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
Scenic America by Rail with the Grand Canyon
13-day Amtrak trip, New York to Los Angeles via the Grand Canyon
Amtrak Vacations runs this 13-day, 12-night rail trip from New York City to Los Angeles, with stops in Chicago, Williams, Arizona, and the Grand Canyon's South Rim. The Lake Shore Limited carries travelers overnight to Chicago, the Southwest Chief continues overnight to Williams and later on to Los Angeles, and the Grand Canyon Railway makes the roundtrip from Williams up to the South Rim. Along the way, included CityPASS admissions and hop-on, hop-off tours cover New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, while the Grand Canyon stop includes a Rim tour with dozens of viewpoints and a stay of two nights. Travelers get themselves to and from train stations and fill free time on their own between organized sightseeing. This long, coast-to-coast itinerary suits travelers who want to see three major American cities and the Grand Canyon in one continuous rail journey, and who don't mind three nights spent onboard the train in Coach seating.
What to know before you look closer
- Hotel accommodations are chosen from 20 options across New York, Chicago, and other stops, spanning different tiers, so the specific property and standard depend on what you or the operator selects.
- All rail travel is in Coach class (seated) rather than a private sleeper roomette or bedroom, including the 3 overnight legs.
- Williams, Arizona is only a 1-night stop, compared to 2 nights at the other city stays.
- Only 2 meals are included across the whole 13-day trip (1 breakfast and 1 dinner); other meals are on your own.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: New York City
Your Journey Begins in New York City
Today you will enjoy the best of what New York City has to offer with an included CityPASS. Use the CityPASS to visit iconic sights such as the Empire State Building Observatory, Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, the American Museum of Natural History, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and so much more!
- Day 2overnight: New York City
New York City, NY
Ready to experience more of the Big Apple? During your included hop-on, hop-off sightseeing city tour, you'll get to do just that! See bustling Times Square, stroll through Central Park, and visit all the other landmarks and attractions that make New York City so alluring.
- Day 3railovernight: 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 4overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
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, the Old Water Tower, SkyDeck Chicago, the Adler Planetarium, Buckingham Fountain, and so much more!
- Day 5overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
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. There's the Chicago Cultural Center, Harold Washington Library, or Promontory Point at Burnham Park. Oh, and don't forget about that famous deep-dish pizza!
- Day 6railovernight: 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. The great American West is sure to captivate you on this train journey!
- Day 7overnight: 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 8railovernight: Grand Canyon's South Rim
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
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, the South Rim will provoke childlike wonder and a sense that the world is so much more magnificent and grand than you imagined.
- Day 9overnight: Grand Canyon's South Rim
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Use your free day to see any sights and capture memories that you didn't get a chance to yesterday. At the South Rim alone, there is plenty to see and do on your own! 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 10railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Take the Grand Canyon Railway train from South Rim back to Williams. In the evening, enjoy your included dinner at the Fred Harvey Restaurant before boarding Amtrak's Southwest Chief to Los Angeles.
- Day 11overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Welcome to exciting Los Angeles! After checking into your hotel and getting settled, enjoy your included tour of famous movie stars' homes and a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing city tour. Visit Beverly Hills, Mullholland Drive, the Sunset Strip, Rodeo Drive and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. During your outing, see the homes of Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Quentin Tarantino, and more.
- Day 12overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Continue using your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing city tour to explore any attractions or landmarks you didn't see yesterday. Then, get out and discover the city's charms and hidden gems on your own, like some delicious cuisine or go check out the beautiful beaches in Santa Monica.
- Day 13
Your Journey Ends in Los Angeles
Your Journey Ends in Los Angeles.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1An included CityPASS gives access to New York sights such as the Empire State Building Observatory, Top of the Rock, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
- Day 3The Lake Shore Limited carries travelers overnight from New York to Chicago along the shorelines of Lake Michigan and the Erie Canal.
- Day 6The Southwest Chief departs Chicago's Union Station for an overnight journey to Williams, Arizona, crossing the Mississippi River and passing through mountains, deserts, and canyon passages.
- Day 8After breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, the Grand Canyon Railway carries travelers from Williams to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park for a Grand Canyon Freedom Rim tour.
- Day 11In Los Angeles, an included tour visits the homes of movie stars along Beverly Hills, Mulholland Drive, the Sunset Strip, Rodeo Drive, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from New York City to Chicago; Chicago to Williams; Williams to Los Angeles on the Lake Shore Limited® and Southwest Chief®
- Roundtrip in Coach accommodations on the Grand Canyon Railway Train
- 9 nights' hotel accommodations, 3 nights onboard Amtrak
- 2 meals included (1 breakfast, 1 dinner)
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes. The trip includes one-way Amtrak Coach travel from New York City to Chicago, Chicago to Williams, and Williams to Los Angeles on the Lake Shore Limited and Southwest Chief, plus a roundtrip on the Grand Canyon Railway.
- Is it guided or independent?
- The itinerary has travelers get to train stations and explore cities on their own, using included hop-on, hop-off tours and CityPASS admissions rather than an escorted guide.
- Which trains are used?
- The Lake Shore Limited (New York to Chicago), the Southwest Chief (Chicago to Williams to Los Angeles), and the Grand Canyon Railway (Williams to the Grand Canyon's South Rim and back).
- What hotels are used?
- The evidence lists 20 accommodation options across the trip's cities and tiers, including the Waldorf Astoria New York, the InterContinental New York Times Square, and the Palmer House in Chicago, among others.
- How much walking is involved?
- The trip includes hop-on, hop-off city touring in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, a Grand Canyon Rim tour with numerous viewpoints, and several train station transfers with luggage.
- What is not included?
- Only 1 breakfast and 1 dinner are included across the 13 days; other meals are on your own.
