The Empire Builder

Day 1  Chicago      
Fly to cosmopolitan Chicago. This city offers fantastic shopping on the Magnificent Mile and great views of Lake Michigan from the top of the Hancock Tower.      

Days 2-3  Chicago  
Wander around Millennium Park, home to the Cloud Gate sculpture (commonly known as ‘the Bean’). Perhaps visit the Art Institute of Chicago before taking in a baseball game at Wrigley Field. In the evening, be sure to sample some famous Chicago deep dish pizza and head to a bar to listen to live blues music.      

Days 4-5  Chicago to Seattle    
Board Amtrak’s Empire Builder and settle in to your home for the next two nights, a comfortable Superliner Roomette, and enjoy views of the Mississippi River. Take in the North Dakota Plains and travel over the spectacular Gassman Coulee Trestle, a 550m bridge over the Trestle Valley. Continue into ‘Big Sky Country’, Montana, towards Glacier National Park, home to 2,000 lakes and breathtaking views.    

Days 6-7  Seattle  
At midday arrive into the coastal city of Seattle. Take a ride up the iconic Space Needle for incredible views of Mount Rainier and the Pacific Ocean. Visit historic Pike Place Market and stroll around Kerry Park for stunning skyline vistas.

Day 8  Olympic NP    
Today, join a guided tour of Olympic National Park. Take a ferry across the Puget sound and discover the many different ecosystems of this awe-inspiring national park. Hike through moss draped forests, azure lakes and striking mountains before heading back to Seattle.    

Day 9  Mount Rainier NP    
This morning, join a group tour and experience the natural beauty of majestic Mount Rainier National Park, a short drive from Seattle. Enjoy hiking to waterfalls against the impressive backdrop of the 4,392m volcano. In the summer months see the surrounding meadows come to life with colourful wildflowers.  

Days 10-11  Fly home