Even if you’re not really into trains, riding a scenic railroad is a lot of fun, especially if it really is, well, scenic.
Here are the 10 Best Scenic Train Rides, as voted by readers of USA Today (in 2021). Once you see the photos and read the descriptions, you’ll want to ride these. And if you really love trains, this book on tourist trains is for you.
After you vote in the poll below, leave us a comment and tell us about your favorite tourist train or scenic railroad that you’ve ever been on. We’re looking forward to reading your comments. Thanks!
Oh, and make sure you read Cheri’s story from last weekend about the gorgeous Sky Railway in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
My husband an ex engineer, and I love little RR and scenic routes. In Hungary we experienced 2 one in llifiord in northern Hungary and the Children’s RR run by very sharp teens and tweens in Budapest. We love to take kids and learn about a bygone era that needs to be revived and treasured
We only found one in our travels, Strasburg Rail Road and enjoyed it very much. Unfortunately there are no RR in our future travel plans to the areas we can get to. We did ride the Tooterville Trolley and boat cruise in Michigan’s UP and it was okay, with the boat part the better part.
We have traveled the Rocky Mountaineer out of Vancouver 3 times (different routes) and also the RM from Denver CO to Moab UT near Arches NP – all terrific scenic rides. Also the Alaska Railroad from Seward to Denali. Love the rides!
There are a few in New England. NH having a couple. One in North Conway, Lincoln, Meredith and the Cog railway and Mount Washington. Then to the water on the Mount Washington touring the state’s largest lake calling at 4 ports. Done them all. I like the small ones but to travel great distances I’m not so sure. Have traveled a lot by trains stationed in Europe and Australia.
There used to be a “dinner train” out of McCloud, CA. We took it twice. It was a lot of fun, and the food was worth it. The train moved so slowly you could sit outside on a flat car to enjoy the passing forest.
Thank you, RV Travel! 🙂 Chattanooga boasts the Tennessee Valley Railroad and Museum (https://www.tvrail.com/), which does several different train rides. I have done their shortest one and look forward to doing all the others. DW and I enjoyed the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (https://wmsr.com/) a few years ago. Sadly, 🙁 I would NOT recommend the Branson [Missouri] Scenic Railroad (https://bransontrain.com/), particularly the glass roofed observation cars, unless the air conditioning is working well. It has been more than ten years since I rode this train but the wound is still unhealed, so great was my disappointment. Thanks for asking! Have a great weekend and safe travels 🙂
Took a ride, 4th of July years ago, on the Heber Creeper. We sat on a bench facing another bench, and mostly knees locked with strangers most unpleasant thing ever. Now my wife will not ride one again.
We rode the Alaska RR from Fairbanks to Seward – An incredible trip of scenery, food and lst class service as well as informative. Also the North Shore RR in Duluth, MN is a beautiful trip to Two Harbors, Mn along the west shore of Lake Superior. I would liked to have done the Rio Grande & Western thru the Royal Gorge and the Grand Canyon RR. Have also taken the Amtrak Empire Builder to Seattle and Amtrak Cascade to Vancouver, BC CN. All super comfortable and humane travel vs other cattle car modes of travel…..
Would love to do the Canadian Rockies, just haven’t found the time!
It is worth taking or finding the time if possible. Magnificent.
My favorite scenic railroads are the narrow-gauge lines in the Rockies and Alaska The Durango and Silverton in SW Colorado, the Cumbres & Toltec in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico, the Georgetown Loop west of Denver, and the White Pass & Yukon near Skagway, Alaska offer historic steam locomotives and spectacular scenery! What more could a railfan want?
Been on the Durango and Silverton RR and enjoyed every minute of it.
Durango – Silverton was the best scenic RR, The Rock Island Rochet was the best because it brought me home to my girlfriend on weekends.
I am a train enthusiasts all the way. It probably stems from my grandfather and two great uncles who were train engineers. Of course I had an electric train set as a kid.