Great American Rail Adventure
17 day Rail Holiday – from £3099
With flights from £3699
Cross deserts and mountain ranges as you travel between five of the USA’s most iconic cities on this incredible rail holiday, with activities included.
Highlights:
- Admire the New York city skyline from the Top of the Rock
- Learn about the history and culture of New Orleans on a guided tour
- Ride the Coast Starlight between Los Angeles and San Francisco
- Cross the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains aboard the California Zephyr
- Relax in the parks, gardens, bars and restaurants of Chicago’s Navy Pier
Your Itinerary
Expand AllThis itinerary is customisable. Just let us know if you would like to add extra nights, activities or destinations.

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.



Day 2 – New York City
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.





Day 3 – New York City to New Orleans
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.





Day 4 – New Orleans
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’.





Day 5 – New Orleans
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.





Day 6 to 7 – New Orleans to Los Angeles
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.





Day 8 – 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. The Coast Starlight is known for the beautiful stretches of California shoreline that it passes as it makes its’ way towards Northern California.





Day 9 – San Francisco
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.





Day 10 – San Francisco to Denver
This morning you will board Amtrak’s California Zephyr for your trip on to Denver. As the train winds it’s way east be prepared to experience the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountain ranges. As always, your Amtrak ride is perfect for picture-taking opportunities.





Day 11 – Denver
This evening you will arrive in Denver. Check-in to your hotel and prepare for a day of sightseeing tomorrow.





Day 12 – Denver
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.





Day 13 – Denver to Chicago
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 it’s way east, reflect on all of the wonderful experiences on your All American rail journey.





Day 14 – Chicago
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!





Day 15 – Chicago to New York City
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.





Day 16 – New York City
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.





Day 17 – Farewell from New York City
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.



Your Itinerary
Day 1
|
Welcome to New York City
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.



Day 2
|
New York City
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.



Day 3
|
New York City to New Orleans
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.



Day 4
|
New Orleans
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’.



Day 5
|
New Orleans
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.



Day 6 to 7
|
New Orleans to Los Angeles
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.



Day 8
|
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. The Coast Starlight is known for the beautiful stretches of California shoreline that it passes as it makes its’ way towards Northern California.



Day 9
|
San Francisco
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.



Day 10
|
San Francisco to Denver
This morning you will board Amtrak’s California Zephyr for your trip on to Denver. As the train winds it’s way east be prepared to experience the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountain ranges. As always, your Amtrak ride is perfect for picture-taking opportunities.



Day 11
|
Denver
This evening you will arrive in Denver. Check-in to your hotel and prepare for a day of sightseeing tomorrow.



Day 12
|
Denver
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.



Day 13
|
Denver to Chicago
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 it’s way east, reflect on all of the wonderful experiences on your All American rail journey.



Day 14
|
Chicago
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!



Day 15
|
Chicago to New York City
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.



Day 16
|
New York City
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.



Day 17
|
Farewell from New York City
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.



Your Rail Holiday Includes:
Flights & More
With FREEDOM, you can book your Great American Rail Adventure rail holiday and flights together, as an ATOL protected package. Our Travel Experts can find the best priced Economy, Premium or Business Class flights for you.
You can also personalise your holiday. Why not add:
- An upgrade to a Roomette from £645 or Bedroom from £1,779
- Extra nights in New York, Los Angeles or any other location
Next Steps
Please get in touch with our America Experts to start planning your holiday. You’ll have a single point of contact from your first enquiry through booking.
Great American Rail Adventure
17 day Rail Holiday – from £3099
With flights from £3699
Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a twin room and include meals where shown. Hotel and room facilities vary and may be subject to additional fees. Some hotels require payment of local city taxes on arrival. Amtrak travel is for Coach Accommodations unless otherwise stated. Upgrades to Roomette or Bedroom accommodations on board Amtrak are available. Please call Freedom Destinations for departure dates and availability Seasonal variations may apply.
The All American
Map

