Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
at 1-800-AMTRAK-2 (1-800-268-7252) or by going online to
www.amtrakvacations.com.
Big City Tour: Chicago-Washington, D.C.-New York-
Boston-Chicago
Take the Cardinal from Chicago to Washington—it's the most
scenic train between those two cities. Plan to spend at least sev-
eral days in Washington, then head up to New York City. Take an
Acela so you can experience a 125-mile-per-hour train ride. New
York is worth several days, too—museums, Broadway shows,
and great restaurants abound. Pick a mid- to late-morning depar-
ture from Penn Station for the trip up to Boston. You've already
experienced the Acela, so take one of the regional service trains
for this leg. It'll be slower because it stops more, but it's a nice
scenic run along the Connecticut shoreline and you'll conve-
niently arrive by midafternoon. Boston's got it all—Italian food
in the North End, the Red Sox at Fenway Park, and colonial his-
tory all over town. From here, it's the Lake Shore Limited across
New York State, along three Great Lakes, and back into Chicago.
Glaciers to Glitz: San Francisco-Seattle-Chicago-
San Francisco
If you want variety, this itinerary certainly has it. From San Fran-
cisco (the train actually departs from Emeryville, which is across
the Bay), hop on the northbound Coast Starlight for one of the
more scenic rides in the Amtrak system. First, you'll pass through
the Cascade Mountains on the way up to Seattle. From there,
board the Empire Builder
and, after cruising through more of
the Cascades, get off at either Essex or Glacier Park in Montana.
Catch the same train a few days later and head east to Chicago.
See the sights in the Windy City, then head west on the California
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