Virginia Beach to Flagstaff train

While boasting a suburban atmosphere that will make anyone jealous of an East Coast life, Virginia Beach is the largest city in Virginia by population and one of the state's best destinations. Positioned at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, its primary focus has always been its oceanfront location.

In the record books as having the longest pleasure beach in the world, the soft golden sands of Virginia Beach stretch for miles. One of the best ways to enjoy it is to take a stroll or bike along the three-mile boardwalk lined with cafés.

A block back, Atlantic Avenue plays host to Virginia Beach's dining scene, which incorporates everything from well-known names to family-run restaurants specializing in the bay's seafood.

But for all the glitz and glamour of Atlantic Avenue, it's Virginia Beach's natural splendors that will have you coming back again and again. As it twists with the coastline to become Shore Drive, you'll reach First Landing State Park. It preserves the spot at which English colonists first arrived on U.S. soil in 1607 after a five-month voyage. Meanwhile, out to sea, there's a chance to spot humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins.

The city’s central location on the Atlantic coastline means there are many destinations you can visit from Virginia Beach for very cheap. The busiest terminus in Virginia Beach is on Northampton Boulevard. It sees buses reach New York City in around eight hours. Head to Norfolk, and you can also jump on Amtrak's Northeast Regional train service to Boston.

Blessed with plenty of pine forests and amazing sceneries, Flagstaff is more than just a pit stop for travelers who need respite from the scorching desert. We even named it one of the best places to visit in Arizona! The first place every traveler should visit is the Historic Downtown and Railroad District, which was built along the historic Route 66. As you stroll around the quarter, you will catch glimpses of quaint buildings constructed during the early 20th century, giving the area an authentically vintage vibe.

Stargazers should hightail it to the Lowell Observatory, whose telescope provides a breathtaking view of vast and unending space. If you are ready for some hiking, consider spending a day at the Wupatki National Monument. In this natural reserve, tourists can find ruins of indigenous villages and learn about the history of indigenous people in the area.

Budget pizzerias abound in Flagstaff to cater to a student crowd, and one of the best spots around is Oregano's Pizza Bistro. Cottage Place has some of the best offerings in town for a fancier meal and some delicious fillet mignon!

Amtrak's Southwest Chief stops at Flagstaff's train station at 1 East Rte 66. If you're traveling by bus, companies like Greyhound and Jefferson Lines operate out of the station on Butler Ave. Local air service goes through the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, located just 4.3 miles from the city center.