North American Train Routes for a Family Vacation

The Adirondack

Considered one of the top ten scenic train rides in the world, the Adirondack train route travels from New York City's Penn Station to Montreal, Canada. The trip is great for a weekend away in either Montreal or Manhattan. The route will take you past West Point Academy, the Hudson River Valley and fifty miles of Lake Champlain.

The Vermonter

The trip from Washington, D. C. to St. Albans, Vermont, takes you from the U.S. capital, through the beautiful New England states of Connecticut and Massachusetts on the way to Vermont. As you travel through New England towns, you'll be able to see some of the most beautiful scenery in this area, including rivers, falls and covered bridges.

The Downeaster

The Downeaster was established in 2001 and was expanded several years ago northward to Freeport and Brunswick, Maine. The short ride (between three and four hours) includes a trip along the beautiful Maine coastline. With five round-trips offered each day, this route is a great way for Massachusetts families to visit Maine for a day or longer. Many of these routes carry volunteers to aid passengers with questions about local attractions and destinations.

The Pennsylvanian

Both New York City and Pittsburgh are great family vacation destinations and the Pennsylvanian route takes you through the beautiful Pennsylvanian landscape between the two major cities. The 9.5-half hour trip travels through a variety of different terrains(地形), and stops along the way including Newark, Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Altoona. The connecting train service is available for those looking to travel to Cleveland, Chicago, and Toledo from Pittsburgh.

Petra and Wadi Rum, Jordan

When it comes to the world’s wonderful desert scenery, Jordan’s Petra and Wadi Rum has it. Also known as the Valley of the Moon, this place is one of the best due to its amazing desert canyons and rock walls. Participants love exploring its Burdah and Um Fruth, walking to the impressive ancient city.

Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

The Rongai Route is the best route if the participants of the walking tour want a quiet climb. The Kili Trail permits travelers to witness the region’s wilderness, virgin forests, and rare animals. This route, according to many, is the easiest way to reach the top where the breath-taking 360-degree sights of natural wonders await.

Quebec, Canada

This special environment made up of both the natural and cultural treasures, where fresh water becomes one with the tides of the sea, makes Quebec one of the interesting walking tour destinations in the world. Here is a track that heads to the Saguenay Fjord National Park which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Adding to the beauty of Quebec are its sparkling waterfalls, inviting lakes, and rare animals.

Great Smoky Mountain, US

This region has been named as the ancestral home of the Cherokee Indians, where rich natural wonders combined with interesting history are the major happenings. The rich natural reserve is evident and enjoyed by walking tour participants. What also makes this destination a popular choice is its reputation as the biggest wilderness on the eastern part of the United States.

If you’re looking for a moving story that explores themes of mental illness, grief, and love, pick up a copy of How It Feels to Float and follow Biz as she turns 18. This moving novel will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Put on your crime-solving cap and get swept away in this thriller about a girl, a boy, and a string of unsolved murders. As threats and hints pile up, you’ll be burning the midnight oil trying to finish the book before dawn.

The first book in the Rise of the Empress series takes the bones of a traditional fairy tale--- a poor girl fated for power, an evil queen determined to stop her, love for someone who doesn’t love back, and magic--- and gives them a richly imagined East Asian setting.

If the Star Wars movies have made you fall in love with the space opera, eventually you’re going to read Frank Herbert’s most famous creation. The story of centuries -old political plotting—about warring factions battling over control of the extremely valuable planet Arrakis—is a classic and remains a wonderful introduction to the larger, more complex world of science fiction just beyond the Star Wars trilogies.