Empire Builder Experience - Chicago to Seattle

Call Us 800.528.9300

Empire Builder Experience

Chicago to Seattle



Tour Description:

MARVEL AT THE LUSH MOUNTAIN, FOREST, PLAIN AND COASTAL SCENERY OF THE NORTHERN UNITED STATES FROM THE COMFORTABLE CARS OF THE ICONIC EMPIRE BUILDER.

If it is the experience of a lifetime you seek, look no further than a scenic tour through the country aboard the legendary tracks of the Empire Builder. Totaling over 2,200 miles in length, this journey shows us glimpses of seven of the northern-most states and the beautiful Pacific Coast. The expedition begins in the heart of the Midwest - Chicago - with a day full of exploration at will. See Navy Pier, or walk along the Magnificent Mile for top-notch shopping. The next morning, board the Empire Builder at Chicago's Union Station and enjoy the train's vast amenities as the journey commences. From the Mississippi River to the Bear Paw Mountains and Glacier National Park, the scenery is unbeatable; take it all in from the train's glass-enclosed Sightseer Lounge. We arrive in Seattle after two days of train travel and enjoy a full day of independent sightseeing through the city's most famous sites. After an overnight in the heart of Downtown Seattle, your tour comes to a close.

This vacation is available from Seattle to Chicago, based on your travel preference.

Highlights:
* Transportation aboard Amtrak (2 nights)
* Hotel accommodations for 2 nights
* All Meals on board the train (Roomette & Bedroom passengers)
* Hop On Hop Off Chicago sightseeing tour
* Mississippi River
* Lake Pepin
* Bear Paw Mountains
* Glacier National Park
* Icicle Canyon
* Skykomish
* Gateway to Mt. Rainer
* Columbia River Gorge

Map for Empire Builder Experience - Chicago to Seattle
Click for larger view.

Dates & Pricing



Destination & Sightseeing

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Chicago
Begin the Empire Builder experience with an independent arrival into Chicago. Check-in to your downtown hotel and spend the day exploring all Chicago has to offer. From Navy Pier and the spectacular lakefront to Magnificent Mile shopping, world-class parks and museums, you will wish you had a few more days. Overnight Chicago.

Day 2 - Empire Builder to Seattle
Arrive at Union Station for your mid-day departure on Amtrak's Empire Builder. For those passengers with sleeping accommodations, check into Amtrak's first-class Metropolitan Lounge for complimentary beverages and snacks, or take a walk through historic Union Station. Once onboard the legendary Empire Builder, settle into your seat and prepare yourself for the 2300 mile journey through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country. Enjoy a full-course dinner in the dining car this evening. All meals onboard the train included with your sleeping accommodation. Relax as the train makes its way through the Wisconsin Dells and St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minnesota tonight. Overnight train.

Day 3 - En Route
As you awake this morning, the train makes its way through the grasslands of the "Northern Prairie State" of North Dakota. Wildlife is in abundance in this area, so be sure to have your camera ready! It is not uncommon to spot bison, elk, prairie dogs, foxes, muskrats, white-tailed deer and bald eagles in this region. Delicious meals are available in the Dining Car, or lighter fare is available in the Sightseer Lounge car. As the train continues on through the day, the landscape gives way to rolling hills, canyons, gorges, and rugged mountain terrain. Relax in the Sightseer Lounge this evening. The floor to ceiling glass windows will ensure that you won't miss any of the spectacular scenery as the train rolls through Glacier National Park. Overnight train.

Day 4 - Seattle
The train is scheduled for a mid-morning arrival in Seattle, Washington. Transfer independently from the rail station to your downtown hotel. Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, and Pioneer Square are steps from your doorway. Explore the thriving music and theater scene, vibrant galleries, and one-of-a-kind museums or relax with some of the best coffee in the country at one of the hundreds of cafés' and coffee shops! Overnight Seattle.

Day 5 - Conclusion
Today ends your Empire Builder Experience. Independent transfer to the airport or rail station.