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The Ultimate Bucket List: Must-See Destinations on America’s Best Train Tours

Are you a fan of breathtaking landscapes, historic landmarks, and unforgettable adventures? Look no further than the best train tours in the USA. Train travel offers a unique way to explore the country’s diverse beauty while enjoying the comfort and convenience of rail transportation. From coast to coast, these train tours will take you on an incredible journey through some of America’s most iconic destinations. Get ready to cross off items from your bucket list as we dive into the must-see destinations on America’s best train tours.

The East Coast Extravaganza

Hop aboard a train tour along the East Coast and prepare to be amazed by the region’s rich history and stunning landscapes. Begin your journey in Boston, Massachusetts, where you can explore famous landmarks like Fenway Park and the Freedom Trail. As you travel south towards New York City, marvel at the picturesque scenery of Connecticut and Rhode Island.

In New York City, make sure to visit Times Square, Central Park, and the iconic Statue of Liberty. From there, head south towards Philadelphia and Washington D.C., where you can immerse yourself in American history by visiting Independence Hall and the White House.

As your journey continues down the coast, don’t miss out on exploring Charleston’s charming streets in South Carolina or indulging in delicious seafood in Savannah, Georgia. Finally, end your East Coast extravaganza with a visit to sunny Miami Beach in Florida.

The Wild West Adventure

For those seeking rugged mountainscapes, vast deserts, and breathtaking national parks, a train tour through America’s Wild West is a must-do. Start your adventure in Denver, Colorado – known as the gateway to the Rockies – where you can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking or skiing.

From Denver, board a train that takes you through scenic landscapes towards Salt Lake City in Utah. Marvel at the striking beauty of the Great Salt Lake and explore the city’s historic sites. Next, venture into the stunning national parks of Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Arches, where you’ll be awed by towering sandstone cliffs, natural arches, and vibrant sunsets.

Continue your Wild West adventure by visiting the iconic Grand Canyon in Arizona. Take a scenic helicopter ride or hike along the rim for unparalleled views of this natural wonder. Finally, end your journey in Las Vegas, where you can experience the glitz and glamour of the famous Strip.

The Pacific Coast Odyssey

Embark on a train tour along America’s picturesque Pacific Coast and discover a world of stunning landscapes and vibrant cities. Begin your journey in Seattle, Washington – known for its thriving music scene and iconic Space Needle. From there, travel south towards Portland, Oregon, where you can explore its hip neighborhoods and indulge in delicious food trucks.

As you venture further down the coast, make sure to stop in San Francisco to visit landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. Enjoy breathtaking views of rugged cliffs as your train passes through Big Sur on its way to Los Angeles.

In Los Angeles, soak up the sun at Venice Beach or explore Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Lastly, end your Pacific Coast odyssey with a visit to San Diego’s beautiful beaches and world-class attractions like Balboa Park and SeaWorld.

The Great Lakes Discovery

Discover America’s stunning Great Lakes region on a train tour that combines natural beauty with vibrant cities. Begin your journey in Chicago – known for its impressive architecture and deep-dish pizza – before boarding a train that takes you along Lake Michigan towards Milwaukee.

Explore Milwaukee’s breweries or visit its world-class art museum before continuing your journey towards Detroit – famous for its rich musical history and revitalized downtown area. From there, head north towards Toronto in Canada to experience one of the most multicultural cities in the world.

As your train tour continues, visit Niagara Falls for a truly awe-inspiring experience. Marvel at the power and beauty of these majestic waterfalls before heading south towards Cleveland, Ohio, where you can explore its vibrant arts and culinary scene.

Finally, end your Great Lakes discovery in the charming city of Buffalo, New York. Don’t miss the opportunity to try Buffalo’s famous chicken wings before bidding farewell to this incredible region.

