For many Americans, summer vacation involves a trip to a beach, theme park, or major city. But experienced travelers know the most memorable vacations are those that happen at a slower pace, away from the crowds on a train.

That’s one reason why train travel, which was once thought to be dead, has seen a resurgence, with Amtrak achieving a record 34.5 million passenger trips in the last fiscal year.

“Passengers can enjoy spacious seating, generous legroom, and the freedom to move around the train during the journey. On long-distance routes, private roomette and bedroom accommodations provide added comfort and privacy, while observation cars on select trains offer panoramic views of the passing landscape,” Jason Abrams, senior PR manager at Amtrak, told Travel + Leisure.

In addition to added comfort and a slower pace, train travel allows people to see the country from a new perspective. Below are a few U.S. train trips that feel designed for summer travel, including long-haul journeys through the Pacific Northwest and short stints to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

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Canyon Spirit

Canyon Spirit, formerly the Rocky Mountaineer, connects Moab and Denver over a two-day rail journey that runs from the “Rockies to red rocks.” Trip highlights include the section through the Glenwood Canyon, which is carved by the Colorado River, and access to Arches National Park.

Onboard the Canyon Spirit, there are dedicated hosts, regionally inspired dining, and spacious seating in glass-domed viewing cars. Nights are spent in hotels along the track. For a longer trip, you can book the three-day Salt Lake City-to-Denver route, while those looking for added luxury can add on the premier upgrade for access to the lounge car, premium beverages, and gourmet snacks.

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Coastal Classic

The Coastal Classic route, operated by Alaska Railroad, is one of the most beautiful train trips in the country. The daily journey connects Anchorage and Seward via Turnagain Arm before dipping into the backcountry wilderness of the Kenai Peninsula. During the 4.5-hour trip, train travelers get the chance to see glaciers and waterfalls.

Upon arrival in Seward, travelers have seven hours to explore the area (depending on the schedule), which is considered the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, before making the return trip to Anchorage. The Coastal Classic train runs daily from mid-May to mid-September.

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Grand Canyon Railway

A visit to the Grand Canyon is on most travelers’ wish lists, but imagine arriving at the canyon via a vintage locomotive. The Grand Canyon Railway runs daily between the town of Williams, Arizona, and the South Rim of the canyon inside Grand Canyon National Park. Passengers can spend over three hours checking out the view and exploring the canyon before hopping back on the train for the return trip to Williams.

The Grand Canyon journey takes around two hours and 15 minutes each way.

Pacific Surfliner

There’s a reason you’ve likely heard of Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner. For much of the scenic journey, it runs along the California coastline, connecting San Diego and San Luis Obispo, with stops in oceanfront destinations like Santa Barbara.

“The train journey itself is breathtaking, winding along the Southern California coastline, offering mesmerizing views of the Pacific Ocean,” said Abrams.

There are multiple Surfliner departures daily, with the full route taking around nine hours. Plus, Amtrak has added more trains between San Diego and Los Angeles for the World Cup, making the Surfliner especially great for summer travel this year.

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Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a National Historic Landmark that lives up to the hype. It runs between two Colorado mountain towns—Durango and Silverton—and through some of the state’s most scenic terrain.

There are up to three train departures a day, with the traditional route running for 3.5 hours from Durango to Silverton. Before the train returns to Durango, travelers have the chance to spend a couple hours in the historic mining town of Silverton.

Amtrak Cascades

The Cascades train is over 10 hours in total, connecting some of the most beautiful corners of the Pacific Northwest. The route leads from Eugene, Oregon, through Washington to Vancouver, British Columbia. Scenic highlights include a journey across the Columbia River Gorge and views of Mount Saint Helens.

In addition to the scenery, the Cascades route is worth your time if you’re curious about Amtrak’s new Airo trains. According to Abrams, the new Airo trains will begin running on the Cascades route this summer, offering “new levels of physical comfort, a more consistent travel experience, updated features, and food services that contemporary travelers expect.”

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Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is another heritage, narrow-gauge railroad (like Durango & Silverton above) and is considered among the best-preserved steam railroads in the U.S. The train runs along the New Mexico-Colorado border between Chama, New Mexico, and Antonito, Colorado. The scenic journey zigzags along the river canyon and over a 137-foot trestle.

The round-trip Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad includes one way on the train and one way on a motorcoach. It runs six days a week, from late May to late October.