8 fall foliage train rides you need to take this season
Hop aboard and let someone else do the driving while you leaf-peep
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad | Antonito, CO & Chama, NM
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Antonito, CO & Chama NM
Take a half or full-day trip on the , a National Historic Landmark coal-fired steam engine. The 64-mile line crisscrosses the Colorado-New Mexico border, traversing elevations that range from 7,863 to 10,015 feet. Along the way, you'll see historical buildings, inch along an 800-foot deep gorge and squeeze between rock ledges. The open gondola car is perfect for spotting deer, elk and bears along the route. You'll return to your starting point via motorcoach.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway | Blue Ridge, GA
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, Blue Ridge, GA
Kick back for a peaceful 26-mile roundtrip in a vintage car along the Toccoa River through the Chattahoochee National Forest. On the you'll stop for a layover on the Georgia-Tennessee border in the neighboring towns of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee, where you can go antiquing or grab lunch. Special discounts are available for military personnel and first responders.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Essex Steam Train | Essex, CT
Essex Steam Train, Essex, CT
Enjoy the unspoiled scenery in the Connecticut River Valley on a train pulled by an authentic steam engine. Or take a combination excursion that includes a ride on the and a on the "Becky Thatcher." There's also a dinner train excursion and special outings featuring chocolate and wine, beer and brats, whiskey and cigars, or full-day sightseeing stops in the villages of Haddam and East Haddam.
PHOTO: Jody Dole
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad | Peninsula, OH
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Peninsula, OH
Trains began operating in the valley in 1880, transporting coal to Cleveland, Akron and Canton from the Tuscarawas River Valley. Nowadays, you can travel through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park on the 's two-hour Fall Flyer excursion. Or book a trip featuring breakfast, lunch or dinner in the dining car. Another popular activity is to ride your bike one way along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, then take the train back. Special events include wine and beer tasting rides, paint and sip excursions and kids' costumed Halloween trains. There's also ADA seating.
PHOTO: Robert George
Green Mountain Railroad | Chester, VT
Green Mountain Railroad, Chester, VT
There's arguably no more spectacular fall foliage than the vibrant colors on the rolling hills and mountains of rural Vermont. Enjoy a two-hour roundtrip scenic ride on the , or book a four-course fine dining experience on the dinner train. There's also a trip to , where you can lunch or stay overnight and then take the train back the next day.
PHOTO: Donnie Nunley/Flickr Creative Commons
Mount Washington Cog Railway | Bretton Woods, NH
Mount Washington Cog Railway, Bretton Woods, NH
Climb to the 6,288-foot summit of Mount Washington on the , which has been in operation for 144 years. The views change as the elevation rises to the highest peak in the Northeast. The visitor center at the summit includes an observatory and new interactive weather museum, restrooms, and snack bar.
Mount Hood Railroad | Hood River, OR
Mount Hood Railroad, Hood River, OR
Gaze at the colorful leaves contrasted against stately evergreens and rugged mountain terrain found in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. The 's trip includes photo stops, a harvest gift and tastings of area harvest brews. Or book a special excursion to watch an Old West-style train robbery unfold. But don't fret; the good guys (and gals) win.
Amtrak's Dome Car | Adirondack Mountains, NY
Amtrak's Dome Car, Adirondack Mountains, NY
Take in some of the best autumnal views Mother Nature has to offer by hitching a ride on the Amtrak's vintage Great Dome Car. Currently traveling between Boston and Maine on , the window-covered car typically joins the Adirondack route, from Albany to Montreal, .
PHOTO: Courtesy of Amtrak
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad | Antonito, CO & Chama, NM
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Antonito, CO & Chama NM
Take a half or full-day trip on the , a National Historic Landmark coal-fired steam engine. The 64-mile line crisscrosses the Colorado-New Mexico border, traversing elevations that range from 7,863 to 10,015 feet. Along the way, you'll see historical buildings, inch along an 800-foot deep gorge and squeeze between rock ledges. The open gondola car is perfect for spotting deer, elk and bears along the route. You'll return to your starting point via motorcoach.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway | Blue Ridge, GA
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, Blue Ridge, GA
Kick back for a peaceful 26-mile roundtrip in a vintage car along the Toccoa River through the Chattahoochee National Forest. On the you'll stop for a layover on the Georgia-Tennessee border in the neighboring towns of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee, where you can go antiquing or grab lunch. Special discounts are available for military personnel and first responders.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Essex Steam Train | Essex, CT
Essex Steam Train, Essex, CT
Enjoy the unspoiled scenery in the Connecticut River Valley on a train pulled by an authentic steam engine. Or take a combination excursion that includes a ride on the and a on the "Becky Thatcher." There's also a dinner train excursion and special outings featuring chocolate and wine, beer and brats, whiskey and cigars, or full-day sightseeing stops in the villages of Haddam and East Haddam.
PHOTO: Jody Dole
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad | Peninsula, OH
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Peninsula, OH
Trains began operating in the valley in 1880, transporting coal to Cleveland, Akron and Canton from the Tuscarawas River Valley. Nowadays, you can travel through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park on the 's two-hour Fall Flyer excursion. Or book a trip featuring breakfast, lunch or dinner in the dining car. Another popular activity is to ride your bike one way along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, then take the train back. Special events include wine and beer tasting rides, paint and sip excursions and kids' costumed Halloween trains. There's also ADA seating.
