The United States, with its diverse landscapes and cultures, poses a unique challenge that we relish - creating a journey that encapsulates the American spirit, one region at a time. Our comprehensive tours offer you multiple ways to experience this vast country.
Recommended Destinations: Alaska, National
Parks, Fall
Foliage, Colorado, Southwest, California, Pacific Northwest, The
Great Lakes, and more.
Ride Famous Trains: California Zephyr, Empire
Builder, Southwest Chief, Durango &
Silverton, Rocky Mountaineer, Alaska
Railroad, and more.
Explore by Travel Type: Independent itineraries to
explore on your own or Escorted tours guided by a tour
manager.
When should you travel to the United States? With such a vast landscape, that depends on your destination. While in the northern US the peak season is typically June to September, in the southern US peak is the spring and fall. Fall Foliage tours are very popular in New England and operate a short season during September and October.
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quote to pair with your vacation.Search by destination and theme to uncover your ideal tour, traveling with the experts
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(41 reviews)Find your perfect independent vacation and discover the US on your own, with an expert itinerary
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(217 reviews)The Grand Canyon is one of the world's top natural attractions. Visit one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World on this exciting rail adventure. Beginning in Chicago, board Amtrak's Southwest Chief bound for Flagstaff, Arizona, the gateway to the Canyon. Upon arriving in Flagstaff, catch the historic Grand Canyon Railway for your journey to...
(82 reviews)Discover the beauty of the Southwest in autumn on this 9-day adventure featuring Arches and Mesa Verde National Parks, historic rail journeys, and the world-famous International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. Your journey begins in Chicago, San Francisco, or along the California Zephyr route, with an overnight train to Grand Junction, Colorado.
(117 reviews)Venture into the heart of Alaska on this seven-day independent rail journey. Uncover scenic landscapes as the Denali Star rolls past a showcase of quintessential Alaskan sights, starting in vibrant Anchorage. Enjoy time in historic Talkeetna, enjoying a jetboat ride along the Talkeetna and Susitna rivers. Embark on a tundra wilderness tour of the...
Travel through spectacular mountain scenery lit up with vivid colors on this fall tour along America's scenic East Coast. Stay in Massachusetts's capital city of Boston with time to explore its unique history and culture, then journey to the charming village of North Conway in the beautiful White Mountains - one of the most stunning locations to...
(149 reviews)The vibrant hues of autumn guide the way on this seasonal journey through New England and Eastern Canada. Spend ten days marveling at the subtle distinctions between regions, discovering in each how the changing leaves are as unique as the destinations themselves. Soak up the history of Boston, the starting point of your fall foliage adventure,...
(48 reviews)Nature's majesty and American history abound on this journey through the Great Lakes shorelines, featuring Wisconsin and Michigan. Starting in Chicago, ride Amtrak to Milwaukee, before exploring the heritage and picture-perfect landscapes of Door County Peninsula. Next, venture through Michigan's Upper Peninsula and cross the Canadian border to...
(34 reviews)Seek the magical aurora borealis on a sensational winter journey from Fairbanks to Anchorage, riding the amazing Aurora Winter Train in the shadow of Denali. An evening in the wilderness provides a great chance to catch the Northern Lights, while an exciting dog-sled ride through the snow-covered tundra and a curling lesson help uncover the...
(250 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...
(114 reviews)Watch as the warm hues of autumn overtake the landscape on this 8-day guided journey through New England. The tour begins as the group discovers the Colonial history of Boston. From Boston, we travel out of the city and into some of the best places for fall foliage viewing in all of the United States. The first stop is North Conway, where we will...
(237 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 Railroad's...
(41 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...
(343 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...
Rolling prairies, wide-open plains, and towering mountain peaks paint the picturesque backdrop as you explore America by rail. Add to that bustling metropolises, expansive national parks, and acclaimed historic attractions, and it is easy to see why the United States is the perfect destination for train vacations. Traveling aboard Amtrak trains, enjoy routes that take you from Chicago to the East Coast or the West, traveling cross country to explore the best the USA has to offer.
The beauty of taking a train across America is that your adventure begins the moment you board the train. Settle into your cozy onboard accommodations and leave the driving to someone else as you travel deep into the unspoiled natural beauty of the U.S.A. Admire the passing scenery from your seat or the train's observation lounge. Enjoy a hot meal in the dining car or the café as the train crisscrosses the country. While many of our independent train tours and escorted train tours include overnight train rides aboard iconic long-distance trains, there is a great selection of rail vacation packages that solely feature excursions aboard day trains. These passenger trains are just as historic and include scenic trains, such as the Grand Canyon Railway, Colorado's Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, and New England's Cape Cod Central Railroad.
Each train vacation in America incorporates iconic train journeys into a well-planned itinerary that also includes visits to popular destinations, comprehensive sightseeing, incredible routes, and more. Choose from train trips in Alaska, popular USA Coast to Coast vacations, fall foliage tours, or visits to America's national parks by train. You may select vacations with luxury train accommodations in sleeper cars or from an array of one-way journeys. With more than 100 vacations in the United States alone, you are sure to find the perfect itinerary.
Have the urge to travel soon? Explore our last minute trips.
Jun 12, 2025 · By Vacations By Rail
Witness the changing colors of the season like never before while embarking on these top experiences and excursions on our North American fall foliage tours.
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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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Jul 10, 2024 · By Vacations By Rail
From Europe's shores to the far reaches of Scandinavia, Japan, New Zealand, and beyond, the best places to visit in 2025 set the tone for incredible adventures.
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