16 Must-Try Washington Train Rides Capturing The State’s Wild Charm
Washington State is home to some of the most breathtaking train journeys in the entire country. From vintage steam locomotives chugging through mountain valleys to modern rail lines hugging coastal cliffs, these rides offer windows into landscapes you simply cannot experience from a car.
Whether you crave adventure through dense forests or peaceful rides past sparkling waterfalls, the train routes across this Pacific Northwest gem deliver unforgettable memories for travelers of all ages.
1. Amtrak Cascades
Connecting three major cities across international borders, this route stretches from Vancouver through Seattle down to Portland. Views change dramatically as passengers watch the Cascade Mountains rise in the distance while Puget Sound sparkles alongside the tracks. Forest-covered hills roll past your window for hours.
Starting in 2026, brand-new trains will feature bigger panoramic windows that make scenery-watching even better. The redesigned café car will serve food inspired by Pacific Northwest flavors like salmon and local berries. It is one of the most convenient ways to see multiple landscapes without driving.
Families love this ride because kids can move around freely while still enjoying incredible sights.
2. Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad
Steam hisses and whistles blow as this historic locomotive pulls away from the station near Mount Rainier National Park. Dense evergreen forests surround the tracks on both sides, creating a tunnel of green that opens occasionally to reveal stunning mountain views. Wooden trestle bridges add excitement as the train crosses high above rushing streams below.
Your journey ends at the Logging Museum in Mineral, where antique equipment tells stories of Washington’s timber industry past.
Kids especially enjoy seeing how loggers worked decades ago with massive saws and tools. The whole experience feels like stepping back in time to an era when trains were the primary way to move through wilderness.
3. Chelatchie Prairie Railroad
Located near the small town of Yacolt, this heritage railroad winds through Clark County’s thick forests on seasonal excursions. Rivers appear suddenly as the train crosses bridges, and then you plunge into darkness through a 300-foot tunnel carved through solid rock. Themed rides add extra fun throughout the year.
Fall foliage tours showcase brilliant orange and red leaves covering hillsides, while holiday trains feature decorations and visits from Santa Claus.
Each season brings different reasons to ride, making it worth visiting multiple times. The railroad preserves important history while creating new memories for modern families exploring Washington’s backwoods beauty in comfortable vintage cars.
4. Northwest Railway Museum’s Snoqualmie Valley Railroad
Departing from the charming town of Snoqualmie, this railroad takes passengers on a peaceful journey through valleys filled with farms and forests. Snoqualmie Falls, one of Washington’s most photographed waterfalls, appears in the distance during certain parts of the ride. The gentle rocking of the train and pastoral scenery create a relaxing afternoon escape.
Before or after your ride, explore the museum’s impressive collection of historic railcars and artifacts that explain how trains shaped the Pacific Northwest.
Restored passenger cars and freight locomotives sit on display, letting visitors imagine life from a different era. It is educational and entertaining, perfect for anyone curious about railroad history.
5. Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum
Steam locomotive No. 15, built way back in 1916, powers this heritage railroad along a 10-mile route through scenic countryside. Rolling hills covered in farms stretch out on both sides as the train clatters over wooden trestles high above the Chehalis River. It is like watching a living history lesson unfold outside your window.
The museum portion showcases railroad equipment and explains how trains connected small Washington towns to larger cities decades ago.
Volunteers who maintain the locomotive and tracks share fascinating stories with passengers during the journey. Hearing the authentic steam whistle echo across farmland makes you appreciate how much effort goes into preserving these treasures.
6. Spirit of Washington Dinner Train
Combining gourmet dining with spectacular scenery creates an unforgettable evening experience on this luxury train. As chefs prepare multi-course meals in the onboard kitchen, you watch Lake Washington’s shoreline glide past through large windows. The elegant vintage dining cars feature white tablecloths and polished wood details that transport you to a more refined era of travel.
Couples celebrating anniversaries or special occasions particularly appreciate the romantic atmosphere and attentive service.
The menu changes seasonally to highlight fresh Pacific Northwest ingredients like Dungeness crab and locally grown vegetables. It is definitely more expensive than other train rides, but the combination of fine food and moving scenery justifies the splurge for memorable celebrations.
7. Amtrak Empire Builder
This legendary long-distance route crosses the entire northern United States, with the Washington portion offering some of the most dramatic scenery on the whole journey. Passengers heading east from Seattle climb through mountain passes where snow-capped peaks tower above thick evergreen forests. The train follows rivers through valleys that feel completely untouched by modern development.
Many travelers choose to ride just the Washington section rather than the full multi-day trip from Chicago to Seattle.
The observation car features floor-to-ceiling windows perfect for photography enthusiasts wanting to capture wilderness landscapes. Early morning departures mean you will see sunrise light painting the mountains in shades of pink and gold.
8. Lake Whatcom Railway
Operating near Bellingham, this railway runs vintage equipment along the scenic shores of Lake Whatcom. Sparkling water appears through gaps in the forest as the train follows curves that hug the hillside above the lake. The railway operates seasonally, with special events like Thomas the Tank Engine days that thrill young children.
Volunteers passionate about railroad preservation maintain the locomotives and track, ensuring safe and authentic experiences for visitors. The relatively short ride makes it perfect for families with small kids who might get restless on longer journeys.
