A fall train ride makes traveling a joyous experience. Rather than dealing with crowded highways on a family road trip, you can relax and enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery from the comfort of the train. These train rides are perfect for families of all ages, allowing everyone to bond without the stress of driving.

Discover charming small towns, vibrant forests, and picturesque landscapes that you might overlook on the road. Get ready for an extraordinary autumn train ride adventure! From extended family trips to brief getaways for couples, we’ve compiled the best fall foliage train rides across the U.S. for a memorable experience.

1. Mount Washington Cog Railway

Location: Mount Washington, New Hampshire

Experience the world’s first cog railway that climbs a mountain! The historic Mount Washington Cog Railway in New Hampshire operates with both steam and bio-diesel locomotives, transporting passengers to the highest peak in the Northeast. Enjoy a three-hour round trip, beginning and ending in Bretton Woods, a short distance from the well-known family vacation spot of North Conway.

While the coaches boast modern mechanics, the nostalgic decor gives a feel of early 1900s travel, making it a fun option for a multigenerational vacation with grandparents. Due to the high altitude, the weather cools down early, and the leaves typically start to change by mid-September. Once at the summit, enjoy a one-hour stop to explore the Mount Washington Observatory and take in breathtaking views that extend to five states, Canada, and the Atlantic Ocean.

2. Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express

Route: New York to Vermont

Running daily from New York City to Vermont, Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express offers a delightful travel experience through picturesque New England villages and the beautiful landscapes of upstate New York. Enjoy views of charming farms and quaint towns nestled in the Hudson River Valley, along with the magnificent Green Mountains of Vermont.

Famous for its autumn hues, the Green Mountain State features oak, maple, and ash trees showcasing stunning shades of red, orange, and yellow. The train ride concludes in Burlington, a classic New England destination known for its walkable streets along the shores of Lake Champlain.

3. Amtrak’s Downeaster

Route: Boston to Brunswick

This three-hour Amtrak journey spans across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, visiting some of New England’s most cherished cities while treating passengers to breathtaking views of fall foliage. The Downeaster route connects Boston’s North Station to Brunswick, Maine, offering a wonderful experience for leaf-peepers during the autumn season. The colorful landscape is highlighted by historic towns, New England beaches, and flocks of migratory birds in the sky.

On your way, stop in Portland, known for its delightful culinary scene, where you can savor creamy clam chowder or a mouthwatering lobster roll. The journey concludes in Brunswick, where you can capture stunning photos from the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge, a suspension bridge built in 1892.

4. Rocky Mountaineer Rockies to the Red Rocks

Route: Denver to Moab

The Rockies transform into a mesmerizing fairytale during the autumn season, making it the perfect time to experience their breathtaking scenery aboard a luxury train. The Rocky Mountaineer’s Rockies to the Red Rocks journey spans two days between Denver and Moab, running through October, and provides an opportunity to marvel at the stunning yellow canopies formed by numerous Aspen trees.

With a charm reminiscent of a bygone era, all Rocky Mountaineer routes provide a first-class experience. Nightly, guests disembark the train to sleep in luxurious hotels, while exceptional service and gourmet dining onboard enhance the journey.

5. Amtrak’s Coast Starlight

Seattle to Los Angeles

Considered one of the most spectacular train routes on the West Coast, Amtrak’s Coast Starlight connects Seattle with Los Angeles. Passengers are treated to vibrant sights of lush forests, fertile valleys, and expansive stretches along the Pacific coastline.

As temperatures drop, the greenery of Washington, Oregon, and Northern California is enlivened with brilliant autumn colors from broadleaf trees like maple, poplar, and alder, intermingling with evergreens. The peaks of the Cascade Range are brightened by fiery shades of yellow, red, and orange, creating a vivid tapestry of color.

6. Amtrak’s Cardinal

New York to Chicago

Enjoy stunning fall colors as you travel through the picturesque Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, the Shenandoah Valley, and the scenic countryside of West Virginia aboard Amtrak’s Cardinal, which connects New York and Chicago. This route, running three days a week, showcases an array of landscapes over its 26-hour journey.

7. Western Maryland Scenic Railroad’s Frostburg Flyer

Cumberland to Frostburg

Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, a heritage rail company using steam and diesel engines, offers a nostalgic journey on the Frostburg Flyer. Riders experience vintage rail cars as they travel from Cumberland to Frostburg, ascending through beautiful Allegheny Mountains.

This route showcases hardwood forests adorned with vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds. The trip, complete with live commentary, lasts approximately four and a half hours, including a 90-minute stop in Frostburg.

8. Grand Canyon Railway

Williams, Arizona, to the Grand Canyon South Rim

Visiting the Grand Canyon is a must for every child, but instead of making the drive, why not hop aboard a vintage train that takes you directly to the South Rim? The Grand Canyon Railway, leaving from Williams, Arizona, in the morning and returning in the afternoon, features a delightful two-hour and 15-minute ride filled with live Wild West entertainment, including musicians and a comical mock train robbery.

While the color variations along this route may be more understated than other autumn train journeys, the trip through Arizona’s high desert features stunning red rock formations, shrubbery, and pinyon pines, coupled with refreshing temperatures and a clear blue sky, providing a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the changing scenery.

9. East Broad Top Railroad

Rockhill Furnace to Colgate Grove 

In the heart of Central Pennsylvania, the East Broad Top Railroad provides charming one-hour train rides for viewing fall foliage—ideal for families with young children or toddlers. Established in 1872, the East Broad Top Railroad is recognized as the oldest narrow-gauge railroad in the country, and its historical features have been carefully maintained, creating an experience akin to a traveling museum.

A wealth of breathtaking autumn views awaits in the lush forests. Every October, children are invited to join the Great Pumpkin Patch Express, where they can dress up in Halloween costumes, meet Snoopy, and select a pumpkin from the patch.

10. Amtrak’s California Zephyr

Route: Chicago to Emeryville

Amtrak’s California Zephyr operates daily from Chicago to Emeryville, California, with a bus service available for connections to San Francisco. You don’t have to commit to the full 51-hour journey for a memorable autumn adventure. Witness the golden hues of Colorado’s Aspen trees alongside the vibrant reds and oranges of dogwoods and maples in the Sierra Nevada, creating a beautiful palette of colors.

The article “10 best fall foliage train rides in the U.S.” originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.

The insights and viewpoints presented in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of YSL News. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are part of Vacationist Media LLC. Utilizing the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation framework, we evaluate and curate family holiday concepts, vacation destinations, all-inclusive family resorts, and timeless family trips for all ages. TourScoop focuses on guided group tours, tour providers, reviews, itinerary assessments, and travel product suggestions.