PHOTO: Robert George
Green Mountain Railroad | Chester, VT
Green Mountain Railroad, Chester, VT
There's arguably no more spectacular fall foliage than the vibrant colors on the rolling hills and mountains of rural Vermont. Enjoy a two-hour roundtrip scenic ride on the , or book a four-course fine dining experience on the dinner train. There's also a trip to , where you can lunch or stay overnight and then take the train back the next day.
PHOTO: Donnie Nunley/Flickr Creative Commons
Mount Washington Cog Railway | Bretton Woods, NH
Mount Washington Cog Railway, Bretton Woods, NH
Climb to the 6,288-foot summit of Mount Washington on the , which has been in operation for 144 years. The views change as the elevation rises to the highest peak in the Northeast. The visitor center at the summit includes an observatory and new interactive weather museum, restrooms, and snack bar.
Mount Hood Railroad | Hood River, OR
Mount Hood Railroad, Hood River, OR
Gaze at the colorful leaves contrasted against stately evergreens and rugged mountain terrain found in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. The 's trip includes photo stops, a harvest gift and tastings of area harvest brews. Or book a special excursion to watch an Old West-style train robbery unfold. But don't fret; the good guys (and gals) win.
Amtrak's Dome Car | Adirondack Mountains, NY
Amtrak's Dome Car, Adirondack Mountains, NY
Take in some of the best autumnal views Mother Nature has to offer by hitching a ride on the Amtrak's vintage Great Dome Car. Currently traveling between Boston and Maine on , the window-covered car typically joins the Adirondack route, from Albany to Montreal, .
PHOTO: Courtesy of Amtrak
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad | Antonito, CO & Chama, NM
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Antonito, CO & Chama NM
Take a half or full-day trip on the , a National Historic Landmark coal-fired steam engine. The 64-mile line crisscrosses the Colorado-New Mexico border, traversing elevations that range from 7,863 to 10,015 feet. Along the way, you'll see historical buildings, inch along an 800-foot deep gorge and squeeze between rock ledges. The open gondola car is perfect for spotting deer, elk and bears along the route. You'll return to your starting point via motorcoach.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway | Blue Ridge, GA
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, Blue Ridge, GA
Kick back for a peaceful 26-mile roundtrip in a vintage car along the Toccoa River through the Chattahoochee National Forest. On the you'll stop for a layover on the Georgia-Tennessee border in the neighboring towns of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee, where you can go antiquing or grab lunch. Special discounts are available for military personnel and first responders.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Essex Steam Train | Essex, CT
Essex Steam Train, Essex, CT
Enjoy the unspoiled scenery in the Connecticut River Valley on a train pulled by an authentic steam engine. Or take a combination excursion that includes a ride on the and a on the "Becky Thatcher." There's also a dinner train excursion and special outings featuring chocolate and wine, beer and brats, whiskey and cigars, or full-day sightseeing stops in the villages of Haddam and East Haddam.
PHOTO: Jody Dole
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad | Peninsula, OH
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Peninsula, OH
Trains began operating in the valley in 1880, transporting coal to Cleveland, Akron and Canton from the Tuscarawas River Valley. Nowadays, you can travel through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park on the 's two-hour Fall Flyer excursion. Or book a trip featuring breakfast, lunch or dinner in the dining car. Another popular activity is to ride your bike one way along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, then take the train back. Special events include wine and beer tasting rides, paint and sip excursions and kids' costumed Halloween trains. There's also ADA seating.
PHOTO: Robert George
Green Mountain Railroad | Chester, VT
Green Mountain Railroad, Chester, VT
There's arguably no more spectacular fall foliage than the vibrant colors on the rolling hills and mountains of rural Vermont. Enjoy a two-hour roundtrip scenic ride on the , or book a four-course fine dining experience on the dinner train. There's also a trip to , where you can lunch or stay overnight and then take the train back the next day.
PHOTO: Donnie Nunley/Flickr Creative Commons
Mount Washington Cog Railway | Bretton Woods, NH
Mount Washington Cog Railway, Bretton Woods, NH
Climb to the 6,288-foot summit of Mount Washington on the , which has been in operation for 144 years. The views change as the elevation rises to the highest peak in the Northeast. The visitor center at the summit includes an observatory and new interactive weather museum, restrooms, and snack bar.
Mount Hood Railroad | Hood River, OR
Mount Hood Railroad, Hood River, OR
Gaze at the colorful leaves contrasted against stately evergreens and rugged mountain terrain found in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. The 's trip includes photo stops, a harvest gift and tastings of area harvest brews. Or book a special excursion to watch an Old West-style train robbery unfold. But don't fret; the good guys (and gals) win.
Amtrak's Dome Car | Adirondack Mountains, NY
Amtrak's Dome Car, Adirondack Mountains, NY
Take in some of the best autumnal views Mother Nature has to offer by hitching a ride on the Amtrak's vintage Great Dome Car. Currently traveling between Boston and Maine on , the window-covered car typically joins the Adirondack route, from Albany to Montreal, .
PHOTO: Courtesy of Amtrak
Hop aboard and let someone else do the driving while you leaf-peep
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If you're looking for a low-key way to enjoy the vivid shades of autumn, consider riding the rails. It's a stress-free, family-friendly experience that allows you to focus on Mother Nature's colors, rather than fidgeting with your GPS. Some trains offer box lunches and snacks or catered fine dining, while others let you bring your own food. There's often historical commentary by guides on the vintage train routes, and some excursions stop for layovers in small towns where you can shop or grab a bite. A few things to remember: Reservations fill up fast, especially for . Typically, cars are assigned but seats are not, so arrive early. And some cars are open-air, so dress accordingly. Here are some of our favorite scenic train rides to view .