This Train is the most beautiful way to see the Mississippi River, Glacier National Park and the Pacific Northwest.

Amtrak’s 46-hour Empire Builder runs daily, with stops in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

Take slow travel as a way of embracing slow travel. Ride the rails between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest on one of Amtrak’s most scenic routes: the Empire Builder.

Daily departures are available in each direction for the 46-hour-long-haul journey. To head eastbound, the route begins at either Seattle’s King Street Station or Union Station in Portland, Oregon. They meet in Spokane, and then they continue to Chicago’s Union Station. The journey is not mandatory for passengers. However, they can book trips to any of the dozens stops along the route.

The Empire Builder runs from Oregon to Washington, passing through Idaho, Montana and North Dakota, then on to Wisconsin. It’s completely immersed in the pristine scenery of some of the country’s most stunning natural beauty, including in some remote locales that would normally be more challenging to reach, that truly makes the rail journey so enticing.

“Eastbound from Seattle, we travel with the Puget Sound on the left side of the train and climb up and into the Cascade Mountains, [while] eastbound from Portland, we have the Columbia River Valley on the right as we travel to Spokane, where the two parts of the train are combined to continue into the Rockies,” Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari told Travel + Leisure of some of his favorite sections of the journey. “We travel with Glacier National Park on the left and the Flathead National Forest on the right, with a monument at Marias Pass at 5,216 feet, surrounded by mountains and wildlife.”

The Empire Builder is actually one of the best ways you can reach Glacier National Park. created by the builders of the Great Northern Railway As a tourist attraction with three stops in the vicinity during the off-season.

Particularly noteworthy is the station in Whitefish Montana. “Not only is [it] an important ski, B&B, and lodge destination, it contains the Stumptown Historical Society and Museum, a reference to an early name for Whitefish,” he added. Plus, the station is just a short walk to Canada, where there’s a welcome center for visitors looking to explore the Waterton Glacier International Peace ParkAcross the northern border.

“Another scenic highlight is on the last day of our eastbound trip, where the route follows the Mississippi River between St. Paul, Minnesota, and La Crosse, Wisconsin, with the river on the left,” Magliari said. Magliari also pointed out that the stations in St. Paul, Chicago and La Crosse are some of each city’s most important landmarks.

One of six accommodations can accommodate the 2,205-mile journey to Chicago from Seattle, or 2,255-mile journey to Portland. However, train schedules may vary. If you are looking for privacy and comfort, you might consider a Superliner Roomette — which range from 6-by-6 feet to 6-by-8 feet in length and 3-by-6 in width — that can accommodate one or two adults, with seats by day that can be transformed into upper and lower beds at night. All cabins have upgraded bedding, including sheets, towels and pillows. There is also a shared restroom and shower. All meals aboard are included as well as first-class attendant services, priority boarding and lounge access.

The allows for even more space Superliner BedroomThe area can be used by up to two people and has a length of 7 feet and a width of 6.5 feet. It also includes a bathroom, sink, toilet, and shower. There’s also a sofa and separate chair that can be turned into two-tier beds. The can be used for larger gatherings. Superliner Bedroom Suite Two bedrooms can be attached to accommodate four people. Superliner Family Room It is suitable for two adults and two kids. The option is also available for disabled passengers. Superliner Accessible Bedroom, with accessible sink and restrooms in a space that’s 7-by-9.5 feet long and 6.5-by-7 feet wide.

If you prefer a more traditional train ride, you can choose for coach class Wide reclining seats equipped with tray tables, reading lamps, and electrical outlets.

At 4:55 p.m. PDT, eastbound trains depart Portland and Seattle, arriving in Spokane, Washington at 1:15 a.m. PDT. The train will then pull into Chicago at 4:45 p.m. CT. There will be a dinner service on the first night and three meals throughout the day. Breakfast and lunch will be served on the last day. Westbound trains depart Chicago at 3;05 p.m. CT. The train then departs Spokane for Portland at 3.54 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) the second morning. It arrives at 11:17 a.m. ET or departs Seattle at 3.24 a.m. PT at 11:29 a.m. PT. includes dinner the first night, three meals each day, and breakfast the third morning.

All guests staying in private rooms will be served their meals. traditional dining service With chef-prepared meals. Sample menus Breakfast options include quesadillas or omelets for breakfast and burgers, salads, and chilli for lunch. As an appetizer, you can choose from coconut-crusted shrimp, brie-and raspberry empanadas or Atlantic salmon steaks. For dessert, there are chocolate toffee mousse and lemon cakes. Additionally, there’s cafe service Available from morning until night, full meals as well as snacks are available.

Empire Builder also has other offerings checked baggage service trainside checked bicyclesAnd allows small cats and dogs on board. While there is Wi-Fi, Magliari notes that there may be spotty services in areas since much of the route, especially in Montana and North Dakota, is far from the interstate highway — but that there will be service at station stops.

The Empire Builder is a long-haul train route that offers a variety of dining options and cozy accommodations. It also has a constant view of American landscapes outside your window. After all, as Magliari says, there’s nothing like, “Snuggling in a private room, watching the miles go by with actual ‘purple mountain majesties’ in Montana, sipping coffee or another drink after enjoying a meal in the Amtrak dining car.”

 

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