Key Points
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The Amtrak Cascades line travels between Vancouver and Eugene, Oregon, over 10.5 hours, with one required transfer.
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Highlight stops include Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, and Salem.
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Along the way, passengers are treated to stunning scenery of national forests, Mount St. Helens, the Columbia River Gorge, and the Olympic Mountains.
Amtrak Cascades, a 467-mile route through the Pacific Northwest from Vancouver to Eugene, Oregon, showcases some of North America’s most majestic scenery. It runs parallel to the Cascade Range, offering incomparable views of awe-inspiring lakes and the snowcapped Olympic Mountains. Winter is the perfect time to take this trip and experience the beautiful PNW landscape at its finest.
Traveling the entire Amtrak Cascades route from Canada requires changing trains partway through, which could mean stopping for an overnight stay or a few hours’ layover somewhere from Seattle to Portland. After the train crosses the border, the nature views ramp up. Take in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and Olympic national forests from your window while you make your way to Seattle, then Tacoma. After that, you’ll pass by Mount St. Helens and cross the Columbia River Gorge before journeying on to Eugene via Portland. Ready to hit the open railway on Amtrak’s Cascades line? Read on for more details about the route and what to do along the way.
Vancouver
This lively Canadian city is between the ocean and mountains, so there’s no shortage of adventures for any type of traveler. Before hopping on the Amtrak Cascades route, catch a thrilling Canucks hockey game at Rogers Arena, or take a ferry to Vancouver Island to go hiking or surfing (yes, even in winter). One of Vancouver’s most historic neighborhoods, Gastown, is just a one-mile walk from Pacific Central Station. Check out the area’s most iconic landmark—the whistling steam clock—before exploring the charming boutiques and chic restaurants that line its streets, such as pan-Asian-French fusion eatery Pidgin.
Related: 20 Best Things to Do in Vancouver — From Stunning Hikes to Incredible Cultural Experiences
Seattle
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Nicknamed the Emerald City, Seattle is an evergreen mecca of innovation, arts, and culture with a bit of everything when it comes to things to do. Visitors can get a bird’s-eye view of the city from the iconic Space Needle or browse handmade items and sample local foods at Pike Place Market. If it’s one of those Pacific Northwest days when the sun stays in hiding, there are dozens of breweries to explore and stunning glass art to admire at Chihuly Garden and Glass. Outdoorsy types can head to one of Washington state’s three national parks—all within a few hours’ drive.
Tacoma, Washington
Just south of Seattle, Tacoma has all the charm of a big PNW city but with less of the hustle and bustle. Hop off the train to peruse the Museum District, home to LeMay–America’s Car Museum, where the collection of more than 300 vehicles spans 100 years. If it’s rainy, hole up with a craft brew in a cozy taproom, and when the drizzle lets up, stretch your legs on the walkable Ruston Way Waterfront. If you didn’t get enough Chihuly in Seattle, visit the Museum of Glass to see more of the Tacoma native’s work. You can also watch live glass art-making demonstrations and sign up for a workshop to get involved yourself.
Portland
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Soul-warming coffee, full-flavored microbrews, bewitching doughnuts, and proudly proclaimed weirdness make Portland the counterculture capital of the Pacific Northwest. Its thriving cultural scene includes spots like Powell’s Books—which claims to be the world’s largest independent bookstore—and the peaceful Japanese Garden. Get a taste of everything from Iraqi kebabs to poutine at the many food cart “pods” around the city. Wine aficionados might be inclined to venture beyond the city limits to go wine-tasting in the Willamette Valley, known for its world-class pinot noir and farm-to-fork fare.
Salem, Oregon
The state capital, Salem, is known for its green spaces, including Minto-Brown Island Park, which spans more than 1,200 acres along the Willamette River. A footbridge connects it to downtown’s Riverfront Park, featuring a carousel with hand-carved animals. See works by Pacific Northwest artists at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, or if you’re traveling with family, stop at the Gilbert House Children’s Museum, where kids can pilot a virtual plane and blow bubbles. Afterward, everyone can satisfy their sweet tooth at Manna, a bakery known for irresistible filled croissants, danishes, and cakes.
Eugene, Oregon
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Eugene is a lively, liberal college town known as the home of the Oregon Ducks and the birthplace of Nike. It’s a great city for running and biking, with 71 miles of marked bike paths and waterfront running paths like the 14-mile Ruth Bascom Riverbank Path System next to the Willamette River. Afterward, refuel at 5th Street Public Market, where a handful of eateries offer everything from pizza to soup dumplings, and peruse the independent shops like Marley’s Monsters, which specializes in low-waste goods. Since it’s no secret that the Pacific Northwest produces quality ales, beer enthusiasts can tackle the Eugene Ale Trail to celebrate the end of their Amtrak Cascades adventure.
Related: One of the Most Scenic Amtrak Routes in the U.S. Is Getting a New Look—and Train Cars With Panoramic Windows
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