Chicago, New Orleans, Washington DC, New York City

Arrive in the "Second City" and enjoy the sights with a hop-on/hop-off tour of Chicago's top sights and attractions. Tease your taste buds with a five-star meal at one of the many world-class restaurants or try a local favorite, Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. Enjoy a night at the Opera or a Broadway play at one of Chicago's historic theaters. Overnight Chicago.

You have the entire day to explore the city. Visit the museums, stroll along Navy Pier, take a ride down Lake Shore Drive, shop the Magnificent Mile, and experience the art and architecture of the birthplace of the skyscraper. Overnight Chicago.

Take your last day in Chicago to explore new aspects of the city, revisit your favorite sights from your stay, sample delicious cuisine, or shop for souvenirs. This evening transfer on your own to historic Union Station and board Amtrak's City of New Orleans for your southbound journey to the Big Easy. Relax on the train and take in the evening views. Overnight train.

Spend the day enjoying the changing landscape from the train. You are scheduled to arrive in New Orleans mid-afternoon. Make your way to your French Quarter hotel and take the remainder of the day to marvel at the historic architecture, take a stroll down Bourbon Street, or enjoy some Dixieland Jazz. Overnight New Orleans.

• Breakfast, Lunch (sleeping car passengers only)

The day starts with an up-close look at Louisiana's wildlife on a guided boat ride through the swamps and bayous*. Keep an eye out for alligators, raccoons, snakes, turtles and more as you learn about the local Cajun culture and mysteries of the swamps and bayous. This afternoon take a guided walking tour of the French Quarter. Your knowledgeable guide will introduce you to the history, mysteries, and architecture that surround one of America's oldest cities as you stroll through the quaint streets of the French Quarter, the French Market and Jackson Square. Overnight New Orleans.

*Swamp and Bayou tour in New Orleans is seasonal operating from March 1-October 31.

The morning starts off early as you transfer to the train station for you departure on Amtrak's Crescent to Washington, D.C. Rejoice in all of your New Orleans experiences during your full day onboard. Overnight train.

• Lunch, Dinner (Sleeping Car passengers only)

You're scheduled to arrive in the nation's capital mid-morning. You will have the day and night to experience the city. Visit the White House, Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall, the Capitol Building, the Washington Monument, and Lincoln's Memorial among many sights to see in Washington, D.C. Overnight Washington, D.C.

• Breakfast (Sleeping Car passengers only)

Take a trip on the Old Town Trolley and see all of the best sights in the city including a visit to Arlington National Cemetery. Spend the rest of the day admiring the Beaux Arts Architecture of DC and enjoying some of the finest restaurants DC has to offer. Overnight Washington, DC.

Transfer on your own to Union Station for your journey to New York City. Arrive this afternoon at Penn Station. The remainder of your day in the "Big Apple" is yours to take a bicycle ride through Central Park, visit the Museum of Modern Art, or enjoy a musical at the theater. There are so many things to do in New York! Overnight New York City.

Spend the day visiting more than 30 of Manhattan's must-see sights on a Hop On/Hop Off double-decker bus tour. Highlights include Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Greenwich Village, Battery Park and more. Overnight New York City.

Your adventure ends with an independent departure home.