Home to some of the country's most inspiring destinations, the western U.S. is a treasure trove awaiting discovery. Tours of America's West can take you across the frontier to Colorado to explore the rugged Rocky Mountains and the historic towns that dot their peaks. Ride heritage rail lines through the stunning landscape or continue to destinations such as Salt Lake City, the cowboy town of Jackson, and San Francisco with smooth connections to places like Muir Woods with its Giant Sequoia groves and Yosemite National Park, home to Yosemite Falls - the highest waterfall in North America - as well as Half Dome and El Capitan.
Other West Coast tours focus on America's beautiful national parks, where the grandeur of nature surrounds at every turn. Montana's Glacier National Park is home to glacier-carved mountains and one of the country's most famous roadways, Going-to-the-Sun Road. At Yellowstone National Park, an incredible variety of flora and fauna sit aside waterfalls and deep canyons. Yellowstone's true claim to fame, though, is its geothermal activity that presents in its hot springs and geysers. Your tour itinerary may take you to Mt. Rushmore, which showcases the visages of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, or to South Dakota's Badlands, where colorful rock formations highlight the dry terrain.
Some train tours to the Pacific Northwest feature Seattle, the crown jewel of the region. While this city is a destination in its own right, it is also ideally located as a launching point for Alaska cruise vacations and Western Canada rail tours. Whether you travel from the East Coast to the West Coast or focus your family vacation on the Wild West solely, there is no shortage of trip ideas to explore.
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(277 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 and top...
(416 reviews)
Journey through the untamed beauty of Colorado on this 8-day Rocky Mountain expedition. We discover expanses of landscape hidden from modern traffic aboard six scenic railways: Georgetown Loop Railroad Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Royal Gorge Route Railroad...
(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 Junction...
(126 reviews)Set your sights on amazing scenes of America's West with visits to six national parks on this unforgettable rail tour. The journey begins on Amtrak's Empire Builder, aboard which beautiful vistas of the Northern Prairies create the serene backdrop for the start of our trip. Our first visit is to Whitefish, where Glacier National Park's glaciers,...
(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 -...
(46 reviews)Winter is a special time of year in Alaska. The landscape transforms into a wonderland clad in fluffy white snow, and the short days set the perfect stage for the aurora borealis to take over the night sky. Adventures take on a new form and open visitors' eyes to the wonders and traditions of America's Last Frontier. This week-long Alaskan journey...
(289 reviews)Discover five of America's beloved national parks on this rail tour to America's West. Start your tour with a classic overnight rail adventure aboard the Empire Builder, following the pioneer route into Big Sky Country. Here, we visit the first national park of the itinerary, Glacier National Park, surrounded by glorious natural spectacles. Moving...
(22 reviews)Forget everything you have heard about northern lights viewing and come along for this independent adventure into Alaska's backcountry to Borealis Basecamp. Set just 25 miles outside of Fairbanks, this unique hotel offers an aurora borealis experience like no other. Watch hues of red, green and purple undulate across the night sky from your cozy,...
(37 reviews)The essence of the Pacific Northwest was built upon the shoulders of artists and adventurers and continues to embody these spirits today. Experience the unique presence of this region first-hand as you travel between Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco over eight action-packed days. Each city leaves an impression unlike the one before, and...
(20 reviews)By day and night, immerse yourself in the wonders of an Alaskan winter. With its far-north location, this state is one of the best places in North America to see the Aurora Borealis, and this journey features plenty of opportunities to do just that. Venture into the state's remote interior aboard the Alaska Railroad's Aurora Winter Train, and...
(56 reviews)California is a land of possibilities, and this unforgettable tour displays some of its greatest offerings. Over eight days, soak up the modern and historic sides of San Francisco and travel into nature, where towering redwood trees surround us on the Redwood Forest Steam Train. We also admire the mountain and waterfall panoramas of Yosemite...
(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,...
Aug 13, 2025 · By Kira Whitaker
If your idea of a memorable trip includes nature’s beauty and majestic wildlife, look no further than Alaska, where wild adventures are easily accessible.
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Jul 24, 2025 · By Kira Whitaker
Whether in America’s national parks, the Canadian Rockies or traveling from coast to coast, discover the top destinations to visit in North America in 2026.
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May 15, 2025 · By Vacations By Rail
From the remote expanses of wild Alaska to the stunning islands and fjords of Scandinavia, here are our top destinations for Northern Lights tours in 2026.
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May 06, 2025 · By Vacations By Rail
Spend the remaining months of the year ticking off your travel bucket list while traveling to top last-minute destinations for 2025 from the U.S. to Europe.
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