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Grande Alaska Tour
12-day Alaska Railroad journey from Anchorage to Fairbanks with glaciers and wildlife
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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation
Great American - Majestic Landscapes
Independent 12-day, coast-to-coast Amtrak trip, New York to San Francisco
Railbookers operates this independent, 12-day rail vacation across the United States, from New York City to San Francisco, with Rail Expert support rather than a tour escort. Two days of hop-on-hop-off touring in New York, taking in Central Park and the Statue of Liberty, lead into an overnight run on Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited to Chicago, where a second multi-day city tour covers Navy Pier and Millennium Park. A second overnight train, the California Zephyr, crosses the plains to Denver, where a full-day tour of Rocky Mountain National Park summits the Continental Divide at over 11,000 feet by vehicle. A third overnight leg on the California Zephyr crosses the Rocky Mountains to San Francisco, closing with an included waterfront dinner, views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and a full day of wine tasting in Napa and Sonoma. With three nights spent onboard the train in Coach accommodations, the trip suits travelers who want to experience cross-country Amtrak travel rather than fly between stops.
What to know before you look closer
- The Rocky Mountain National Park tour is seasonal; in the off season the operator offers a Mountain Parks Tour instead.
- Rail travel is in Amtrak Coach accommodations, including the three overnight legs; this isn't a sleeper-cabin trip.
- The evidence's route summary lists Napa Valley as the final stop, but the day-by-day itinerary has travelers staying overnight in San Francisco on day 11 and ending the trip there on day 12.
- The evidence gives no current departure dates; confirm availability and pricing with Railbookers before booking.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: New York City
Your Journey Begins in New York City
Welcome to New York City! Enjoy a multi-day hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of one of the world's favorite cities. Stops include Central Park, Rockefeller Plaza, the Theater District, Times Square, and many more amazing hot spots! Feel free to hop off the tour at any time to explore at your own pace. Your tour bus pass is good for two days, so use it tomorrow to hit up any sites you didn't get a chance to explore today.
- Day 2overnight: New York City
New York City, NY
Today continue to explore the city on your sightseeing tour. Stop off on 5th Avenue for premiere shopping, take in the enormous and iconic Empire State Building, or journey to the Statue of Liberty and explore Ellis Island. There are so many amazing things to do and see in the "Big Apple!"
- Day 3
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Travel on your own to Penn Station and board Amtrak to Chicago. Kick back and relax on the Lake Shore Limited as you head to the Midwest. Enjoy the scenery as you travel along the south shore of Lake Michigan, the Mohawk River, and the Erie Canal, following a famous Native American Highway. (Overnight onboard Amtrak)
- Day 4overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Breeze into the Windy City and explore Chicago with a hop-on/hop-off sightseeing tour that will take you to all the popular landmarks. Check out the Navy Pier and its many fun attractions. Take a leisurely stroll through the architectural wonder that is Millennium Park. Enjoy world class shopping along the Magnificent Mile.
- Day 5overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Continue to experience the vibrant energy of Chicago, where world-class architecture meets deep-dish pizza and lakefront views. From iconic museums to lively neighborhoods, every corner offers a new adventure in the Windy City. The choice is yours!
- Day 6rail
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Traval on your own to Chicago's Union Station and board Amtrak to Denver. Enjoy America's majestic landscapes as you travel on the California Zephyr through the plains to "Mile High City." Experienced travelers say the California Zephyr is one of the most beautiful train trips in all of North America. And, once you absorb the breathtaking scenery along its route, including the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas, we know you'll agree. (Overnight onboard Amtrak)
- Day 7overnight: Denver
Denver, CO
Today you'll arrive in Denver in the morning and travel on your own to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city at your leisure. Take the time to explore the "Mile High City", visit the beautiful botanical gardens, take in the exhibits at Denver Art Museum, or relax back at your hotel.
- Day 8overnight: Denver
Rocky Mountain National Park
Today you will venture out on a full-day sightseeing tour of Rocky Mountain National Park! Take in the views of the majestic Rocky Mountain range, capture pictures of wildlife, and drive over Berthoud Pass where you will summit the Continental Divide that sits at over 11,000 feet above sea level. You'll visit the cozy ski town of Winter Park then head over to the town of Grand Lake for lunch! A great day of sightseeing awaits!
- Day 9
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today you will travel to Denver's historic Union Station and board Amtrak for a relaxing ride to San Francisco. Enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views outside your window as you travel through the Rocky Mountains and head for the majestic West Coast. (Overnight onboard Amtrak)
- Day 10overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Today you will arrive at Emeryville Station, where you will board your included motorcoach transfer for a short trip across the bay to San Francisco. The rest of the day is yours to spend getting to know the "City by the Bay." Be sure to get some pictures of the most photographed bridge in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge. Dinner at one of San Francisco's waterfront restaurants is included. D
Meals: D
- Day 11overnight: San Francisco
Napa Valley
Enjoy a full day touring two of the country's most famous wine growing regions: Napa and Sonoma. Sip on delicious local wine as you take in the gorgeous scenery surrounding wine country
- Day 12
Your Journey Ends in San Francisco
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 3The overnight Lake Shore Limited runs along the south shore of Lake Michigan, the Mohawk River and the Erie Canal on the way to Chicago.
- Day 8A full-day tour of Rocky Mountain National Park summits the Continental Divide at over 11,000 feet via Berthoud Pass, with a stop in the ski town of Winter Park.
- Day 9The overnight California Zephyr crosses the Rocky Mountains on the way to San Francisco.
- Day 10An included dinner at a San Francisco waterfront restaurant follows views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Day 11A full day of wine tasting covers both the Napa and Sonoma wine regions.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from New York City to Chicago; Chicago to Denver; Denver to San Francisco on the Lake Shore Limited® and California Zephyr® 8 nights' hotel accommodations; 3 nights' onboard Amtrak 1 meal (1 dinner)
Also sold by
The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.
- Amtrak Vacationsfrom $2,059
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes, one-way Amtrak Coach travel is included for all three legs: New York City to Chicago on the Lake Shore Limited, Chicago to Denver, and Denver to San Francisco on the California Zephyr, including three nights spent onboard.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It's independent travel with Rail Expert support, with several days, such as day 7 in Denver, left free to explore at your own pace.
- What hotels are used?
- A range of hotel options in New York City, Chicago, Denver and San Francisco, from Hampton Inn-tier properties up to hotels such as the Waldorf Astoria or the Fairmont San Francisco.
- Which cities does the trip visit?
- New York City, Chicago, Denver, with a day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, and San Francisco, with a day trip to Napa and Sonoma, over 12 days.
- What meals are included?
- One dinner, at a San Francisco waterfront restaurant on day 10; other meals are not stated as included.
- How much walking is involved?
- Multi-day hop-on-hop-off city tours in New York and Chicago; the Rocky Mountain National Park day reaches over 11,000 feet by vehicle rather than on foot.
