I've traveled over 4,500 miles on Amtrak trains. My rides have been great and filled with surprises.

From taking a bullet train successful Japan to backpacking astir Europe, I've visited 43 countries truthful far, and I effort to recreation by obstruction whenever possible.

However, erstwhile I reviewed the states I've visited successful the US complete the years, I recovered that I almost ever flew to get from constituent A to constituent B, bypassing astir of the state successful the process.

So, I precocious decided to attraction connected flight-free recreation successful bid to spot arsenic galore states arsenic I could from the ground.

Amtrak has been the cleanable measurement for maine to do that. In conscionable 3 months, I've traveled much than 4,500 miles, crossing done 2 countries and 17 US states, arsenic good arsenic Washington, DC.

Here are a fewer things that person amazed maine astir about the rides.

There are nary mediate seats connected Amtrak trains

One of the main draws of Amtrak is that passengers will ne'er get stuck pinch a dreaded mediate seat. Instead, each the seats successful coach are organized successful pairs.

This is particularly awesome erstwhile the way is little crowded and I'm capable to person a full statement to myself.

I really bask sitting adjacent to strangers

Although it's bully erstwhile I get a statement to myself, I've really enjoyed sitting pinch strangers arsenic well. In fact, I've ne'er booked 1 of Amtrak's backstage cabins, partially because I bask the serendipity of getting to meet different passengers.

It whitethorn look arsenic if being successful adjacent proximity to a complete alien would beryllium uncomfortable, but I've gotten fortunate and person ne'er had awesome issues.

Typically, my seatmate and I commencement the travel formally, but by the end, we're swapping nutrient and stories.

Train recreation gives maine a glimpse into life successful different parts of the country

One of my favourite parts astir train travel is passing done truthful galore unsocial areas of the country.

Out the model of the train, I've seen hazy sunsets and sunrises, steep upland peaks, and lakeside towns. I've besides caught glimpses of mundane life — families retired stepping their dogs, friends sitting astatine a brew plot adjacent the tracks, and children holding their mothers' hands while waving frantically astatine the passing train.

It's is simply a awesome measurement to spot what life is for illustration successful different parts of the US, immoderate of which I've added to my ain recreation bucket list.

To support way of them all, I create a Google representation earlier boarding that lists each the stations I'll beryllium passing through. This allows maine to visualize the way and adhd notes on the way. If I spot a tiny railroad municipality aliases a beautiful position I'd for illustration to explore, I adhd a caller pin to my map.

Amtrak has a associated business pinch the National Park Service

Sometimes, my train way coincides pinch the Trails and Rails program, a associated business betwixt Amtrak and the National Park Service.

On these trips, a unpaid from the National Park Service will committee the train and stock stories and accusation astir the parks arsenic you walk done them.

During a caller thrust from Washington, DC, to Chicago, we were treated to views of New River Gorge National Park successful West Virginia. The unpaid told america astir the parkland and different notable places we passed through, and came done the train cars to reply questions.

She besides told america stories astir increasing up successful West Virginia, which made the thrust other special. To me, it's not conscionable the scenery, but the stories that make slow recreation other special.

Each train position offers a unsocial experience

Something that's struck maine connected my travels is really unsocial each train position is. For example, astatine Moynihan Train Hall successful New York, I was impressed by the immense skylights casting shadows and patterns connected the level below.

Contrast that pinch Newark Penn Station successful New Jersey, wherever the Art Deco specifications of the waiting hallway tie your oculus up to globe chandeliers successful the ceiling and the intricate metallic activity astir the doorway. Visiting feels for illustration stepping backmost successful time.

But nary matter which position I'm successful — aliases which train I'm connected — walking pinch Amtrak has been a awesome measurement to spot much of my ain country.

This communicative was primitively published connected October 9, 2025, and astir precocious updated connected August 25, 2026.