Travel across the Northern Prairies aboard Amtrak's storied Empire Builder en route to much-loved Glacier National Park.

Board Amtrak's Empire Builder at Chicago's historic Union Station early this afternoon. Settle into your onboard accommodations and prepare for the iconic train's afternoon departure. Chat with fellow travelers, read, or listen to music as the train begins its storied journey northwest following a trail once taken by America's pioneers. Overnight train.

You have all day to relax aboard the train. Make sure to visit the Sightseer Lounge car for impressive views of the passing scenery. Arrive in East Glacier Park in the evening. Glacier National Park spans more than 1.2 million acres of lakes and waterfalls, dramatic peaks and breathtaking ice-carved terrain. Overnight Glacier Park Lodge.

Today's comprehensive sightseeing excursion begins with a drive over Marias Pass followed by fauna-spotting at Goat Lick and a visit to the Izaak Walton Inn. Continue through rich forests to Lake McDonald Lodge followed by a journey along the Going-to-the-Sun Road in the Red Jammer Buses and into the St. Mary Valley. Overnight Glacier Park Lodge.

*Subject to change based on seasonal road closures

Transfer on your own to the Amtrak station to board the morning departure for the Empire Builder eastbound to Chicago. Spend the day recounting your adventures in one of America's most popular National Park's with your traveling companions and take note of the Northern Prairies through which you're currently traveling. Overnight train.

The train rolls through Minnesota, Wisconsin and into the Windy City for a afternoon arrival at Union Station, where your Glacier Park Escape comes to an end. You may wish to extend your stay with a post-night hotel stay in the cosmopolitan City by the Lake.

Amtrak accommodations are available in Coach class, Roomette, and Bedroom.

Coach accommodations include a reclining seat with leg rest.

Roomette accommodations include a private cabin featuring two comfortable seats beside a picture window during the day, converting to an upper and lower berth at night.

Bedroom accommodations feature a sofa and chair by day, and upper and lower berth by night. Bedroom accommodations also include a sink and self-enclosed toilet and shower.
All travelers have access to the Sightseer Lounge. 

Roomette and Bedroom accommodations include all meals aboard the train. Sleeping car passengers aboard the  Southwest Chief enjoy meals in the train's Dining car. New contemporary and fresh dining choices replace traditional dining car service on the  Capitol Limited. Sleeping car passengers may elect to have a chilled prepared meal selection delivered to your Roomette or Bedroom or enjoy meals in a private cafe or lounge car. 

This vacation can be booked online for departures from the following Amtrak stations: Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit, Milwaukee, and St. Paul/Minneapolis. For other departure cities, please select the Chicago location, and a rail specialist will contact you within 48 hours with a package customized with a departure from your most convenient Amtrak station.

Amtrak's Empire Builder follows a 2,200-mile route connecting Chicago, IL, and Seattle, WA, or Portland, OR. This iconic journey highlights America's cityscapes and natural beauty as it follows a pioneer route through the Northern Prairies. While the scenery is spectacular throughout, one of the most impressive portions comes as the Empire Builder passes by Glacier National Park. 

Situated at the southeast corner of Glacier National Park, Glacier Park Lodge was the first hotel built by the Great Northern Railway. It's been the first stop on visitors' Glacier vacations for decades. Inside the historic hotel, Douglas Fir logs tower over the lobby, a fire crackles in the stone fireplace and guests gather to share stories of the day's adventures. Instead of television, you'll find beautiful mountain views and instead of air conditioning you'll breathe fresh Montana mountain air. Glacier Park Lodge is the perfect place to unplug and immerse yourself in Glacier National Park. 

• Upgrade your accommodations or class of service on the train
• Upgrade your room category at select hotels
• Add private transfers

Many of our guests choose to spend additional nights before or after their trip. Vacations By Rail would be happy to make hotel arrangements for you.

Vacations By Rail can supply connecting rail from your closest Amtrak Station.