7 Best Amtrak Routes for Fall Foliage Views
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For the ultimate leaf peeping adventure this Fall, look no further than fall foliage train rides. Most rail routes across America glide through the same scenery as a road trip, but without the hassle of traffic and a lighter carbon footprint. Picture being whisked along lush forests, dazzling lakeshores and seasides, and rolling mountains—all while snuggling up to the window and getting lost in the bright red, orange, and yellow hues flickering by.
Luckily for American travelers, Amtrak trains travel through some of the best fall foliage destinations in the US and Canada. While getting there is half the fun, travelers will also have their pick of seasonal activities like autumnal hikes and apple picking upon arrival.
Below, we've broken down the best time to book fall foliage train rides and the top Amtrak routes for experiencing the changing of the seasons. All you need to do is sit back and enjoy nature's grand show.
This story has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
What is the best time to plan a fall foliage train trip?
Don’t forget that when planning a fall foliage trip, timing is key. You’ll want to visit your destination of choice when the changing leaves are decked out in their peak colors. There are several reliable online tools for predicting when the leaves will be the most vibrant. If you’re not sure where you want to visit, start with the Smoky Mountains fall foliage map, which shows predictions for the progression of the entire country’s leaves based on date. Another good choice is the Farmer’s Almanac, which lists the dates each state is predicted to reach peak foliage.
Once you have your dates squared, these are the best Amtrak routes and destinations for an unforgettable fall foliage trip.
Colorful Foliage in the Green Mountains
Vermont
Train line: Vermonter
On its way from Washington DC to St. Albans, Vermont, Amtrak’s Vermonter train ambles through lush northeastern forests and charming small towns. (The entire 13-hour journey crosses nine states, from the Mid-Atlantic to New England.) Once in Vermont, you’ll have your pick of picturesque villages with plenty of fiery trees to view.
The train's first stop in Vermont is a solid choice for a fall weekend getaway: the historic town of Battleboro. This pretty hamlet sits right on the Connecticut river in the foothills of the Green Mountains, so expect undulating blankets of colorful foliage in every direction. The train station is right in town, so most activities and amenities are accessible by foot. Stop by a local café or browse the shops lining Main Street. Rent a kayak from one of the local outfitters and gaze over the water toward hills filled with vibrant leaves. Or, head to nearby Fort Dummer State Park (about a 45-minute walk along South Main Street) for easy hiking trails and lookout points over crimson-tinged maple, oak, and birch trees.
Peak time for foliage: Early to mid-October
Wisconsin
Train line: Empire Builder
As Amtrak’s Empire Builder stretches from Chicago, across all of the Upper Midwest, and into Washington state, it offers plenty of foliage-centric destinations to choose from. Just under a four-hour ride from Chicago is a perfect locale for soaking in autumn’s glory: Wisconsin Dells.
Head to Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural Area for views of trees in their seasonal finery among numerous pines and set against Cambrian sandstone cliffs, canyons, and unique rock formations. Back in the center of town, a leisurely stroll along the scenic River Walk offers a chance to behold the bursts of color while weaving your way along the water.
Unwind from all that hiking at one of the area’s local breweries. Then check into Sundara Inn & Spa, one of the first destination spas in the Midwest with treatments like Reiki and CBD massages.
Peak time for foliage: Mid-October
Portland Head Lighthouse
Maine
Train line: Downeaster
Amtrak’s Downeaster line weaves north from Boston through Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, where it ends in the city of Brunswick. Expect smatterings of New England leaves to be on display throughout the journey.
Hop off the train in Portland, about a two-hour ride from Boston. While there’s plenty to do in the city itself, we recommend taking a quick 15-minute ferry ride across Casco Bay to Peaks Island. The quaint island can be navigated by visitors without a car. Grab a bike or a golf cart at one of the rental shops in town or simply use your own two feet: the area is quite walkable. There’s one hotel on the island, The Inn on Peaks Island, and plenty of waterfront dining, making it a great choice for a quick overnight or weekend stay.
Take a bike ride around the two-mile island loop to absorb the incredible views. The island has a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees, so you’ll get to see bursts of oranges and rubies as well as rich, dark greens, all set against a sparkling waterfront.
