Amtrak Vacations
Grand Mountain Peaks and The Grandest Canyons
Rail and road trip from Denver to LA through seven national parks
13 daysfrom $3,169
30% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Great American - Rails to the West
New York to Las Vegas rail trip via Chicago and Grand Canyon
Amtrak Vacations packages this 13-day, 12-night independent rail vacation across the western United States, from New York City to Las Vegas. The Lake Shore Limited carries the trip overnight to Chicago, where a food tour through Greenwich Village and a Chicago CityPASS bookend the New York and Chicago stops before the Southwest Chief continues overnight to Williams, Arizona, crossing the Mississippi and passing through mountains, deserts, and canyon passages along the way. From Williams, the Grand Canyon Railway carries you into the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park for a Freedom Rim tour and a free day to explore on your own, before a shuttle transfer continues to Las Vegas for a sightseeing tour of the Strip. City stops in New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas are toured with hop-on, hop-off passes, so the pace stays largely in your own hands between the included highlights. This suits travelers who want a cross-country rail itinerary that mixes classic Amtrak routes with national-park and city sightseeing in one trip.
What to know before you look closer
- Amtrak Vacations lists 20 hotel options across the cities on this route; the specific hotel you get depends on the tier and city you choose.
- Only 1 meal is included across the 13-day trip, a breakfast; other meals are on your own.
- The leg from Grand Canyon to Las Vegas is a shuttle bus transfer, not a train.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: New York City
Your Journey Begins in New York City
Welcome to New York City! Upon arrival head over to your hotel and check in for your three-night stay. Once settled head out and begin exploring this great city at your own leisure.
- Day 2overnight: New York City
New York City
Set out today on a guided food tour through one of New York's most iconic neighborhoods, Greenwich Village. Sample six tastings that showcase the area's diverse flavors while gaining insight into the city's food culture, history, and architecture. Afterwards explore the city at your own pace with your included hop-on, hop-off pass.
- Day 3overnight: New York City
New York City
Enjoy another full day in New York City, taking in more sights on your hop-on, hop-off tour. Discover more areas of Uptown, Downtown and Brooklyn at your leisure.
- Day 4railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today, you'll travel to the train station on your own and board the Lake Shore Limited to Chicago! The train travels along picturesque shorelines, including that of Lake Michigan and the Erie Canal.
- Day 5overnight: Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is one of North America's largest cities, jam packed with delicious food, stunning architecture, history and art. Use your included hop-on, hop-off sightseeing city tour and Chicago CityPASS to start exploring! Visit the Shedd Aquarium, Millennium Park, Skydeck Chicago, the Adler Planetarium, and so much more!
- Day 6overnight: Chicago
Chicago
Continue using your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing city tour to discover anything you didn't get a chance to see yesterday. Then explore on your own - the Chicago Cultural Center, Harold Washington Library, or Promontory Point at Burnham Park.
- Day 7railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Depart Chicago's Union Station onboard the Southwest Chief today for an overnight rail journey to Williams, Arizona. You'll travel through fields of gold, prairies, farmland, cross the mighty Mississippi, and traverse mountains, deserts and canyon passages.
- Day 8overnight: Williams
Williams, AZ
Known as the gateway to the Grand Canyon, the quaint mountain town of Williams is home to Americana-style restaurants and shops dating back to the 1900s. It's also located along the world-famous Route 66 and nestled beneath a canopy of the beautiful Ponderosa Pines of Kaibab Forest.
- Day 9railovernight: Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
After having breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, board the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. During your Grand Canyon Freedom Rim tour, you'll discover why the South Rim has been hosting visitors since the 1850's, with close to two dozen expansive, breath-taking viewpoints.
- Day 10overnight: Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
Use your free day to see any sights and capture memories that you didn't get a chance to yesterday. Watch the sunrise or sunset, visit the Yavapai Geology Museum or Desert View Watchtower, make reservations to have dinner at a historic lodge, or simply relax.
- Day 11overnight: Las Vegas
Grand Canyon to Las Vegas
Enjoy a relaxing morning at the South Rim, taking in more sights or simply admiring the incredible views. This afternoon, board the shuttle to Las Vegas and relax on the comfortable ride. Once you arrive, check in at your hotel for a two-night stay and begin discovering the world's entertainment capital!
- Day 12overnight: Las Vegas
Las Vegas
Today, experience all of Las Vegas' most iconic attractions, including the strip's wildly famous hotels, casinos and hotspots, on your exciting sightseeing tour. Enjoy a drive down the strip, stop at the famous "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign, drive along wedding chapel row, and marvel at the huge displays of Fremont Street.
- Day 13
Your Journey Ends in Las Vegas
View The Full Map
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2A Small Group Greenwich Village Food Tour samples six tastings showcasing the neighborhood's diverse flavors.
- Day 7The Southwest Chief runs overnight from Chicago to Williams, crossing the Mississippi and passing through fields, prairies, mountains, deserts, and canyon passages.
- Day 9After breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, the Grand Canyon Railway carries you from Williams into the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
- Day 12A sightseeing tour of the Las Vegas Strip stops at the 'Welcome to Las Vegas' sign and Fremont Street.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from New York City to Chicago; and Chicago to Williams on the Lake Shore Limited® and Southwest Chief®
- One-way in Coach accommodations on the Grand Canyon Railway Train
- One-way shuttle transfer from Grand Canyon to Las Vegas
- 10 nights hotel accommodations; 2 nights onboard Amtrak
- 1 meal included (1 breakfast)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes, for most of the route. One-way Amtrak in Coach class from New York City to Chicago and Chicago to Williams, on the Lake Shore Limited and Southwest Chief, plus one-way travel on the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to Grand Canyon, are included. The Grand Canyon to Las Vegas leg is a shuttle bus transfer, not a train.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- It is an independent rail vacation with several included guided elements: a Greenwich Village food tour, a Grand Canyon Freedom Rim tour, and a Las Vegas sightseeing tour. New York City, Chicago, and Las Vegas are otherwise explored with hop-on, hop-off passes.
- Which trains are used?
- The Lake Shore Limited from New York City to Chicago, the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Williams, and the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to Grand Canyon, all in Coach class.
- What hotels are included?
- Amtrak Vacations offers a choice of 20 hotel options across the route's cities; sample properties include the WOW InterContinental New York Times Square, the Waldorf Astoria New York, and the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago.
- What does the Chicago CityPASS include?
- The Shedd Aquarium, SkyDeck Chicago, and Field Museum, plus a choice of 2 of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry, the 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, or the Adler Planetarium.
- What is not included?
- Only 1 breakfast is included across the 13-day trip; other meals are on your own.
