Taking a fall train ride is one of my favorite ways to experience the season. I love sliding into a window seat and watching the scenery slip by. Across the U.S., historic railways and modern lines alike traverse some of the most breathtaking autumn landscapes in the country. From the hills of New England to the peaks of Colorado, these seven fall train rides offer stunning views, a sense of nostalgia, and a chance to slow down before the holiday season begins.
Ride the Conway Scenic Railroad through New Hampshire’s White Mountains
The White Mountains are famous for fall color, and the Conway Scenic Railroad gives you a front-row seat. Based in North Conway, this heritage railway has been operating for decades, using restored vintage cars—some with dome seating, others with dining tables—to wind through valleys and along ridgelines that practically glow in mid-October.
The standout route is the Mountaineer, a five-hour journey that climbs through Crawford Notch. Along the way, the train crosses the Frankenstein Trestle (yes, that’s really what it’s called), hugs cliffs, and passes waterfalls and old-growth forests. It feels like you’ve stepped back in time, especially if you book one of the older coaches.
North Conway itself is worth sticking around for. It’s got a picturesque 1874 station, small-town shops, and a backdrop of jagged peaks that make it feel more like a movie set than a real place. If you’re staying overnight, local inns like the Cranmore Inn or the Eastern Slope Inn offer charm without breaking the bank.
Climb to New England’s tallest peak on the Mount Washington Cog Railway
New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Cog Railway climbs steep grades for sweeping views across the White Mountains.
Just about a half hour from North Conway, the Mount Washington Cog Railway takes a very different approach—literally. Instead of winding through valleys, it climbs steeply to the 6,288-foot summit of Mount Washington, the tallest peak in the Northeast.
This railway has been in operation since 1869 and was the world’s first cog railway. The trip up is short (about 45 minutes), but steep and dramatic. In early fall, the lower sections of the track are framed in yellow and orange. At the same time, the summit often feels like another world entirely—bare rock, wide-open sky, and views that stretch across multiple states.
You’ll have time at the top to explore or grab a coffee at the summit visitor center. The entire experience runs about three hours round-trip. If you’re planning to ride later in the season, check the weather in advance—once snow or ice arrives, the train may not be able to reach the summit.
Explore the Smokies on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in North Carolina
Western North Carolina has its own kind of fall magic, and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad captures it perfectly. Departing from the town of Bryson City, the train follows rivers, crosses trestles, and dives into tunnels of color as it winds through the foothills of the Smokies.
The Nantahala Gorge Excursion is the one to book in fall—it’s got the best mix of scenery and variety, especially if you opt for an open-air car or upgrade to a first-class seat with lunch service. The train runs alongside Fontana Lake and deep into the forest, where the trees turn every shade of copper and gold.
Bryson City is a gem of a town—small, friendly, and walkable, with cafés, galleries, and a model train museum right next to the depot. It’s an easy place to make a weekend out of, especially if you pair your train ride with a cabin rental or a day exploring nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Take in lakes and peaks on Amtrak’s Adirondack Line through New York
The Amtrak Adirondack Line passes Lake Champlain, offering sweeping views of fall foliage mirrored in the water.
If you’re looking for a longer ride, the Adirondack Line—run by Amtrak—delivers both time and scenery. The whole route goes from Manhattan to Montreal. Still, the best views are in the stretch between Albany and the Canadian border, where the train hugs the Hudson River and rolls past Saratoga Springs and Lake Champlain.
The foliage here is nothing short of spectacular in fall. You’ll see wooded hillsides, wide lakes, and quiet farm towns—all from the comfort of your seat. The train cars have oversized windows, and there’s a café onboard if you want to sip a coffee while watching the landscape drift by.
You don’t have to stay on board the whole way, either. Places like Ticonderoga and Plattsburgh are easy to hop off and explore for a night before catching the next day’s train. It’s a great way to combine small-town charm with a bigger journey, especially if you’re not in a rush.
Ride to the top of Colorado’s Pikes Peak on the world’s highest cog railway
Colorado’s mountains put on a different kind of fall show—one filled with golden aspen trees that shimmer like coins in the wind. The Pikes Peak Cog Railway takes you right through them on its 9-mile climb to the 14,115-foot summit of one of the state’s most iconic peaks.
This line has been operating since 1891, but the newest trains, introduced in 2021, are sleek, climate-controlled, and surprisingly quiet. The journey takes about three hours round-trip, with time to stretch your legs and snap photos at the top. On clear days, you can see all the way to Kansas.
Manitou Springs, where the train departs, is just outside Colorado Springs and makes a great home base. The town has mineral springs, quirky shops, and some good spots for a post-train meal—Adams Mountain Café is a local favorite.
Step into rail history on the Cass Scenic Railroad in West Virginia
Steam locomotives like this one still run on the Cass Scenic Railroad, a West Virginia fall favorite.
Cass, West Virginia, feels like a place that time forgot—and that’s precisely what makes it so special. The town grew around the timber industry, and its historic rail line once hauled logs down from the mountains. Today, the Cass Scenic Railroad carries visitors instead, using restored Shay locomotives that date back over a century.
In the fall, the trip to Bald Knob is a leaf-lover’s dream. The 4.5-hour ride climbs steep grades with expansive views over the Allegheny Mountains, while chugging along at a pace that lets you really take it in. The train stops at the summit for approximately 30 minutes, allowing you to snap photos and enjoy the fresh air.
Back in town, you’ll find a 1901 depot, company houses turned into rental cabins, and the kind of quiet that’s hard to come by these days. If you’re into old-school Americana, this one’s hard to top.
Sleep on the rails with the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad’s fall excursions
Fall in the Midwest is underrated, and the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad proves it. Based in Trego, this small-town railway runs through forests and farmland that light up with color in late September and early October. The trees are mostly hardwoods—maple, oak, birch—so you get that classic red-orange-yellow blend.
The sightseeing train is a solid daytime option, but the real standout is the Bed & Breakfast Train. You board in the evening, have dessert in the dining car, then retire to a private sleeper for the night. In the morning, breakfast is served as the train rolls through the peaceful countryside. It’s charming, nostalgic, and very relaxing.
Trego is a tiny place, but that’s part of the appeal. Many visitors pair their train trip with a weekend at a nearby lake cabin or lodge. It’s the kind of getaway where your phone signal drops out—and that’s a good thing.
Planning your fall train trip
Most of these foliage-focused rides run from mid- to late October. However, some continue into early November, depending on the weather. If you’re eyeing a weekend trip, book early—especially for anything involving dining cars or dome seating. These sell out fast.
Many of the trains offer senior or military discounts, and some bundle hotel stays or museum passes into the ticket price. For photography, open-air or dome cars are your best bet. If you want comfort and quiet, opt for first-class or reserved seating where available.
Fall train rides aren’t just about the views—they’re about letting go of the usual pace. You’re not racing to a destination. You’re watching the season change, one mile at a time.