Amtrak's 10 Best Scenic Day Trips

Amtrak's 10 Best Scenic Day Trips - by Ed Perkins/ Smarter Travel Staff/ SmarterTravel.com

"You can argue the relative merits of air and train travel all day, but trains outscore planes every time on one important factor: scenery. With their large windows and comfortable coach seats, trains are unsurpassed for enjoying the countryside as you go.

Amtrak posts a list of what it considers its most scenic trips. Amtrak's list is based on trips that may entail a night or two en route. But you don't have to travel overnight to enjoy spectacular scenery by train. Several Amtrak routes include some spectacular day trips or day-trip segments. I tried to cull the best day-only options between cities with good air and highway access. The final list is mine, not Amtrak's.

Obviously, you can enjoy more daylight sightseeing in the summer than in the winter, but some trips can be good even when you pass through bleak winter snowscapes. Fall trips, of course, can be fantastic for viewing foliage. Check Amtrak's schedules for further details..."


Lake Ontario, New York State (Photo: eva101 via flickr/CC Attribution)


Richard

Thanks for posting. We try to take a train at least one way for one of our timeshare trips per year. It is a great way to decompress on the way to your destination, as well as enjoy the scenery and meet interesting people. I've been able to use Amtrak points (converted from Continental Airline miles and Chase Sapphire points) for one way trips for two in a roomette or bedroom, so we typically take longer trips.

We have taken many of these trains, and currently rate the CA Zephyr and Coast Starlight as our favorites. The Cardinal has some great scenery through West Virginia, but only runs 3 days per week and stops in Cincinnati in the middle of the night. The Empire Builder is also a nice trip, but is currently experiencing major delays due to the oil trains. We have taken it three times, but it has always been dark when it traveling through Glacier Park. We'd really like to take the train through the Canadian Rockies, but fares are very expensive (and I can't use points).

I recomment travel in late spring or early fall. Trains are typically less crowded during those times, and there is still sufficient daylight to enjoy scenery. Frequent trackwork in the summer can also increase the likelihood for delays.

Train travel is a great way to see the country and relax. There may be delays, but I have experienced much greater delays in my frequent air travel.

I too love the Amtrak and look forward to doing more of it. I've done the following trips . . .

Empire Builder (March) from Milwaukee, WI to Whitefish, MT (R/T)

Southwest Chief (May/June) from Chicago, IL to Victorville, CA (R/T)

City of New Orleans (Jan) from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA (R/T)

I'd really love to do some of these New England routes mentioned in the article, but I'm afraid the train may be too limiting as I really want to be able to get out and about to take photos.

I will do the Chicago to California route aboard the CA Zephyr someday!

I'm considering the Empire Builder in November, but not quite sure due to weather concerns. Suggestions?


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Did the California Zephyr from Denver to Glenwood Springs a couple weeks ago and impressed. Just did overnighter to Glenwood Springs but going back in early October for a couple nights. Yes, train was an hour late arriving in Denver from Chicago and two hours late getting back, but seats very comfortable and BYOB.

No problem with late check out at resort due to late train and free shuttle.

Was in Breck this weekend for Oktoberfest and leaves are starting to turn in Colorado mountains so should be great. If have an extra $100K can get a 1 BR deluxe ski in/out during February at Peak 7.

Amazing how 100 or so years ago they blasted through mountains(around 20 tunnels) and laid tracks with out copters, pneumatic tools, back hoes, etc.

RT fare was about $75 pp! Food prices were outrageous but will bring snacks next time.

Had upper unit going, but too many steps for me so got lower coming back and had full window and great views. Best views are on left going or right returning.

Ken555 said:

I'm considering the Empire Builder in November, but not quite sure due to weather concerns. Suggestions?

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What will your route/destination be? I did it in March and it wasn't a problem in terms of winter weather.

Be advised however, that they have had significant schedule delays (in both directions) due to other train traffic, especially through N Dakota & Montana.

Timeshare Von said:

What will your route/destination be? I did it in March and it wasn't a problem in terms of winter weather.



Be advised however, that they have had significant schedule delays (in both directions) due to other train traffic, especially through N Dakota & Montana.

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I plan on the entire run, not really sure which direction yet though likely Seattle - Chicago. I may not even stop in Chicago and continue on to New Orleans, which is why I'm considering it for a colder month.

As for the delays, it's posted on the Amtrak website and several times here. I've read that it will get sorted out sometime soon, but I'm not too concerned.


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The delays mentioned in these posts is an outrage. Passenger trains in the old days used to have priority as the railroads took pride in getting people where they were going on time. That was when the railroads operating the trains owned the track. Nowadays Amtrak has to use track owned by the freight lines and those railroads give priority to their freight, which is why passenger trains get delayed. Then Congress keeps wanting to kill Amtrak because the trains aren't providing decent service or making money. We are one of the only industrialized nations that can't seem to move people by rail. We should be ashamed.

As a huge fan of train travel I haven't taken any day trips on Amtrak but a lot of longer trips.

I've done the Coast Starlight from LA to Seattle, not all on the same trip. From Seattle I continued on to Chicago on the Empire Builder. I'll never forget the sight of a very early sunrise over the buttes of Montana, the hills tinted with pink.

Another trip I went from Chicago to Rhode Island.

One year I and DD, then about 5, took the California Zephyr from Chicago to Sacramento, CA. Three days, two nights straight through. I learned early on to bring my own food. One family on that train had a Styrofoam cooler of food and at the end of the route, just threw it away.

Another time I took the Southwest Chief between Chicago and LA, can't remember which direction.

Also took the overnight Texas Eagle between St. Louis and Austin.

There's probably more but I have definitely ridden a lot of trains! I hope to do some routes in Canada some day.

I love the comfort and the scenery and don't mind (too much) the delays. I just expect to be at least an one late. I do agree it is a crying shame we let our magnificent train system fall into such a condition.