The Grand Canyon Railway, which offered stunning 360-degree views, allowed me to travel to and from Grand Canyon National Park without hiking.

Grand Canyon Railway offers a year-round schedule from the historic depot in Williams, AZ, to the South Rim, plus Polar Express rides at Christmas.

Not far from Sedona, the Verde Canyon Railroad in Clarkdale AZ gives views of rugged canyons and a tree-lined river. Here's how to ride the rails.

Such a sentiment explains the appeal of the Grand Canyon Railway, a heritage train that takes people from a historic depot in the Route 66 city of Williams, Arizona, to the Grand Canyon's South Rim.