The main types of train trips are daily and weekly excursions that wind through areas of Alaska, Washington, North Carolina, Wyoming and Colorado---these trips explore scenic landscapes such as mountains, rivers, gorges, glaciers and oceanfront areas. Smaller train stations in local towns in rural America offer themed day trips. These trips are popular choices with families and couples looking for activities such as dinner and wine trains, murder mystery trains, western re-enactments and holiday-themed trains. The trains that transport passengers in vintage cars are often restored and run on steam or diesel. Most trains have covered cars with full dining capabilities and reclining seats for comfort. Some train carriages are unique, such as those on the Alaska Railroad Adventure Class, which offer passengers panoramic views with a vista dome---a window-covered ceiling that allows better views of the scenery.
Train trips in the USA can last up to nearly two weeks depending on departure points and activities planned along the way. A trip to visit a national park such as Yellowstone National Park or Denali National Park may last from one to five nights and could include a layover of up to 72 hours for sightseeing. The Alaskan Railroad offers an excursion--the Alaska Indulgence--that includes few days on the train, a three-hour bus trip to Denali, a train ride to Talkeetna to spend the night, a flight to the Talachulitna River for three days of fishing and hiking, another train ride to Seward and a boat trip to Fox Island and Kenai Fjords National Park. After a day-long excursion in the park, passengers ride the train to the Kenai River and enjoy whitewater rafting before boarding the train one more time for the trip to Anchorage, making this trip one of Alaska's longest and most adventurous. Other themed train trips may be two to four hours long or consist of a day trip in which guests depart in the afternoon, enjoy a themed meal and return in the evening.
Some train trips in the United States feature some of the nation's most stunning natural landmarks. The Great Smokey Mountains Railroad offers views of the Smokey Mountains in North Carolina and their surrounding valleys and deep river gorges. Traveling in these areas through the month of October offers colorful views of the changing foliage. The Grand Canyon Railway features pristine views of the canyon and side tours of the canyon on foot. The Mount Rainer Scenic Railroad features entertainment such as a train ride with Santa during the holiday season and views of the logging industry of the Pacific Northwest in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Many trains also offer themed entertainment such as remakes of movies such as the "Polar Express" and interactive murder mystery dinner trips.
Consider if you should take small children along when planning a train trip in the United States. Some passenger trains do not allow children under a certain age to board and ride the trains. Check when making reservations if small children are allowed. Traveling on trains, especially trains that wind through mountains and down steep hills, can often cause motion sickness due to the jerking and movement of the train. A doctor's prescription for motion sickness medicine or Dramamine should help curb effects of motion sickness.
Traveling the United States by train will allow exclusive views of many untouched areas that are out of reach or out of sight from visitors traveling by normal means. Traveling by train will allow guests a chance to sit back and take in the whole experience without worrying about hiking, driving or missing important landscape and landmarks. A tour train excursion is typically slower than a commercial train such as Amtrak and most slow down at important sites and offer historical commentaries about the area.
