The best winter train rides in the USA

Trip length: Up to 46 hours

The most epic winter adventure awaits on the Empire Builder, Amtrak’s 46-hour blissful trek from Chicago to Seattle and Portland. The train winds through Minneapolis and St. Paul and through Montana’s Glacier National Park, chugging away through America’s West. Private bedroom cars provide solace for a long-procrastinated crochet project or binging a book series, while communal dining offers the opportunity to meet new people. At night, let the sway of the speedy train lull you to sleep.

Trip length: 12 hours

Trains aren’t necessarily the quickest way from point A to point B, but the scenic route certainly has its perks regarding views. This 12-hour train between Anchorage and Fairbanks is the most picturesque way to see the winter landscape of the Alaskan backcountry while staying warm inside the train car. If the weather is clear, you’ll see Denali, the tallest mountain in North America (and maybe, if you’re lucky, a moose along the route). For an even better view, Alaska Railroad offers add-ons like seaplane rides, dog sledding, and glacier tours. This isn’t commuting; It’s an experience unlike any other.

Trip length: 2 hours

Recreate the classic Polar Express tale and hop on the Adirondack Railroad, where they’ll serve you hot cocoa and cookies on this two-hour trip. Cruise past the greenery of New York’s north country until you get to the "North Pole." Upon arrival, Santa commandeers the train to meet with every family and grants each child a silver bell—just like in the movie. Kids are encouraged to wear their PJs for extra dreaminess. In the 19th century, the Adirondack Railroad was used by loggers, trappers, hunters, and wealthy families who had "great camps" in the mountains. Now, it is used by families looking to learn about the past… and to meet Santa, of course.

Trip length: 51 hours and 30 minutes

If you’ve got a cool 51.5 hours to kill, why not hop aboard the California Zephyr, Amtrak’s longest daily train, which runs from Chicago to San Francisco? Ride the entire length or stop at any station in Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California. If you’re traveling in the winter months, you’ll see a winter wonderland; book a sleeper car and wake up to stunning views in Denver or the Great Salt Lake and watch snow sweep across the Illinois prairies or the majestic Ruby Mountains in Nevada. The journey, which travels through the heart of the Rockies and runs along the Sierra Nevada, is what Amtrak calls "one of the most beautiful train trips in all of North America," and we happen to agree.

Trip length: 5 hours and 15 minutes

The best train trips take you to places you can’t reach by car, and the Cascade Canyon Winter Train does precisely that—the journey glides through areas of the San Juan National Forest that are completely inaccessible by roads. Departing the historic town of Durango, Colorado, the train follows the Animas River through the forest to Cascade Canyon. At the end of the 26-mile scenic ride, there’s a 60-minute layover for lunch by the fire or walks by the river before the return trip. If there’s a railway enthusiast in your crew, check the calendar: you can choose between diesel-powered and vintage steam train trips for your Rocky Mountain adventure.

Trip length: 3 hours

The views from Pikes Peak are too good to be limited to a few adventurers who’ve climbed to the top. The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which made its first summit of "America’s Mountain" in 1891, aims to keep those views accessible to the masses. It’s the longest and highest cog railway in the world—and the highest railroad of any kind in the Northern Hemisphere—but even without the accolades, it would still be worth the trip. The nine-mile trek up the 14,000-foot Colorado peak offers breathtaking sights year-round, especially during winter when snow blankets the landscape.

Trip length: 13 hours and 45 minutes

Haven’t seen snowflakes falling in your neck of the country? The solution is simple: Head north. The Vermonter train connects Washington, D.C., to the beautiful layers of snow in… you guessed it: Vermont. Forget trying to drive over slippery streets. The Vermonter takes guests to ski country—including popular resorts Killington, Mount Snow, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Sugarbush, and Stratton. And your ski gear rides for free! Skiers and non-skiers alike can experience New England charm and the glistening landscapes of the Green Mountain state, with connections in New York; Springfield, MA; and Burlington, VT.

Trip length: 1 hour and 30 minutes

There’s no better way to take in the beauty of the Northern Pocono Mountains than to see them by train. Get comfy sitting in the train’s heated cars as you gaze out the window, eyes peeled for wildlife—passengers have been known to spot bald eagles soaring over the Lackawaxen River. In 1829, the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company performed the first trial run of a steam engine (named the Stourbridge Lion) in front of a crowd of wide-eyed, skeptical onlookers.. It became the first commercial railroad, and the rest is history.

Trip length: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Feeling outdoorsy? The Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway will deposit you right into a snowy paradise. Bring snowshoes or cross-country skis for self-guided exploration of the fields and forest around Alna Center, and catch one of their hourly trains back. Take the train a bit further to "Top of the Mountain," where you’ll then board a sleigh or wagon for a trip to SeaLyon Farm. Once you’re there, shop around (their famous lavender products are divine), get toasty by a bonfire, and indulge in hot beverages and tasty food from local vendors.