Amtrak Vacations
America Coast to Coast - DC to San Francisco
Amtrak coast-to-coast rail journey from Washington DC to San Francisco
9 daysfrom $1,049
33% rail
No longer offered
Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. Live alternatives are under Similar journeys below.
Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour
Smoky Mountain Rail Adventure
Nine-day escorted tour from Nashville to Asheville with three scenic rail excursions
Vacations By Rail's Smoky Mountain Rail Adventure is a 9-day escorted journey through Tennessee and North Carolina, departing from Nashville and ending in Asheville. A professional tour manager accompanies a small group throughout, with guided experiences in Nashville's Historic Downtown District, a backstage Grand Ole' Opry performance, RCA Studio B, and the Country Music Hall of Fame. The itinerary features three separate scenic rail excursions: the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway funicular to the summit, an afternoon aboard the Tennessee Valley Railroad's Hiwassee Loop near Chattanooga, and a 4.5-hour round-trip on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad through Nantahala Gorge, crossing the historic Fontana Trestle Bridge. A half-day guided tour of Great Smoky Mountains National Park is included, as is a visit to the Biltmore Estate and its 8,000-acre grounds in Asheville. Hotel stays are in Nashville, Chattanooga, Pigeon Forge, and Asheville, with most nights offering a two-night base. This tour suits travelers seeking guided comfort and structure with a blend of regional rail heritage, music history, and mountain scenery.
What to know before you look closer
- The from-price does not include flights and airport transfers; you arrange your own transport to Nashville on Day 1 and from Asheville on Day 9.
- Day 1 is an unguided arrival; the itinerary notes you transfer independently to your hotel, and the remainder of the day is free.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Nashville, TN
Arrive Nashville
Arrive in Nashville and transfer independently to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free.
- Day 2overnight: Nashville, TN
Nashville/Grand Ole' Opry
A guided tour of Nashville taking in the Historic Downtown District, Riverfront Park and Honky Tonk Row. In the evening, a backstage tour of the Grand Ole' Opry followed by a performance.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3overnight: Chattanooga, TN
RCA Studio B & Country Music Hall of Fame/Chattanooga
A tour of RCA Studio B, Nashville's oldest recording studio, and the Country Music Hall of Fame, before continuing to Chattanooga for a two-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 4railovernight: Chattanooga
Incline Railway & Tennessee Valley Railroad
A ride on the Incline Railway funicular to the summit of Lookout Mountain, then an afternoon aboard the Tennessee Valley Railroad through the Hiwassee Loop, one of only six such loops in North America.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 5overnight: Pigeon Forge
To the Great Smoky Mountains
A free morning in Chattanooga, then travel by coach to Pigeon Forge, checking in to a four-star resort hotel near Dollywood.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 6overnight: Pigeon Forge, TN
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
A half-day guided tour through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including the Rockefeller Memorial at Newfound Gap. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 7railovernight: Asheville, NC
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad/Asheville
A 4.5-hour round-trip on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad from Bryson City through the Nantahala Gorge, crossing the historic Fontana Trestle Bridge, with an hour-long layover at the Gorge, before continuing by motorcoach to Asheville.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 8overnight: Asheville, NC
Biltmore Estate/Asheville
A visit to the Biltmore Estate, the Vanderbilt family's 8,000-acre home, including the gardens, winery and equestrian center, with a Farewell Lunch with the Tour Manager. The rest of the day is free in Asheville.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 9
Tour Conclusion
Transfer to Asheville's Airport for your return flight home. Included group transfer accommodates flights departing after 10:30am.
Meals: Breakfast
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 4Day 4: Ride the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway funicular to the summit, then board the Tennessee Valley Railroad for an afternoon through the Hiwassee Loop, one of only six such loops in North America.
- Day 7Day 7: A 4.5-hour round-trip on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad from Bryson City through Nantahala Gorge, crossing the historic Fontana Trestle Bridge.
- Day 8Day 8: Tour the Biltmore Estate, the Vanderbilt family's 8,000-acre home, including the gardens, winery, and equestrian center.
Included
- Hotel accommodations for 8 nights
- Transportation by deluxe motorcoach
- Great Smoky Mountain Railroad
- Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
- 11 meals
- National Park Entrance Fees
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
- Flights and Airport transfers
Questions travellers ask
- Is this an escorted or independent tour?
- Vacations By Rail operates this as an escorted tour. A professional tour manager leads the group of like-minded travelers throughout.
- Which trains are included?
- The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (44-mile round trip from Bryson City through Nantahala Gorge), the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway (funicular to the summit), and the Tennessee Valley Railroad (Hiwassee Loop).
- What hotels are used?
- The Hyatt Place Nashville Downtown (2 nights), Courtyard Chattanooga Downtown (2 nights), Dollywood's DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge (2 nights, 4-star), and a hotel in Asheville (2 nights).
- What meals are included?
- Vacations By Rail includes 11 meals across the 9 days: breakfasts most days, plus select lunches and dinners, including a backstage Grand Ole' Opry dinner and a Farewell Lunch in Asheville.
- How much walking is involved?
- The tour has a Mobility Rating 2, which includes city walking tours of Nashville and Asheville, the Biltmore Estate grounds, and standard activity engagement.
- What is not included?
- Flights, airport transfers, and cancellation or travel insurance are not included in the price.
