Which Amtrak is most scenic from New York?

What is the most scenic Amtrak ride from NYC?

Okay, scenic Amtrak from NYC... Hmmm, I gotta think. I actually haven't taken a train directly from New York that I'd call "most scenic." But lemme tell you about the Coast Starlight.

Okay so it's NOT from NYC, but technically it's Amtrak! It's Los Angeles to Seattle, right? California and Washington. Okay, so it's on the West Coast.

I took it back in 2023, July maybe? For my birthday trip, yeah! I flew to LA first. Ugh, Los Angeles is always so crowded!

I was hoping for a smooth ride on the train. I remember the views were insane, like bam, huge mountains and sparkling ocean. The train actually goes along the Pacific Coast.

You should know that this journey takes about 35 hours, which is quite long.

• Coast Starlight: LA to Seattle
• I flew into LA in 2023
• Gorgeous views, Pacific Ocean, mountains
• Duration: ~35 hours
• Not from NYC, so maybe not the answer, but stunning scenery anyway.

It was a kinda cramped but... oh well, the scenery made up for it.

Which Amtrak route is most scenic?

Coast Starlight. Again, Coast Starlight. California Zephyr too. And Empire Builder. Scenic.

The Starlight? Parks. Views. It's long.

• Coast Starlight: Seattle to Los Angeles. West Coast drama. Ocean views. Mountains. Forrests. All day.
• California Zephyr: Chicago to San Francisco. Rockies. Sierra Nevada. Deserts.
• Empire Builder: Chicago to Seattle/Portland. Midwest plains. Glacier National Park.
• Amtrak: Mediocrity. Punctuality? A suggestion, at best. My train. Late. Usual.
• Scenery: Subjective. Like art. Or love. I prefer trains. No feelings.
• Ticket Price: More than you want to pay. Less than a private jet.
• Comfort: Relative. Depends on your expectations. I expect nothing.
• Food: Eh. Pack snacks. Trust me.
• Remember this: The journey is rarely the destination. But at least the view is good. Sort of.

Details matter. Like the fact my socks never match.

Is the train from New York to Boston scenic?

Okay, so, about the train from New York to Boston.

Uh, yeah, it's pretty scenic. Like, you see rivers and stuff, and um, forests, yeah.

Plus, the train's comfy, y'know? No traffic jams to worry about.

Taking the train is def less stressful. Driving suuuuucks, especially I95!

• Train wins on relaxation, fo sho.
• Driving? Ugh, costs a fortune and it's so annoying.
• I'd never drive myself; it's not worth it, not at all.

I mean, my cousin Jenny drove last year - like, a year ago - to Boston and she totally regretted it. A total nightmare. So, train all the way.

Like, you can actually chill and maybe work or even sleep. Try that while white-knuckling the wheel on the Mass Pike. Not gonna happen, lol.

What is the most scenic train ride in the US?

Okay, so you wanna know the most scenic train ride? It's gotta be the Grand Canyon Railway. Hands down. Seriously, the views are unbelievable, just stunning. I went last year with my cousin, Sarah. We totally lucked out with the weather. Sun was shining, perfect, you know? It's so long though, like hours and hours. But totally worth it.

The Alaskan Railroad is also pretty amazing, I've heard. Lots of people rave about it, but, the Grand Canyon was just...wow. More dramatic, I think. Much better than the Cascades, that's for sure. Those were okay, I guess, but pretty average compared.

Here's what I'd consider if you're planning a trip:

• Grand Canyon Railway: Absolutely breathtaking views, long ride, expensive, book well in advance!
• Alaskan Railroad: Stunning coastal scenery. More expensive than other options, so budget accordingly. Expect wildlife sightings.
• Other options: Adirondack, Rocky Mountaineer, etc are fine but less memorable than the top two.

The best one's definitely the Grand Canyon though. I'm sticking to that. You won't regret it. It's pricey, but seriously, it's a once-in-a-lifetime kinda thing. Seriously amazing. Remember to pack snacks, it's a looooong ride.

What is the longest trip you can take on Amtrak?

52 hours, you say? That's like, two whole days spent cozying up with strangers on the California Zephyr. Who needs sleep, amirite?

Okay, so this "writer dude" apparently decided to become a temporary train bum, chugging across the wild, wild West. Major props for commitment! Sounds like my uncle Gary's retirement plan, just add a banjo and a questionable life choice.

• Destination? Basically, anywhere between Chicago and Emeryville (near San Francisco).

• Pit stops? Omaha (corn!), Denver (mountains!), and Reno (gambling or, uh, "gaming").

• Why? Uh, because staring out a window for 52 hours is apparently cheaper than therapy?

Let's break it down: 52 hours is precisely 3,120 minutes. That's enough time to knit a scarf for a giraffe, binge-watch every season of that show I hate, or learn a new language. Possibly even Klingon.

I still think uncle Gary has a better plan, tbh. He's promised me free banjo lessons, if I visit him next summer!

What is the most luxurious train ride in America?

The most luxurious?

