These are the 18 best fall foliage train rides in the U.S.

What is it? A ride that takes you through Vermont and into Washington, D.C.

Why go? This daily route through some of the nation’s best and most profuse foliage begins near the Canadian border in St. Albans. Still, you can pick it up at any of the 10 other Vermont stops and then ride it through seven other states to ultimately wind up in Washington, D.C., if you wish. Stop in Montpelier to see where maple syrup is made at the Morse Farm sugar shack, or in Stowe to visit the von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort (Sound of Music, anyone?) Along the way, enjoy views of charming towns nestled in the wooded hills of the Green Mountain State.

Time Out tip: Bring your mountain bike on the train and stop in Waterbury, Vermont, to ride the Perry Hill Trail Network. Afterwards, visit the Cold Hollow Cider Mill where you can snag a hot, fresh-baked cider doughnut off the bakery treadmill.

Price: Prices vary too much to designate here, based on length of voyage, how early you book it and which class of travel you select.

What is it? A 1.5 hour ride to see Wisconsin’s peak foliage.

Why go? The Fall Colors ride glides through foliage in the St. Croix River Valley, including views of the river itself which provides the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin, one of only eight rivers declared as a National Wild and Scenic River by the U.S. government in 1968. When you deboard in Osceola after your roundtrip ride , look for one of several apple orchards and pick-your-own pumpkin patches open nearby seasonally.

Time Out tip: You can bring your own lunch in a small cooler and purchase craft beer on the ride to accompany. If you would like to ride on a train car with tables, leave a note in the comment section when you check out from buying your tickets.

Price: $34.

What is it? An unusual cog train that summits the very steep Mount Washington.

Why go? Mount Washington’s a big deal—so steep that cars that make it to the top get a bumper sticker crowing about the feat. The rail ride up there is also a breathtaking trip through three climate zones to reach 6,288 feet (and you’ll see a marker commemorating the 1855 death of a young woman who died near the summit, exposed during a September storm). The Cog is the first mountain-climbing cog railway in the world (meaning that a cog wheel on the train’s locomotive meshes with a toothed rack rail in the center of the tracks, essentially moving the train uphill easily and mechanically). You can choose between a custom-built biodiesel train or a seasonal coal-fired steam locomotive, both of which provide a three-hour roundtrip (or chicken out and take a shorter trip that doesn’t reach the summit).

Time Out tip: Check the CogCam live webcam to confirm lots of ochre and gold foliage before departing!

Price: Biodiesel trip to the summit starts at $84. The Fall Foliage Steam Special goes halfway up the mountain with a steam locomotive for $69.

What is it? A scenic excursion through Pennsylvania’s forests.

Why go? The aptly named Autumn Splendor fall foliage train brings you to lush and fragrant color displays in Pennsylvania’s Secret Valley, while the Autumn Cider and Donuts Express does the same—but with sweet treats. You can customize by adding brunch, lunch or wine-tasting to your ticket, which makes your ride longer, too. Win/win! The dining car is described as a “rolling Edwardian party” with white glove treatment, while the Garden Cafe Car is ADA compliant with a gorgeous hanging garden vibe. There are also open-air cars for inhaling the best aromas of fall, deluxe coach options and a first-class lounge where you can have tapas and light hors-d'oeuvres.

Time Out tip: Look for the 21+ hard cider tasting option on some trains.

Price: Varies depending on add-ons and ride length, starting at $37.

What is it? An excursion ride through Maine’s impressive woods.

Why go? You can choose between the 1 or 1.5-hour Fall Foliage Train ride that goes through the colorful woods past Unity Pond towards the Sebasticook Bridge and then back. This fun, historic rail line often does themed rides like a ‘cider and doughnuts train,’ and a ‘pizza and whoopie pie train.' It’s a nonprofit volunteer-run preservation railroad with coaches and open-air cars, and the refreshments are usually local: Maine root sodas, whoopie pies and apple cider.

Time Out tip: Book your ticket for late September to ride straight to the annual Common Ground Country Fair, which focuses on organic agriculture, sustainable rural living and fun. Examples? Magnawave horse massage, chestnut roasting, touch a goat and bluegrass quintet performances.

Price: Starts at $23.

What is it? A leisurely trip through Michigan’s beautiful foliage.

Why go? The 2.5 hour Fall Colors Tours ride goes through foliage-filled woods, with a halfway-through stop at Clinton Station for a cup of locally-made apple cider. Board in downtown Tecumseh and relax with views of northern Lenawee County’s forested wonders. The railroad crews of this nonprofit do their best to time the schedule to capture the best of temporary but glorious foliage. At the time of this writing, the Fall Colors Tours tickets have not been released yet; check with the website and the Facebook page for updates.

