7 Magical US Train Rides to Take in the Spring

You MUST add these magical US train rides to your bucket list!

Spring is finally approaching, folks! This season offers the chance to shake off the winter chill. So, let’s get out and explore. If you ask me, there’s no better way to see the return of spring in the US than by train. A magical US train ride allows you to sit back, relax, and leave all that driving to someone else.

Now’s the time to slow down and appreciate the scenery. Rail travel fans will be happy to know that our beautiful nation has some epic journeys, with incredible views from mountains to oceans and everything in between. And as America’s leading rail operator, Amtrak’s popularity has been on the rise again.

Amtrak has even made a bunch of upgrades, including spacious seating, enhanced lighting, bigger panoramic windows, self-serve food and beverage options, better technology, a greener impact, and faster speeds of up to 125 miles an hour.

So, to celebrate the new season, here are 7 magical US train rides to take along America’s rails this spring.

Grand National Parks with Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and Glacier National Park

Get ready to take in all the extravagant natural beauty of three of the nation’s most beloved national parks! “Grand National Parks” is an extraordinary adventure to see the best of the American outdoors! You’ll be visiting the Grand Canyon to view one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World on this magical US train ride.

And you’ll also get to enjoy the stony mountains and green pine forests while visiting Yosemite National Park. But you’ll also be traveling north to see the “Crown of the Continent” way up high in the mountains at Glacier National Park.

Explore all these impressive landscapes and the beautiful scenic journey on a magical train ride. To learn more about this 14-day magical US train ride to America’s national parks, visit Amtrak’s website to see what they have to offer.

Ethan Allen Express

This 7-and-a-half-hour magical train ride takes riders away from the “big-city life” to enjoy some small-town charm, all while passing some of the most beautiful scenery in our country along the way.

Begin your journey in the middle of Manhattan, NYC, at Penn Stations’ Moynihan Train Hall. After filling up on the food hall, get on board your train and just sit back and relax to enjoy the views of the Hudson River.

With the winter landscape beginning to thaw out and greenery peaking its head out, the journey will be just as pleasant as the destination. On this magical US train ride, you’ll pass through New York’s state capital, Albany, and on towards Rutland, Vermont.

You’ll get to enjoy the spring wildflowers and arrive at the picture-perfect charming small town of Burlington, Vermont, where there’s no end of things to do.

Rails to the Grand Canyon

Get ready for the most scenic trip of your life, from the City of Angels to the glorious Grand Canyon! You’ll be boarding Amtrak in LA, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the great American Southwest as you venture over to Arizona.

And your next stop is the wonderful Grand Canyon! On this magical US train ride, you’ll go where no automobile has ever gone before aboard the Grand Canyon Railway and travel down into the Canyon’s South Rim for a guided tour of many stunning sights.

You can spend another full day exploring everything this amazing wonder offers and bask in the gorgeous scenery and fresh mountain air. One thing’s for sure: This is one trip you’ll be talking about for many years to come!

Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway

Acknowledged as the highest cog railroad in the world, The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway can offer you a cozy trip to Pikes Peak and sweeping vistas once you reach the top.

Even though this magical US train ride was initially only accessible by mule-back, the now famous Colorado attraction in Manitou Springs was constructed in 1891 as a more civilized way of getting to the top of the prominent mountain.

While it was shut for modernization and extensive upgrading for a couple of years, the railway reopened in 2021 and has been more popular than ever since then.

The tourist attraction is open all year-round, and spring is my favorite time to explore the area and take a leisurely hike in the mild temperatures with fewer crowds than in the summer months.

Glacier National Park Express

This 10-day magical US train ride aboard the Amtrak Empire Builder, starting from Chicago to Glacier National Park and then to Seattle, is one you DON’T want to miss! Your tour begins in the Windy City, where you’ll get to enjoy an architecture sightseeing cruise of the Chicago Harbor.

Next up will be Glacier National Park! Savor its spectacular beauty and fresh mountain air while touring its most dazzling spots, including the lovely Two Medicine Valley. Then you’re off to Seattle, where more fun awaits you.

While there, you can explore the Emerald City with a multi-day hop-on/hop-off tour that will take you to all the city’s hot spots, including Puget Sound and the Space Needle. Check out Amtrak’s website for all the details on this 10-day magical US train ride from Chicago to Glacier National Park via Amtrak Vacations.

Jazz, Blues, and Rock ‘n’ Roll

This 9-day magical US train ride is perfect for music buffs! This is another one where you’ll begin your vacation in Chicago and explore its well-known blues scene and all the popular sites this city has to offer.

Then, enjoy a cozy train ride as you head down to Memphis, the birthplace of Rock’ N’ Roll. Just don’t forget to soak in the beautiful landscape along the way.

When you arrive, you can see all that Memphis offers, including Elvis’s well-known mansion, Graceland. And your last stop will be New Orleans, the birthplace of Jazz. Here, you can treat your palate and ears to a jazz lunch at the famous Court of Two Sisters restaurant.

Take in the panoramic sights of the French Quarter from the deck of an authentic and old-fashioned paddlewheel boat. This trip will be a true music lover’s dream come to life!

Charleston and Savannah

You get the chance to appreciate two wonderful Southern cities on this 6-day magical US train ride! Absorb all the Southern history as you make your way around both Savannah and Charleston.

With a sightseeing tour in Charleston that’ll take you to iconic places like the Battery and Rainbow Row and a hop-on, hop-off tour in Savannah that’ll get you to the popular River Street and the Andrew Low House, you’ll get a comprehensive experience of both cities.

You can also enjoy a sightseeing cruise of Savannah’s harbor and a tour of a river-side plantation in Charleston. An extraordinary journey through America’s South will be a trip you’ll never forget. Don’t forget to pack your camera!

If you’ve ever been on any of these magical US train rides, be sure to let me know about your experiences. If not, which would you choose? Let me know in the comments section!

And if you’re looking for some more ideas on where to go this spring, don’t worry. Must See Places ALWAYS has your back!

For instance, I highly recommend also reading: 9 Adorable Seaside Villages in the US, Perfect for Spring