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
Glacier National Park Express from Seattle
10-day rail trip from Seattle to Chicago via Glacier National Park
Amtrak Vacations runs this 10-day, 9-night independent rail trip one way from Seattle to Chicago by way of Glacier National Park. The trip opens with two nights in Seattle, including a sightseeing tour and admission to the Space Needle observation deck, before boarding the Empire Builder at King Street Station for an overnight ride toward Glacier National Park. Three nights at the Glacier Park Lodge include a free day to relax or hike the park's trails on your own, the Big Sky Circle Tour along Going-to-the-Sun Road, and a boat cruise across Two Medicine Valley. From there, travelers board the Empire Builder again for an overnight ride on to Chicago, where two nights include an architecture sightseeing cruise recounting the city's rebuilding after the Great Fire of 1871. This suits travelers who want a national park stay bookended by two very different cities on one long rail journey.
What to know before you look closer
- 13 hotel choices span Seattle (Hampton Inn to Kimpton Hotel Vintage) and Chicago (Holiday Inn to Waldorf Astoria), so actual comfort depends on what is selected at booking.
- Unlike some related packages, this evidence does not mark the Big Sky Circle Tour or Two Medicine Valley boat cruise as seasonal or give operating months; confirm current timing with Amtrak Vacations.
- Only 6 meals (3 breakfasts and 3 dinners) are included across the 9-night trip; other meals are on your own.
- Day 4's optional hike on Glacier National Park's trails is unguided and self-directed, unlike the guided Big Sky Circle Tour and boat cruise on the two days that follow.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Seattle, WA
Seattle, WA
Welcome to Seattle! Get to know the "Emerald City" and see famous landmarks, including Pike Place Market, one of the oldest farmers' markets, Seattle's Great Wheel, and many more popular destinations.
- Day 2overnight: Seattle, WA
Seattle, WA
Today, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Seattle and visit Pioneer Square, Seattle's waterfront, Lake Union and more! Today, also includes admission to the Space Needle Observation Deck and Chihuly Garden and Glass museum. The Space Needle is the most iconic structure in the city and from the 520-foot high observation deck, you'll get stunning views of Mt. Rainier, the lights of downtown Seattle, and Elliott Bay.
- Day 3overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Take some time to enjoy a leisurely stroll along Seattle's Waterfront, visit some of the shops or enjoy lunch with a view of the harbor. Later this afternoon, travel to Seattle's King Street Station and board the Empire Builder® to Glacier National Park.
- Day 4railovernight: Glacier National Park, MT
Glacier National Park, MT
Welcome to Glacier National Park, home to two different mountain ranges, 130 lakes, 1,000 species of plants, and 16,000 square miles of protected land. Enjoy the mountain air during your short walk from the train station to the iconic Glacier Park Lodge. You have a free day today to relax by the lodge or begin discovering the beauty of Glacier National Park on a hike along one of the many trails.
- Day 5overnight: Glacier National Park, MT
Glacier National Park, MT
After breakfast, you journey out to experience all the magnificent beauty Glacier National Park has to offer. Your tour guide will pick you up from the lodge and take you all through the area today. Travel along the winding mountain way known as Going-to-the-Sun Road. Take in amazing vantage points such as Logan Pass and Goat Lick. Your knowledgeable guide will provide you with not only great sights but also some fascinating information about the park landscape, its wildlife, as well as some background on the native peoples and folklore of the region.
- Day 6overnight: Glacier National Park, MT
Glacier National Park, MT
Today your exploration of Glacier continues. You are picked up and transferred to Two Medicine Valley where you experience the park by boat cruise. The mountain lake is amazing and the spectacular views of pristine wilderness are all around you. Keep your eyes open for the abundant wildlife regularly spotted along the lake shore!
- Day 7overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
This morning, make your way to the East Glacier Station and board Amtrak to Chicago. The mighty Empire Builder takes you on an exciting adventure through majestic wilderness, continuing along major portions of the Lewis and Clark trail and following the footsteps of early pioneers.
- Day 8overnight: Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL
Welcome to Chicago! Spend some free time exploring all this amazing city has to offer. Take a walk down the Magnificent Mile for world class shopping, dining, and attractions. Head to the architectural wonder Millennium Park. Stop by Grant Park to see the famous Buckingham Fountain, one of the largest fountains in the world! the Windy City is truly one of a kind.
- Day 9overnight: Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL
Enjoy a sightseeing architecture cruise of the Chicago River. Knowledgeable tour guides will recount the dramatic story of Chicago's rise from the Great Fire of 1871 to how it became the home of the skyscraper and the cradle of modern American architecture.
- Day 10
Your Journey Ends in Chicago
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2The Space Needle's 520-foot observation deck gives views of Mt. Rainier, downtown Seattle, and Elliott Bay.
- Day 3Boarding the Empire Builder at Seattle's King Street Station begins the overnight ride toward Glacier National Park.
- Day 5The Big Sky Circle Tour follows Going-to-the-Sun Road past Logan Pass and Goat Lick.
- Day 6A boat cruise crosses the mountain lake at Two Medicine Valley, with wildlife along the shoreline.
- Day 9A sightseeing architecture cruise on the Chicago River recounts the city's rebuilding after the Great Fire of 1871.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Seattle to Glacier National Park and Glacier National Park to Chicago onboard the Empire Builder®
- 7 nights' hotel accommodations; 2 nights' onboard Amtrak
- 6 meals included (3 breakfasts and 3 dinners)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. One-way Amtrak Coach class travel on the Empire Builder is included from Seattle to Glacier National Park and on to Chicago.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It is described as independent travel between destinations with guided sightseeing tours and excursions included at each stop, and no tour manager for the whole trip.
- How much walking or hiking is involved?
- Most days are guided bus or boat tours and city sightseeing. Day 4 at Glacier National Park is a free day that can include an optional, self-directed hike on the park's trails.
- What hotels are used?
- A choice of 13 hotels across Seattle, Glacier National Park (Glacier Park Lodge), and Chicago, with the exact hotel depending on what is selected at booking.
- Are meals included?
- 6 meals are included: 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners. Other meals are on your own.
- When does this trip run?
- The evidence does not give specific operating months for this package; confirm current seasonal availability with Amtrak Vacations.