Time Out tip: There are other ways to see foliage besides this particular train. We like the sound of the Appleumpkin Festival, which you can take the train to.

Price: TBA.

What is it? A train showcasing intense fall colors with glimpses of Mt. Hood.

Why go? The Mt. Hood Railroad’s Fall Train takes you through jaw-dropping autumnal scenery at this time of year. For 2.5-3 hours, you’ll ride along the Hood River’s lower main fork and then undertake a three percent grade incorporating one of only five switchbacks remaining in the U.S. At a 45-minute layover, you can purchase lunch or bring your own picnic. As you train along, you catch dramatic glimpses of Mt. Hood, Oregon’s tallest peak.

Time Out tip: Upgrade to VIP status to easily visit the Mt. Hood Winery on the stopover: you’ll get expedited service when lines can be long, a keepsake glass and a coupon for next time.

Price: Starts at $37.

What is it? A popular afternoon ride that includes a hot buffet lunch stopover at an inn.

Why go? The Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad’s Fall Foliage Special is a seasonal train in late September and October. This four-hour roundtrip excursion goes through the White Mountains of New Hampshire, past Lake Waukewan and Winona Lake where foliage is reflected in the lake waters. Passengers cross the Ashland High Trestle and ride through a deer farm and a Christmas tree farm. A hot buffet lunch stop is included at the historic Common Man Inn in Plymouth, then on the return trip, enjoy a guided tour of the restored Ashland station from docents dressed in period attire.

Time Out tip: This rail line also offers two-hour turkey dinner trains starting in late September throughout October.

Price: Starts at $100.

What is it? A ride through the Appalachian foothills of north Georgia.

Why go? You’ll begin at a historic depot in downtown Blue Ridge, then embark on a four-hour roundtrip along the beautiful Toccoa River, pausing for a layover before entering the forest with its autumnal array. You’ll also see an impressive 500-year-old Native American fish trap, a V-shaped rock formation used to... well, trap fish. The two-hour layover includes visiting two quaint towns: McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee. Fun lore: an earlier arrangement of the tracks entailed a horseshoe-shaped curve so tight that it was said the conductor could light his cigar by leaning out the window of the caboose to get a flame from the engineer at the front of the train.

Time Out tip: McCaysville and Copperhill sit on either side of the state line, so you can set a foot in Georgia and Tennessee simultaneously in an Insta-worthy straddle.

Price: Starts at $76.

What is it? A ride through Ohio’s only national park.

Why go? The National Park Scenic train follows the same route as the rail line’s original Fall Flyer ride, showcasing views of autumn leaves in the park. You’ll ride in a vintage rail car on a leisurely, two-hour excursion. The park has almost 33,000 rural acres along the Cuyahoga River, with deep forests and open farmland.

Time Out tip: Watch for eagles, deer, beaver and herons as you chug along.

Price: Starts at $25.

What is it? An excursion that powers you up through the Appalachian mountains.

Why go? There are several routes to choose from, but the Cass Bald Knob Trip sounds a little dirty and involves climbing Cheat Mountain. This is a 1901 logging route you can still ride on a four-hour roundtrip as you climb 2,390 feet to see incredible vistas of the valleys below. The railroad's website reports that the altitude/climate difference is the same as driving 800 miles to Canada. You get a free King of the Road hobo lunch (a cold cut sandwich and sides) along with your roofed but open-sided steam-powered ride. We’re in.

Time Out tip: Dress in layers: it can be cold at the top!

Price: $83.

What is it? A ride along a Connecticut river.

Why go? The city name of Thomaston alone makes you think this is a great place for a train to be rolling along with all of his friends coming along... and you’d be right. This railroad organized by the Railroad Museum of New England runs a 1.5 hour Autumn Colors Limited train (as well as the similarly themed Pumpkin Patch Express). The rail line follows the river, crossing it several times for beautifully reflected views of the foliage of the Litchfield Hills. The train also goes over the Thomaston Dam for an extra thrill.

Time Out tip: So long as the chocolate factory's open, the ride includes a stop at Fascia’s Chocolates for 20 minutes so you can see the factory and purchase chocolate or gelato.

Price: Starts at $25.

What is it? Kentucky’s most scenic tourist railroad.

