The California Zephyr is one of America’s most scenic train journeys, stretching from Chicago to the San Francisco Bay Area. Many people ride the entire route without getting off the train, but you can explore interesting mountain towns and major cities along the way to break up the long trip.
In this guide, learn about the best stops on the California Zephyr to plan a trip around, including things to see and do once you get off the train. We recommend buying separate one-way tickets for each leg of your trip vs a multi-city ticket as one-way tickets are easier to modify.
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Best California Zephyr Stops: Quick Guide
| Stop | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Chicago | Architecture boat tours, world-class museums, lakefront, food |
| Omaha | Old Market district, railroad history, 1931 Union Pacific train station |
| Denver | Breweries, museums, lively Union Station |
| Fraser / Winter Park | Skiing and other winter sports, longest alpine slide in the U.S. |
| Glenwood Springs | Walkable mountain town with hot springs and river rafting |
| Grand Junction | Artsy downtown with galleries and shops; near Colorado National Monument |
| Salt Lake City | Religious sites, unique landscapes, world-class ski resorts |
| Reno | Casinos, shows, museums, gateway to Lake Tahoe |
| Truckee | Historic downtown, Donner Memorial State Park |
| Sacramento | California State Railroad Museum, Gold-Rush era buildings, local food |
Chicago
Chicago is an end-of-the-line stop on the California Zephyr route and full of must-see attractions. Whether you’re arriving or departing, the city is a great place for sightseeing, dining, and live performances (music, comedy, theater) before or after your trip. Don’t miss Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza while you’re in town (hot dogs and steaks are other local specialties).
Things to Do
- Tours: Chicago Architecture River Cruise, City Minibus Tour, Chicago Favorites Food & Walking Tour
- Top attractions: The Art-Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, Navy Pier (view all top things to do).
- Near the station: Skydeck Chicago, Color Factory, and a water taxi stop, which has seasonal service to the Magnificent Mile and the Riverwalk.
Where to Stay
Stay at a hotel near the riverwalk for easy sightseeing on foot. The Hilton Garden Inn, Canopy by Hilton and JW Marriott Chicago are also less than a 10-minute walk from the train station and near Willis Tower.
Transportation
Lyft and Uber are fast ways to get around the city. If your trip is in the spring, summer or fall, you can also hop on the water taxi near Union Station for a ride to the Riverwalk and the Magnificent Mile. For local trains, the closest CTA station is Quincy (see map).
Omaha
It’s a night or very early morning stop in Omaha depending on the direction of travel, but if you love railroad history and historic neighborhoods, this stop is for you. A short walk away from the Amtrak station is the Durham Museum, which is in the 1931 Union Pacific train station (pictured above). The building is gorgeous, and you can explore local history and train cars from the 1940s and 1950s.
Things to Do
- Top attractions: Durham Museum, Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Lauritzen Gardens, Joslyn Art Museum
- Near the station: Old Market neighborhood, Heartland of America Park, Little Italy (where many railroad workers once lived)
Where to Stay
Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha Downtown Old Market is the closest hotel to the Amtrak station (11-minute walk from the train station). Or walk 14 minutes to Hyatt Place Old Market.
Transportation
Plan to use rideshare or a taxi if your train arrives at night (and to visit attractions not near the Amtrak station). But if you stay in the Old Market neighborhood and sightsee in the immediate area, it’s easy to visit the city without a car.
Denver
A popular stop on the California Zephyr route, Denver has many museums, breweries, and things to do. You’ll arrive at Denver Union Station, a beautifully restored 1914 landmark with great restaurants, bars, and shops. Plus, you can easily walk, ride public transit, or use rideshare to reach a variety of outdoor and cultural attractions.
Things to Do
- Tours: Best of Denver Bus Tour, Best of Denver Walking Tour, Rocky Mountain National Park Tour from Denver
- Top attractions: Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Museum of Art, Denver Museum of Science & Nature, Denver Zoo
- Near the station: Museum of Contemporary Art, Confluence Park, Coors Field, Larimer Square
Where to Stay
The Crawford Hotel is inside the train station. Limelight Denver, The Hotel Oxford, and the Sentral Union Station Hotel are also a short walk away.
Transportation
Lyft and Uber are easy ways to get around Denver. Union Station also has a connection to the RTD light rail, A Line airport trains, and a free 16th Street shuttle.
Fraser/Winter Park
In the Colorado Rocky Mountains, the Fraser/Winter Park stop is a must-do for winter sports and other outdoor activities. Trains stop in downtown Fraser, which is a short shuttle ride away from the Winter Park Resort. Visit in the summer for mountain biking, hiking, and Colorado’s longest alpine slide. Skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing are popular in the winter.
Things to Do
Where to Stay
The closest hotel to the Fraser/Winter Park station is Holiday Inn Express & Suites (10-minute walk from the train station).
However, staying next to or near the Winter Park Resort is ideal if you plan to spend most of your time there. You can ride a free shuttle from the Amtrak station to reach nearby accommodations, including the Zephyr Mountain Resort.
Transportation
A free shuttle at the Amtrak station will take you to downtown Winter Park and the Winter Park Resort.
Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs is a charming mountain town with activities for people of all ages and interests. There are hot springs, spas, trails, river rafting, and a variety of snow sports. As a bonus, the Amtrak station is in walking distance of hotels and restaurants.
Things to Do
- Top attractions: Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Hanging Lake, Doc Holliday’s Grave
- Near the station: Glenwood Hot Springs pool (pictured above), Doc Holliday Museum, Frontier History Museum
Where to Stay
Hotel Maxwell Anderson is conveniently across the street from the Glenwood Springs Amtrak station. For hot spring pool access, book a stay at the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort.
Grand Junction
For beautiful scenery, wineries, unique shops and art galleries, consider getting off the train in Grand Junction. The Amtrak station is in a walkable area near downtown (Main Street is about three blocks away). It’s a great adult getaway for art and nature lovers.
Things to Do
- Top attractions: Rent a car to visit the Colorado National Monument and various hiking trails. You can walk eight minutes from the train station to Enterprise or arrange for a pick-up. Car rentals may also be available through Turo.
- Near the station: Museum of the West, Shiras Winery
Where to Stay
Tru by Hilton Grand Junction is closest to the Grand Junction Amtrak station (6-minute walk). If you prefer a boutique hotel experience, book a room at The Hotel Melrose (9-minute walk).
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is known for its unique landscapes and religious sites, including the Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake Temple (pictured above), and The Tabernacle. World-class ski resorts are also a short drive away, and if you’re up for a road trip or multi-day tour, you can visit several national parks from the city.
Things to Do
- Tours: Salt Lake City Guided Bus Tour, Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island day tour, Bonneville Salt Flats Journey
- Top attractions: Temple Square, Natural History Museum of Utah, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Red Butte Garden and Arboretum
- Near the station: Museum of Illusions, Clark Planetarium
Where to Stay
Homewood Suites by Hilton Salt Lake City-Downtown is closest to the train station (12-minute walk away), but rideshare makes it easy to stay at any of the best hotels in the city.
Transportation
Rideshare and light rail are options for getting around Salt Lake City (blue line stop is next to the Amtrak station). If you want to rent a car, the local Enterprise has pick-up service, but renting through Turo is the better option if you want a car left for you at the station.
Reno
“The Biggest Little City in the World,” Reno is a fun place to visit for shows, nightlife, and casinos. There are also unique (and family-friendly) things to do, including skiing and visiting local museums and the wildlife sanctuary. With a rental car, you can also drive about one hour to reach Lake Tahoe.
Things to Do
- Tours: Reno’s Original Brewery Tour, Lake Tahoe Scenic Flight
- Top attractions: Truckee Riverwalk, National Automobile Museum
- Near the station: Riverwalk District, Greater Nevada Field, National Bowling Stadium, Eldorado Showroom
Where to Stay
There are many places to stay within a 10-minute walk of the Reno Amtrak station, including these top-rated options:
Transportation
It’s easy to get around once you arrive. The area around the Reno Amtrak Station is very walkable, plus you can get rides from Uber and Lyft, or rent a car at the nearby Enterprise.
Truckee
Truckee is a small mountain town near Lake Tahoe with a surprising amount of restaurants. Donner Memorial State Park (pictured above) is a top attractions — there are many outdoor activities to enjoy year-round, and history buffs should stop by the park’s visitor center to view exhibits on the Donner Party and Sierra Nevada railroad construction.
Things to Do
- Visit the Truckee Railroad Museum.
- Explore river and creek trails near downtown.
- Go skiing and enjoy other winter sports at Northstar California Resort.
Where to Stay
Tahoe Star Hotel is closest to the Amtrak station (4-minute walk away). Airbnb and VRBO are also great for renting a vacation home.
Transportation
The TART Connect shuttle, Lyft, and Uber are options for getting around Truckee.
You can also rent a car at the Truckee Tahoe Airport, but you’ll need to use a transportation service to get there (like rideshare). The Northstar California Resort is less than 20 minutes away, and the north side of Lake Tahoe is over 30 minutes away.
Sacramento
The capital of California, Sacramento is a great stop for foodies and history lovers. The California State Railroad Museum and Old Sacramento Waterfront historic district are must-do attractions for Gold Rush and train history. There are also many farmers markets and restaurants serving and selling local food.
Things to Do
- Tours: Midtown Sacramento Art and Food Tour, Downtown Sacramento Historical Food Tour, Historic River Cruise
- Top attractions: Old Sacramento, California State Fair, Crocker Art Museum, Capitol Park
- Near the station: California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento History Museum, Sacramento River Bike Trail
Where to Stay
The Kimpton Sawyer Hotel and AC Hotel are the highest-rated places to stay near the Sacramento Amtrak station (walking time is six and seven minutes). To be near nightlife and trendy restaurants, check out the top hotels in Midtown Sacramento.
More Information
- Amtrak long-distance routes
- California Zephyr vs Empire Builder
- 10 best mountain getaways on Amtrak
- Most scenic part of the California Zephyr (and how to ride it)
Top photo credit: Patrick aka DebateLord/Wikipedia (Winter Park Resort, Colorado)
Last updated January 2026
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