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2025 is the year of the Dupe. No, not dupe like you’ll fall for the ol’ three-card Monte trick; dupe as in travel alternatives.

Hard to believe it’s been years since the pandemic was declared over, but one thing has become increasingly clear to this day — travel is back.

Whether it be renowned resorts sold out night after night, having to unnecessarily check bags, or being forced to share selfies in what-should-be wide open plains of national or state parks, travelers are embracing their sense of wanderlust all the over the world, leaving the door open to discover more hidden gems.

When it comes to the U.S., one could argue Alaska is America’s least-explored state, but on the mainland, it’s gotta be West Virginia, right?

Known more for its deeply rooted history of coal mining and longstanding tales of Appalachian folklore, those who have visited West Virginia typically come out the other side shocked by how beautiful the “Mountain State” truly is ,especially being home to America’s most underrated state park.

West Virginia, Take Me…To Cass Scenic Railroad State Park

Anything beats counting bottles of beer on the wall, but let’s not even pretend there’s a better road trip song than Take Me Home, Country Roads.

We’ve all belted out West Virginia’s unofficial theme song at one point or another, but rarely do we ever scope out the state itself for a nice, relaxing getaway.

Full disclosure – West Virginia has often found itself on the wrong side of headlines as numerous former coal mining hubs are nothing but ghost towns these days, leaving locals living in poverty in some cases, and holding the highest death rate for overdoses in the nation, according to the CDC.

Those very headlines, along with dark mysteries of Appalachia, have cast a shadow over the bright spots of West Virginia people have long been missing out on — one of them being Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.

Those who have visited absolutely love it! The park’s Google rating stands at an impressive 4.7 out of 5, with one recent guest claiming, “My family and I truly enjoyed this trip. Beautiful scenery, knowledgeable staff. Nice places to stay nearby and good places to eat. There is so much to do. Lunch was provided with our train ride. 10/10 would recommend!”.

All Aboard The Cass Scenic RailRoad!

Located in blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town of Cass, this vast state park is home to breathtaking mountain vistas, ancient forests, and mazes of hiking trails to explore, but many opt for the a scenic train ride courtesy of Mountain Rail West Virginia, offering seasonal packages on the Cass Scenic Railroad throughout the year.

Best of all, come May, the historic locomotive is bringing back 3 routes with gorgeous views of waterfalls, lush wilderness, and rustic towns like Durbin nestled in the mountains.

These are Cass Scenic Railroad’s current excursions:

New Tygart Flyer (operating April – November) –

TLC was wrong on this one; you’ll definitely want to chase waterfalls. Enjoy comfortable, climate-controlled coaches, a cold-cut lunch, and stunning views of High Falls of Cheat, the region’s dazzling natural wonder, along with flowing rivers, and sky-high bridges.

Waterfall excursions begin May 4, 2025.

Greenbriar Express (operating May – October) –

Aforementioned Durbin is the highlight of this route. Departing from Cass, the Greenbrier Express offers a scenic journey to one of West Virginia’s most picturesque towns exuding timeless charm with general stores, Mom & Pop eateries, all backdropped by astounding wilderness of Monongahela National Forest.

Cass Bald Knob Trip (operating May – October) –

Hope you’re not afraid of heights! This 4.5 hour trek to Bald Knob takes passengers upwards of 2,300 feet for breathtaking views of Appalachian landscapes ranging from spruce forests and staggering mountains as this is the second highest point in West Virginia.

Cass Whitaker Station (operating May – October) –

Taking 2 hours round-trip, guests can hop aboard century-old trains and chug along scenic meadows and rolling hills, ultimately reaching Whitaker Station to deep dive into the area’s historic logging operations.

This route includes a 30 minute break to take in sweeping views of the countryside and peruse the recreated logging camp and intriguing exhibits.

Rent A Spacious Cabin

Camping isn’t for everyone. That’s why “glamping” has become more popular, but who would ever turn down a cabin in the woods?

Truthfully, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park’s cabins might be the best of all because they house up to 14 people comfortably with 2, 3, and 4-bedroom layouts.

