{"id":11650,"date":"2018-07-24T10:00:43","date_gmt":"2018-07-24T14:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/?p=11650"},"modified":"2018-07-24T14:01:08","modified_gmt":"2018-07-24T18:01:08","slug":"riding-rails-along-americas-finest-train-routes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/riding-rails-along-americas-finest-train-routes\/","title":{"rendered":"Riding the Rails Along America\u2019s Finest Train Routes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Train travel used to be option A when people were trying to get from here<\/em> to there. <\/em>Then automobiles and planes came along and locomotives kind of took a backseat. But in recent years people have rediscovered the thrill of riding the rails. Climb aboard one of the following trains and experience the adventure for yourself!<\/p>\n

California Zephyr<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Chicago, Illinois to Emeryville, California<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Via Shutterstock.com\/Michael Rosebrock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Clear your schedule for this one because a ride from start to finish on the California Zephyr takes a while. You\u2019ll pass through small country towns and big cities like Omaha, Salt Lake City, and Denver before finally arriving on the West Coast. Some of the most scenic highlights during this multi-day excursion include the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, the Great Salt Lake and Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah, and the gorgeous Sierra Nevada of California.<\/p>\n

Grand Canyon Railway<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Williams, Arizona to Grand Canyon National Park South Rim<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Via Shutterstock.com\/Julien Hautcoeur<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Sure, you could drive to the Grand Canyon, but where\u2019s the fun in that? Plus, the old-school train cars of the Grand Canyon Railroad will make you feel like you\u2019re on a steam engine in the 1880s. The ride through the northern Arizona landscape is stunning, but that\u2019s just the appetizer for what\u2019s to come when you step off the train at the South Rim.<\/p>\n

Ethan Allen Express<\/strong><\/h2>\n

New York City, New York to Rutland, Vermont<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Via Shutterstock.com\/MH Anderson Photography<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

This higher-speed passenger train through New York State to the heart of Vermont is the weekend getaway you\u2019ve been looking for. You\u2019ll pass through the state capitol of Albany before crossing the border into the Green Mountain State. Explore the small towns and villages while looking for the best maple syrup or mingle with locals at downtown watering holes.<\/p>\n

Cape Cod Central Railway<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Hyannis, Massachusetts to Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Via Shutterstock.com\/Lil’ Digital Shop<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

This may be a short ride, but it doesn\u2019t cheat you when it comes to amazing things to see. The Coastal Excursion ride comes with an on-board narration describing the history of the area, the building of the Cape Cod Canal, local wildlife, and a stopover in Sandwich, the oldest village on the Cape.<\/p>\n

Amtrak Southwest Chief<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Via Shutterstock.com\/Underawesternsky<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Yes, this journey starts in Illinois, but the meat and potatoes of it cuts right through the middle of America\u2019s Southwest. It\u2019ll be hard not to feel like an outlaw of the Old West while you cruise through the desolate, desert landscapes of New Mexico, Arizona, and southeastern California. This scenic train ride to the West Coast is one you won\u2019t want to miss!<\/p>\n

Coastal Classic Train<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Anchorage, Alaska to Seward, Alaska<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Via Shutterstock.com\/Cvandyke<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

The grand scale of Alaska\u2019s wilderness becomes very apparent on this Amtrak vacation. As you leave Anchorage and twist and turn your way along the Turnagain Arm. Then ducking into the backcountry of Chugach National Forest, you\u2019ll feel like you\u2019re 1,000 miles from the nearest town. But then you come to a stop in Seward, one of the most scenic towns on the continent. Go for an unforgettable cruise through Resurrection Bay or to Kenai Fjords National Park\u2014it won\u2019t disappoint!<\/p>\n

Next time you want to clear your mind, trade the family SUV for a lounge car on one of these top scenic train rides in America. Also, don\u2019t forget to take advantage of Amtrak AARP discounts to ensure you score the best deal on your train travel.<\/p>\n

Header Image Via Shutterstock.com\/SUPREEYA-ANON<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Train travel used to be option A when people were trying to get from here to there. Then automobiles and planes came along and locomotives kind of took a backseat. But in recent years people have rediscovered the thrill of riding the rails. Climb aboard one of the following trains and experience the adventure for<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":11652,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[221],"tags":[1570,1569,1568],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nRiding the Rails Along America\u2019s Finest Train Routes - AARP Travel Center Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Train travel is making a comeback. 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