels, flights, and activities, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. And that is where the vacation on train usa steps in.
When it comes to vacation options in the United States, trains are vastly under-utilized. There are tours that can be scheduled to visit every large city in North America, with in-depth guided tours of some of the most historic sites as well as many scarcely visited national parks. Bus tours can also be taken and many feature onboard movies, guided commentary and sometimes truly delicious meals. But, those looking for an authentic travel experience that is still eye-opening and stimulating will thoroughly enjoy their vacation if they actually get on and ride a train across America.
Vacationing by train began in the 19th century, when railroad owners started offering special deals for their best customers. Today, as a result of major cutbacks in rail service and fewer people traveling by train, these great vacation deals on trains are hard to find. But you can still create your own great vacation packages with the help of an expert rail travel agency. A well planned vacation can be the most relaxing way to travel, especially if you take part in educational or cultural rail excursions, or if you just enjoy train watching along your route.
For travelers who’d rather spend their vacations on trains, Amtrak is an alternative choice. It offers about 500 destinations across 46 states and five Canadian provinces for a varied range of travel experiences. If you’re looking for an adventure, check out the Amtrak packages in seven exciting locations:
Are you looking for a memorable vacation in the United States? Train travel is one of the most authentic and enjoyable ways to see small towns and cities in America. It’s also a great way to take a break from your everyday life.
Vacation On Train Usa
There’s an intangible charm to traveling by train in the United States. Ride in comfort as you glide past the skyscrapers of the Northeast and through the prairies of the Midwest, alongside gushing rivers and across the western desertscapes and mountains.
Historic stations, with massive windows, marble pillars, chandeliers, and terrazzo floors, are time capsules, providing a glimpse into the glamorous locomotive past and acting as gateways to the many national parks and cultural attractions the country has to offer.
The day the ceremonial golden spike connected the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads in 1869 in Promontory, Utah, life in the country changed forever. The 1,912-mile Transcontinental Railroad made travel and transportation of goods out west easier, revolutionizing the young nation and fueling the economy. The gilded age of train travel may have been replaced by the speed of airplanes, but the romance of journeying by rail remains.
Although many of the original tracks have been abandoned, and Amtrak has built newer rail paths, traveling between states and across the country is easier and more comfortable than ever. Passengers can choose from organized tours, regional and vintage railroad companies, Amtrak Vacations, and curated experiences. Enjoy spectacular vistas as you leisurely make your way to your destination, taking advantage of luxuriously appointed rooms, dining cars, and modern amenities.
Get inspired for your next rail adventure with our list of the best train rides in the United States.
Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.
1. Grand Canyon Railway
Ride the historic cars of the Grand Canyon Railway to one of the nation’s grandest national parks on a Grand Canyon Railway Adventure tour. The rail line opened in 1901 and now operates on recycled waste vegetable oil from restaurants in Williams, Arizona and the South Rim.
The train offers six classes of service, including First, Coach, Pullman, Observation Dome, Luxury Dome, and Luxury Parlor. The Pullman class harkens to 1923 trail voyages, with bench seating and windows that open to fresh air.
Before embarking on your journey in Williams, catch a Wild West shootout show at an outdoor theater. On the full-day round trip, take in the dramatic views of the Grand Canyon while being entertained by Western music and reenactments by railway characters and cowboys. Traverse through pine forests, sprawling prairies, and the San Francisco peaks to reach the iconic park.
Once there, choose from a number of activities, including a motor coach rim tour of the Grand Canyon with stops at highlights such as Hermits Rest, Mohave Point, the Abyss, and Pima Point. Upgraded First Class passengers get a buffet lunch at the Maswik Lodge at the Grand Canyon.
Accommodation: Best Hotels at the Grand Canyon
2. Amtrak Coast Starlight
Travel alongside the jaw-dropping Pacific coastline and visit western urban centers on the legendary Amtrak Coast Starlight. The Starlight, equipped with Superliner sleeping, sightseer lounging, and dining cars, takes you on a 36-hour trek from Seattle to Los Angeles. The route stops in Portland, Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Santa Barbara, passing by dramatic coastal cliffs, Mount Rainier, the Cascade Mountains, and Puget Sound.
