Author: Lindsay VanSomeren / Source: Wise Bread
Train travel might be a thing of the past as far as a transportation mainstay, because it’s much easier to hop on a plane and be across the country in a few hours rather than a few days via train.
But if you’re the type of person who loves looking at the passing scenery while on road trips, a train trip might be just the thing for you.
In fact, it could be even better, because you don’t even have to worry about driving. On a train, all you need to do is kick back and enjoy the view.From long-haul cross-country odysseys to short trips heading to destinations seldom seen, you’ll want to make sure to cross these five U.S. train trips off your bucket list. (See also: 5 Fun, Affordable Train Trips)
1. California Zephyr
This long-distance Amtrak experience starts out at Union Station in Chicago and winds its way through the plains of Iowa and Nebraska. Lest you think the route is full of cornfields, however, the train starts ascending into the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, passing by the ski town of Winter Park and into Utah.
You can enjoy the red rock canyons that make Utah famous, and on hot days, thank your lucky stars that the cars have air conditioning as you pass through Nevada and into California. From here, the train passes through the Sierra Nevada until its final stop in Emeryville, California.
You can book coach seats for as low as $171 one-way on this train, however, be warned: This doesn’t include any of your meals, and you’ll need to sleep in your seat the entire way. If you prefer a private cabin with a bed and the smallest bathroom ever (literally — the toilet is inside the shower stall), you’ll need to pay closer to $700 for the ride.
2. Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
If a short jaunt back in time is more your style, consider Colorado’s Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway (named after its tracks, which are nearly two feet narrower the tracks on most trains, so as to better handle sharp mountain curves). This train has been in continuous service between these two historical towns in southwest Colorado since 1882, when it was launched to help carry silver and gold ore from remote mines in the San Juan Mountains. It’s even been in 20 different Western movies, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and How The West Was…
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