Freedom Destinations · Rail Holiday

Great American Rail Adventure

17-day Amtrak loop linking New York, New Orleans, and San Francisco

Great American Rail Adventure, a rail journey with Freedom Destinations

Freedom Destinations runs this 17-day, 16-night Great American Rail Adventure, a loop from New York City through New Orleans, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, and Chicago and back to New York. The route uses six named Amtrak trains, the Crescent, the Sunset Limited, the Coast Starlight, the California Zephyr, and the Lake Shore Limited, with six nights spent sleeping aboard the trains between cities. Days in each city mix guided sightseeing, such as a New Orleans tour of Jackson Square and the French Quarter or a Denver tour of the Rocky Mountains, with hop-on-hop-off passes in New York, San Francisco, and Chicago, and free time to explore on your own. The California Zephyr crosses the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountain ranges, while the Sunset Limited passes two days of desert and mountain scenery on the way to Los Angeles. This suits travelers who want to see a wide sweep of the United States by train, mixing guided and independent time in each city.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are booked as named or 'or similar', so the property you stay in in New York, New Orleans, San Francisco, Denver, or Chicago may differ from the one listed.
  • The included rail travel is standard Amtrak coach seating; a private Roomette or Bedroom is available only as a paid upgrade.
  • International flights are not included in the from-price; flights can be added separately as an ABTA and ATOL protected package extra.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: The New Yorker Hotel or similar

    Welcome to New York City

    Welcome to New York! On arrival, make your way to your hotel for a two night stay. You will then have the day free to explore 'the Big Apple' on your own.

  2. Day 2overnight: The New Yorker Hotel or similar

    New York City

    Today you will enjoy the best of what New York City has to offer on a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of the city. Use the tour to stop at such iconic New York sights as Times Square and Central Park. You will also have admissions to either the Empire State Building Observatory or the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Centre.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Overnight on board the train

    New York City to New Orleans

    This afternoon you will board Amtrak's Crescent line for your trip south to the New Orleans. Settle in and relax your leisurely ride as the train makes its way towards New Orleans.

  4. Day 4overnight: Wyndham New Orleans – French Quarter or similar

    New Orleans

    Welcome to New Orleans! This evening you are free to explore New Orleans on your own. Famous for its fun and unique culture, there is definitely fun to be had in 'The Big Easy'.

  5. Day 5overnight: Wyndham New Orleans – French Quarter or similar

    New Orleans

    This morning you will learn all about New Orleans on a guided sightseeing city tour. This tour will bring you to such important New Orleans sights as historic Jackson Square, the fun-filled French Quarter, and the eerie graveyards known as the 'Cities of the Dead'. Also, choose between a fabulous brunch accompanied by some of the most amazing jazz performers or dinner at an authentic Creole restaurant in the French Quarter.

  6. Day 6overnight: Overnight on board the train (two nights on board, Days 6-7)

    New Orleans to Los Angeles

    Today you will board Amtrak's Sunset Limited for your trip west to California! Settle in and prepare for a scenic ride across the country. Marvel at the sights you pass through deserts peppered with cacti, sprawling fields, and majestic mountains on your way to Los Angeles.

  7. Day 7overnight: Overnight on board the train (two nights on board, Days 6-7)

    New Orleans to Los Angeles

    Today you will board Amtrak's Sunset Limited for your trip west to California! Settle in and prepare for a scenic ride across the country. Marvel at the sights you pass through deserts peppered with cacti, sprawling fields, and majestic mountains on your way to Los Angeles.

  8. Day 8overnight: Holiday Inn Express Union Square or similar

    Los Angeles to San Francisco

    This morning you will change trains in Los Angeles's Union Station to board the famous Coast Starlight for your ride north to San Francisco. The Coast Starlight is known for the beautiful stretches of California shoreline that it passes as it makes its way towards Northern California.

