What comes to mind when you think of the most romantic form of transportation? Cars? Buses? Motorcycles? For most people, it's none of those things. The true winner in the romantic vehicle department is the train.
You get to watch beautiful scenery from your window while sitting side-by-side enjoying your partner's company. Riding a scenic train, an overnight train, or even a scenic commuter train makes for a wonderful trip for couples.
If that sounds good to you, then read on to learn about all the best romantic train ride options available out there.
Napa Valley Wine Train
There's almost nothing more romantic than the glow of the moon, which is why the Moonlight Escape tour of the Napa Valley Wine Train definitely beats most date nights.
As you make your way through Napa Valley, enjoy wine and a meal prepared by Executive Chef Kelly Macdonald. The region is a beautiful part of California that boasts some of the country's most impressive wineries.
Both community and private wine tours of the area are led by several businesses. Depending on the tour you choose, costs as well as pick-up and drop-off locations vary greatly.
Pullman Rail Journeys (Chicago-New Orleans)
Pullman Rail Journeys does a unique take on the train journey. They help passengers make the most of their trip with historically-correct train cars so you get to feel like you're in the old days.
But that doesn't mean they don't have modern facilities like toilets, wireless Internet access, and power outlets. They also do special holiday trips on occasions like Christmas and New Year.
Ask about the Master Bedroom suite in the Pontchartrain Club Car while in Chicago, and take it all the way down to the Big Easy.
On select journeys, musicians from Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music serenade riders as the train travels through Chicago and New Orleans.
Grand Canyon Train Rides
The Grand Canyon Railway is a roughly 1923 steam train that picks up passengers and takes them 64 miles to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park for a day to remember.
It's a totally relaxing, no-stress, romantic way to reach the park, especially because guests are offered free refreshments and entertainment during the ride.
Between April and June, when rainfall levels are low, and temperatures have not yet hit their scorching summer highs, the weather in the Grand Canyon is at its peak.
When school gets out in June, the park becomes incredibly crowded, so schedule your visit before then if possible.
New York's Metro-North Hudson Valley Train Rides
If you're a fan of classic movies and have seen Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest you will have already had a taste of this train trip.
In the movie you see the majestic Hudson River and the mountains beyond it through the windows of a train whose tracks hug the riverbanks.
In reality, the Metro-North railway line is a commuter train with world-class scenery, and many couples who visit or live in New York City board it for the day to take a simple, cheap, and convenient trip.
You can visit places like Cold Spring or Hudson in the Hudson Valley. There, you can walk into the city from the train station and find places to eat as well as browse antique shops.
Amtrak's Northeast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor train offers couples the opportunity to watch passing sailboats on Long Island Sound, which is especially breathtaking as the sun sets in the Connecticut coastal town of Old Saybrook.
Hop off in Mystic for the full experience and stay at a nearby B&B to finish the experience.
Riding the rails has long held an allure. Amtrak travel offers a richer travel experience and also provides some remarkably practical benefits.
Rio Grande Scenic Railroad
The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad is the newest train in Colorado, and provides steam engine trips on hundreds of miles of historic rail through spectacular mountain valleys and over the famous LaVeta pass.
Excursions give passengers a journey back in time on restored passenger cars that stop in the picturesque mountain town of LaVeta where you learn about the area's mining history and even catch a glimpse of wildlife like bears.
On summer weekends you can enjoy the Mountain Rails Live concert series where nationally renowned artists hit a a boxcar stage only accessible by a train at 9,400 ft.
There's maybe no better way to experience the San Luis Valley of Colorado than through the Art Deco-style club cars of the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad. The dinner trip at sunset is the cherry on top.
Conclusion
It doesn't matter if you've been married for 50 years or have just started your journey together, a romantic train ride is always in style. If you live in or will visit the U.S., the scenic trips above are some of the best.
