If you want to experience some beautiful Wisconsin scenery, there are plenty of railways that have your ticket. Elkhorn, Green Bay, and Spooner are just a few of the towns that offer scenic train rides in Wisconsin. However, when the snow flies, your train ride options become a little limited, as these attractions close for the season. There’s still one train that runs, no matter the season or month, and it’s a ride you might not have considered. All aboard Amtrak’s Empire Builder! This iconic long-haul train route runs through the state and takes passengers through the unique and beautiful landscape of western Wisconsin. Here’s how we suggest you experience a special journey, with a scenic ride from Tomah to La Crosse.

The Empire Builder is a long-distance passenger train operated by Amtrak.
Google / MK Lentz
It makes daily trips from Chicago and either Seattle or Portland, via two sections of track west of Spokane, eventually making their way into the State of Wisconsin.
For many, the Empire Builder is a trip of a lifetime.
Google / Nate Laun
It's a chance to see the Wisconsin countryside as travelers did a century ago. But the whole trip takes a bit of time.
The train travels at 50 miles per hour so it takes 45 or 46 hours to do the whole trip.
Google / Scott Rodgers
There's some good news if you don’t have that amount of time: You can get a taste of this train journey and it will take less than an hour! It's also one of the only year-round train rides in Wisconsin.

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You can hop on the train in Tomah, pop. 9,000, a city in Monroe County that was founded back in 1855.
Google / Wayne Danner
You’ll get picked up at the Tomah Station. The station house is a wooden structure that dates to 1903 - it was originally built by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad.
The trip will take less than an hour, and will carry you through the unique topography of the Coulee Region of Wisconsin.
Mississippi Valley Conservancy
Erosion over thousands of years sculpted the Wisconsin landscape into steep ridges and valleys called coulees. Admire the landscape from the comfort of your train seat.
This train journey passes pretty quickly.
Google / Nate Laun
It’s only about 40 miles to La Crosse. There’s a lot to do in this town so you may want to make it an overnight trip – explore the city’s shops and restaurants and the riverfront before making the trip back to Tomah!

The Empire Builder runs twice per day between the cities. You can purchase Amtrak tickets several ways, online, over the phone via an app, or travel agent. Learn more about tickets and train schedules on the Amtrak website. You can also go to the Amtrak Facebook page.

Here’s some information on other scenic train rides in Wisconsin that you should also put on your bucket list.

If you’d like to explore the trails along any of these routes, you can find some great hikes by going to the AllTrails website.

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More to Explore

More Wisconsin Adventures

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | August 20, 2023

Where can we find waterparks in Wisconsin?

  • The Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Pool in Madison offers traditional waterpark attractions in addition to lap swimming in a big pool.
  • The Cool Waters Aquatic Center in West Allis has some of the tallest waterslides in Milwaukee County, as well as interactive water toys, a heated pool, children's waterslides, a children's playground, and more.
  • Fairgrounds Park Pool in Fond du Lac features slides, water playstations, and more.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other fun waterparks in Wisconsin.

Where can we go to learn about Wisconsin history?

  • The Wade House Historic Site in Greenbush is a 240-acre open-air museum that details the age of horse-powered transportation via a former stagecoach hotel, sawmill, carriage house, and blacksmith.
  • The Fur Trade Museum in Prairie du Chien is located in a building dating back to the early 1800s where fur trading took place in the early pioneer heydays.
  • Ten Chimneys in Waukesha started out as a rejuvenation retreat for many Broadway actors back in the day, and today encompasses a large main house, pool house, cottage, greenhouse, Swedish log cabin studio, and more.

Read on to learn about the many other places where you can learn about Wisconsin history.

Where can we find places with great views in Wisconsin?

  • Kilbourn Park in Milwaukee offers fantastic views of downtown.
  • Wyalusing State Park features spectacular views from its spot at the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers.
  • The Wisconsin Dells are known for their amazing views both at the lower levels as well as on the tall water features.

Read on to learn more about the other places with great views in Wisconsin.

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Tomah, 121 W Washington St, Tomah, WI 54660, USA