Family-friendly vacations and rail tours are the perfect complements. These fun family trips start the minute you board the train and include many built-in benefits. Relax on the train and leave the navigation and driving to someone else. Best of all, there's no need to stop for rest breaks, meals, or overnights. Everything you need is on the train, from a choice of onboard accommodations to delicious meals from the Café or in the full-service Dining car.
America's National Parks are some of the most popular family vacation destinations. Grand Canyon National Park often tops the list of places to go with the family, and it's easy to see why. It's one of the Natural Wonders of the World and is also one of the most visited attractions globally. A rail vacation to the South Rim is perfect for spring break, summer, or any other time of the year. Glacier National Park is a great family vacation destination, known for its historic lodges and breathtaking scenery. Yosemite National Park, home to thundering waterfalls and some of the world's tallest and oldest trees, offers an array of outdoor adventures for kid-friendly vacations. Additional family vacation ideas include California's coastal cities; New York City with its impressive museums, eclectic neighborhoods, and Broadway shows; and Washington, DC, brimming with historic landmarks.
Consider these well-planned rail itineraries for your next family vacation.
The classic ambiance of an overnight rail journey meets the splendors of one of America's top natural attractions on this rail vacation to Arizona. Join Amtrak's Southwest Chief on its cross-country route from Chicago to Flagstaff, and then board the 120-year-old Grand Canyon Railway on its route to the Grand Canyon. Uncover iconic views...
Discover the wonders of Niagara Falls on this 4-day rail adventure. Beginning and ending in New York City, travel aboard Amtrak's Maple Leaf for a full-day journey through upstate New York and into Ontario. Make the most of your two full days in Niagara Falls, enjoying the sights and sounds of the thundering falls and exploring the area's...
Your two-night stay is in the heart of the unspoiled natural attractions and stunning beauty Glacier National Park. Wondrous displays of nature, historic lodges, and sightseeing through the forests and valleys of this complex ecosystem are highlights of your stay before returning by train to Chicago.
Depart coastal Seattle for the 100+-year-old Glacier National Park aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder. Highlights of your two-day visit include an excursion along the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road and stunning views from Marias and Logan Passes.
Beginning in Los Angeles, board Amtrak's Southwest Chief for the overnight journey to Flagstaff, Arizona, where you will catch the historic Grand Canyon Railway for the ride to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This 4-day rail vacation includes travel aboard two iconic trains, hotel accommodations in Flagstaff and Grand Canyon National Park,...
The only thing more appealing than a train vacation through the Rocky and Sierra Mountains is one that includes a visit to the waterfalls and Giant Sequoia groves of Yosemite National Park. Your great western rail adventure begins in Chicago with a two-night stay in this Midwest metropolis, providing ample time to explore the highlights such...
Your adventure starts in Chicago or Seattle when you board Amtrak's Empire Builder headed for Glacier. Read a book, talk with fellow travelers or enjoy a drink in the bar car as you speed towards your vacation destination. During your Glacier Park stay be sure to take advantage of all the sights and activities available. Exploring the...
Follow the lead of the explorers of years past and head west for a grand adventure to the "City by the Bay," San Francisco. This six-day rail vacation shows the contrasts between two American cities and the nature that surrounds them. Spend a day wrapped in the rugged beauty of the Colorado Rockies while based in Denver, and then board...
A destination often referred to as the "Switzerland of North America," Glacier National Park beckons on this well-planned journey. Follow a round-trip route from Chicago, connecting the hustle and bustle of the city with the preserved beauty of Glacier National Park aboard Amtrak's classic overnight train, the Empire Builder. After...
Admire the glorious scenery of the United States as you travel from Chicago to Seattle aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder on this trans-American journey. After one night on the train, pause for a four-night stay in Montana's Big Sky Country, with two nights each in Glacier Park Lodge and St. Mary Village. Witness Glacier National Park by Red ...
Your 7-day round-trip itinerary from Seattle includes travel aboard Amtrak's scenic Empire Builder, accommodations in historic lodges and visits to breathtaking natural attractions including the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road on board the Red Jammer buses.
A UNESCO-listed attraction and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon beckons on this wintertime vacation. Find yourself transported back to the golden age of train travel as you join Amtrak's Southwest Chief on its overnight journey from Chicago to Arizona. The rail adventures continue aboard the 120-year-old...
Jun 13, 2023 · By Great Rail Journeys
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This year, discover fall destinations that benefit from the changing weather and gorgeous colors of the season throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.
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Mar 06, 2023 · By Great Rail Journeys
Uncover some of the best places to visit in the summer months, whether your vacation goals can be met in North America or take you into Europe’s great cities.
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Mar 30, 2022 · By Great Rail Journeys
Our thoughtfully planned getaways include everything you need for a North American adventure to remember.
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