One of America’s great train trips is aboard the Amtrak Adirondack, which travels daily between Manhattan and Montreal. The daily service is popular among commuters, but especially among travelers coming to see the beauty of Eastern and Upstate New York! The scenery is breathtaking any time of year, but particularly in the autumn when the forested Hudson and Lake Champlain Valleys, and the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains are blanketed in fall colors.
A highlight of the trip is the Great Dome Car, which has unparalleled 360-degree views as the train passes through the Lake Champlain Valley from Albany, New York, to Montreal. This collection of photos was taken in October 2018, and accompanies our Complete Guide to Riding the Amtrak Adirondack.
The Great Dome Car
The Great Dome Car is added to the train at the Albany-Rensselaer Station. Sadly, it’s the last of its kind, and may soon be retired. We are ecstatic that we got a chance to ride on this moving national treasure!
The Great Dome Car “Ocean View” at Plattsburgh Station NY.
Along the Hudson River and Into Upstate New York
Unfortunately, the only photos we got through New York City and into the Hudson Valley were of dense fog and heavy rain. Not so scenic. Once the storm lifted, we were rewarded with a few shots along the Hudson.
As the train traveled upstate, we passed through farmlands and forests, along with several towns. (There are 17 stops between Manhattan and Montreal!)
In addition to farms and fields, you can sometimes spot wildlife from the Amtrak Adirondack! Honestly, there are deer in the picture, but the speed and rain turned them into blurry spots. (Such is the life of a deer.)
Crossing the Hudson River into Albany on the Amtrak Adirondack.
Scenes from the Great Dome Car
Watching the train snake along the shore of Lake Champlain seems to be everyone’s favorite photo op! It’s easy to see why.
The Amtrak Adirondack runs alongside the entire 225 mile western shore of Lake Champlain, an area called the Adirondack Coast.
The train also winds through the forests (and fog) of Andirondack Park.
River crossings are many as the Amtrak Adirondack travels through Upstate New York. Below, the Poultney River flows next to, and under the track as it joins a southern arm of Lake Champlain.
Our end point was Plattsburgh, NY, on the shores of beautiful Lake Champlain. Don’t forget to see A Complete Guide to Riding the Amtrak Adirondack, and feel free to leave us a note in the comments. Have you ridden the Adirondack, or is it still on your bucket list? Let us know!
