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The Most Beautiful Train Rides In America

America has some of the most beautiful scenery, and what better way to view it than a leisurely train ride. Why take the family on a vacation rushing from place to place, when the journey can be the vacation. Railway travel is the easiest, most pleasant,…

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America has some of the most beautiful scenery, and what better way to view it than a leisurely train ride. Why take the family on a vacation rushing from place to place, when the journey can be the vacation. Railway travel is the easiest, most pleasant, and surprisingly affordable way to enjoy some of the most magnificent scenery in the United States. Whether you want a quick jaunt through the countryside or a cross country odyssey, these train rides are the best rides in the nation. 

 

CASCADES

156 MILES – Eugene, Oregon to Vancouver, British Columbia

This ride through America’s Pacific Northwest does not disappoint. Traveling from Eugene to Seattle you will travel through magnificent evergreen forests. The train then travels along Puget sound, where on a clear day, passengers on the western facing side can view the majestic Olympic Mountains. 

 

CASS SCENIC RAILROAD

8 miles – Cass, West Virginia

They call West Virginia “almost heaven” because of it’s spectacular scenery. This quick trek is a fantastic way to soak it up. Original locomotives, once used to transport lumber to mining camps, now haul passengers up an 11% grade slope for an amazing view of the mountains below. At the top is the Whittaker Station, a restored logging camp. In October when the fall foliage is at it’s peak is the perfect time to visit.

 

CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR

2,438 miles – Chicago, Illinois to Emeryville, California 

Retrace the trail the pioneers took when they settled the American West on this 50 plus hour train ride. In Denver the train journeys through the towering Rocky Mountains, then into the red rocks of Utah, through Ruby Canyon, into the Sierra Mountains, through Donner Pass and then into San Francisco Bay.

 

 

WHITE PASS AND YUKON ROUTE

120 MILES – Skagway, Alaska

This round trip ride, on a narrow gauge railway built during the Klondike Gold Rush, will have you traveling along the side of sheer cliff drops. Departing from Skagway, you travel 3.000 feet up, past glaciers, mountain lakes and thunderous waterfalls. You can choose the original miner’s supply route to Carcross, Yukon stopping at a restored station house in Lake Bennett, or take the route past Bridal Veil Falls and Dead Horse Gulch to White Pass Summit.

 

CAPITOL CORRIDOR

168 miles – San Jose, California to Auburn, California

This train trip was designed to quickly transport Bay Area residents to the Capitol in Sacramento. This trip will have you speeding alongside the picturesque San Francisco Bay, through the industrial bays and waterways near Martinez, and into the majestic rolling hills of Northern California. 

 

CAPE COD CENTRAL RAILROAD

27 miles – Hyannis. Massachusetts to Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts

Ride through the cranberry bogs, salt marshes, oceanfront trails and adorable little towns of Massachusetts. There are two options for this train ride, the sightseeing tour with complete informational narration, or the dinner train where you will enjoy freshly prepared meals on board. Both options will have you journeying through areas of Cape Cod that can only be seen by train.

 

GRAND CANYON RAILWAY

 

130 miles – Williams, Arizona

 

On this round trip train ride you will fly right past all the vehicle traffic and travel directly to the Grand Canyon’s south rim. Departing from Williams you will enjoy dense pine forests, majestic desertscape and rich wildlife.

 

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS RAILROAD

32 or 44 miles – Bryson City, North Carolina

With your choice of two excursions, this train ride is an excellent way to take in some of America’s greatest wilderness. The Tuckasegee River Excursion takes passengers through 32 miles of lush green valleys, over historic bridges and into the quaint town of Dillsboro, where it stops for an hour and a half. The Nantahala Gorge Excursion journeys 44 miles along the Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers, over Fontana Lake and into the gorge. 

 

COAST STARLIGHT

1,377 miles – Los Angeles, California to Seattle, Washington

This train trips hits all the highlights of a classic American road trip, driving up the Pacific Coast. This ride let’s you enjoy the dramatic cliffs along the Pacific Coast Highway, Mount Shasta, San Francisco Bay, Oregon’s Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier and Puget Sound.

 

SUNSET LIMITED

1,995 miles – New Orleans, Louisiana to Los Angeles, California

Delight in the grand vistas of red rocks and cacti on one of the most scenic train routes in America. It begins in Louisiana’s bayou country and travels on through the expansive Southwestern deserts of West Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. During the peak season you will find National Park guides on board who will explain the history and geography of the region. 

