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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

The All American

Round-trip Amtrak journey from Chicago via New York, New Orleans, San Francisco

Illustration of The All American

Railbookers operates this 15-day independent rail vacation on a round trip across the United States, starting and ending in Chicago. The route runs by Amtrak Coach class from Chicago to New York, where a hop-on, hop-off tour covers Times Square, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. From there, the Crescent carries travelers to New Orleans for a guided city tour of the French Quarter and Jackson Square, before the Sunset Limited crosses deserts and mountains toward California. The Coast Starlight continues north to San Francisco for sightseeing at the Golden Gate Bridge, then the California Zephyr climbs through the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains to Denver, where a guided tour covers Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park. The trip includes 8 nights in hotels and 6 nights onboard the train, suiting travelers who want to see a wide cross-section of American cities and landscapes without driving or flying between them.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only 2 meals (2 dinners) are included across this 15-day trip; the rest of your meals are on your own.
  • The Rocky Mountain National Park sightseeing tour only runs in season, late May to late September.
  • All Amtrak segments are in Coach class, not a sleeper roomette, so overnight train nights are spent in a reclining seat rather than a private cabin.
  • Railbookers lists 30 accommodation options across price tiers and cities; the hotel used depends on which one you choose at booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: onboard Amtrak

    Chicago to New York

    Your journey begins in Chicago! This evening board Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited for your trip to New York. Settle in for your leisurely ride to "The Big Apple."

  2. Day 2overnight: New York

    New York City, NY

    Upon arrival in New York, check-in to your hotel and begin to experience "The Big Apple"! Take the evening to enjoy New York on your own.

  3. Day 3overnight: New York

    New York City, NY

    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, stopping at Times Square and Central Park, with admission to the Empire State Building Observatory or the Top of the Rock.

  4. Day 4railovernight: onboard Amtrak

    New York City to New Orleans

    This afternoon, board Amtrak's Crescent line for your trip south to the "Crescent City." Settle in and relax as the train makes its way towards New Orleans.

  5. Day 5overnight: New Orleans

    New Orleans, LA

    Welcome to New Orleans! This evening you are free to explore New Orleans on your own.

  6. Day 6overnight: New Orleans

    New Orleans, LA

    This morning you will learn all about New Orleans on a guided sightseeing city tour, visiting Jackson Square, the French Quarter, and the "Cities of the Dead" graveyards.

  7. Day 7overnight: onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Today you will board Amtrak's Sunset Limited for your trip west to California! Marvel at deserts, sprawling fields, and majestic mountains on your way to Los Angeles.

  8. Day 9overnight: San Francisco

    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.

  9. Day 10overnight: San Francisco

    San Francisco, CA

    A full day of sightseeing in San Francisco awaits! Use your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour to visit the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, and Haight-Ashbury District. Dinner on Pier 39.

  10. Day 11overnight: onboard Amtrak

    San Francisco to Denver

    This morning you will board Amtrak's California Zephyr for your trip to Denver, experiencing the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountain ranges.

  11. Day 12overnight: Denver

    Denver, CO

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

  12. Day 13overnight: Denver

    Denver, CO

    Today you will explore the natural wonders of Colorado and the Rocky Mountains on a guided tour, plus time to explore Denver's popular attractions such as the U.S. Mint.

  13. Day 14overnight: onboard Amtrak

    Denver to Chicago

    This morning is free to continue sightseeing in the "Mile High City" before departing this evening. Tonight, board Amtrak for your return trip to Chicago.

  14. Day 15

    Your Journey Ends in Chicago

    Trip concludes in Chicago.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Boarding Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited in Chicago this evening for the overnight ride to New York City.
  • Day 3A hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of New York, stopping at Times Square and Central Park, with admission to the Empire State Building Observatory or Top of the Rock.
  • Day 7Boarding Amtrak's Sunset Limited for the journey west to California, passing deserts, sprawling fields, and mountains on the way to Los Angeles.
  • Day 11Boarding Amtrak's California Zephyr from San Francisco to Denver, crossing the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountain ranges.
  • Day 13A guided tour of Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park and Denver's natural wonders, plus time to see Denver attractions such as the U.S. Mint.

Included

  • Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to New York; New York to New Orleans; New Orleans to Los Angeles; Los Angeles to San Francisco; San Francisco to Denver; and Denver to Chicago on the Lake Shore Limited, Crescent, Sunset Limited, Coast Starlight, and California Zephyr
  • 8 nights' hotel accommodations
  • 6 nights onboard Amtrak
  • 2 meals (2 dinners)

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in this trip?
Yes. The trip includes roundtrip Amtrak Coach travel on five named trains: the Lake Shore Limited, Crescent, Sunset Limited, Coast Starlight, and California Zephyr, covering 8 nights in hotels and 6 nights onboard.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is an independent rail vacation from Railbookers, with a number of included guided city tours along the way.
Which trains are used?
Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited (Chicago to New York), Crescent (New York to New Orleans), Sunset Limited (New Orleans to Los Angeles), Coast Starlight (Los Angeles to San Francisco), and California Zephyr (San Francisco to Denver), all in Coach class.
What is not included?
Only 2 meals (2 dinners) are included across the trip; the Rocky Mountain National Park tour is seasonal, running late May to late September.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 30 accommodation options across price tiers and cities; sample hotels include the Waldorf Astoria Chicago and the Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown.

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