Amtrak’s Empire Builder crosses the northern tier
Amtrak’s Empire Builder train route is a two night, 2,200 mile trek across the norther tier of the country. Leaving every day from Chicago, the train takes 40 hours to go through Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana and Idaho. Then the train splits in half in Spokane, with one train headed to Seattle and the other Portland. They arrive at the end of the lines just before noon. A few hours later, they’re going back. This summer, I rode the Empire Builder route in both directions. [theurbanist.org]
Travel across Canada with these top six train trips
Seeing Canada through the window of a train is one of the best ways to experience the country. Not only are the views exceptional, but trains are comfortable, low-stress, relaxing and allow you to just sit back and take your time to get to your destination. Train trips can be multi-day adventures from one end of the country to the other, but they can also be small getaways to nearby destinations. While most people are familiar with VIA Rail, there are a number of train companies offering their services across the country. [forbes.com]
Peepers leave the fall foliage spotting to Amtrak
It’s almost cozy season (or spooky season, depending on your vibes), which means it’s a great time to start thinking about a long weekend to peep some fall foliage. If you don’t want to turn it into a classic American road trip, Amtrak is an excellent alternative to watch the scenery go by without ever having to fill up the tank. According to the railroad, these are the best routes to see the leaves this autumn. [usatoday.com]
Amtrak Coast Starlight eases from Oakland to LA
Avid Coast Starlight riders say jumping on the $54 one-way trip from Oakland to LA is not about saving a few hours. It’s about finding a rare space where travelers from around the world come together and unplug from the hurried flow of everyday life. And the antiquated Coast Starlight, which has long been known for awe-inspiring views, is even generating buzz from a whole new generation of rail riders, who have been posting viral videos of the train’s vast route. [timesheraldonline.com]
Amtrak reconnects Burlington, Vermont with NYC
Vermont’s newest Amtrak — the Ethan Allen Express — is a route that takes travelers from the city of Burlington straight into New York City’s recently-opened station, Moynihan Train Hall. The ride is easy, quick (for a long-distance train), and takes minimal effort to book for first-timers. We know this because we had the chance to ride the Ethan Allen Express train from Burlington to New York City and back, and have all the inside details you need to know before booking this train. [thetravel.com]
Take Amtrak from NYC to Denver via Chicago
Almost all major US cities are accessible via Amtrak. Because there is no direct route from New York to Denver, my trip was split up into four separate train rides: NYC to Chicago, Chicago to Denver, and the opposite route back home. From NYC, I got on the Amtrak Lake Shore Limited, which lands in Chicago. After a short stay in the Windy City, my next train was the California Zephyr. This train goes all the way to California, but I would be getting off halfway in Denver, Colorado. [themontclairgirl.com]
