by Ruth Belena

Created on: August 22, 2010

Families can have wonderful shared experiences on train vacations. In the United States there are opportunities for families to take children on an all-inclusive organised tour, accompanied by a guide. There is also the option to travel independently, as a family, on trains across America. 

One of the best ways to see America is with an Amtrak USA rail pass. When families with children uses their rail passes, kids under 2 get to travel free, and passes for children aged between 2 and 15 are half the price of an adult rail pass. These passes allow travel on all Amtrak trains in the USA, except for some high-speed services and car-carriers. Sleeping-car tickets for overnight travel are available for an additional charge.

When using rail passes for vacations in the USA it is recommended that seats for each segment of train travel are reserved in advance.

Top train vacations can be based in areas with short scenic train tours and fun activity train rides, or can take families on spectacular long-distance routes.
 
• Adirondack Scenic Railroad

The Adirondack train passenger service operates daily between New York City and Montreal, a total of almost 400 miles, and the entire trip can take up to 12 hours. Families with children can enjoy shorter scenic train rides within the Adirondack Park. The Adirondack Scenic Railroad operates around Utica, Old Forge, Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, with some special cut-price fares available for families with children.

Passengers on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad can also participate in fun family activities, on special train tours where murder mysteries and train robberies are acted out.

• California Zephyr

The California Zephyr carries passengers across America from Chicago to Denver, Salt Lake City, Reno, Sacramento and San Francisco, passing through spectacular scenery and places of historical significance, across farmlands, over mountains and though rocky river valleys. A journey on the California Zephyr ends, or begins, in San Francisco Bay, and the complete trip takes around 48 hours from start to finish.

Riding the California Zephyr, families with children can follow the route of the very first trans-continental railroad in the USA, and will hear a commentary when passing through historic sections of this scenic train route.

• Alaska Railroad

The Alaska Railroad was completed in 1923, providing a rail link to the gold fields of Alaska, and it is now a designated National Scenic Byway. The railroad covers 500 miles from Whittier to Fairbanks. The first train service with domed cars was launched in 1947, and some historic domed sightseeing trains continue to run along the Alaska Railroad route. These trains have an upper seating area, and a lower level, with dining cars and some open air carriages. A live commentary is provided for passengers on these tours.

An Alaska rail tour is an exciting experience for a family with children. Families who want to explore Alaska can either choose independent travel or pick an all-inclusive train vacation.

Families with children choose train travel for top vacations in the United States and have some amazing adventures along the way. Kids get to learn a lot of interesting history, and their parents enjoy some magnificent scenery.

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