Each year as the world awakens from its winter slumber and the chill begins to fade, intrepid travelers embark on their first escapes of the year, bound for warmer locales where sunny skies reign supreme and sweater weather is a thing of the past. In the United States, the nation's railways offer the perfect way to kick off the travel season.
There are beautiful places to visit in spring from coast to coast. Join a rail vacation aboard Amtrak's storied routes from New York City to San Francisco via Chicago. These cross-country trips take place aboard iconic overnight trains, such as the Lakeshore Limited and the California Zephyr, and give travelers a chance to see the subtle changes in the springtime landscape with each progressing mile.
Alternatively, spending your family spring break exploring the great American West opens the door to warm places to visit in April. Explore the colorful deserts of California and Nevada, or set your sights on Arizona and one of the country's most glorious landmarks, the Grand Canyon. There are train journeys along the stunning California coastline on the Coast Starlight and incredible vacations on the United States' first luxury train, Rocky Mountaineer, between Colorado and Utah.
The best springtime destinations are not limited to the West. Rather, vacationers can bask in warmer weather and immense history in the South. Aboard Amtrak's City of New Orleans, visit Memphis, then continue deep into the bayou to New Orleans. No matter where your spring rail vacation takes you, enjoy smaller crowds and the chance to greet the coming season in a new locale.
(278 reviews)
The classic ambiance of an overnight rail journey meets the splendors of one of America's top natural attractions on this rail vacation to Arizona. Join Amtrak's Southwest Chief on its cross-country route from Chicago to Flagstaff, and then board the 120-year-old Grand Canyon Railway on its route to the Grand Canyon. Uncover iconic views...
(137 reviews)Uncover scenic landscapes and quintessential sights of Alaska on this seven-day independent journey featuring the Denali Star. Travel from Anchorage to Talkeetna, where a jetboat takes you along the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers, and then embark on a tundra wilderness tour in Denali National Park, with an expert guide revealing the best...
(266 reviews)
Nine unforgettable days take you deep into Alaska's wild beauty on this expertly guided adventure. Your journey begins in Fairbanks, where a riverboat cruise introduces you to the region's scenic waterways, and a visit to Trail Breaker Kennel lets you experience the thrill of dog sledding. From Fairbanks, board the legendary Alaska...
(52 reviews)Discover the wonders of Niagara Falls on this 4-day rail adventure. Beginning and ending in New York City, travel aboard Amtrak's Maple Leaf for a full-day journey through upstate New York and into Ontario. Make the most of your two full days in Niagara Falls, enjoying the sights and sounds of the thundering falls and exploring the area's...
(48 reviews)Before embarking on your 2,300 mile journey to San Francisco, take advantage of your time in Chicago by visiting the city's famed attractions such as the John Hancock Observation Deck, ride the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier or window shop down The Magnificent Mile. The city also offers a rich cultural experience with its several museums and the...
(183 reviews)Discover the natural wonders and rugged wilderness of the Southwest on this scenic rail tour through Canyon Country. This tour has it all: amazing national parks, classic train journeys, and spectacular sightseeing and excursions. Your adventure begins in Chicago with a classic rail journey aboard the legendary California Zephyr to Grand...
(33 reviews)If it is the experience of a lifetime you seek, look no further than a scenic tour through the country aboard the legendary tracks of the Empire Builder. Totaling over 2,200 miles in length, this journey shows us glimpses of seven of the northern-most states and the beautiful Pacific Coast. The expedition begins in the heart of the Midwest -...
(55 reviews)There is no place quite like the Alaskan wilderness. This corner of North America is a unique place where culture-filled destinations are carved into landscapes that remain virtually untouched otherwise. Gorgeous scenery marked by glaciers, snowy mountain ranges, fjords, pretty coastlines, and wide-open expanses is always within reach, and...
(26 reviews)Beginning in Los Angeles, board Amtrak's Southwest Chief for the overnight journey to Flagstaff, Arizona, where you will catch the historic Grand Canyon Railway for the ride to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This 4-day rail vacation includes travel aboard two iconic trains, hotel accommodations in Flagstaff and Grand Canyon National Park,...
(8 reviews)The Empire Builder travels the legendary 2,206-mile route from Chicago, across the northern United States west to Seattle, the Gateway to Alaska. But this picturesque rail journey is only the start of this unforgettable 11-day vacation. Upon arrival in Seattle, transfer on your own to your hotel and enjoy the highlights of Seattle. Then board...
(159 reviews)The Old West's rugged frontier towns and renowned national historic sites are hallmarks of this 11-day escorted tour. We begin our journey across America's Western frontier by joining modern technology with nostalgic travel methods, riding Amtrak's California Zephyr from Chicago to Provo, Utah. The route takes us across the Rocky Mountains...
(17 reviews)The only thing more appealing than a train vacation through the Rocky and Sierra Mountains is one that includes a visit to the waterfalls and Giant Sequoia groves of Yosemite National Park. Your great western rail adventure begins in Chicago with a two-night stay in this Midwest metropolis, providing ample time to explore the highlights such...
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