You know, when folks talk about scenic train trips, it's always the West Coast, the Rockies, or the desert Southwest that gets all the glory. Don't get me wrong, those views are killer, but as I settled into my seat in 2026, I was on a mission to prove that the often-overlooked Northeast has some serious, jaw-dropping beauty that'll knock your socks off. Forget the FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) on the other side of the country; this was my summer to explore the Appalachian majesty, rugged coastlines, and legendary rivers right here.

My first epic ride was aboard the Amtrak Adirondack. Let me tell you, this route is the whole package and then some. We rolled out of the urban jungle of New York City and, before I knew it, we were gliding through the stunning Hudson Valley. There's no "wrong side" to sit on this train—every window is a front-row seat to paradise. I spent the first half of the journey utterly mesmerized, spotting landmarks like the Sunnyside Mansion and keeping my eyes peeled for Bear Mountain. It felt like a moving postcard, all the way up to Montreal. Totally worth the long haul.

Next up was the Ethan Allen Express. This bad boy also starts in NYC and follows the iconic Hudson, but instead of heading north to Canada, it veers into the heart of Vermont. The nearly 8-hour journey was my perfect little escape into the Green Mountains. The scenery shifted from charming towns to dense forests, and I even caught a glimpse of a cascading waterfall near Rutland—talk about a photo op! Reaching Burlington was the cherry on top. I hopped off, grabbed a coffee at a cute café, and later rented a bike to cruise along Lake Champlain. Pure bliss.

For a real deep dive into New England, I boarded the Vermonter. This route is a marathon, not a sprint—roughly 13 hours from Washington, D.C., all the way up to St. Albans, Vermont. It was the ultimate blend of city energy and rustic serenity. We buzzed through big hubs like Baltimore and Philly before the landscape slowly melted into the peaceful countryside of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. The highlights? Oh, just the phenomenal views of the Long Island Sound, the serene Connecticut River Valley, and, once again, those majestic Green Mountains. It was the definition of a chill, scenic ride.

Then came my two-country adventure on the Maple Leaf. This journey from NYC to Toronto is lengthy, but it masterfully showcases the transition between the U.S. and Canada. Rolling north alongside the Hudson, I soaked in the views of rolling hills and quaint towns. As we traversed Upstate New York, the landscape evolved—pristine lakes, dramatic gorges, and then, the pièce de résistance: the iconic Niagara Falls. Seeing it from the train approach was an absolute "holy moly" moment.

Speaking of Niagara, if that's your sole destination, the Empire Service is your best bet. It's a classic, comfortable, and incredibly scenic route straight from New York Penn Station to the falls. The journey through the Hudson Valley never gets old, but as we went further north, the incredible Catskills Mountains came into view, followed by the historically rich Mohawk region. Pulling into the Niagara Falls station, just minutes from the thunderous water, was the perfect climax.

Not every route needs to be all wilderness, though. The Northeast Regional is the workhorse of the corridor, connecting major cities from Boston down to Virginia. While it's more about coastal views and cityscapes than remote mountains, it has its own unique charm. My 12-hour trip started in Boston, tracing the Massachusetts coastline through towns like Providence. Cruising along the Long Island Sound, with glimpses of the ocean between the urban stretches of NYC and Philly, was a different kind of beautiful—a rolling panorama of East Coast life.

Finally, I treated myself to the Downeaster for a taste of coastal Maine. This was a shorter, roughly 4-hour scenic escape from Boston's North Station. Pro tip: Book a seat on the east side for the best views! The Atlantic Ocean was my constant companion, with its rocky beaches, dramatic cliffs, and utterly charming coastal towns sliding past my window. It was the perfect, refreshing breeze of salty air and stunning vistas to wrap up my Northeast rail odyssey.

Here’s a quick rundown of my favorite scenic bites from each route:

So, if you're thinking of an Amtrak trip, don't sleep on the Northeast. It's got everything: mountains that'll make your heart soar, coastlines that soothe your soul, and charming towns that feel like a warm hug. This summer adventure was, without a doubt, an absolute game-changer for how I see my own corner of the country. 10/10, would ride again in a heartbeat. 🚂✨