The 13 Best Train Journeys in the USA

1.Key West Conch Tour Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 792 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45Our pick

Ride through Key West’s old town on a covered Conch Tour Train with a local guide, learning about Henry Flagler, Audubon, Hemingway, Truman, and the island’s Conch settlers. The tour takes about 75 to 90 minutes, includes Sails to Rails Museum admission, and gives you a useful first look at the Southernmost Point, Mallory Square, and other landmarks.

“We prepurchased our tickets and we were debating between this and the hop on hop off due to weather. We chose this because it was unique. When we arrived it was cold! We were able to change the tickets at the pick up site. This is a great way to get around the keys while learning a lot about the island. Highly recommend this experience.”

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2.Skunk Train: Pudding Creek Express from Fort Bragg

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 260 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $53

Take a 75-minute, 7-mile round trip from Fort Bragg along Pudding Creek Estuary. Ride in restored railcars, listen to recorded local history, watch for herons and ospreys, and pause at Glen Blair Junction for a short forest walk. Snacks, drinks, restrooms, and an open-air car add comfort and fun.

“It was super fun, informative and nostalgic as I used to do this as a child. The ride is beautiful through the redwoods while a recording provides the deep history of the area and the train! Perfect for all ages.”

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3.Skunk Train: Wolf Tree Turn from Willits

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 258 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $70

Ride a vintage diesel-electric train from Willits into Mendocino’s redwood country for about two hours. You’ll hear live commentary, and some departures include a singing conductor, guitar, and even flute. The train stops at a former logging camp before returning to 299 E Commercial St. Open-air seating, food, drinks, and wheelchair access make it easy to enjoy.

“Malakai was the best!! If he wasn't there I would have given it a two star. His entertainment was outstanding!!!”

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4.Key West Conch Train Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 234 reviews · 1 day · from $45

Ride the open-air Conch Train for a 60-minute loop through Old Town Key West, with stories about Hemingway, Mel Fisher, cigars, and shipwreck treasure. Your one-day ticket also includes the Sails to Rails Museum. Guides such as Julie, Todd, Jay, and Rob have earned praise for their humor and local knowledge, but seats can feel tight for tall riders.

“Great way to see Key West. Friendly and informative driver. Too hot to walk so a great option to get around town and see the sights”

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5.Fairbanks: Gold Dredge 8 Historic Train Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 219 reviews · 2 hours · from $89

Spend two hours at Gold Dredge 8 outside Fairbanks, riding the narrow-gauge Tanana Valley Railroad, hearing stories from guides such as Tim, viewing the dredge and Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and panning for gold. You can take home the gold you find, then browse the well-stocked gift shop.

“Absolutely Amazing .. Learned alot and had a fabulous time !!!Shall return”

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6.Wild West Day Trip to Virginia City from Tahoe with Train Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 142 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $80

Travel by minibus from South Lake Tahoe to Virginia City with a guide such as Nevada Smith or Dale, then ride the Virginia & Truckee Railroad to Gold Hill and back. You get several hours to explore Main Street, museums, churches, saloons, and shops on your own. The train ride is short, so the bus commentary and free time are a major part of the day.

“Amazing fun day with beautiful views and lovely train ride and fun show Very good activity to do with kids”

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7.All-Day Guided Zipline Tour with Train Ride and Lunch in Durango

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 133 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $650Top rated

Spend about 8.5 hours riding a first-class train from downtown Durango, completing 27 ziplines with trained guides, and eating a four-course lunch above the Animas River. The course suits ages 4 to 94, includes ecology talks and short walks, and is led by a full team of guides, including names such as Phil, Olivia, Devon, and Tori.

“My husband hates heights and he loved it! The crew that is with you every step of the way was wonderful. They are helpful, patient supportive, professional, and kind. I can’t say enough about Soaring Tree Top Adventures. It starts with the ride on the train to get there. 27 lines so you get a great variety. Yummy 4-course lunch in the trees was excellent. From start to finish it was marvelous!!”

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8.Chattanooga: Derailed Trolley Tour and Train Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 126 reviews · from $59

Meet at the Chattanooga Choo Choo for a four-hour guided trolley tour with Craig, covering horse cars, railroads, automobiles, and electric vehicles. Then visit Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and ride the Missionary Ridge Local. The trip suits history fans and families, but the train ride is short and focused on railroad operations rather than scenery.

“Craig was our driver for the trolley of the city tour. He was very knowledgeable of the cities history thru all time periods. His wife helped also. They're good people to be around and we'd recommend the tour. In their part, they took us out to the train ride plus, picked us up to deliver us back to our starting point.”

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9.Derailed Adventure – Chattanooga Trolley & Train Combo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 125 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $0

Spend about four hours with guide Craig, or occasionally Greg, touring Chattanooga by air-conditioned trolley before visiting the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. Expect city history, a narrated train ride, old locomotives, a repair shop, a working turntable, and stops at Chattanooga Choo Choo and the National Cemetery. The group is limited to 22 people.

“Craig and his wife were awesome! This tour included fascinating history of Chattanooga and a locomotive ride. The small scale train models were my favorite. The trolly was great, though a tad uncomfortable. My only suggestion is for the trolly to take a little better scenic route, if possible.”

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10.Sedona, AZ: Grand Canyon Guided Tour and Historic Railway

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 122 reviews · 11 hours · from $350

Travel from Sedona through Oak Creek Canyon and Flagstaff to Williams, where you board the Grand Canyon Railway. After arriving at the South Rim, a guide such as Andrea, Al, or Steve takes you to Grand Canyon Village, Grandview Point, Desert View Watchtower, Cameron Trading Post, and Little Colorado River Gorge. Choose standard or first class.

“Very knowledgeable and personable tour guides, on both the train and van.”

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11.Rockies to the Red Rocks Train – Denver to Moab – SilverLeaf Plus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 98 reviews · from $2,327

Spend two days aboard Rocky Mountaineer from Denver to Moab, crossing the Continental Divide and following the Colorado River through canyons, desert cliffs, and red rock country. SilverLeaf Plus adds a lounge car, small outdoor viewing area, premium drinks, cocktails, meals, hosts, and baggage transfers, with an overnight in Glenwood Springs.

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12.Sedona: Grand Canyon Railway Full-Day Scenic Rail Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 89 reviews · 11 hours · from $350

Leave your Sedona hotel early for Williams and a classic Grand Canyon Railway ride to Grand Canyon Village. After lunch on your own, your guide takes you to South and East Rim viewpoints, the Little Colorado River Gorge, and Painted Desert scenery. Guides such as Cat, Matt, and Sheldon have earned special praise for their stories and care.

“The train ride was not what I anticipated, but our guide Cat made up for it. We had a wonderful trip. Cat made sure we saw the best places at the Grand Canyon. Our van broke down, which turned out to be a benefit because she stopped at a gorgeous overlook where we waited for our back up van. I would recommend her as a guide to everyone.”

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13.Skip the Line: Historic RailPark and Train Museum Ticket with Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $22Best value

Step inside Bowling Green’s 1925 L&N Depot, then join a guided tour through historic railcars on 450 feet of track. You’ll see a Railroad Post Office car, the Duncan Hines Diner, a 1949 Pullman diner, the Pine sleeper, and the 353 Presidential office car. The visit lasts about 45 minutes and includes the self-guided museum.

“If you love to learn history, this is for you! See how mail was once delivered, and compare it to today.”

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