Amtrak just reported record ridership numbers. But for a growing number of travelers, Amtrak isn’t just basic transportation: it’s the opportunity for some great historic rail adventures.

There’s the legendary Southern Crescent, the route between New York and New Orleans. Out of Chicago, there’s the Empire Builder, which rolls between the Windy City and the Pacific Northwest. In the fall, try the Downeaster between Boston and Brunswick, Maine. In the summer, there’s the Denali Star, which runs between Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska.

And one of the favorites north of the border is VIA Rail’s The Canadian, which covers the continent between Toronto and Vancouver: a four-night, 2,500-mile trip.