Welcome to New York! On arrival, make your way to your hotel for a two night stay. You will then have the day free to explore ‘the Big Apple’ on your own.

Holiday Inn NYC Times Square or similar

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. Use the tour to stop at such iconic New York sights as Times Square and Central Park. You will also have admissions to either the Empire State Building Observatory or the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Centre. 

Holiday Inn NYC Times Square or similar

This afternoon you will board Amtrak’s Crescent line for your trip south to the New Orleans. Settle in and relax your leisurely ride as the train makes its way towards New Orleans.

Overnight on board the train

Welcome to New Orleans! This evening you are free to explore New Orleans on your own. Famous for its fun and unique culture, there is definitely fun to be had in ‘The Big Easy’.

Wyndham New Orleans – French Quarter or similar

This morning you will learn all about New Orleans on a guided sightseeing city tour. This tour will bring you to such important New Orleans sights as historic Jackson Square, the fun-filled French Quarter, and the eerie graveyards known as the ‘Cities of the Dead’. Also, choose between a fabulous brunch accompanied by some of the most amazing jazz performers or dinner at an authentic Creole restaurant in the French Quarter.

Wyndham New Orleans – French Quarter or similar

Brunch or dinner

Today you will board Amtrak’s Sunset Limited for your trip west to California! Settle in and prepare for a scenic ride across the country. Marvel at the sights you pass through deserts peppered with cacti, sprawling fields, and majestic mountains on your way to Los Angeles.

Two nights on board the train

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. The Coast Starlight is known for the beautiful stretches of California shoreline that it passes as it makes its way towards Northern California.

Holiday Inn Express Union Square or similar

A full day of sightseeing in San Francisco awaits! Use your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour to visit San Francisco’s top attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, and historic Haight-Ashbury District. Tonight you will enjoy dinner on San Francisco’s famous Pier 39.

Holiday Inn Express Union Square or similar

Dinner

This morning you will board Amtrak’s California Zephyr for your trip on to Denver. As the train winds its way east be prepared to experience the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountain ranges. As always, your Amtrak ride is perfect for picture-taking opportunities.

Overnight on board the train

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

Warwick Denver Hotel or similar

Today you will explore the natural wonders of Colorado and the Rocky Mountains. Your guided tour will take you to some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes and vistas. The scenery is breathtaking! Also, take some time to explore the city of Denver and some of its popular attractions such as the U.S. Mint.

Warwick Denver Hotel or similar

This morning you will have free to continue your sightseeing in the ‘Mile High City’ before departing this evening. Tonight board Amtrak for your return trip to Chicago. As the train makes its way east, reflect on all of the wonderful experiences on your All American rail journey.

Overnight on board the train

This afternoon you will arrive in Chicago, the ‘Windy City’! Make your way to your hotel, then enjoy an afternoon at leisure, sightseeing, or trying the city’s famous pizza pie!

Holiday Inn Chicago Downtown Wolf Point or similar

Today you will experience Chicago by way of a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. The tour will make stops at some of Chicago’s top highlights including the Willis Tower, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the River Walk. Following your time exploring the city, travel to Chicago’s Union Station and board Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited to travel east back to New York.

Overnight on board the train

This evening you will arrive back in New York City. Check into your hotel and discover parts of the city you may have missed during the beginning of your journey.

Holiday Inn NYC Times Square or similar

Your great American rail adventure comes to an end in New York City, where you can add extra nights or head to the airport for your flight home.