More Americans are traveling abroad than ever before. The idea of jet-setting to some faraway exotic land can be enticing and tempting to those who want to escape from the monotony of their daily life. Sure, we get it but did you ever consider how much natural beauty and majestic wonders await you here in the good ole USA? Even better, you can avoid all the airport hassles, high costs of tickets, delays, and onboard discomfort by train travel!

Here’s a list of the most incredible scenic train routes in the U.S. to inspire you to hop on board!

Amtrak Cascades

The Amtrak Cascades is a high-speed passenger train in the Pacific Northwest, connecting 18 cities along the I-5 corridor including Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, BC and Eugene, Oregon. It’s named after the beautiful Cascade mountain range that runs alongside the corridor. It’s a wonderful way to see the dramatic beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Grand Canyon Railway

The Grand Canyon Railway is a heritage railroad transporting passengers between Williams, Arizona, and the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park since 1901. This 64 mile train ride promises an unforgettable trip in restored rail cars to provide comfort and luxury. There’s also live music for entertainment and actors telling folklore to bring the old West to life. Best of all, the scenic ride promises stunning views of pine and fir forests, prairies, bison, bears, and of course, the majestic landscapes of the Grand Canyon.

Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic

Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic is a passenger and semi-luxury train that operates seasonally between May and September. This 114-mile escapade takes a little over four hours, during which time passengers travel along Turnagain Arm and through the Kenai Peninsula, stopping in Seward’s Resurrection Bay before turning back to Anchorage. It’s almost a guarantee that you’ll see spectacular mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, pristine rivers and lakes during this wonderfully scenic train ride. Of course, there’s the abundant wildlife that you’re bound to see –  moose, black bears, marmots, mountain goats and eagles to name a few.

Coast Starlight

Amtrak’s Coast Starlight connects the West Coast’s most important cities between Los Angeles and Seattle and is regarded as one of the most stunning scenic train routes in the U.S. The daily service covers approximately 1,377 miles for a total journey time of 35 hours, passing through the snow-covered mountains of the Cascade Range and Mount Shasta, Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Barbara, and the Pacific Ocean shoreline. The train runs along the coastline for some 350 miles so you’ll be sure to see plenty of dramatic surfs, cliffs, and beaches.

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

With 53 scenic miles of track, two tunnels, and 25 bridges in Western North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers two trips departing from Bryson City: the 44-mile Nantahala Gorge Excursion which travels along the Little Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers across Fontana Lake and into the magic of the Nantahala Gorge, and the 32-mile round trip Tuckasegee River Excursion which travels along the Tuckasegee River through old railroad towns and meadows. This train ride promises views of spectacular river gorges, mountain valleys, lakes, and rivers.

Adirondack Scenic Railroad

The Adirondack Scenic Railroad is a tourist railway with daily departures from New York City. The train travels through remote forests, rivers, over bridges, tranquil ponds and streams into the magnificent beauty of the six million acre Adirondack Park.