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The Northern Border & Pacific Northwest

Traverse the Hearty North, and Embrace its Free Spirit

  • Chicago>
  • Minneapolis>
  • Glacier Park>
  • Seattle

In the north are some of the last truly wide-open space left, and the Amtrak® Empire Builder® takes you there. Board the train in Chicago and take the Northern route to the West Coast.  Travel to the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis before heading into the unspoiled country of North Dakota and Montana.  While in Montana, visit Glacier National Park and savor its breathtaking beauty.  Your trip continues to Seattle traveling through forests of fir trees and alongside Puget Sound.  You may continue aboard the Victoria Clipper to visit the capital cities of Victoria and Vancouver located in British Columbia, Canada.

For more information or to make a reservation,
call our rail vacation experts at 1-800-AMTRAK-2

Package Includes:

  • Eight nights’ hotel accommodations
  • One way AMTRAK® from Chicago to Minneapolis/St. Paul in Coach class
  • One way Amtrak from Minneapolis/St Paul to East Glacier and from East Glacier to Seattle in Roomette accomodations, meals included in dining car.
  • Two dinners (Chicago & Seattle)
  • R/T Transfer from rail station to MSP
  • Hotel Breakfast in Minneapolis/St. Paul
  • Five Tours (Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Two in Glacier, Seattle)
  • Travel Portfolio
  • All taxes

 

DEPARTURE DAYS: Daily from June to September

Map of The Northern Border & Pacific Northwest train vacation Click to Zoom The Map

Sample price does not include transportation to Chicago to start your rail journey.

 

All gratuities onboard the Amtrak trains are NOT included. It is customary to tip your servers in the Dining Car and your sleeping car attendant.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY**

Day 1              Arrive & Explore Chicago

Welcome to Chicago, take a walk down the Magnificent Mile for world-class shopping, dining and attractions or take in a show.  (Overnight in Chicago)

 

Day 2              Chicago Exploring

Enjoy your choice of a River/Waterfront tour or a standard city tour.  Dinner at Tuscany is included.  (Overnight in Chicago)

 

Day 3              Chicago to St. Paul/Minneapolis

Self-transfer to Union Station to board Amtrak for the Twin Cities.  Transfer (taxi voucher included) to the Country Inn & Suites at the Mall of America.  (Overnight in Minneapolis)

 

Day 4              Twin Cities to Glacier National Park

After your complimentary breakfast, enjoy a full day in the Twin Cities with a tour.  After, board the Amtrak Empire Builder with Roomette accommodations to Glacier National Park. (Overnight on train)

 

Day 5              Arrive at Glacier National Park

Check in at the Glacier Park Lodge, which is within walking distance of the rail station.  (Overnight at Glacier Park Lodge)

 

Day 6              Glacier National Park

Today, you will tour the Park.  From 6/11 – 9/18 you may cross the U.S./Canada border to Waterton Lakes to the Prince of Wales Hotel and enjoy afternoon tea.  (Overnight at Glacier Park Lodge) ** Dates subject to change

 

Day 7              Glacier National Park

Today, you will continue touring and return to the Glacier Park Lodge for your final night’s stay in Glacier Park.  (Overnight at Glacier Park)

 

Day 8              Glacier National Park to Seattle

Enjoy your final day relaxing at the Glacier Park Lodge before departing on the Empire Builder for Seattle.  Overnight journey to Seattle with Sleeping car accommodations.  (Overnight on train)

 

Day 9              Arrive in Seattle

“Metronatural” Seattle offers both a thriving urban center and a healthy natural environment.  Your day is at your leisure with admission to and dinner at the Space Needle included.  (Overnight in Seattle)

 

Day 10            Seattle Exploring

Enjoy a hop-on / hop-off tour of Seattle including a 60 minute boat cruise of Seattle Harbor. The tour will stop at many of Seattle's most-visited sites. (Overnight in Seattle)

 

Day 11            Vacation ends in Seattle or Continue to British Columbia. (Victoria & Vancouver)


Map of The Northern Border & Pacific Northwest rail trip Click to Zoom The Map
Not Included:

Sample price does not include transportation to Chicago to start your rail journey.

 

All gratuities onboard the Amtrak trains are NOT included. It is customary to tip your servers in the Dining Car and your sleeping car attendant.

Package Prices Start at:

 

Moderate - $2,299

Deluxe - $2,399

 

*Sample prices are based on our highest demand travel period, per person based on double occupancy, tax included. Amtrak travel is for coach accommodations. Prices are subject to change without notice, and all rates are based upon availability at time of reservation. 

**Unless activity is shown as included, all activities described in this itinerary are for suggestion purposes only. 

***Travel dates and pricing may vary. Pricing is to be used as a reference only. 

Map of The Northern Border & Pacific Northwest rail vacation Click to Zoom The Map
Not Included:

Sample price does not include transportation to Chicago to start your rail journey.

