My family would like to take a scenic train trip during the second half of March. We live in NYC but are happy to fly to our starting and from our ending points. Originally we thought of Chicago to New Orleans, but that train is mostly overnight, so we wouldn’t see much. Any suggestions on other itineraries? We would spend a couple days in the city at either end and potentially at a stopping point mid-way if there’s one of interest. Two parents and a ten-year-old girl. Thank you.
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1
Coalclifff
I would look at one of these (but it depends on total available time):
- Southwest Chief
- Empire Builder
- California Zephyr
- (West) Coast Starlight
Through pretty scenic country in parts, with much snow on some of them at elevation. Need to check where they are during daylight hours.
And good opportunities to get off in interesting places for 24-48 hours. Grand Canyon, Santa Fe, and San Francisco come to mind.
2
mstep
These are great suggestions from Coalcliff. Most of the scenic train trips in the USA are in the west. The south is pretty useless for that.
Another option is the train from NYC to Montreal, Quebec. That offers scenery along the Hudson river and also along Lake Champlain on the New York State /Vermont border. With an overnight in Montreal, you can extend the train trip to go up to Quebec City, to experience the closest thing to France in North America.
4
mstep
Of course. Still winter in Canada. A Quebec City local once told me that's the very best time of the year in QC. But I think he was mostly talking about the winter carnival in February.
5
Coalclifff
Yeah ... you gotta watch you North Americans, and some Northern Europeans as well! We know you feel no pain, and think winter is "beautiful" ... I've been fooled once or twice! :-)
6
DutchHarbor
about 30 years ago I took the train from Chicago to Seattle It was interesting because of the Irish people I met on the trip but train travel can get old when there are no sleeper cars or whatever they are called.
we did hit a vehicle that was on the tracks which added to the time as there was some sort of investigation . I am not sure if anyone was in the vehicle when it was struck
another time I took a train in the winter east bound out of Chicago. there was heavy snow. somehow the heavy snow disabled the trains warning horn so we had to stop and wait while it was repaired or cleaned out (apparently trains are not allowed to operate with out a warning horn - regulations) It ws an interesting trip regardless
7
carracar
I feel the best Scenic, AMTRAK route would be ... Denver-Salt Lake-Reno-Sacramento. Should you not take a sleeping roomette ... Pause in Salt lake City. Or Sacramento(wonderful Rail museum). Then, continue to San Francisco. Happy t(rail)s ... carracar
8
QuiviraTrail2
The most scenic would probably be the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle. It goes through Glacier National Park during the daylight.
9
Coalclifff
The most scenic would probably be the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle. It goes through Glacier National Park during the daylight.
Not sure it actually goes through Glacier NP - but rather around the south of it (through Essex and Whitefish, etc). And a lot of the route from Chicago would be through fairly featureless countryside.
Might still be attractive to you - but I think the Denver > Salt Lake City > Reno > Sacramento > San Francisco service might be significantly more scenic than just about everything else at that time.
I agree that the railway museum in Sacramento is excellent. Temple Square in Salt Lake City is totally bizarro, but worth a few hours.
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