Best Amtrak Routes To See Stunning Fall Foliage Across The U.S.

When seeing fall foliage by train, you’ll enjoy some of the country’s best scenic and serene leaf peeping from the comfort of your own seat.

Riding certain Amtrak routes during autumn can take you on a magical journey of fall colors. In addition to being an amazing solo adventure to embark on, it can also be a fun way to enjoy the season with family or friends. Moreover, Amtrak routes that showcase autumn’s hues span the country.

For a longer fall foliage journey, book Amtrak’s 46-hour Empire Builder, which runs from the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest. The nearly two-day ride between Chicago and Seattle has many hotspots along the way, including Leavenworth, Portland, Spokane, Minneapolis, and Milwaukee.

The extremely picturesque and panoramic Cardinal route runs between New York City and Chicago, taking around 27 hours. Riders will venture through many states, with some of their most breathtaking leaf-peeping occurring in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, as well as the Shenandoah Valley.

Amtrak details that elsewhere in the United States, the California Zephyr is a solid choice for seeing fall foliage by train. The over 51-hour ride will take over two days to complete, so booking a room will be best if you want to enjoy it all the way through. It goes from Chicago “through the plains of Nebraska to Denver, across the Rockies to Salt Lake City, and then through Reno and Sacramento into Emeryville/San Francisco.”

What Other Routes Are There To Consider?

Shorter scenic Amtrak routes for the season are the Heartland Flyer and the Vermonter. The former takes under four and a half hours and has multiple stops as it journeys from Oklahoma City to Fort Worth. Meanwhile, the Vermonter takes under 14 hours and travels from Washington, D.C., through nine states before reaching its Vermont destination.

Additionally, the 10-hour Adirondack line is truly one of Amtrak’s most scenic for the season. It goes between New York City and Montreal, Canada. While anyone would find it charming — with sights of the Hudson Valley and Adirondack Mountains — it’s especially convenient for those in the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut tri-state area.

What Else Is There To Know About Seeing Fall Foliage By Train?

Seeing the best of this year’s fall foliage will require some strategic planning of your leaf-peeping route. Will you get a room on the train or secure a window seat? Will you ride an entire route or just a portion of it? Which city will you depart from — and will you exit and reboard before reaching your final destination?

Another important factor for seeing fall foliage by train is thoughtfully timing when you’ll take your trip. That’s why it helps to outline at least a loose plan for your destinations. Many cities provide information on the best times to see the vibrancy of their fall colors. That said, you’ll want to align your trip with those times as much as possible. Additionally, Amtrak states that “peak foliage” will occur between September and October for the California Zephyr, Adirondack, Empire Builder, and Vermonter routes. The best time for the Cardinal line will be early through mid-October. And for the Heartland Flyer, seeing the fall foliage by train will be best from late October through early November.

Consider making your destination a place where you can soak up the local fall foliage for a couple of days. Ways you could do that include walking the city and exploring nearby green spaces and national parks. Also, many find that the best fall foliage viewing for them occurs while engaging in water activities like kayaking, fishing, or taking boat tours.

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