The train has a bi-level coach class featuring long-distance amenities including extra legroom, foot and leg rests, and curtains. Sit on the west side on the upper level for the best views. Upgrade to a private room for perks, including priority boarding, premium dining, and turndown service. Family rooms are available, each accommodating up to four people and featuring private toilet and shower facilities; all private room rates include onboard meals.
3. Amtrak Empire Builder
If long train odysseys across the country are up your alley, then the Amtrak Empire Builder traces the steps of Lewis & Clark through the heartland, from Chicago to the Pacific Northwest. The one-way, 46-hour journey delivers majestic views of the Great Plains, Mississippi River, Glacier National Park, Gassman Coulee Trestle, and Montana’s Big Sky Country.
The train has a sleeping car, lounging car, and a dining car to make your ride as comfortable as possible. Family rooms and accessible rooms are available, and there are a variety of onboard dining options; however, there is no Wi-Fi service. Each station stop can last anywhere from five minutes to over half an hour, so at times there may be opportunities to hop out and grab a bite to eat, but passengers should be aware that the train will leave at its scheduled time, with or without ticketed passengers.
During warmer months, a volunteer from the National Park Service through the Trails & Rails program boards the train between Shelby, Montana, and Seattle, providing information on the landscapes, habitats, and history.
Trains depart daily to Spokane; upon arrival, you can choose to travel to Seattle or down the Columbia River Gorge to Portland.
4. Rocky Mountaineer
The Rockies to Red Rocks experience is quite different than others, offering a unique approach to rail travel dedicated to sightseeing between Moab, Utah and Denver, Colorado. The first thing passengers will notice is the train cars, custom-designed to maximize views for everyone on board. Standard class cars are one story, featuring large windows that extend up onto the roof, allowing passengers to catch every detail of the landscape.
The other unique aspect of these train tours is the overnight accommodation and opportunity to explore sights along the way. Unlike passenger trains that run from one stop to the next on a tight schedule, the Rocky Mountaineer stops in a city each evening, where passengers disembark and spend the night at a hotel. In addition to being a far more comfortable option, it means that all rail travel is done by daylight, so that passengers don’t miss a thing.
“Gold Leaf” passengers are treated to a two-level car with all seating on the top level, which features windows that extend up and over, with only a narrow band obscuring the center of the ceiling. The lower level is a separate dining area, which serves all meals to order from an a-la-carte menu. Standard fare passengers also enjoy all meals as part of the package, served at their seats.
The basic tour package includes all meals, hotel stays, and narration during the train ride by knowledgeable guides. It lasts two days, starting in Moab with an overnight in Glenwood Springs and then on to Denver. Longer packages are also available, including a round-trip sightseeing tour with four days on the train, two full days in Moab, and plenty of time to explore Denver. Other packages include sightseeing flights and time in Las Vegas before an extended stay along the train route, as well as an option to add motor coach portions and a guided tour of Bryce Canyon.
Accommodation: Top-Rated Resorts in Denver, CO
5. Amtrak California Zephyr
Using a combination of Transcontinental Railroad routes and new tracks, Amtrak’s California Zephyr transports passengers across America on an extraordinary two-day expedition. The 2,300-mile, 51-hour-long trip, touted as the most scenic in the country, begins in Chicago and ends in Emeryville, California, located just outside San Francisco in California.
Going across the endless prairies of Nebraska, the scenic Rocky Mountains outside Denver, rugged red rock country in Utah, and the snowcapped Sierra Nevadas, the rail voyage retraces the steps of the early pioneers who settled the Wild West.
The train includes a dining, sightseer lounge, and Sleepliner cars that come with roomettes and bedroom suites (some that can easily accommodate up to six people). Major stops include Omaha, Denver, and Salt Lake City.
The train doesn’t have Wi-Fi, and cellular service is spotty, so bring your own downloaded content, books, and board games for entertainment. Amtrak allows you to bring a small cat or dog with you for a separate fare.