Peak time for foliage: Early to mid-October
Virginia
Train line: Cardinal
Whisking passengers through the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, the Amtrak Cardinal train offers a visual feast of fall colors. The U-shaped route curves down from New York City, swooping through 11 states and the District of Columbia before terminating in Chicago.
Charlottesville, Virginia, is a stop along the way that’s perfectly situated for reveling in autumnal scenery. Seated smack dab in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the city is a fall wonderland come October. There are plenty of places in town to spot vibrant leaves, including the bosky campus of the University of Virginia and the historic Downtown Mall, which is pedestrian-only. But for the true leaf-peeping extravaganza, you’ll want to rent a car and head to Shenandoah National Park, about an hour’s drive away. Hike the easy 1.6-mile Stony Man loop to an awe-inspiring lookout point with a vista of the rolling hills of deciduous trees all around.
Peak time for foliage: Mid- to late October
Montana
Train line: Empire Builder
Spanning eight states across the Northwestern US, the Empire Builder line operates from Chicago to Seattle and cuts through prime landscapes for foliage viewing. Leaf enthusiasts will want to hop off at Whitefish, Montana—a Rocky Mountain town that’s known for its access to Glacier National Park. Though the colors are spectacular, don’t expect to see rich reds or oranges. Here, it’s bright yellow tones that rule the day. Across the rolling hillsides and along the area’s scenic rivers, you’ll find brilliant honey-hued aspen trees and gold-tinged larches, a unique type of pine tree with needles that change from green to flaxen and fall away when the weather turns crisp. For the ultimate scenery, rent a car for a day and drive a quick 40-minute jaunt to Glacier National Park. There, you’ll see the resplendent larch trees framed by the park’s snow-capped peaks above and its sparkling lakes below. Drive the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, which is less crowded in the fall months, to get a look at the most iconic views. Note that portions of the 50-mile road begin to close down in the third week of October, so be sure to check the official road status page for the latest information.
Peak time for foliage: Mid-October
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Connecticut
Train line: Northeast Regional
One of Amtrak's most popular routes, the Northeast Regional train also doubles as a fall foliage express come October. Spanning from Virginia all the way to Boston, almost every stop is a chance to spot tie-dyed treetops. Hopping off in Connecticut—we recommend the charming town of Mystic— is a great bet to experience the wondrous effects of Mother Nature’s paint brush. Located right in Mystic is the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, which offers numerous hiking trails winding through forests of stately oaks, red maples, and American beech trees aflame with color. Heading a bit farther north (40 minutes by car) to the Pachaug State Forest will afford even more chances to soak in a bevy of autumnal hues. On its many miles of trails, you’ll meander through a cathedral of trees in metamorphosis. For a truly awe-inspiring view over the treetops, hike to the Mount Misery Overlook. Contrary to its name, this vista is sure to delight the foliage-minded among us. At 441 feet high, the lookout is the highest point of elevation in the area, meaning a bird’s eye view of the forest’s colorful canopy. At the end of the day, treat yourself to a seaside tipple at Mystic’s waterfront bar Red 36 or dinner at The Shipwright’s Daughter, which offers seasonal fare from local purveyors.
Peak time for foliage: Mid- to late October
Montreal
Train line: Adirondack
Restarting operations just in time for fall trips across the Canadian border is Amtrak’s full Adirondack line, which stretches from New York City to Montreal. The route was shuttered for six weeks over the summer in order to complete track modifications. It reopened to the public in early September. That’s good news for autumnal fanatics, as this foliage-rich route—lined with maples, oaks, birches, and more—becomes postcard-perfect each October. Expect multicolored arboreal panoramas to fill the giant picture windows as you weave through the Hudson River Valley, past Lake Champlain, and along the hills of the Adirondacks. Notable stops along the way include Hudson and Saratoga Springs in New York, but we recommend riding the entire 10-hour route to Montreal to absorb the full force of the fall ambience. Once in Montreal, there are plenty of options to continue the leaf-appreciation tour. Mount Royal, the famous mountain peak overlooking the city, will be a riot of color. Less than an hour outside the metro area are dazzling nature reserves chock full of morphing trees, like the Morgan Arboretum and Parc-Nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques.
Peak time for foliage: Early to mid-October
Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler
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