8 Amtrak routes that are actually worth it with kids (and 1 that will change how you do Florida trips forever)

What if getting to your vacation was also a legitimately fun part of the trip? That’s the promise of train travel with kids—and right now, Amtrak is having a quiet moment. Not a marketing moment. A real one, driven by families who are tired of airports and looking for something that feels more like an adventure and less like a logistics operation. A sleeper car where your kids fall asleep to the rhythm of the rails and wake up in a different state. A dining car where you eat an actual meal at an actual table while mountains scroll past the window. An observation car where your teenager puts down their phone because the scenery is genuinely better than anything on their screen. Related 10 family-friendly ferry rides worth planning a summer trip around It’s the European train vacation, but make it domestic. And it’s more accessible than you think. We pulled together 8 Amtrak routes that are genuinely worth doing with kids—from epic cross-country overnights to manageable day trips—plus everything you need to know about family bedrooms, what to pack, and what to realistically expect. (Because we’re going to be honest about the less glamorous parts, too.) The best train vacations with kids 1. Coast Starlight: Los Angeles to Seattle Quick Facts: Coast Starlight Route: Los Angeles – Santa Barbara – San Luis Obispo – Oakland – Sacramento – Portland – Seattle (or reverse) Duration: ~35 hours (1 night onboard) Distance: 1,377 miles Sleeper: Yes – Superliner roomettes, bedrooms, and fam…