Summer is all about outdoor fun and finding cool places to explore. Lakes, beaches, and mountain towns are great getaways, and Amtrak can take you there. Plus, a train trip in the summer means plenty of daylight for viewing all the scenery out the window. In this guide, get summer vacation inspiration with our favorite Amtrak routes to ride in the summer.
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Table of Contents
Adirondack
Best for: Family trips, lake getaways
Enjoy perfect summer weather with an Amtrak trip to Montreal or Upstate New York on Amtrak’s Adirondack route. Trains depart from stations in New York State (including Manhattan) and offer views of the Hudson River and Lake Champlain. If you don’t have a passport, consider traveling to charming Saratoga Springs for boating and water sports on Saratoga Lake. Or exit at the Fort Edward Station to reach Lake George (rent a car, Uber, or use Lake George Taxi).
Amtrak Cascades
Best for: Hiking, water scenery
Travel through the Pacific Northwest on Amtrak’s Cascades route for beautiful scenery and stops near national parks and the waterfront. It’s the perfect time to hike and escape cities with hot summer temperatures. Choose from stops in Oregon, Washington State, and in Canada, with Vancouver, British Columbia a highlight. Bellingham is also a great stop near North Cascades National Park; the city also has a walkable downtown and a ferry to Alaska.
California Zephyr
Best for: Amazing scenery
Maximize your views of amazing scenery with a summer trip on the California Zephyr. Trains travel between Chicago and Northern California (near San Francisco) and cross deserts, the Rocky Mountains, and the Sierra Nevada. Great towns to visit: Winter Park (longest alpine slide in Colorado), Glenwood Springs (hiking and hot springs pools), Lake Tahoe (via rental car in Reno), and Truckee (near Donner Lake). This route is especially popular in the summer, so book your tickets early and expect prices to be higher than at other times of the year.
Coast Starlight
Best for: Mountain and ocean views, wine tasting, beaches
For stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Cascade Mountains, book a trip on the Coast Starlight. You can explore California beaches (Oxnard and Santa Barbara two great stops) and go on outdoor adventures in the Columbia River Gorge (guided day trips from Portland are a great car-free option). Plus, August is a prime time to enjoy wineries and wine tastings at stops along the way, including in Paso Robles in California and Eugene and Salem in Oregon.
Downeaster
Best for: Classic summer vacations
Enjoy fresh lobster and ocean views with an Amtrak trip to Maine on the Downeaster. You can board the train in Massachusetts, including at Boston’s North Station, and there are multiple trains to choose from each day. Tip: You can ride Acela or a Northeast Regional train to reach Boston and transfer there to the Downeaster. For an easy summer vacation, travel to Old Orchard Beach. The ocean and the pier pictured above is a short walk away from the Amtrak station.
Empire Builder
Best for: Glacier National Park, coolcations
Summer is the best time to ride the Empire Builder to see the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest during daylight hours. This train will also take you to cool places (literally), including Glacier National Park, Whitefish, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Chicago, Seattle, and Portland. Wisconsin Dells is also a great family vacation spot on the route with many water parks and scenic boat tours.
Maple Leaf
Best for: Niagara Falls and Toronto trips
Beat the heat with an Amtrak trip to Canada on the Maple Leaf. Trains depart from cities in New York State (including New York City) and travel to Toronto (and a few other cities in Canada). As a bonus, trains also stop at Niagara Falls, which is a beautiful and refreshing attraction to visit on warm summer days, especially if you take a ride on the Maid of the Mist.
Pacific Surfliner
Best for: Beach towns, ocean views, theme parks
Nothing says summer like the Southern California coast, and the Pacific Surfliner hugs the coastline for miles. There are many great stops for enjoying beaches, local food, and attractions, including San Diego Old Town (near Mission Bay), Solana Beach, Oceanside, San Clemente, and Santa Barbara. You can even bring surfboards on the train (view guidelines). Other top destinations on the route include Disneyland (near Anaheim) and Universal Studios (near the Burbank stop).
Pere Marquette
Best for: Relaxing lake escapes
Summer is the perfect time to visit Michigan, and the Pere Marquette is one of three Amtrak routes that will take you there. There are stops near Lake Michigan, including New Buffalo, St. Joseph, Holland, and Grand Rapids that are perfect for a relaxing summer vacation. Plus, the local blueberries are amazing, which you can eat in July and August. You’ll need to stay in Michigan at least two nights to enjoy the beaches and other attractions.
Cardinal
Best for: Appalachian getaways, outdoor adventures
Plan a summer trip on Amtrak’s Cardinal route to explore West Virginia mountain towns and visit New River Gorge National Park (via Charleston, WV rental car or pre-booked Hills to Hills shuttle at the Thurmond stop). The area is full of opportunities to hike, whitewater raft, and enjoy the great outdoors (view best stops on the route). If you prefer a more luxurious stay, check out The Greenbrier Resort, which is a short walk away from the While Sulphur Spring Station. Board the Cardinal in cities from Chicago to NYC.
More Information
- 10 most scenic Amtrak routes
- Best Amtrak routes to ride in fall
- 10 best Amtrak routes to ride in winter
- 10 fun Labor Day weekend getaways on Amtrak
- Best long-distance Amtrak route to ride in each month of the year
Top photo by Patrick Pelster (CC BY‑SA 3.0)