 

STRASBURG RAIL ROAD

9 miles – Strasburg, Pennsylvania

Take a quick trip through Amish Country, enjoying the rolling hills and expansive countryside. Once used to transport goods from the heart of Pennsylvania to the coast, restored to being a passenger train in the 1960’s, the first class and president’s trains are outfitted to look like Gilded Age luxury. 

 

EMPIRE BUILDER

2,206 miles – Chicago, Illinois to Seattle, Washington

Enjoy this 46 hour ride as it travels through Lewis and Clark’s expedition route. From your comfortable seat in the observation lounge experience the Great Plains in all their splendor, ride through a seven mile tunnel cut through the Cascade Mountains and spend 8 hours marveling at the Glacier National Park. 

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Destinations

The Best Tourist Destinations…Period

Checkout our favorite tourist destinations in the entire world that are worth standing in lines all day for.

 

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The world is full of extraordinary tourist destinations but which ones are truly worth the hassle? Some tourist attractions are incredibly busy so what makes them worth the trouble? Sometimes you experience something so amazing that it is worth whatever you had to go through to enjoy it. These top tourist attractions are so special they are worth long lines, expensive fees and headaches. Checkout our favorite tourist destinations in the entire world that are worth standing in lines all day for.

 

Great Wall of China

The sheer size of the wall can’t be experienced through photographs; you must see it in person. Spanning over 13,000 miles, this man-made structure is such a memorable experience. When you see the wall in person you are taken back and in total awe. It’s an inspiring piece of architecture with interesting twists and turns and uneven steps. The wall was built to keep out ravaging hordes of Mongols but now boasts over 10 million visitors yearly. Tourist are everywhere, the lines are long but it’s all worth it. You won’t be disappointed with this destination and you may return one day.

 

Petra

The ancient city of Petra is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and truly a special place. The city dates back to 312 B.C. and is preserved immaculately. Take a donkey ride around the ancient city to see more than you could on two feet. The vibrant colors of the surrounding rocks and the incredible details of the 2,000+-year-old city are remarkable.

 

Blue Lagoon

The Icelandic hot spring has long been a popular tourist destination, but is it worth all the hassles involved? This magical geothermic pool has healing powers because of its high levels of sulfur and silica. Long lines and high entrance fees scare some tourists off but this place is worth the hassle. The one of a kind spa features the incredible milky blue waters and is known to cure people of multiple ailments.

 

Niagara Falls

One of the busiest tourist attractions in America, Niagara Falls is worth your trouble. The majesty of these falls is best-viewed from the Canadian side, where lines are shorter and the vibe is less touristy. Take the Maid of the Mist boat tour for the best views and most memorable experience.

 

Machu Picchu

The ancient Incan citadel high in the Andes Mountains is a pain in the butt to get to but worth all the trouble once you reach it.   Incredible views mixed with some very cool relics, Machu Picchu is a special place that should be experienced.

 

Acropolis

The Acropolis is crazy during the peak summer months but even then it’s well worth any trouble. The views alone from its perch above Athens make this attraction so cool. The massive size of the Acropolis and the stunning remains make it a must visit.

 

Banff National Park

This wonderful example of nature at its most wild is a must see even if it’s near the top of the world. Take in Canada’s oldest National Park and see what the great white North is all about. See glaciers, intricate cave systems and some awesome wildlife.

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Destinations

Incredible Vacation Ideas

We compiled the best travel experiences you could ever imagine, so take one of these adventures. Let’s cross some things off our bucket list with these incredible vacation ideas.

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Summer vacation is almost here and you are probably mulling over your trip options. Are you tired of the normal vacation destinations and want something more out of your holiday? If so, you are in luck. We compiled the best travel experiences you could ever imagine, so take one of these adventures. Let’s cross some things off our bucket list with these incredible vacation ideas.

 

Tree Houses Hotel Costa Rica

Who didn’t want an awesome tree house when they were younger? I know I did. Now you can stay in one in this incredibly unique hotel experience in Costa Rica. This seven-room eco resort has high-end style accommodations mixed with rustic jungle designs. Stay in the trees with your new neighbors, a group of howler monkeys and banana trees. This super remote destination is only a 40-minute drive from tourist hub La Fortuna. You won’t find A/C or TVs in your rooms; instead expect bird feeders filled with fruit to entice the humming birds and monkeys to come to your porch.

 

 

Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, Bahamas

Take a yoga adventure at the world renowned Sivananda Yoga Ashram. Don’t expect a high-end resort with yoga mixed in; instead expect yoga on all menus with resort life sprinkled in. Serious yogis only should attend this resort. Take advantage of some of the world’s best yogis and enjoy two two-hour classes each day. Each guest also gets two vegetarian meals a day after their class.