 

All gratuities onboard the Amtrak trains are NOT included. It is customary to tip your servers in the Dining Car and your sleeping car attendant.

  • Essex Inn Chicago

    After an exciting day in this vibrant city, the rooms and suites at the Essex Inn provide the comfort and relaxation you'll need to unwind and rev up for another day! | More

  • Allegro Hotel Chicago

    Welcome to our Downtown Chicago Hotel near Michigan Avenue. Residentially inspired with a touch of contemporary sophistication, our Chicago hotel welcomes guests with tailored amenities, exemplary service and an experience which embraces the individuality of each guest. | More

  • Palmer House Hilton

    Welcome to The Palmer House®: a Hilton Hotel - an iconic, world-class downtown Chicago hotel and gateway to Chicago's rejuvenated Loop scene. | More

  • Conrad Hotel Chicago

    Welcome to our Downtown Chicago Hotel near Michigan Avenue. Residentially inspired with a touch of contemporary sophistication, our Chicago hotel welcomes guests with tailored amenities, exemplary service and an experience which embraces the individuality of each guest. | More

  • Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza Hotel

    Located in the center of downtown Chicago’s exciting River North area and minutes from the Loop – the New Chicago – the contemporary Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza offers exceptional views of the Chicago River and the Chicago skyline. | More

  • Hilton Chicago

    Hilton Chicago is a landmark downtown pet friendly property located on the "Cultural Michigan Avenue Mile" overlooking Grant Park and Lake Michigan, Millennium Park and Museum Campus. | More

  • Holiday Inn Express Downtown Minneapolis

    Conveniently located in the heart of downtown, the Holiday Inn Express® & Suites Minneapolis - DWTN (CONV CTR) is the closest hotel to the Minneapolis Convention Center. | More

  • Country Inn & Suites at Mall of America

    The Country Inn & Suites at Mall of America takes environment to heart and is pleased to announce that our hotel has achieved a 4 Green Key rating on a scale of 1-5 through the Green Key Eco-Rating Program. | More

  • Many Glacier Hotel

    Many Glacier Hotel is located in the northeastern part of Glacier National Park on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake. | More

  • Glacier Park Lodge

    Glacier Park Lodge was built almost a century ago by the Great Northern Railway. Situated on the Blackfeet Reservation, the hotel site was purchased from the Piegan, a tribe of the Blackfeet Nation. | More

  • Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge - Whitefish, MT

    Choose this comfortable and luxurious hotel in Whitefish near many of northern Montana's great outdoor attractions. | More

  • Prince of Wales Hotel

    The Prince of Wales Hotel was built as an extension to the chain of hotels and chalets built and operated by the Great Northern Railway in Glacier National Park, Montana. | More

  • Grouse Mountain Lodge - Whitefish, MT

    Grouse Mountain Lodge is ideally located in beautiful Whitefish, Montana, minutes from Whitefish Mountain Resort, as well as Glacier National Park. | More

  • Fairmont Olympic Seattle

    The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle has been a landmark in the Seattle area since its opening in 1924. | More

  • Crowne Plaza Hotel Seattle

    The Crowne Plaza Hotel - Seattle offers a superb location in Downtown Seattle, close to everything great in the Pacific Northwest. | More

  • Warwick Hotel

    Warwick Seattle is an elegant hotel located in downtown Seattle and within walking distance to most Seattle attractions such as the Seattle Center, home of the Seattle Space Needle, Experience Music Project, Seattle Opera, Pike Place Market and world-class shopping. | More

  • Quality Inn & Suites Downtown Seattle Center

    This downtown Seattle Center Hotel is undoubtedly one of the area's favorites, offering the finest amenities at truly affordable rates for your travel, whether for business or pleasure. | More

Sleeping & Seating

Sleeping Accommodations

Amtrak trains traveling on long-distance routes typically use either two-level Superliner or one-level Viewliner train car equipment, each of which include bedrooms arranged in various configurations and private and public bathrooms and showers.

Superliner

To learn more about Superliner room amenities and to view room schematics and QuickTime Virtual Tours, click on the links associated with each bedroom type below. Or launch the 3D tour to interactively explore the rooms in greater detail.

 

Superliner 3D Tour

 

Viewliner

To learn more about Viewliner room amenities and to view room schematics and QuickTime Virtual Tours, click on the links associated with each bedroom type below. Or launch the 3D tour to interactively explore the rooms in greater detail.

Viewliner 3D Tour

 

Seating Accommodations

The availability of these options varies depending on your route and the kind of train equipment in use.

Coach Class

Coach class seats are available on all Amtrak trains except Acela Express trains.

On most long-distance trains, we provide extra-spacious Coach Class seating with leg rests designed to enhance your comfort for long or overnight trips.