If you’re looking for unique spring break ideas or simply want to enjoy spring flowers and festivals, this guide is for you. We’ve put together a list of the best Amtrak routes to ride in spring so you can enjoy the end of winter with a train adventure. Selected routes feature destinations with beautiful scenery and unique events, including maple syrup festivals, tulip fields, and hidden garden tours.
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Best Amtrak Routes for Spring 2026 at a Glance
| Route | Best For |
|---|---|
| Palmetto | Spring blooms and historic charm in Savannah, Charleston, and Richmond |
| Crescent | Jazz Fest in New Orleans, Atlanta spring festivals, Southern hospitality |
| Cascades | Cherry blossoms, Skagit Valley tulips, waterfall hikes |
| California Zephyr | Rushing rivers and snow-capped mountains |
| Pere Marquette | Tulips in Holland, Michigan |
| Ethan Allen Express / Vermonter | Vermont maple syrup celebrations |
| Southwest Chief | Grand Canyon visits and desert towns |
Palmetto
Book a trip on the Palmetto to experience the South in bloom. Richmond, Charleston, and Savannah are the top destinations, cities full of historic charm, gardens, and festivals. Plan your visit in March or April for beautiful weather and special events.
2026 Spring Highlights
- The Charleston Festival (historic home and garden tours)
- Charleston Jazz Festival
- Savannah Hidden Gardens Tour
- Maymont in Richmond (Mansion Reopening & Centennial)
- Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (Richmond)
- National Cherry Blossoms Festival (DC)
Where to board the train
You can board the Palmetto in East Coast cities from New York City to Savannah, including in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. (view station list).
Crescent
The Crescent is an overnight route that connects the bustling Northeast with cities in the South. Enjoy pleasant weather, festivals, and spring blooms at stops along the way, including in Atlanta, Birmingham, Hattiesburg, Laurel, and New Orleans.
2026 Spring Highlights
- New Orleans Jazz Fest
- HUBFEST (Hattisburg)
- Dogwood Festival (Atlanta)
- Mississippi Made Festival (Laurel)
- Magic City Art Connection (Birmingham)
- National Cherry Blossoms Festival (DC)
Where to board the train
You can board the Crescent in cities including New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Birmingham, Hattiesburg, and New Orleans (view station list).
Cascades
The Cascades is a hidden gem route with beautiful water views. Spring is a particularly wonderful time to ride as you can travel to see cherry blossoms and expansive tulip fields in the Pacfiic Northwest. Plus, it’s a great time to go on a waterfall tour from Portland with extra water rushing through the Columbia River Gorge from snow melt.
2026 Spring Highlights
- Skagit Valley Tulip Festival (via Mount Vernon Station)
- Portland Cherry Blossom Peak (Late March – Early April)
- Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival (April)
- Cherry Blossom Day at the Capitol (Salem, third Saturday in March)
Where to board the train
Trains on the Cascades route stop in Vancouver, BC, Seattle, Portland, and additional stations in Washington and Oregon (view the station list).
California Zephyr
The California Zephyr route is stunning all year long, but in May, the Colorado and Truckee Rivers are full of rushing whitewater due to snow melt. To experience the water up close, you can go on a whitewater raft trip from Glenwood Springs, one of the stops on the route.
2026 Spring Highlights
- Reno River Festival
- Rocky Mountain Train Show (Denver)
- Opening Day on the Bay (San Francisco)
Where to board the train
The California Zephyr is a long route, stretching from the Midwest to the San Francisco Bay. Chicago and Emeryville are at each end of the route, and there are stops at cities including Sacramento, Reno, Salt Lake City, Denver, and Omaha (view station list).
Pere Marquette
Holland, Michigan is a must-visit spring destination on the Pere Marquette route. Founded by Dutch settlers, the city honors its heritage every May during the Tulip Time Festival. Millions of blooms transform the city into a vibrant patchwork of color, and you can visit the De Zwaan Windmill, which was built in the 18th Century in the Netherlands.
2026 Spring Highlights
Where to board the train
Pere Marquette trains stop in Chicago, St. Joseph, Bangor, Holland, and Grand Rapids.
Ethan Allen Express/Vermonter
The Vermonter and Ethan Allen Express serve as the ultimate gateways to Vermont’s maple harvest. Spring marks the peak of sugaring season, when sap runs across the Green Mountains. The Vermonter can take you to the Vermont Maple Festival in Saint Albans or book tickets on the Ethan Allen Express to reach downtown Burlington for seasonal events.
2026 Spring Highlights
- Vermont Maple Festival (St. Albans)
- Maple Madness (Burlington)
Where to board the train
Ethan Allen Express trains travel between New York City and Burlington with multiple stops along the way in Upstate New York and Vermont (view stations). The Vermonter route connects Washington D.C. to Vermont, offering additional stops in the Mid-Atlantic and New England (view stations).
Southwest Chief
Spring is the perfect time to visit desert destinations before the hot summer days. The Southwest Chief tops the list of routes to ride with multiple Old West and desert cities along the route. Plus, it’s the perfect time to visit the Grand Canyon via Flagstaff (rent a car or book a guided tour).
2026 Spring Highlights
- ARTx (Flagstaff)
- Fountain Day (Kansas City)
- Albuquerque Birthday Celebration
- Gathering of Nations Powwow (Albuquerque)
Where to board the train
Chicago and Los Angeles are at each end of the Southwest Chief route. Stops in between include Winslow, Flagstaff, Alburquerque, Dodge City, and Kansas City (view station list).
More Information
- Amtrak routes to ride in summer
- Best train routes to ride in fall
- Amtrak routes to ride in the winter
- Best long-distance Amtrak routes to ride in each month of the year
Top image: “Tulip Festival” by Jonathan Miske, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Skagit Valley)
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