4 Scenic Amtrak Train Rides That Showcase America's Great Landscapes

The gentle rhythm, the scenic landscapes, and a sense of adventure mixed with nostalgia — nothing brings all these emotions together like a train journey. If you also want to relive these emotions and capture some Instagram-worthy moments on your camera, these Amtrak routes are perfect options.

Here are four scenic routes in the U.S. vouched by Amtrak:

Coast Starlight

This train runs daily between Los Angeles and Seattle and passes through some stunning spots like Santa Barbara, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and Portland. You can enjoy everything from the snow-covered summits of the Cascade Range to the expansive stretches of the Pacific Ocean coastline, all from the comfort of your seat.

California Zephyr

Take this train in Chicago, and off you go to sunny California, all the while enjoying the beauty of the Midwest along the way. You can capture swoon-worthy photographs as you pass through Omaha, Denver, and the Great Salt Lake. This journey also includes Nebraska's Great Plains and Colorado's Rocky Mountains.

Empire Builder

This train gives you magical views of the Mississippi River, Glacier National Park, and the vast North Dakota Plains. It travels from Chicago to the natural wonders of Montana, also known as the Big Sky Country. Moreover, from Spokane you get to choose: either continue to Seattle or head to Portland.

Pacific Surfliner

Offering an unmatched way to see LA and the California coastline, this train ride offers you the perfect opportunity to have a stress-free adventure. There will be many beaches and amusement park stops. Also, you can capture the beauty of rolling hills and the sparkling sea between Santa Barbara, Irvine, and San Clemente.

Photo generated using Dall-E