Trip length: 3 hours
The views from Pikes Peak are too good to be limited to a few adventurers who’ve climbed to the top. The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which made its first summit of “America’s Mountain” in 1891 (don’t worry, the equipment has been updated), aims to keep those views accessible to the masses. It’s the longest and highest cog railway in the world—and the highest railroad of any kind in the Northern Hemisphere—but even without the accolades, it would still be worth the trip. The nine-mile trek up the 14,000-foot Colorado peak offers breathtaking sights year round, especially during the winter months when snow blankets the landscape.
Ah, the relaxing rhythm of a winter train ride. With snow-capped mountains and snow-laden boughs rushing past your window seat in a flurry, is there anything more idyllic? Believe it or not, wintry excursions like this aren’t limited to the Hogwarts Express—we’ve got scenic train rides right here in the U.S.
Unlike other forms of travel (who wants the stress of an airport this time of year?), trains allow you to sit back and fully let go. There’s more freedom to walk around, grab a bite, and stretch out your legs while watching America’s most magical scenes unfold. Book a trip up north on a touristy Polar Express (yes, just like the movie), or strap in for a cross-country ride with a sleeper car on Amtrak's Zephyr. Whether you’re looking for family fun or a day to rest, these magical winter train rides across America will have you smack dab in the middle of a snow globe.
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