Amtrak Vacations
Coast to Coast - Seattle to New York
10-day rail trip from Seattle to New York via Chicago
10 daysfrom $1,469
50% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Coast to Coast - Seattle to Washington, D.C.
10-day rail trip from Seattle to Washington, D.C. via Chicago
Amtrak Vacations runs this 10-day, 9-night independent rail vacation from Seattle to Washington, DC, with a stop in Chicago. Two nights in Seattle open the trip with the Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit, and a guided tour of neighborhoods including Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market, before the Empire Builder carries travellers east on a two-night ride past the northern plains, the Rocky Mountains, and Glacier National Park. Two nights in Chicago follow, including an Architecture River Tour, Millennium Park's Cloud Gate sculpture, and Skydeck Chicago, before the Capitol Limited runs overnight on to Washington, DC. Two final nights there include an evening tour of the illuminated monuments and a hop-on, hop-off tour that stops at Arlington National Cemetery. This trip suits travellers who want a three-city, two-train crossing of the northern United States ending in the nation's capital.
What to know before you look closer
- Hotels are offered as 18 accommodation options across tiers and cities rather than one fixed hotel per stop.
- The overnight Amtrak legs are in Coach seating; a sleeping accommodation onboard the train is only available as an optional upgrade.
- No meals are listed among the inclusions for this 10-day trip.
- The evidence lists no current departure dates for this package, though it is shown under a 'Flash Sale' category.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Seattle
Your Journey Begins in Seattle
Welcome to Seattle! Begin your Seattle adventure by ascending the iconic Space Needle for sweeping views of the city skyline and Puget Sound, followed by the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit.
- Day 2overnight: Seattle
Seattle
Today, enjoy a guided tour to uncover the rich history and diverse culture of Seattle's neighborhoods, from Pioneer Square to Pike Place Market.
- Day 3railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak®
Start your day by checking out of your Seattle hotel and making your way to the train station to catch the Empire Builder® to Chicago, witnessing the transition from the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest plains.
- Day 4overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak®
Wake up and enjoy the amazing views as you continue east, traveling through the great northern plains, the Rocky Mountains, and passing by Glacier National Park.
- Day 5overnight: Chicago
Chicago
Arrive in the vibrant city of Chicago and check in to your hotel for a two-night stay. Today is a wonderful time to enjoy an Architecture River Tour.
- Day 6overnight: Chicago
Chicago
Kick off your day with the included Hop-on, Hop-off sightseeing tour and explore Millennium Park, home to the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture ('The Bean'). Head to Skydeck Chicago for the best views of the city.
- Day 7overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak®
Enjoy one last day in Chicago before heading to Union Station to board the Lake Shore Limited®, bound for the nation's capital.
- Day 8overnight: Washington, D.C.
Washington, DC
Arrive in DC and check in for a two-night stay. Explore the National Mall or the Smithsonian museums. This evening, enjoy a guided tour witnessing the capital's iconic monuments illuminated against the night sky.
- Day 9overnight: Washington, D.C.
Washington, DC
Start your day with a hop-on-hop-off tour bus, which includes a visit to Arlington National Cemetery to pay respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and John F. Kennedy's grave.
- Day 10rail
Your Journey Ends in Washington, DC
Check out of your hotel this morning and continue with your travels. If you would like to extend your journey to another city, just ask your Rail Expert and we can help you make all the arrangements.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The trip opens with the Space Needle for skyline and Puget Sound views, followed by the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit.
- Day 4The Empire Builder passes the great northern plains, the Rocky Mountains, and Glacier National Park en route to Chicago.
- Day 6Millennium Park's Cloud Gate sculpture and Skydeck Chicago fill the second day in the city.
- Day 9A hop-on, hop-off tour of Washington, DC includes a visit to Arlington National Cemetery to pay respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and John F. Kennedy's grave.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® from Seattle to Chicago on the Empire Builder®; Chicago to Washington, DC on the Capitol Limited® in Coach accommodations
- 6 nights hotel accommodations; 3 nights onboard Amtrak®
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes, one-way Amtrak travel in Coach accommodations on the Empire Builder (Seattle to Chicago) and the Capitol Limited (Chicago to Washington, DC).
- Is it escorted or independent?
- It is an independent rail vacation with sightseeing tours included in Seattle, Chicago, and Washington, DC.
- Which trains are used?
- The Empire Builder and the Capitol Limited.
- What hotels are used?
- The package offers 18 accommodation options across tiers and cities; examples include the Kimpton Hotel Vintage in Seattle and the Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, in Chicago.
- What is not included?
- No meals are listed among the inclusions for this trip.