Conclusion:

Whether you’re an adventure seeker, history buff, or nature lover, America’s best train tours offer something for everyone. From the East Coast’s rich history to the Wild West’s rugged landscapes, the Pacific Coast’s stunning beauty to the Great Lakes’ charming cities – each journey promises unforgettable experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. So grab your ticket and embark on an incredible adventure through America’s best train tours today.

This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.

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• Most Popular!
• Hotel Pick Up & Drop Off - 7 People Per Group - Steam Train Ticket Included

Steam Trains, Whitby & the Moors

A Steam Train ride, the Yorkshire countryside, Whitby and the North York Moors

Tour Highlights

• Clock Duration: 8.5 hours
• Collection from your accommodation in York
• Amazing drive through the Yorkshire countryside
• Idyllic North Yorkshire towns and villages including Helmsley and Hutton-le-Hole
• Scenic journey across the North York Moors
• Two hours at leisure in Whitby
• Goathland (better known as ‘Aidensfield’ or ‘Hogsmeade’)
• Steam train journey on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (included)
• Drop off at your accommodation in York
• Experienced local guide, born and bred in Yorkshire
• Never more than 7 people in your group

Our Most Popular Day Trip from York

Join Grand Yorkshire for this truly exceptional small-group day trip from York, exploring the North York Moors, spending time in the wonderful coastal town of Whitby and travelling by steam train ( ticket included! ) on the charming North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

Premium Tour – Hotel Pick-Up and the Smallest Tour Groups in York

This fantastic small-group day trip from York begins with collection from your accommodation in York – the start of a truly intimate and personal touring experience with Grand Yorkshire. There will never be more than 7 people on the tour – guaranteeing a memorable, personalised touring experience. You’ll have the opportunity to get to know your guide and ask questions throughout the day, as well as being able to get to know your fellow passengers. Our spacious minivans are still small enough to allow us to travel on the rural roads, country lanes and farm tracks in the North York Moors, so we can really escape the busy routes, avoid the usual tourist trails and never worry about traffic. Wherever we go, you won’t have to worry about crowds of people competing for photos each time we make a sightseeing stop and you won’t spend the day waiting for everyone in the group to turn up at each stop.

Full itinerary:

Our itinerary for the day is planned around the steam train journey – occasionally the order of the day’s itinerary will change to ensure that your train journey through the Moors is steam-hauled. 

Here is the itinerary for a typical day’s tour:

HOTEL PICK UP: Collection from your hotel is included in the tour, usually at approximately 8:30am. With a maximum of 7 people per group, this means there are limited pick ups for each tour – and with York such a small city, it doesn’t take long to get everyone on board.

Our first journey takes us out of York and we very quickly find ourselves in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. On this first journey you’ll get to know your local guide for the day, a Yorkshire native who was born and bred in the area. Along the way you’ll find out about some of the history, geography, wildlife and local culture of the region, discover the origins of place names in the villages that we pass and learn a little bit about what makes Yorkshire so special.

HELMSLEY:  Our first stopping point of the day is in the quaint market town of Helmsley. Here you’ll have chance to explore the pretty market town and perhaps enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in a local tearoom. You could take a photo of Helmsley Castle or even ask your guide to drive you out to nearby Rievaulx for a brief chance to see the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey.

HUTTON-LE-HOLE:  Our route into the moors takes us through the picture-postcard village of Hutton-le-Hole, located on the very edge of the North York Moors.

THE NORTH YORK MOORS: Within seconds of leaving Hutton-le-Hole we head out across the heart of the North York Moors , the spectacular National Park filled with amazing open moorland, fertile dales and valleys, unique flora and fauna and some of Yorkshire’s most amazing natural and agricultural scenery. As we wind our way through the North York Moors we take time to stop and admire some of the best viewing points in the Moors, learn all about the creation of the North York Moors and the amazing history and present day of this stunning National Park.

Discover five reasons to visit the North York Moors here .