Why go? This historical train route on the Kentucky & Tennessee Railway leads to Blue Heron and an abandoned coal mining town with modern 'ghost structures,' which you’ll explore on a 1.5 hour layover, then return to the depot. The total trip takes three hours, and along the way you’ll enjoy views of the Daniel Boone National Forest (hopefully in full foliage!) and the rivers and vista points of the Big South Fork. Add a Coal Miner’s Lunch to your ticket so that you feel like you’re really just commuting to your job in the mines.

Time Out tip: Leave time to explore the McCreary County Museum in Stearns as well; your ticket includes admission.

Price: $28.

What is it? A train ride through diverse forests with brilliant colors.

Why go? The Fall Foliage Adventure train takes place in September and October (and the railroad’s website helpfully includes a link to the New York State Fall Foliage Report so you can time things well). These are flat train cars with canopies that travel along the former Ulster & Delaware Railroad lines with lovely views of the Catskills. The roundtrip ride lasts about an hour and a quarter.

Time Out tip: If you take the Pumpkin Express train instead, you can choose a pumpkin to take home with you.

Price: $19.

What is it? A chance to experience Wisconsin’s beautiful foliage.

Why go? This one-hour roundtrip ride takes you on a former branch line of the Chicago & North Western Railway to see the Baraboo Hills foliage, riding in restored steel coaches from a century ago. It’s super authentic here: an appropriately attired conductor shouts, “All aboard!” as the train departs the 1894 wooden depot. There’s also an on-site museum as well as historic train cars to explore. There are Harvest Flyer trains which cover the same ground, but you can make sure you narrow your focus by buying a ticket for the Autumn Color Weekend train.

Time Out tip: The 21+ Harvest Happy Hour train includes rum-spiked hot apple cider and a donut.

Price: $24.

What is it? A journey through New York’s Hudson River Valley.

Why go? Well, you can’t have a more “fall foliage” sounding train than the Maple Leaf, and this Amtrak route goes from NYC’s Penn Station to Toronto through the Hudson River Valley, wine country and the Finger Lakes region with its spectacular gorges. Excellent reason to get off the train: the Niagara Falls train station on the U.S. side is less than two miles from the falls, and the Canadian station is 2.5 miles from the falls, which are considered prettier on the Canadian side. Bring your passport, and expect to deboard with your belongings at border control on both sides.

Time Out tip: Get off the train in Rochester, New York, and grab a ten-minute Lyft to the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House to pay respects to the powerhouse who helped women get the right to vote in this country (sad fact: she fought more than 30 years for suffrage— and died about 20 years before the effort was successful).

Price: Prices vary too much to designate here, based on length of voyage, how early you book it and which class of travel you select.

What is it? A short excursion through Colorado’s foliage

Why go? Pulled by a 15-ton “iron horse” locomotive, you’ll steam through Cripple Creek over a reconstructed trestle, past historic mines—including a deserted one in Anaconda— then back in a 45-minute excursion. There are many impressive foliage views to be viewed and photographed through the open-air cars—and in Echo Valley you’ll get to hear the whistle blow (and blow).

Time Out tip: There are no reservations, so arrive early to ensure you can board. There’s a printable $1 off coupon (for up to four riders) on the website.

Price: $19.

What is it? A ride through the Berkshire mountains on restored coaches.

Why go? The Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum puts together these Fall Foliage Train rides which include a one-hour ride through the scenic Berkshire mountains on 100-year-old coaches, which have been lovingly restored. The Berkshires are part of the Appalachian Mountains range and were named one of the 12 Last Great Places by The Nature Conservancy. Everyone involved is a volunteer: we love this preservation-friendly railroad.

Time Out tip: The coach seat backs can move to face the direction of travel—or to face another friendly couple, if you want to book with friends.

Price: Starts at $24.

What is it: A scenic ride through Mount Washington Valley and Crawford Notch.

Why go? There are several options, but the Mountaineer offers the most scenic experience. It ascends the ruggedly beautiful Crawford Notch on a classic train, departing from an 1874 train station in North Conway Village. This roughly four-hour journey takes you past views of the Saco River, over towering viaducts and through rocky crags, crossing the curved Frankenstein trestle and the high Willey Brook Bridge. The Mountaineer aims to recreate “the experience of a post-World War II transcontinental streamlined train with 1950s-era streamlined passenger cars.” You can add on a box lunch.

Time Out tip: For a ride of this caliber, it’s worth it to upgrade to the premium dome class in the stainless steel bi-level passenger cars to perch beneath that glass dome view.

Price: Starts at $83.