DAY 1 YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS IN CHICAGO
Begin your journey in Chicago. Head to the Amtrak station and board the Empire Builder® to Seattle. Sit back and relax as you head west to begin your around-the-country adventure. (Overnight onboard Amtrak)
DAY 2 OVERNIGHT ONBOARD AMTRAK
Wake up and enjoy the amazing views that slip by your window as you continue to make your way west. Today you will be traveling through the great northern plains, the Rocky Mountains,, and passing by Glacier National Park. Be sure to bring a camera as Amtrak is one of the best ways to enjoy America's beautiful scenery. (Overnight onboard Amtrak)
DAY 3 SEATTLE, WA
Today you will arrive in the shining city, Seattle. Check-in to your hotel and prepare for a fun couple of days in “the Emerald City”. Perhaps you want to stroll down to the popular Pike's Place Market, or enjoy the Seattle Waterfront. There is plenty to do and see in Seattle. (Overnight in Seattle)
DAY 4 SEATTLE, WA
Today you will get to explore Seattle with your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour! Travel around to Seattle's top attractions such as the iconic Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit, Pioneer Square, and Pike's Place Market. With the ability to get on and off the tour at your own leisure, there is no telling how much you will get to see and experience during your stay in Seattle. (Overnight in Seattle)
DAY 5 OVERNIGHT ONBOARD AMTRAK
Check-out of your hotel and travel on your own to the Amtrak station to board the famous Coast Starlight. As you head south to Los Angeles you will travel past some of the beautiful peaks of the Cascade Range, lush forests, and fertile valleys. (Overnight onboard Amtrak)
DAY 6 LOS ANGELES, CA
As the train makes its way south, enjoy the panoramic views of the Pacific Coast. The Coast Starlight is one of Amtrak's most popular routes as it allows you to see areas of the California coastline not accessible any other way. Tonight, arrive in Los Angeles and check-in to your hotel, tomorrow you will get to explore the “City of Angels”. (Overnight in Los Angeles)
DAY 7 LOS ANGELES, CA
Today you will get to enjoy the best of what Los Angeles has to offer. Use your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour to visit such iconic landmarks as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, the Universal Studios, and the Hollywood Sign. Tonight, travel on your own to Los Angeles' Union station to board the Sunset Limited and head east to New Orleans. (Overnight onboard Amtrak)
DAY 8 OVERNIGHT ONBOARD AMTRAK
Your trip continues as the Sunset Limited makes its way through the southern parts of the country. Glide through the sprawling deserts, past mountains, and cacti as the train heads towards New Orleans. (Overnight onboard Amtrak)
DAY 9 NEW ORLEANS, LA
After passing through Texas and Louisiana, the train will arrive in New Orleans. Check-in to your hotel and head to sleep, tomorrow you will get to explore “the Big Easy.” (Overnight in New Orleans)
DAY 10 NEW ORLEANS, LA
Today you will get to experience New Orleans on a guided sightseeing tour. Your tour will take you all around the “City that Care Forgot” to see the French Quarter, historic Jackson Square, past the cemeteries known as the “Cities of the Dead”, and along the bayous that make New Orleans famous. (Overnight in New Orleans)
DAY 11 OVERNIGHT ONBOARD AMTRAK
This morning check out of your hotel and head over to the Amtrak station to board the Crescent for your trip up to Washington, DC. As the train makes its way up from the South, prepare for a fun time in our Nation's Capital. (Overnight onboard Amtrak)
DAY 12 WASHINGTON, DC
Welcome to Washington, DC! Upon arrival check-in to your hotel and begin exploring Washington. And tonight you will enjoy the Monuments by Moonlight tour that will take you to see all of the major U.S. monuments lit up at night. (Overnight in Washington, DC)
DAY 13 WASHINGTON, DC
Stroll through one or more of the many Smithsonian museums, stroll over to the Capital Building, and make sure to stop for picture-taking at the White House. (Overnight in Washington, DC)
DAY 14 OVERNIGHT ONBOARD AMTRAK
Today you will check out of your hotel and board the Capitol Limited to head back to Chicago. As your train makes its way to the Midwest, reflect upon all of the wonderful things you saw and experienced during your Grand Rail Experience! (Overnight onboard Amtrak)
DAY 15 YOUR JOURNEY ENDS IN CHICAGO