 

Witch’s Rock Surf camp, Costa Rica

Maybe surfing is more your cup of tea, so check out Costa Rica’s premier surf camp. Witch’s Rock Surf Camp sits on the pristine Tamarindo Beach and is the world’s surfing Mecca. The 18-room resort is more of a camp than hotel, with a bare bones approach to resort life. Guests will enjoy basic rooms with no frills but the best surfing the planet has to offer. You don’t come here to stay in a 5-star hotel; you come to learn to surf in the best waves around.

 

Elephant Safari & Lodge, Bali

Hang with some elephants at this 25-room safari park. This is a one-of-a-kind resort where the elephants are just as much of a guest as you are. This animal refuge has over 30 Sumatran elephants, a botanical garden and beautiful Balinese-style rooms. Each room has it’s own elephant pick up platform so your elephant chauffeur can take you around without you ever touching the ground. Yes, I said elephant chauffeur, need I say more?

 

Hidden Beach Resort, Riviera Maya (Nude Hotel)

Take a vacation from your clothes at this all-nude resort in Mexico. Obviously this is an adult only resort, can you imagine children running around with all the trouser snakes swinging to and fro. Warning most guests are over 50, which is odd but hey, don’t hate the player, hate the game.

 

Okavango Delta Camp, Botswana

Forget your normal resort, and come for the once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Okavango Delta Camp in Botswana. This safari lodge is an all-inclusive resort that will blow you away. Game drives, bush walks and river cruises are all included in the price and are so amazing you won’t want to leave. Located on an island in the Okavango Delta, guests can get close and personal with lions, hippos and giraffes. No hunting is allowed on this animal refuge so you won’t have to worry about being roasted on social media for pictures of you with bug game. This is truly a unique vacation experience.

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Destinations

Nature Themed Hotels For the Green Traveler

If you are tired of your standard hotel experience and are looking for something closer to Mother Earth, try a nature-themed hotel. 

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If you are tired of your standard hotel experience and are looking for something closer to Mother Earth, try a nature-themed hotel. Hotels are often terrible for the environment with excess waste and high utility usage. If that bums you out, like it should, maybe you need a more environmental friendly hotel experience. We compiled a list of some of the best nature-themed hotels and resorts across the globe. Travel consciously and do something for Mother Earth, since she has given so much to us.

 

Frost and Fire Hotel, Iceland

Iceland is a country that takes nature preservation serious, so it’s only right to start off the list here. If you are searching for a nature loving experience, check out the Frost And Fire Hotel in Iceland. See the Northern Lights in one of the most spectacular scenic locations. Situated right on the bank of the Varma River, The Frost and Fire Hotel offer amazing views while keeping nature in mind. Rooms have huge picture glass windows so the outside comes in. The river is heated by geothermic hot springs so its swimmable most of the year.

 

The Caves, Jamaica

Enjoy nature in its finest form at the Caves in Jamaica. Nestled up on a cliff overlooking the grandiose Caribbean Sea in Negril, sits the fabulous Caves resort.   A honeymoon favorite for its romantic rooms and quaint natural touches. Enjoy an outdoor shower or eat a meal in a natural grotto. This Cliffside resort has it all and is waiting for you.

 

Haramara Retreat, Mexico

Nestled on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, Haramara Retreat is the rustic nature loving resort you’ve been searching for. You won’t have electricity in your bungalows or walls, instead a thin mosquito net divides you from the jungle. A world-renowned yoga retreat, Haramara has hosted its share of top-level celebrities. You can stay here, eat clean and center your chakras, or whatever yoga does.

 

Conscious Hotel Museum Square, Amsterdam

This Amsterdam hotel is a perfect example of an urban location striving for some nature in a sea of concrete. Featuring living walls instead of art the Conscious Hotel is making its mark. They serve organic food in their restaurant and are conveniently located next to museums and other tourist destinations.

 

Teton Mountain Lodge, Wyoming

If rustic is your ideal setting then the Teton Mountain Lodge in Wyoming should be your choice. Situated in the beautiful and breathtaking Grand Teton National Park this lodge reminds you what America used to be before commercialization hit us hard. You’ll feel like an explorer with Louis and Clark.

 

Blancaneaux Lodge, Belize

Belize is a natural wonder, situated below Mexico on the Central Caribbean Coast. If you are looking for a jungle adventure with the amenities of a resort, look no further. Check out the neighboring Mountain pine Ridge Forest Reserve for some of the world’s best hiking and exploring.

This resort is owned by Francis Ford Coppola, so enjoy some Hollywood flair with this remote resort. The rooms a have no TVs but they do have cute conch shell intercoms.

 

Check these resorts out if you want some good clean natural fun.

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