Picnic areas near the station let you extend your visit, enjoying lakeside views before or after your ride through this peaceful corner of Washington.
9. Northern Pacific Railway Museum Train Rides
Located in Toppenish within the Yakima Valley, this museum offers short excursions on restored equipment that once served communities across the Pacific Northwest. The rides themselves are brief, but the museum grounds contain an impressive collection of locomotives, cabooses, and passenger cars you can explore up close. Each piece of equipment has informational signs explaining its history and purpose.
What makes this spot special is the hands-on approach kids can climb into engineer cabs and ring bells on certain displays. The museum focuses on Northern Pacific Railway history specifically, showing how this company shaped Washington’s development.
It is more educational than scenic, ideal for railroad enthusiasts wanting to understand the technical side of train operations.
10. Yakima Valley Trolleys
Electric trolleys once connected cities across America before automobiles took over, and Yakima preserves this piece of history with operating streetcars. These aren’t trains in the traditional sense, but the experience of riding vintage electric trolleys through town offers unique charm. The vehicles themselves are beautifully restored, with polished wood seats and brass fixtures gleaming inside.
Volunteers share stories about when trolleys were the primary transportation for Yakima residents going to work or shopping downtown.
The route passes through historic neighborhoods where you can imagine how different daily life looked a century ago. It is a short, inexpensive ride that works perfectly as part of a larger day exploring Yakima’s attractions and wineries.
11. Amtrak Coast Starlight
Though this route runs from Seattle all the way to Los Angeles, the Washington section provides stunning views where the tracks approach the Pacific coast. Passengers in the observation car watch waves crash against rocky shores while seabirds circle overhead. The train passes through small coastal towns that seem frozen in time, their weathered buildings facing the endless ocean.
Many consider the Coast Starlight one of America’s most beautiful train routes overall, and Washington contributes significantly to that reputation. The parlor car offers comfortable seating perfect for spending hours just watching scenery change from forests to coastline to farmland.
Book early because this popular route fills up quickly, especially during summer months when weather is most reliable.
12. Dayton Historic Depot Train Viewing
While not an operating passenger service, the Dayton depot represents an important piece of Washington railroad history worth visiting. This beautifully preserved Victorian-era station looks exactly as it did when trains regularly stopped to pick up passengers and freight. The building now serves as a museum where exhibits explain how railroads connected remote southeastern Washington communities to the wider world.
Freight trains still rumble past on nearby tracks, letting visitors experience the power and noise of modern rail operations.
The depot sits in charming downtown Dayton, a town that has preserved much of its historic character. Combining a depot visit with exploration of local shops and restaurants makes for a pleasant day trip into Washington’s agricultural heartland.
13. Sumas Railway Heritage
Near the Canadian border, Sumas preserves railway heritage connected to the international connections that made this small town important decades ago. Historic equipment sits on display, showing the types of trains that once carried passengers and goods between the United States and Canada. The location itself is interesting because you can see how railroads ignored national boundaries, creating economic ties between countries.
It is a quieter, less-developed attraction compared to operating railroads elsewhere in Washington, but that is part of its appeal for serious railroad enthusiasts. The small-town atmosphere and lack of crowds let you take your time examining equipment details and reading historical markers.
Pair your visit with a trip across the border to explore Canadian railway sites just miles away.
14. Pend Oreille Valley Railroad
Operating in remote northeastern Washington, this railroad offers excursions through the Pend Oreille Valley’s stunning mountain landscape. Thick forests climb steep hillsides on both sides of the tracks while the Pend Oreille River winds through the valley below. It is one of Washington’s least-known train rides, meaning you will likely share the experience with just a handful of other passengers.
The isolation adds to the adventure this really feels like exploring wilderness rather than just sightseeing. Wildlife sightings are common, with deer, eagles, and occasionally bears visible from the train windows.
The railroad operates seasonally with limited schedules, so planning ahead is essential if you want to experience this hidden gem in Washington’s far corner.
15. Spokane’s Vintage Train Collection
Eastern Washington’s largest city maintains several historic locomotives and railcars that tell the story of how trains built Spokane into a regional hub. While not operating passenger rides currently, the collection includes impressive steam engines and elegant passenger cars that visitors can tour. Information placards explain each piece’s history and role in connecting Spokane to markets across the country.
Railroad enthusiasts appreciate the variety of equipment representing different eras and purposes, from freight haulers to luxury passenger service.
The outdoor display setting means you can photograph trains with Spokane’s historic downtown buildings as backdrops. It is free to visit, making it an easy addition to any Spokane itinerary, especially for families looking for educational activities kids will actually enjoy.
16. Columbia River Gorge Train Route
Following the Columbia River along Washington’s southern border, trains on this route travel through one of North America’s most dramatic river canyons. Basalt cliffs tower hundreds of feet above the tracks on one side while the mighty Columbia flows past on the other. The geology alone makes this ride spectacular, with layers of ancient lava flows visible in the canyon walls.
Both freight and occasional passenger services use these tracks, though viewing opportunities exist from various points along the route even if you are not riding.
The gorge creates its own weather patterns, with wind and clouds adding drama to the already impressive landscape. Photographers particularly love how changing light transforms the scenery throughout the day.
