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Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Journey Through Presidential History - Boston to Texas by Rail
Sixteen-day Amtrak rail journey through U.S. presidential history, Boston to Austin
Amtrak Vacations runs this sixteen-day independent rail vacation from Boston to Austin, tracing U.S. presidential history along the way. The trip opens in Boston with the Freedom Trail and the JFK Presidential Library, then moves by train to Philadelphia for Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. A four-night stay in Washington, D.C. includes the Monuments by Moonlight tour and a half-day trip to Mount Vernon. An overnight Amtrak leg reaches Chicago, connecting to Springfield for a full day at the Lincoln Presidential Library and Lincoln's Tomb. A second overnight leg carries travelers to Dallas, where a small group guided tour covers the JFK assassination sites, before the trip ends with the Texas State Capitol and the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin. Most stops run two or more nights, so the pace stays relaxed. The trip suits history-minded travelers who want presidential landmarks paired with mostly self-guided city time.
What to know before you look closer
- Only one meal is included across the sixteen days, a dinner in Washington, D.C.; other meals are on your own.
- The evidence names hotels for every stop except Springfield, Illinois; confirm which property you'll stay at there before booking.
- The overnight Amtrak legs, Washington, D.C. to Chicago and Springfield to Dallas, are booked in Coach class seating, not a private sleeper cabin.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Boston
Your Journey Begins in Boston
Arrive in Boston and explore key historical sites, including the Freedom Trail and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. Walk through the cobblestone streets of the historic North End.
- Day 2overnight: Boston
Boston, MA
Continue your Boston adventure hopping on and off the trolley, visiting Faneuil Hall, Beacon Hill, and the Massachusetts State House. Enjoy a dinner at the historic Union Oyster House, including the famous Kennedy Booth.
- Day 3railovernight: Philadelphia
Boston to Philadelphia
Board your train to Philadelphia. Visit Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were signed, and see the Liberty Bell. Explore Philadelphia's historic old city.
- Day 4railovernight: Washington, D.C.
Philadelphia to Washington DC
Take the train to Washington, D.C. Check in to your hotel for a four-night stay, then begin exploring the National Mall with the Monuments by Moonlight tour, including the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.
- Day 5overnight: Washington, D.C.
Washington, DC
Enjoy a half-day tour outside the city to Mount Vernon, George Washington's historic estate, and Old Town Alexandria's colonial-era streets.
- Day 6overnight: Washington, D.C.
Washington, DC
Immerse yourself in the capital's history on a hop-on hop-off tour, visiting the Capitol Building and the Smithsonian Museums, plus a guided tour of Arlington National Cemetery.
- Day 7overnight: Washington, D.C.
Washington, DC
Enjoy a leisurely day at your own pace: stroll the National Mall, explore Georgetown, or take in views from the Old Post Office Tower. In the evening, unwind with dinner at a popular local restaurant.
- Day 8railovernight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Enjoy a leisurely morning before boarding your overnight train bound for Chicago.
- Day 9overnight: Springfield
Springfield, IL
Arrive in Chicago and enjoy a morning of sightseeing before your early afternoon departure aboard the Texas Eagle. Scenic ride through Illinois to Springfield, historic hometown of Abraham Lincoln.
- Day 10overnight: Springfield
Springfield, IL
Spend a full day exploring Springfield's presidential history: the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Lincoln's home, the Old State Capitol, and Lincoln's Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
- Day 11railovernight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board the Texas Eagle train in Springfield for an overnight journey to Dallas.
- Day 12overnight: Dallas
Dallas, TX
Arrive in Dallas and check in to your hotel. Visit the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, then explore Dallas' arts and cultural districts.
- Day 13overnight: Dallas
Dallas, TX
A guided tour focusing on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, visiting the Grassy Knoll and the Kennedy Memorial. Includes a knowledgeable guide and all entrance fees.
- Day 14railovernight: Austin
Dallas to Austin
Take the train to Austin through the picturesque landscapes of central Texas. Check into your hotel and enjoy an evening stroll around downtown Austin.
- Day 15overnight: Austin
Austin, TX
Explore Austin's political history: the Texas State Capitol, the Bullock Texas State History Museum, and the LBJ Presidential Library. In the evening, walk around Lady Bird Lake or downtown Austin.
- Day 16
Your Journey Ends in Austin
Journey concludes in Austin.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1Explores the Freedom Trail and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston.
- Day 5A half-day tour visits Mount Vernon, George Washington's historic estate, and Old Town Alexandria's colonial-era streets.
- Day 10A full day covers the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Lincoln's home, the Old State Capitol, and Lincoln's Tomb in Springfield.
- Day 13A guided Small Group Tour visits the Grassy Knoll and the Kennedy Memorial, focused on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
- Day 15Visits the Texas State Capitol, the Bullock Texas State History Museum, and the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Boston to Philadelphia, Philadelphia to Washington DC, Washington DC to Chicago, Chicago to Springfield, Springfield to Dallas, and Dallas to Austin on the Northeast Regional®, Capitol Limited®, and Texas Eagle®
- 13 nights hotel accommodations, 2 nights onboard Amtrak®
- 1 meal (1 dinner)
- Hop-on, Hop-off sightseeing tour of Boston
- Monuments by Moonlight Tour in Washington, D.C.
- Half Day Tour of Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria from Washington, D.C.
- Entrance to Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield
- Entrance to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas
- Small Group Tour of John F. Kennedy's Memorial, Museum and Assassination Sites in Dallas
- Entrance to the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum in Austin
Questions travellers ask
- Is rail travel included?
- Yes, one-way Amtrak Coach travel from Boston to Austin via Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Springfield, and Dallas, on the Northeast Regional, Capitol Limited, and Texas Eagle trains.
- Is it guided or independent?
- Mostly independent: city tours are largely hop-on, hop-off or self-guided, except for a Small Group Tour with a knowledgeable guide of JFK's Memorial, Museum, and Assassination Sites in Dallas.
- What hotels are included?
- The Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, The Logan Philadelphia, the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Washington, D.C., a hotel in Springfield, the Fairmont Dallas, and the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown.
- How many meals are included?
- One dinner.
- Which presidential sites are visited?
- The JFK Presidential Library in Boston, Mount Vernon, the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, the George W. Bush Presidential Library in Dallas, JFK assassination sites in Dallas, and the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin.
- Is there overnight train travel?
- Yes, an overnight Amtrak journey from Washington, D.C. to Chicago, and another from Springfield to Dallas.
