This U.S. Train Was Voted the Best in the World — and It Has Luxury Cars, Delicious Food, and Stunning Mountain Views

Before cars and planes, there were trains — the quickest and most convenient way to get around, shuffling people across state lines, over rivers, and along mountainsides. Even today, train travel is widely used and sought after, both around the world and here in the U.S. According to the 2022 Transportation Statistics Annual Report by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Amtrak serviced 32 million passengers in 2019 — up one million from 2018 and almost 12 million from 2000. Not only are trains a more sustainable way of getting from point A to B, but the slow, scenic travel they're known for has become its own kind of vacation.

There are several companies that offer rides through beautiful landscapes, but it was Rocky Mountaineer that Travel + Leisure readers voted their favorite train in this year's World's Best Awards — the first-ever winner of this brand-new category. And, as someone who's embarked on a Rocky Mountaineer journey, I understand why. 

Rocky Mountaineer has been taking passengers through incredible landscapes since 1990, when it launched its inaugural trip through western Canada and the Canadian Rockies. Its unique, dome-shaped windows (only available on the Canadian routes) and luxury tiers of service were a hit with guests, and the company’s success has led to the opening of three additional routes — Whistler Sea to Sky Climb and Rainforest to Gold Rush (both in Canada), plus its latest line, Rockies to the Red Rocks in the U.S.

The company launched a preview season for this U.S. route in August 2021, and I was invited on board in October. Admittedly, I've never considered myself a nature person — I'm much more enticed by beach and city destinations. However, this trip changed the kind of traveler I am.

As soon as I stepped into the train car, I realized this wouldn't be an ordinary ride. From plush leather seats that reclined without compromising the leg room of passengers behind to windows that climbed to the edge of the roof, every detail felt truly luxe.

Those who opt for GoldLeaf service can enjoy a bi-level car with a dining room on the first floor and full glass-dome windows on the second floor. SilverLeaf cars, meanwhile, are all on a single level, with meals and snacks sent directly to your seat.

The ride from Denver, Colorado, to Moab, Utah, is one I'll never forget. From Denver to Glenwood Springs, we followed the glittering Colorado River while twisting around the Rocky Mountains and dipping through valleys. All the while, our host pointed out places where former presidents liked to hang out. And with no Wi-Fi and little cell phone service, it was easy to get engrossed in it all — the history and, of course, the surreal views.

After a restful night in Glenwood Springs (Rocky Mountaineer only provides daylight rides so guests can truly soak up all the sights), we continued on to Moab, where the foliage-laced mountains turned into jagged cliffs of red, beige, and terra-cotta. This part of the trip was faster (five hours versus eight) and had significantly less to marvel at — there was an hour or so stretch with only wide-open plains — though there were still entertaining stories to be told about the canyons we passed through. It was during this time that I started to really appreciate the little things the Rocky Mountaineer team offers.

At meal times, hosts came to "set the table," laying out a white cloth over our tray tables and providing us with cutlery and seasonings. The meals also reflected the locations: One included a charcuterie board with Colorado-raised bison, elk, and venison — animals we had been trying to spot as the train chugged through the Colorado mountains.

“From the moment guests start their train journey, our team takes care of everything, so [they] can simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the experience,” Nicole Ford, vice president of communications, sustainability, and stakeholder relations at Rocky Mountaineer, told T+L. “We take pride in offering an exceptional experience for all guests who travel with us.”

Looking back, this Rocky Mountaineer trip was one of the most unique I’ve ever experienced. As someone who has a tough time unplugging, it was a moment to do just that and connect with the nature and history surrounding me in a luxurious, relaxing way.