There’s something romantic about leaving New York by train. Maybe it’s the rhythm of the tracks, or the feeling of moving without having to drive. I’ve spent enough weekends hopping on trains out of Penn Station and Grand Central to know that some rides are better than others — not just for where they take you, but for how they make you feel on the way there.
This isn’t a list of commuter routes; it’s a set of escapes. From quick day trips to long rides through changing scenery, these are the train journeys I keep coming back to.
Hudson Line to Cold Spring or Hudson (Metro-North)
If you’ve ever wanted to watch the Hudson River glide beside you for an hour, this is your ride. Leaving from Grand Central, the Metro-North Hudson Line runs up along the river through towns like Tarrytown, Beacon, and Cold Spring — each one prettier than the last.
The moment you cross Harlem and see the first glint of water, the city falls away. I usually sit on the left side of the train for the river views. The route is calm, green, and filled with small, perfect towns that seem made for slow afternoons.
Cold Spring is ideal for a short hike and a riverside lunch. Hudson, farther north, feels like an art-world weekend with antique stores, espresso bars, and loft spaces tucked into old brick buildings.
Long Island Rail Road to Montauk
There’s a reason people still call it “The End.” The Montauk ride is long — about three hours — but the shifting scenery makes it worth it. You start in dense suburbs, pass coastal towns, and end up in the wild, open air of the Atlantic.
The best time to go is early summer. By the time the train hits Amagansett, the windows fill with dunes and pine trees. There’s a slight salt smell in the air that tells you you’re close to the ocean.
Montauk station drops you into a quieter part of the Hamptons — surf shops, seafood stands, and beaches that stretch into the horizon. I usually grab fish tacos and walk straight to the water.
Amtrak to Philadelphia (Northeast Regional)
Two hours from Penn Station, and you’re in a completely different city. The Amtrak Northeast Regional line to Philly is my go-to when I want a quick urban reset. It’s smooth, fast, and doesn’t require airport stress.
I love watching the skyline appear after you pass the industrial outskirts — all that red brick and steel bridges, like a living museum of the East Coast.
You arrive right in the middle of the city at 30th Street Station, which might be one of the most beautiful train stations in America. From there, everything’s walkable — coffee shops, galleries, parks, and cheesesteaks (of course).
Amtrak Empire Service to Albany or Saratoga Springs
If I had to choose the most underrated train in New York State, this might be it. The Empire Service runs up through the Hudson Valley, crossing fields, forests, and small towns that feel like time forgot them.
Saratoga Springs in the summer is alive with horse races and jazz, but even in quiet months, it’s worth the ride. I once went in mid-autumn — the train cut through orange and red forests for hours. There’s no better way to see upstate color without touching the wheel of a car.
Amtrak Vermonter to Brattleboro or Burlington, Vermont
This one’s for when I want a full reset — not just a getaway. The Vermonter starts at Penn Station and heads north through Connecticut, Massachusetts, and into Vermont. It’s a full-day ride, but it’s stunning.
Somewhere after Springfield, the world seems to quiet down. You pass rolling hills, barns, and little rivers that look like they belong on postcards. Brattleboro is my usual stop: small bookstores, local coffee, and an old bridge over the Connecticut River that glows in the afternoon light.
If you stay on to Burlington, you get the reward of Lake Champlain at sunset — blue, gold, and endless.
Amtrak Adirondack to Montreal
This is the crown jewel of East Coast train rides. It’s an international route that takes nearly ten hours, and I’ve done it twice — both times worth every minute.
The Adirondack line runs through the Hudson Valley, then deep into the Adirondack Mountains. Between Albany and Plattsburgh, the views are unreal: misty lakes, pine forests, and long quiet stretches where the world feels completely untouched.
Crossing into Canada adds a small thrill. The train rolls slowly into Montreal, where the architecture shifts and the signs turn French. After a long, slow ride through nature, stepping into a city like Montreal feels electric.
Metro-North New Haven Line to Connecticut Coast
Not every escape needs mountains. Sometimes I just want the ocean. The New Haven Line hugs the Connecticut coastline for long stretches, passing sailboats, rocky beaches, and sleepy towns like Westport and Fairfield.
I’ll often get off in South Norwalk for oysters and coffee, then hop back on. It’s a quiet sort of luxury — being able to drift from one seaside town to another without worrying about traffic.
My Verdict
After years of living in New York, I’ve come to see trains as time machines. Each one leads not just to a new place, but a new pace of life. Some are for quick resets — like Philly or Cold Spring. Others, like the Adirondack or Vermonter, are for long, thoughtful journeys that remind you how big the Northeast really is.
Whether you’re chasing coastline or mountains, the beauty of these rides isn’t just where you go — it’s how you get there.
Written and tested by Chi Tran for 123Review.net.
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