5 Places to Experience Fall Foliage on an Amtrak Train Vacation

Leaves change into brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red. Harvest-season festivals and events. Beautiful country drives and crisp downtown walks. In these cities, fall is all that and much more! And the nice thing about fall travel, besides smaller crowds and lower prices, is watching the changing landscape from the train. Consider riding the rails to these fall-friendly cities for a refreshing change of pace! 

1. Boston 

Many consider Boston and the entire New England area to be at its most beautiful in the fall when the leaves put on a spectacular show. The color palette provides the perfect backdrop for walking the city’s famous Freedom Trail, which doubles as a foliage tour in the fall, and admiring the city’s historic architecture in beautiful Boston Common. And because the weather is still mild and the crowd's thinner, fall is the perfect time to enjoy Faneuil Hall Marketplace, the city’s historic waterfront, packed full of shops with various harvest goodies and unique fall-themed gifts. Fall also marks the start of football season, a major event in New England. The spirit of the season is alive and well in Boston! 

2. New York City 

New York City may not be the first destination that comes to mind for admiring fall foliage, but the city and its surrounding regions offer an exceptional train-based experience for leaf peepers. Just outside the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains burst with vibrant autumn hues that can be best appreciated from the comfort of a train. Amtrak runs along the eastern bank of the Hudson River, providing passengers panoramic views of the steep, forested hillsides ablaze in shades of red, orange and yellow, as well as traveling through upstate New York, cutting through the Catskill Mountains and offering stunning vistas of the region's autumnal splendor. Within the city limits, the High Line and Central Park also display lovely fall colors, creating a unique contrast between urban and natural settings. With easy access to numerous scenic train routes, New York City serves as an excellent starting point to explore the Northeast's premier fall foliage destinations by rail. 

3. Portland, Oregon  

While most people think of the Eastern Seaboard when it comes to seeing fall foliage, parts of the West Coast put on quite a show as well, made even more dramatic with soaring coastline views and mountainous backdrops. One such place where autumnal beauty abounds is Portland, Oregon, where leaf peepers can revel in the best of fall in the city. The best spots to experience the splendor include downtown South Park, rural Sauvie Island, the historic Pittock Mansion, and the exotic Japanese Gardens. 

4. Montreal 

Fall colors combined with the old-world charm in Montreal, Quebec, offer visitors an impressive autumnal experience with a distinctly European flair. Weather is still relatively mild during the fall months, providing ample opportunity to leaf peep among the city’s impressive architecture, interesting cultural attractions, thriving restaurant scene, and electric nightlife. Not to be missed is Mount Royal Park – the highest point in the city, where the elm, ash, and maple trees put on a spectacular display, peaking in late September through early October. And in neighboring Quebec City, the area comes alive with a blaze of fall color, making a visit to both cities a true fall bucket list experience! 

5. Denver 

Denver is an excellent destination for those looking to experience the stunning beauty of fall foliage by train. Situated at the base of the Rocky Mountains, the city is surrounded by lush forests and alpine landscapes that explode with vibrant colors as the leaves change in autumn. Taking a train through the nearby mountains offers breathtaking panoramic views of the vivid reds, oranges, and golds that paint the landscape. Many train routes departing from Denver, such as the Ski Train to Winter Park or the Amtrak California Zephyr, travel through scenic canyons and valleys, providing passengers with ample opportunities to admire the fall scenery. Even off the train, tours of nearby Rocky Mountain National Park will delight the senses with all that fall has to offer.