WHITBY: At the far end of the North York Moors we reach the Yorkshire coastline, enjoying the views as we approach the seaside town of Whitby, famous for its clifftop Abbey, it’s association with Bram Stoker’s Dracula , its beautiful harbour and Yorkshire’s finest fish and chips! We’ll take in the views of Whitby from the West Cliff before you’ll enjoy 2 hours of leisure time to explore the town at your own pace. Choose to start your exploration of Whitby from the town centre, or at Whitby Abbey at the top of the town’s famous 199 steps. You can take a boat ride from Whitby Harbour, walk out on the harbour wall, learn about Captain James Cook and his incredible voyages of discovery at the Captain Cook Museum, and enjoy fish and chips at one of the town’s many celebrated fish and chip restaurants, including the world-famous Magpie Café.

GOATHLAND:  We leave Whitby and head to the village of Goathland, a short, scenic drive that takes us back into the North York Moors. Goathland is a small village built on land owned by the King and is perhaps best known as the location for the UK drama series Heartbeat  and for its railway station which was used as “Hogsmeade Station” in the  Harry Potter  film series. After a drive through the village, we make our way to the railway station to await the arrival of our steam train (“ Heartbeat” fans can request a bit of extra time to see the village).

STEAM TRAIN: Goathland station is possibly the best place to catch a steam train anywhere in the UK. Standing on the platform, you’ll hear the train approaching before you can see it. The steep incline on the approach to the station means the steam train is working at full-power, creating a truly spectacular scene as the engine puffs and roars up the hill. Once at the station, you’ll board the train and take a seat for the relaxing, charming journey through the valleys and woodland of the North York Moors. Enjoy the views out of the window and perhaps a drink from the on-board bar (if available) as the train twists and turns through the Moors, often passing another steam train at Levisham station at the mid-point of the journey.

Steam Trains on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

PICKERING : After a journey of approximately 1 hour, you will arrive into Pickering station, where your guide will meet you for the next part of the tour.

BACK TO YORK : The journey back to York is the final part of the tour as we travel across the Yorkshire countryside and back to our starting point.

HOTEL DROP-OFF : On arrival back in York your guide will drop you off at the location of your choosing – in the city centre, at the railway station or back at your accommodation in York. Wherever suits you best.

• Chevron down How it works:

Your tour will begin with collection from your hotel between 8:30am and 8:45 am (confirmed the day before the tour) where you meet your guide for the day and board the spacious, air-conditioned minivan. Leaving York, you travel through the North Yorkshire countryside and up to the market town of Helmsley, where you have the chance to explore at leisure and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in a local café.

Leaving Helmsley, you then travel across the heart of the North York Moors, taking in the spectacular scenery of  Rosedale as we pause to see one of the most beautiful views in the Moors. See evidence of the area’s mining history and how railways changed the industry during the industrial revolution. You also have the chance to wander onto the heather and to see some local wildlife and the sheep that live out on the open moors.

We continue across the top of the Moors and through the small, isolated villages in the Moors as we eventually follow the course of the River Esk on our way to Whitby.

On arrival in Whitby, you have over two hours to explore the town and its many varied attractions, with a chance for fish and chips at the Magpie Cafe, a boat ride from Whitby Harbour and a visit to Whitby Abbey. Your time is free to spend as you wish.

We then meet for a short journey to Goathland . Here you have some time to explore the village and its preserved shops before we gather at Goathland’s railway station to await the arrival of our train for the journey on the  North Yorkshire Moors Railway . The train departs for a journey south back across the Moors.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway terminates in the market town of Pickering, where you’ll re-board the executive minibus for the final leg of today’s journey back into York city centre. The tour concludes on our return to York. We should arrive back in York at approximately 5:00 pm, but exceptional traffic conditions can cause delays.

*Every effort is made to ensure that your journey on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway will be steam-hauled. This may involve minor adjustments to the day’s schedule, although the overall content of the day’s tour from York will be unaffected. Due to the railway’s scheduling, our Sunday tours will often catch a steam train from Whitby to Goathland (instead of Goathland to Whitby).

