The first step in planning your long-distance Amtrak trip is choosing which route to ride and when to ride it. June and July travel is typically recommended because you’ll have the most daylight for viewing scenery. However, some routes are better in other seasons, especially to enjoy fall foliage or destinations and special events along the way.
To simplify your options, here are our favorite Amtrak routes to ride in each month of the year — and some of the best things to do before, after or during your trip.
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January
In January, most places in the United States are cold and dark. It’s the perfect time to book tickets on the Silver Meteor or Silver Star for a trip to Florida — especially if you live in the Northeast. You’ll spend the majority of the trip sleeping and wake up in the Sunshine State. Consider traveling to Tampa for the Gasparilla Pirate Fest or West Palm Beach for the South Florida Fair. Pictured above is Hollywood, Florida, which has a great beach boardwalk for walking and biking (and the average high in January is 75°F).
February
For warmer weather and a potential stop in New Orleans for Mardi Gras celebrations, book tickets on the Sunset Limited route in February. Trains travel between Los Angeles and New Orleans and there are mild temperatures as you travel through big cities, bayous and deserts. It’s also a great time to visit San Antonio to enjoy attractions without the crowds and experience Mardi Gras on the River Walk.
March
The Texas Eagle travels between Chicago and Los Angeles with many stops in Texas. That’s a good thing in March as you can enjoy the spring flowers. Book tickets to Dallas for the Dallas Blooms festival, which takes place during the entire month of March. Hill Country (pictured above) is also known for wildflowers starting in mid-March, which you can reach via a day tour from San Antonio.
April
The Southwest Chief is a desert and mountain Amtrak route that’s best to ride before or after summer, especially if you want to stop at attractions along the way. April has plenty of daylight for enjoying the scenery in either direction of travel, and it’s also a great time to visit Los Angeles (one end of the route) and the Grand Canyon (via Flagstaff) for pleasant weather and fewer tourists.
May
The Capitol Limited route gets our vote for a trip in May. You’ll be surrounded by green trees as you travel through the Appalachian Mountains (consider stopping in Harpers Ferry or Cumberland for hiking). May is also Memorial Day weekend, and you can pay your respects at the war memorials in Washington D.C. at one end of the route or kick off summer at the other end in Chicago at Navy Pier, Wrigley Field and the city’s many beaches.
June
The Cardinal travels between Chicago and New York City through the New River Gorge in West Virginia, and if you travel in June, you can easily enjoy the scenery if you are traveling east or west. To explore the New River Gorge National Park (including via white water rafting), book your tickets to Charleston, WV and rent a car. Otherwise, for the most scenic part of the trip, travel between Washington D.C. and either Indianapolis or Chicago.
July
One of Amtrak’s most popular long-distance routes, the Empire Builder is best in the summer when there is maximum daylight for viewing the amazing landscapes. While any summer month is ideal, July is a great time to visit destinations along the route, including Chicago, Wisconsin Dells, Glacier National Park, Portland and Seattle. Note that you have the choice to start or end the trip in Seattle or Portland — choose Portland if you want to travel through the Columbia River Gorge.
August
August is one of the best times to visit the Pacific Northwest and wineries in California, that’s why a trip on the Coast Starlight is ideal. You can start in Los Angeles or Seattle (great sightseeing in both cities), and potentially stop along the way for beautiful beaches, wine tasting and outdoor activities. To maximize views of the scenery, start in Los Angeles and travel north.
September
The California Zephyr route has wonderful scenery all year long. However, September offers some unique perks, including less people on the train, golden Aspen trees in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and great weather for hiking and soaking in the hot springs in Glenwood Springs. Trains travel between Northern California and Chicago, but if you don’t want to travel the entire route, travel between Denver and Northern California for the best scenery.
October
For beautiful fall foliage in Upstate New York and Massachusetts, plan to ride the Lake Shore Limited in October. You have the option to travel in the beautiful Hudson River Valley (pictured above) to/from New York City and you can start or end the trip in Boston. Not only is the scenery fantastic, but both of these cities are also great to visit in the fall. For extra sightseeing, book tickets to Buffalo and rent a car or use rideshare to reach Niagara Falls.
November
Ride Amtrak’s Crescent route in November to attend Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City, visit museums in Washington D.C. in the off-season or escape chilly weather in the Northeast with a visit to the French Quarter. If you depart from New Orleans, you’ll have great views of Lake Pontchartrain and the landscapes in Mississippi and Alabama (pictured above). Note that you can also board the train in cities including Birmingham and Atlanta.
December
The City of New Orleans Amtrak route travels overnight between Chicago and New Orleans. It’s a great option for escaping the cold weather in the Midwest to enjoy the holiday decorations and festivities in New Orleans, including Réveillon dinners and New Year’s Eve celebrations. When traveling south from Illinois, you’ll board the train in the evening and arrive in New Orleans the next day in time for dinner.
More Information
- 10 most scenic Amtrak routes
- 5 best Amtrak sleeper car routes
- 10 best Midwest Amtrak trips
- 7 best Amtrak trips out West
- 10 best Amtrak trips on the East Coast
Top photo credit: Sergey Yarmolyuk (California Zephyr in Colfax, CA)