These “cabins”, described as ‘restored company houses’, were formerly quarters for loggers back in the day but now serve as truly unique stays to make your base for exploring the park or indulging in the delights of Cass’s small town charm.

Houses are available year-round and can be booked directly here with rates starting at $105 per night this spring and upwards of $180 this summer.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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Last Updated 13 mins ago

As convenient as air travel may be, and as awesome as it is to snag a window seat at cruising altitude, the truth is we have no idea if we’re looking down at Paris, Texas or Paris, France.

As a result, train travel has become more popular for the adventurous, with the U.S. taking a page out of Europe’s playbook.

However, we’re a little behind the times for bullet trains.

But that’s just the point.

More travelers seem to be opting for low-and-slow travel by hitting the rails for sweeping views of America’s gorgeous landscapes and timeless small towns instead of soaring above the clouds.

‘America the Beautiful’ lives up the name with numerous scenic train rides across the mainland and National Geographic has narrowed them down the best routes.

These are the top 3 U.S. train rides for 2025:

3) Acela Express: A 150MPH East Coast Adventure

Commercial jets can fly as fast as 575mph, but why deal with the hassle of the airport when you can still reach your destination in a reasonable time?

Train stations are far less of a hassle. When you can still reach speeds of 150mph, Amtrak’s Acela Express is a speedy journey to explore some of the East Coast’s most iconic cities.

Covering Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and ultimately Washington DC, you can knock 4 urban jungles well worth a day trip at the very least.

You gotta grab a cheesesteak in Philly, right?

As such, the downside (or upside), depending on your preferred style of travel, is passengers need to purchase a ticket for each leg of the trip. (i.e. Boston to New York, New York to Philly, etc.)

According to Nat Geo, tickets start at $130, and the trip to Washington, D.C., from Boston takes approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes.

Acela Express amenities for Business/First Class:

• Choose your seat
• Fewer stops
• Don’t rush; Arrive at the station minutes before departure
• Electrical outlets and conference tables
• Adjustable lighting and large tray tables
• Wi-Fi equipped

2) California Zephyr: An Epic Journey From The Midwest To The Bay

Again, a route connecting a pair of American icons, Amtrak’s California Zephyr is one you’ll have to plan well ahead as it truly is ‘low and slow’ as mentioned before.

Taking 51 hours in total, you’ll want to download some movies and pack a new book or two. That is unless you’re into the new “raw dogging” trend taking social media by storm.

Yeah…good luck with that. One thing you won’t have to worry about is food. The dining car even serves steak!

Departing from Chicago to, you guessed it, California, you’ll want to take advantage of the option to choose a window when purchasing your ticket as you’ll cross some of America’s prettiest landscapes from the snow-capped Rockies to Utah’s fiery red canyons.

Ultimately, you’ll reach Emeryville, a small town outside of Oakland, which you’ll surely bypass for much more opportune explorations in San Francisco and San Jose.

According to Nat Geo, tickets start at $150.

Amenities vary by cart. For full descriptions of seating and accommodations ranging from Coach Class to Superliner Family Bedrooms, click here.

1) Rocky Mountaineer: A Once-In-A-Lifetime Train Ride

With domed-glass carriages, and as soft and cushy as the seats may be, you may want to pack a neck pillow as you’ll be glued to seemingly never-ending floor-to-ceiling views of magnificent canyons, picturesque ghost towns, and even wineries, as you snake along the winding Colorado River.

The Rocky Mountaineer is perhaps the most unique train journey in America, and without a doubt a bucket-list item.

This train offers 4 routes:

1. First Passage to the West (Canada)
2. Journey Through the Clouds (Canada)
3. Rainforest to Gold Rush (Canada)
4. Rockies to the Red Rocks (U.S)

Obviously, Nat Geo is recommending the ladder, crowning the Rockies to the Red Rocks as the best train ride in the U.S.

The route covers stunning natural formations and staggering mountains from Moab, Utah to Denver, Colorado.

On board, passengers will find a savory menu of locally-sourced cuisine and signature cocktails.

There is a fun overnight pit stop in Glenwood Springs where passengers are provided a hotel within the hefty ticket price of $1,725.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.