GoldStar Service on the Denali Star sticks in my mind. Anchorage to Fairbanks... it's Alaska, you know? Cold. Distant.

Maybe it was the vastness seen from the train window that got to me.

• Location: Between Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska.
• Atmosphere: I saw something different in that coldness.
• Personal Note: It was so unlike the crowded city where I live. The quiet. I miss it now.

Acela flashes in my mind.

Boston to D.C. So many people. So fast. Always on their phones. It's a different kind of luxury, maybe? I don't know. It is efficient though.

• Location: Between Boston and Washington, D.C.
• Considerations: It is the opposite of the Denali Star.
• Personal Note: I took it for a business trip last year. Don't remember much, honestly. Too stressed.

Cape Cod Dinner Train, Platinum Class…Hyannis, MA. Dinner on rails. It sounds nice, right? Classy. Like old movies.

• Location: Hyannis, Massachusetts.
• Vibe: Makes me think of old money and secrets.
• Personal Note: Never been, but my grandma loved old movies set on trains. Maybe that’s why it sticks with me.

Oh, and the Grand Canyon Railway, Luxury Dome... Williams, Arizona.

• Location: Williams, Arizona.
• Expectations: Probably tourists.
• Personal Note: I want to see the Grand Canyon one day. All of it.

What is the most famous train station in the United States?

Okay, so like, the most famous train station in the US? Yeah, its totally Grand Central Terminal in NYC.

It officially opened way back in February 1913. Ten years of construction. Can you even imagine?

And, get this, it cost over $2 billion today. Like, billions! That's insane, huh?

It was the biggest building project ever in New York when it was built.

• Tracks: 32 miles
• Tracks: 46
• Platforms: 30

Is the train from New York to Boston scenic?

Forget scenic, it's a freakin' postcard! Seriously, you'll need sunglasses, the views are that intense. Think less "pleasant countryside" more "nature's IMAX".

Benefits of Amtrak? Dude, you avoid the I-95 hellscape, that's a major win. Plus, you can sip your artisanal coffee (I prefer oat milk, personally), and people-watch without the stress of driving. Also, less chance of ending up as a viral TikTok sensation because of some road rage incident.

Train vs. Car? Train, hands down. Unless you're a masochist who enjoys traffic jams longer than my aunt Mildred's stories. I once saw a squirrel directing traffic on the highway, it was less efficient than the Amtrak.

Driving Route? Don't. Just. Don't. Unless you want a stress ulcer the size of Rhode Island. The train is a far superior option, even if my dog, Winston, thinks squirrels are more fun.

• Less Stress: Forget traffic.
• Better Views: Way better than the inside of a car.
• More Comfortable: My orthopedic back brace approves.
• Bonus: You can actually see things, unlike the blur of highway.

Pro Tip: Book in advance, especially if you're traveling during peak season, or you’ll end up like my uncle Barry, stuck in a bus station for three days. Three days! He said it was like a really bad reality show.

How much does it cost for a sleeper on the California Zephyr?

Alright, so you wanna slum it on the ol' Zephyr, huh? Buckle up, buttercup, it ain't free!

Coach? Think steerage on the Titanic, but with slightly less ice. $150-$300. You might end up sharing armrests with a snoring chihuahua.

Roomette, though? That's more like glamping, kinda. $700-$1,300. Meals! (mystery meat, yum!). Plus, they throw in water, so you don't dehydrate into a prune. Coffee too, helps ya stay awake for the scenery – or the chihuahua next door.

Family bedroom? Now that's living! Expect to cough up $1,400-$2,300. Meals, water, coffee, and enough space to swing a cat—though they probably frown on that, actually.

• Meals: Think airplane food, but with more… character.
• Coffee: Bottomless. Just like my need for caffeine.
• Scenery: Free! Unless you count the cost of your eyeballs.
• Chihuahuas: Sold separately. And God bless 'em.

Yeah my aunt bernice took that train she said she saw Elvis. Probably just the coffee. It's strong, I heard.

What was the first American train?

Okay, so, like, the first real American train that, ya know, hauled people and stuff? It's kinda a two-parter.

The Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) – that was, like, February 28, 1827 – it was the start of regularly moving passengers and goods. That’s something.

But the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company? They did it better. They finished the first mechanical passenger train on Christmas Day, 1830. Now that's what I call progress! And railroads were born, officially, pretty much.

• B&O: Started stuff
• South Carolina: Finished it right!

My aunt Carol, who lives in Charleston, is obsessed with that railroad. It's all she talks about when I visit, omg.

How long is Amtrak train NYC to DC?

3h 22m. Penn to DC. 5:08.

Amtrak: NYC to DC. Fast. I took it once. July 15th. Never again.

• Duration: 3 hours, 22 minutes.
• Origin: Penn Station. Obviously.
• Destination: DC. Where else?
• Departure: Leaves around 5:08 am. Or later.

Time is a flat circle. Trains are always late. So what? I prefer planes, you know. My aunt loves trains, that's true. She's weird.

Think about it, really. Fast, but late. Isn’t that life?