The Empire Builder is a daily service offered by Amtrak that travels for 46 hours and makes stops in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
Ride the rails between the Pacific Northwest and Chicago on one of Amtrak's most gorgeous routes: the Empire Builder. This will allow you to take in some of the most undervalued natural wonders in the United States while also embracing the concept of slow travel.
There are daily departures in both directions for the long-haul travel that lasts for 46 hours. While travelling in an easterly direction, the journey often begins at either the King Street Station in Seattle or the Union Station in Portland, Oregon. The two branches come together in Spokane, and from there they proceed to Union Station in Chicago. It goes without saying that travellers are not forced to make the entire journey and that they are free to plan journeys between any of the dozens of stops that are located along the route.
The Empire Builder travels from Oregon or Washington via Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin on its route to Illinois. During the way, it travels through the states that are the most northern in both the west and the midwest of the United States. It is the fact that passengers are entirely submerged in the unspoiled landscape of some of the most breathtaking natural beauties the country has to offer, especially in some distant locations that would ordinarily be more difficult to access, that makes the train journey so alluring.
Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari told Travel + Leisure that some of his favourite parts of the journey include travelling with the Puget Sound on the left side of the train and climbing up and into the Cascade Mountains. "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 We continue with Glacier National Park on our left and the Flathead National Forest on our right. There is a monument at Marias Pass, which is located at an elevation of 5,216 feet and is surrounded by mountains and wildlife.
Because it was designed as a tourist attraction by the same people who built the Great Northern Railway, the Empire Builder is really one of the most convenient ways to get to Glacier National Park. The train makes three stops in the region while it is operating during the peak season.
Particularly noteworthy is the station at Whitefish, Montana, which is located in the state of Montana. "Not only is it a popular ski, bed and breakfast, and lodge destination, but it also houses the Stumptown Historical Society and Museum," he added. "Stepdown" was an early name for Whitefish. Another attraction is the West Glacier station, from which tourists can drive around three hours into Canada to reach the Waterton Glacier International Peace Park if they are interested in continuing their trip further north.
"Another picturesque highlight comes on the last day of our eastbound travel, where the route follows the Mississippi River between St. Paul, Minnesota, and La Crosse, Wisconsin, with the river on the left," Magliari said. "This is one of the most beautiful stretches of our journey thus far." In addition to this, he mentioned how the stations in St. Paul and Chicago itself function as some of the most significant monuments in both cities.
There are six different lodgings that passengers can choose from on the voyage from Portland to Chicago, which is 2,255 miles long, or the travel between Chicago and Seattle, which is 2,205 miles long. Those who value their privacy and the comfort of their accommodations have the option of selecting a Superliner Roomette. These rooms, which range in length from 6 feet by 6 feet to 6 feet by 8 feet and 3 feet by 6 feet, are designed to accommodate either one or two adults. During the day, the seats in these rooms can be converted into upper and lower beds. In addition, each receives a more modern set of linen, pillows, towels, and sheets, in addition to access to a communal bathroom and shower. A first-class ticket grants access to the lounge, as well as all meals served on board, first-class attendant service, and priority boarding.
The Superliner Bedroom features a length of 7 by 7 feet and a width of 6.5 by 6.5 feet, and it also comes with a private basin, lavatory, and shower. This room can accommodate up to two visitors and provides even more space than the standard bedroom. In addition to that, there is a sofa and a separate chair that can each be converted into a two-tiered bed. The Superliner Bedroom Suite can accommodate up to four people with its two adjoining bedrooms and features double the amenities of the Superliner Family Room, which is designed for two adults and two children. The Superliner Bedroom Suite is ideal for hosting larger gatherings. The Superliner Accessible Bedroom is another option for disabled passengers. This room has a sink and bathrooms that are easily accessible and is 7 by 9.5 feet in length while also being 6.5 by 7 feet in width.
This Underrated Train Is the Most Picturesque Way to See the Mississippi River, Glacier National Park, and the Pacific Northwest https://t.co/CaPSqkWkpe pic.twitter.com/y967TVpUVH
— Travel + Leisure (@TravelLeisure) January 29, 2023
The coach class provides passengers with seats that recline fully and are equipped with tray tables, reading lights, and electrical outlets. Those who would rather have a more conventional train ride can select this option.
Trains travelling in an easterly direction depart Portland and Seattle at 4:55 p.m. Pacific Time (PT), arrive in Spokane, Washington, at 1:15 a.m. PT, and then draw into Chicago in the afternoon of the second day at 4:45 p.m. Central Time (CT). The journey will include a service for supper on the first night, three meals on the full day of travel, and breakfast and lunch on the final day of travel. In the direction of the west, the train leaves Chicago at 3:05 p.m. Central Time (CT), and then leaves Spokane for Portland at 3:54 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) the second morning, arriving at 11:17 a.m. PT, or departs for Seattle at 3:24 a.m. Pacific Time (PT), and arrives at 11:29 a.m. PT, with dinner the first night, three meals the next day, and breakfast the final
Guests staying in the private rooms will have all of their meals included as part of the traditional dining service. These meals will be prepared by a chef and include three-course dinners as well as one alcoholic beverage. These meals can be enjoyed in the Dining Car on white linen tablecloths or in the privacy of your own room via room service. Examples of the morning menu include omelettes and quesadillas, and examples of the lunch menu include burgers, salads, and chilli. As an appetiser, you might have coconut-crusted shrimp or brie-and-raspberry empanadas. For the main course, you could have steak or Atlantic salmon, and for dessert, you could have chocolate toffee mousse or lemon cake. In addition, there is a cafe that serves food from breakfast all the way through the night, including full meals as well as snacks.
In addition, the Empire Builder provides a checked baggage service and a trainside checked bicycle service. Also, the train permits passengers to bring small pets and cats on board, although only for short periods of time. Although there is Wi-Fi, Magliari warns that there may be sections with inconsistent service due to the fact that a significant portion of the route, particularly in Montana and North Dakota, is located a significant distance from the interstate highway; however, there will be service at station stops.
The Empire Builder is one of the most underappreciated long-distance train routes since it offers passengers a diverse selection of culinary options, comfortable lodgings, and a continual palette of American landscapes outside the window. After all, according to Magliari, there is nothing quite like "snuggling in a private room, watching the kilometres go by with true 'purple mountain majesties' in Montana, drinking coffee or another drink after having a meal in the Amtrak dining car." In Montana.