Amtrak Vacations
Glacier National Park Express Roundtrip from Washington, D.C.
14-day Washington roundtrip rail trip via Glacier National Park and Seattle
14 daysfrom $3,629
43% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Glacier National Park Express Roundtrip from New York
14-day New York roundtrip rail trip via Glacier National Park and Seattle
Amtrak Vacations runs this 14-day, 13-night independent rail trip as a roundtrip from New York City through Chicago, Glacier National Park, and Seattle. Day 1 begins boarding the Lake Shore Limited at Penn Station, arriving in Chicago for two nights that include an architecture sightseeing cruise of the harbor. From Union Station, the Empire Builder carries travelers overnight to Glacier National Park, where three nights at the Glacier Park Lodge include the Big Sky Circle Tour along Going-to-the-Sun Road and a boat cruise across Two Medicine Valley. The Empire Builder continues to Seattle for two nights of hop-on, hop-off sightseeing and a Space Needle visit, before the return journey retraces the route east, with three consecutive nights onboard crossing the country back to New York. This suits travelers who want an extended, multi-city rail journey rather than a short point-to-point trip.
What to know before you look closer
- 13 hotel choices span Chicago (Holiday Inn to Waldorf Astoria) and Seattle (Hampton Inn to Kimpton Hotel Vintage), so actual comfort depends on what is selected at booking.
- Only 6 meals (3 breakfasts and 3 dinners) are included across the 13-night trip; other meals are on your own.
- Days 11 to 13 are spent entirely on the return train from Seattle to New York via Chicago, a long stretch of continuous rail travel for those who prefer shorter legs.
- The evidence does not give specific operating months for the Big Sky Circle Tour or Two Medicine Valley boat cruise in this package; confirm seasonal timing with Amtrak Vacations before booking.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Your Journey Begins in New York City
This afternoon board Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited train at New York's Penn Station and prepare for your trip west!
- Day 2overnight: 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. Perhaps you would want to stop by Navy Pier for tasty food and great views of the city. The Windy City is truly one of a kind.
- Day 3overnight: Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL
Enjoy a sightseeing architectural cruise of the Chicago harbor. Experienced and entertaining tour guides will recount the dramatic story of Chicago's rise from the Great Fire of 1871 and how the Windy City became the home of the skyscraper and the cradle of modern American architecture.
- Day 4overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today, travel to Chicago's Union Station and board the Empire Builder®. Traveling daily between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest along major portions of the Lewis and Clark trail, the mighty Empire Builder takes you on an exciting adventure through majestic wilderness, following the footsteps of early pioneers.
- Day 5overnight: 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 to the iconic Glacier Park Lodge, where you can settle in for a good night's rest.
- Day 6overnight: Glacier National Park, MT
Glacier National Park, MT
Today you begin your exploration of Glacier National Park's unparalleled mountain beauty. Your Big Sky Circle Tour picks you up from the hotel and carries you off through the park. As your guide drives through mountains along Going-to-the-Sun Road, past majestic points of interest such as Logan Pass and Goat Lick, you are provided a wonderfully narrated experience. You'll learn about the history, geology, plants, and wildlife of the park as well as the history and folklore of the native Blackfoot and Flathead tribes that once called this land home.
- Day 7overnight: Glacier National Park, MT
Glacier National Park, MT
No trip to Glacier National Park would be complete without a chance to experience one of its pristine mountain lakes. Today you are transported to Two Medicine Valley, deep within the national park, for a sightseeing boat cruise. Marvel at the natural beauty of the valley, the lake, and keep your eyes open for the wildlife that frequent the shoreline.
- Day 8overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Enjoy a relaxing morning at the Glacier Park Lodge before heading over to the East Glacier station for your trip to Seattle.
- Day 9overnight: 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 10overnight: 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 11railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
This afternoon you will board the Amtrak train for your journey east back to New York. As the train departs prepare for a leisurely, scenic ride.
- Day 12railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Settle in for a full day of relaxed train travel as you cross the heart of the country. Watch the dramatic landscapes transform from Montana's wide-open plains to the rolling hills and farmlands of the Midwest. Enjoy meals in the dining car and take in the views from the observation lounge.
- Day 13railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Arrive in Chicago this afternoon and take some time to stretch your legs before continuing your journey. Later this evening, board your connecting Amtrak train bound for New York City. Settle in for a restful overnight ride as the train rolls east.
- Day 14
Your Journey Ends in New York City
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The journey begins boarding the Lake Shore Limited at New York's Penn Station.
- Day 3A sightseeing architectural cruise covers Chicago's harbor and the city's rise after the Great Fire of 1871.
- Day 6The Big Sky Circle Tour follows Going-to-the-Sun Road past Logan Pass and Goat Lick.
- Day 7A boat cruise crosses Two Medicine Valley, deep within Glacier National Park.
- Day 10The Space Needle's observation deck gives views of Mt. Rainier, downtown Seattle, and Elliott Bay.
Included
- Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from New York to Chicago; Chicago to Glacier National Park; Glacier National Park to Seattle; and Seattle to New York on the Lake Shore Limited® and Empire Builder®
- 7 nights' hotel accommodations; 6 nights' onboard Amtrak
- 6 meals (3 breakfasts and 3 dinners)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the whole roundtrip by train?
- Yes. The Lake Shore Limited covers New York to Chicago, and the Empire Builder covers Chicago to Glacier National Park, Glacier National Park to Seattle, and the return to New York via Chicago.
- How many nights are spent on a train?
- Six across the roundtrip: one each way between New York and Chicago, one each way between Chicago and Glacier National Park to Seattle, and three consecutive nights on the return from Seattle to New York.
- 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.
- What hotels are used?
- A choice of 13 hotels across Chicago, Glacier National Park (Glacier Park Lodge), and Seattle, 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.
- What is not included?
- The evidence does not give specific operating months for the Big Sky Circle Tour or the Two Medicine Valley boat cruise; confirm current seasonal timing with Amtrak Vacations.
