North America has ample scenic country locations that offer a break from urban demands. While sight seekers may access most of these locations by road and rail, the latter provides more comfort and a broader view. Commuters may opt for daylong or long-haul trips.
The Grand Canyon is the cornerstone of the eponymous national park, which has operated since 1919. Spanning 277 miles, the Grand Canyon attracted an estimated 4.7 million visitors in 2022. Commuters seeking to maximize their Grand Canyon experience may traverse the Grand Canyon Railway, spanning 64 miles. This railway commences from the city of Williams in Arizona and ends at the South Rim, the Canyon's most recognizable rim.
Vintage train cars, a band of musicians, and cowboy imitators are among commuters' first contact points. A train ride through the Canyon offers commuters views of the surrounding high desert, red-rock formations, fields, and the prairie.
Commuters keen on a long-haul train trip through the West Coast may consider Coast Starlight, a passenger train between Seattle and Los Angeles. Amtrak is the US agency responsible for this train, with operations commencing in 1971. The route spans 1,377 miles, and the train requires 35 hours to complete a trip.
In addition to glimpses of the Pacific Ocean, Coast Starlight passengers enjoy ample views of San Francisco, the Cascade Range, and Crater Lake. For a more immersive experience, passengers may check out the lounge section of the Starlight, which features full-length windows. There are no fixed ticket prices for the Starlight.
A scenic experience between Moab, Utah, and Denver, Colorado, also awaits commuters between April and November annually. Rocky Mountaineers, a Canadian private train service, offers this two-day luxury journey that commuters alternatively know as the Rockies to the Red Rocks.
During this trip, commuters will encounter canyons with uneven walls and deserts. After the first day, commuters spend the night at a Glenwood Springs, Colorado hotel. Rockies to the Red Rocks also affords passengers views of the Rocky Mountains. The train notably slows down at landmarks for passengers to fully immerse themselves through the full-length windows.
In Canada, the Rocky Mountaineers also operates on a rail between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Banff, Alberta. This journey affords passengers extended glimpses of icy peaks and the towering Rocky Mountains, although at a cost north of $900. Additionally, passengers may stop by Banff National Park for more sightseeing.
The Glacier National Park is another leading North American location that commuters may access by train. This park spans over 700 miles and will attract 2.9 million visitors in 2022. It also demands more than a day of train travel for commuters boarding the Amtrak Empire Builder train, which commences from Chicago and ends in Seattle. In addition to glimpses of the glaciers and the Cascade Range, visitors may also explore the Two Medicine Valley during the train's downtime.
Furthermore, commuters may explore Napa Valley via a three-hour train trip and 36 miles. This trip offers views of Napa's industries and vineyard chains. These trips are available on weekends between April and October, with ticket prices beginning at $165. Vintage train cars and well-rounded meals also amplify the experience.
