5 Reasons to Ride the Empire Builder

The Empire Builder travels everyday between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest along major portions of the Lewis and Clark trail. If you’re looking for a truly American adventure, the Empire Builder is it!

Still need more convincing? Here are 6 amazing things about the Empire Builder route.

1.Dine in Style in Our Dining Car
Having a great meal on an Amtrak long-distance train is like no other dining you’ve done before. Along with the gorgeous scenery outside your window, we serve breakfast, lunch and dinner on the Empire Builder, and those occasions are a great way to meet your fellow passengers, break up long trips and experience train travel at its best.

2. Meet Amazing People
A trip on the Empire Builder is a great chance to meet new people! For example, just last winter free skiers TJ David, Trent Bona, Caleb Brown, Hayden Price, Whit Boucher and Thayne Rich traveled from Chicago to West Glacier, Mont., on the Empire Builder to ski some of the best terrain in the country. Even more awesome? Their adventure was captured on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #AmtrakSeason for your viewing pleasure.

3. Check Out Portland, Ore.
Named one of Amtrak’s 10 best places to visit in 2014, Portland, Ore., is dotted with tons of sights (big and small) that are within walking distance of the train station! From the  Triple Nickel, a bar in Southeast Portland that has Giant Jenga to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry there’s lots to do in this Northwest city once you arrive refreshed.

4. Book Your Own Room (on a TRAIN!)
Our long-distance coach seats are comfortable recliners that are bigger than our traditional seats, but to experience the Empire Builder right, you’ll want to book a roomette. Think of it as your home away from home on the train. When you book in a sleeper car (instead of Coach) the best perk is you get a dedicated train attendant. It’s similar to room service in a hotel but much, much better and FREE.

5. Instagram-worthy view of the Whitefish, Mont. Station
Even if Whitefish, Mont., isn’t your final destination, you definitely want to check out this unique station (show above). The Great Northern Railway built it in 1928. What makes it so special is it was designed in an Alpine style to look like the resort hotels built by the railroad in nearby Glacier National Park during that same time. Be sure to get your camera ready!

 

Have you ever ridden the Empire Builder before? Tell us your favorite part or share with us on Twitter using the hashtag #EmpireBuilder.