  9. Day 9overnight: Holiday Inn Express Union Square or similar

    San Francisco

    A full day of sightseeing in San Francisco awaits! Use your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour to visit San Francisco's top attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, and historic Haight-Ashbury District. Tonight you will enjoy dinner on San Francisco's famous Pier 39.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Overnight on board the train

    San Francisco to Denver

    This morning you will board Amtrak's California Zephyr for your trip on to Denver. As the train winds its way east be prepared to experience the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountain ranges. As always, your Amtrak ride is perfect for picture-taking opportunities.

  11. Day 11overnight: Warwick Denver Hotel or similar

    Denver

    This evening you will arrive in Denver. Check-in to your hotel and prepare for a day of sightseeing tomorrow.

  12. Day 12overnight: Warwick Denver Hotel or similar

    Denver

    Today you will explore the natural wonders of Colorado and the Rocky Mountains. Your guided tour will take you to some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes and vistas. The scenery is breathtaking! Also, take some time to explore the city of Denver and some of its popular attractions such as the U.S. Mint.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Overnight on board the train

    Denver to Chicago

    This morning you will have free to continue your sightseeing in the 'Mile High City' before departing this evening. Tonight board Amtrak for your return trip to Chicago. As the train makes its way east, reflect on all of the wonderful experiences on your All American rail journey.

  14. Day 14overnight: Holiday Inn Chicago Downtown Wolf Point or similar

    Chicago

    This afternoon you will arrive in Chicago, the 'Windy City'! Make your way to your hotel, then enjoy an afternoon at leisure, sightseeing, or trying the city's famous pizza pie!

  15. Day 15overnight: Overnight on board the train

    Chicago to New York City

    Today you will experience Chicago by way of a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. The tour will make stops at some of Chicago's top highlights including the Willis Tower, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the River Walk. Following your time exploring the city, travel to Chicago's Union Station and board Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited to travel east back to New York.

  16. Day 16overnight: The New Yorker Hotel or similar

    New York City

    This evening you will arrive back in New York City. Check into your hotel and discover parts of the city you may have missed during the beginning of your journey.

  17. Day 17rail

    Farewell from New York City

    Your great American rail adventure comes to an end in New York City, where you can add extra nights or head to the airport for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board Amtrak's Crescent train this afternoon in New York for the overnight ride south to New Orleans.
  • Day 6The Sunset Limited begins its two-night crossing to Los Angeles, passing deserts peppered with cacti, sprawling fields, and mountains.
  • Day 8Change trains at Los Angeles's Union Station to board the Coast Starlight, known for the stretches of California shoreline it passes on the way to San Francisco.
  • Day 10The California Zephyr crosses the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountain ranges on the ride from San Francisco to Denver.
  • Day 12A guided tour explores the mountain landscapes and vistas of Colorado and the Rocky Mountains from Denver.

Included

  • 10 nights hotel accommodation
  • 6 nights on board the train
  • 2 dinners
  • Excursions and activities as detailed in the itinerary

Not included

  • International flights

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Six nights are spent aboard named Amtrak trains, the Crescent, the Sunset Limited, the Coast Starlight, the California Zephyr, an unnamed Amtrak service from Denver to Chicago, and the Lake Shore Limited, connecting New York, New Orleans, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, and Chicago.
Is it escorted or independent?
It combines included city tours, guided in New Orleans and Denver and hop-on-hop-off in New York, San Francisco, and Chicago, with unguided free time in each city; the evidence does not mention a tour escort accompanying travelers between cities.
Which trains are used?
Amtrak's Crescent, Sunset Limited, Coast Starlight, California Zephyr, and Lake Shore Limited, all in coach class as standard.
What hotels are used?
The New Yorker Hotel, Wyndham New Orleans French Quarter, Holiday Inn Express Union Square in San Francisco, Warwick Denver Hotel, and Holiday Inn Chicago Downtown Wolf Point, all booked as named or 'or similar'.
What is not included?
International flights, a Roomette or Bedroom cabin upgrade, and any extra nights beyond the itinerary.
How much does it cost?
From $4,272 per person (also listed as £3,199), not including international flights.

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