Click here to read about our “Steam Train Guarantee” .

• Chevron down What’s included:
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Return travel from York
• The services of a local guide throughout the day
• Chevron down Not included:
• Meals/drinks

Got a question?

View our Frequently Asked Questions.

THE BEST York Scenic Railroads

Scenic railroads in york.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Walking Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Private Tours
• Scenic Railroads
• Free cancellation
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. York Day Rail Tour from London including Hop-on Hop-off tour

2. York Day Tour by Train from London

3. York by Rail Overnight Tour from London with hop-on hop-off bus

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Windermere & Lake District Tour from Manchester Incl. Admission

Snowdonia & Chester Day Tour from Manchester Including Admission

Peak District & Poole’s Cavern from Manchester Includes Admission

The Lake District from Manchester

Private Manchester Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised

Private "All Creatures Great and Small" Yorkshire Dales Tour from Harrogate

Manchester One Day Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private

Private "All Creatures Great and Small" Yorkshire Dales Tour from Leeds

3-Day Lake District Explorer Small-Group Tour from Manchester

Premier League Football Tours

• York Day Tour by Train from London
• York by Rail Overnight Tour from London with hop-on hop-off bus
• York Day Rail Tour from London including Hop-on Hop-off tour

York: Scenic Railroads Information

Call us on 01553 661 500

UK Day Trips 2023

List of services.

Saturday 18th November 2023

Extra seats added to Standard Class, First Class and Premier Dining

Join us for an exhilarating main line steam run from London’s King’s Cross to the historic city of York.

Sunday 19th November 2023

ONE seat available in First Class

This day trip offers an opportunity for passengers from York, Leeds and the Aire Valley to travel over the spectacular Settle & Carlisle Railway on the Flying Scotsman.

Tuesday 21st November 2023

Join us on this scenic rail tour by steam train through the Thames Valley, the beautiful Cotswold Hills and along the river Severn.

Saturday 25th November 2023

Join us on this interesting trip by vintage steam train to the historic city of Chester, an unusual destination from Bristol.

Join us on this rare opportunity to travel on a steam hauled excursion from the North West and West Midlands to London as we near the festive season

Wednesday 29th November

This tour offers an unusual opportunity to travel by a special charter train to the bustling city of Manchester, especially seasonal as its famous Christmas Market will be in full swing.

Saturday 2nd December 2023

Fully booked in Premier Dining

Our special Christmas excursion by steam train from the south coast to the magnificent city of Bath follows a particularly scenic route through attractive countryside. 

This special steam hauled train using a Carnforth pool locomotive will run at speed both ways from York to Edinburgh and return. 

Wednesday 6th December 2023

Join us on a special train to celebrate the Festive Season in style. 

Saturday 9th December 2023

Limited seats available in Premier Dining

The Lincoln Christmas Express is a seasonally operated steam hauled excursion by a private charter train from London to the historic city of Lincoln. 

Sunday 10th December 2023

Standard Class seats available

This Christmas special steam hauled train provides an opportunity for passengers from York, Leeds and the Aire Valley to travel over the spectacular Settle & Carlisle Railway, probably the most famous railway route in Britain.

Wednesday 13th December 2023

Fully booked, waiting list in operation

Why not join us for a classic day out by steam train that combines exciting main line running, varied landscapes, and the special atmosphere that the historic city of Worcester can offer.

Saturday 16th December 2023

Limited seats available in Premier Dining and First Class

Why not join us for a classic day out by steam train that combines exciting main line running, varied landscape, and the special atmosphere of York at Christmas time?

The Old Stables, Estuary Road, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 2HL – Phone: 01553 661 500

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© 2023 | The Railway Touring Company Limited | Founded by Nigel Dobbing in 1997 | All rights reserved. This work remains the property of The Railway Touring Company Limited and may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, without permission. Website: LucidSynergy Ltd.