Best train vacation in usa
One of best ways to have a comfortable and exciting time is traveling and visit new places, this way you can discover more about the new cultures and traditions. If we talk about train vacations in USA, you should know that they are highly recommended by many people who did this kind of trip. The US trains are comfortable, safe and enjoyable.
With so many travel options, it is hard to distinguish the good from bad. Booking a train vacation in USA has its advantages — it’s a comfortable and relaxing mode of travel and boasts a great scenic view if you’re heading through hills and mountains.
When planning a holiday, most of people choose to travel by plane. But if you are looking for an awesome adventure, why not to try something different? It can give you the opportunity to see everything from the top in the train vacation packages.
The best train vacation in USA is the California Zephyr. The California Zephyr is a long-distance passenger train route operated by Amtrak, running between Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area. It runs through Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado and California.
The route of the California Zephyr runs through some of the most scenic areas in America and is a treat for anyone who loves trains and nature.
The best train vacation in the US is a trip on the Pacific Coast Scenic Railroad. This train runs through the Columbia River Gorge, which is known for being one of the most scenic places in America. The train also passes through several small towns, where you can stop to explore local shops and restaurants.
This route is perfect for travelers who want to experience nature without having to worry about driving or parking. The train will drop you off at each stop so that you can explore without worrying about returning by a certain time.
The Pacific Coast Scenic Railroad also offers special packages where visitors can spend more than just one day on the train. These packages include lodging at one of their hotels or resorts, as well as tickets for various other attractions and tours around Oregon and Washington state.
The Hogwarts Express. The Polar Express. Thomas the Tank Engine. Fictional though they are, these and other scenic train rides often inspire kids to dream about train vacations. And while real-life train trips might not take you to that famous school for witchcraft and wizardry, Amtrak vacations and other North American scenic train rides can be just as magical for families.
“A rail vacation offers families an opportunity to unplug from their day-to-day routines, slow down, and reconnect with each other,” says Heather Leisman, President of Vacations by Rail. Train vacations also allow everyone in the family an opportunity to see and appreciate the scenery while leaving driving to someone else. “Families can relax in their seat or private cabin, spread out in one of the lounge cars for a different perspective on the passing scenery, and enjoy delicious meals in the dining cars,” Leisman adds.
Amtrak Vacations in North America
For families who love scenic train rides, Amtrak offers inclusive vacation packages on rail lines throughout North America. Here are the top train vacations for families offered by Amtrak.
Pacific Surfliner
Amtrak vacations aboard the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner wind their way along 351 miles of scenic Southern California coastline. Passengers can take in ocean views, beaches, mountains, vineyards, and nearly two dozen towns from San Diego (one of the best spots for family beach vacations in the country) all the way north to San Luis Obispo on one of these Amtrak vacations.
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Hop off at Anaheim to visit the world-famous Disneyland Resort, and pop in on Los Angeles for all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. On the final leg of this scenic train journey, you can take in the historic missions from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo.
Ethan Allen Express
From Gotham to the Green Mountains, Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express is a scenic trip through the Hudson River Valley that offers spectacular views of the fall foliage. The route starts off at Penn Station in New York City and travels nearly 250 miles north to Rutland, Vermont. Notable stops along the way include Croton-Harmon (the closest Amtrak station to the Halloween haven of Sleepy Hollow, New York) and Saratoga Springs, New York (home of the oldest horse racing track in the country).
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In Rutland, families on Amtrak vacations can catch a shuttle to the ski areas of Killington and Pico Mountain, or hike the Long Trail that runs along the spine of the Green Mountains the entire length of the state of Vermont. Work is underway to extend the rail line from Rutland all the way north to Burlington (on the shores of Lake Champlain), including a stop in the idyllic residential college town of Middlebury.
Amtrak Auto Train
Planning a vacation to the Orlando theme parks? Want to save the cost of a rental car when you arrive? Amtrak’s Auto Train will transport your family and your vehicle nearly 900 miles from Lorton, Virginia, to Sanford, Florida, just mouse steps from Walt Disney World and its resort hotels.
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The nonstop route departs Virginia at 4:00 p.m. and arrives the next morning in Florida at 9:00 a.m. The Auto Train has bi-level Superliner Sleeping Cars with a variety of cabins, including a family bedroom that can accommodate two adults and two children. Complimentary dinner and breakfast are included for families booked in private rooms.
California Zephyr
One of the premier overnight journeys in the U.S., Amtrak’s California Zephyr is also one of the most epic Amtrak vacations, traveling 2,400 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Emeryville, California (across the bay from San Francisco). The entire route takes three days and two nights; families can board or disembark at either end or at any of the 30-plus stations along the way.
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During the trip, you’ll witness those amber waves of grain and that purple mountain majesty before arrive at the shining sea. The Zephyr includes an observation car with Sightseer Lounge to take in the Rocky Mountains; Colorado’s Gore, Byers, and Glenwood Canyons; and other scenic highlights along the way. The formal dining car serves three meals a day, complimentary for guests traveling in private rooms.
More Scenic Train Rides in North America
Here are some of the best scenic train rides in North America that make for great train vacations for everyone in the family.
Grand Canyon Railway
The Grand Canyon Railway first brought passengers and supplies from Williams, Arizona, to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in 1901, and numerous celebrities and dignitaries have taken the 65-mile scenic train ride. Today, families still depart for train vacations from the historic Williams Depot and arrive at the Grand Canyon Depot just 200 yards from the canyon’s edge and near the El Tovar Hotel, one of the most beautiful national park lodges in the country.
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Along the way, riders get a glimpse of Old West territory, including high desert plains, small arroyos, and ponderosa pine forest. Trip highlights include a daily Wild West shootout, lively characters such as the Cataract Creek Gang and Railway Marshal, and roaming western singers aboard the train. Multiple classes of service are available for the roughly two-hour one-way journey. Round-trip travel time is approximately eight hours and includes a four-hour stopover at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Families can also stay overnight (or multiple nights) at the Grand Canyon and return to Williams on the regularly scheduled train ride at a later date.
Rocky Mountaineer First Passage to the West
For older kids, teens, and multi-generational groups, look to the Rocky Mountaineer First Passage to the West for great train vacations over the Canadian Rockies. First Passage to the West travels between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Banff, Alberta, with two days onboard the luxurious train.
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The scenic train route traverses the Continental Divide, travels through the fabled Spiral Tunnels, and over mountain passes and dramatic canyons. This is the only passenger train vacation service along the historic rail route that first connected Canada’s East and West.
Rocky Mountaineer Rockies to the Red Rocks
The Rocky Mountaineer Rockies to the Red Rocks route is a two-day scenic train ride connecting Denver, Colorado, and Moab, Utah, including an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Between Denver and Glenwood Springs, guests travel alongside the Colorado River through a series of steep, rugged rock canyons. The route from Glenwood Springs to Moab offers a variety of scenery, including mountain vistas, desert cliffs, and rock formations.
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Glenwood Springs sits at the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers, and is known for its hot springs and outdoor recreation. The railroad’s SilverLeaf Plus service includes panoramic glass dome cars, local cuisine, and onboard storytelling. Train vacation packages allow families to explore more of the region including Salt Lake City or Las Vegas.