As you have heard me say before, I love trains. I love purple amd llamas too, but those topics are for another time. I seek out train rides as often as I can.
This past August, I was looking to add another trip to the schedule. We had just come back from Austin, Tx and I realized I didnt have my next trip planned I like to make sure I keep some travel trips on the books at all times. Read How-i-travel-365-a-year to find out why! There really are benefits to planning your next adventure.
I had seen a sale on Amtrak Roomettes, so I decided to schedule a train ride. Amtrak happens to run several routes right through downtown Denver. I decide to book a weekend trip to Chicago via train.
We booked the Zephyr that runs between Denver Union station and Chicago Union station. This is a 20 hr ride through the heartland. This train leaves Denver at 7pm and arrives in Chi town around 3pm the next day. Yes, thats right, overnight train ride. If you have never been rocked to sleep by the rhythmic clacking of the tracks, well you dont know what you are missing.
We decided to ride the train to Chicago purely for the experience, stay the weekend in Chicago and then fly back. The sleeper car is small, basically two wide seats that look out large windows. These fold into lie-flat seats for bedtime. The train has washrooms for brushing teeth and such in each sleeper car and full showers in the floor below.
All meals are included with the Roomettes so you get to enjoy full service in the dining cars. The food isnt bad but it is train food. It is family style seating so you are usually paired with another couple, which is great to meet fellow travelers and share your stories. And in the ride to Chicago, I even scored a family secret recipe for apple butter from Geraldine from Chicago.
There is also an observation deck with big loungy chairs and full sky to floor windows for taking in beautiful views.
The train has power outlets and wifi throughout the train. But the best part is that when we get on the train, we seem to transport magically to a finer time, feels like a different era. We forget about our phones for a while and just stare out the windows at the scenery for hours. We play cards and just talk. It really is magical.
For more train adventures, check out :Royal-Gorge-Railway and Starlight Coast (coming soon!)
What magical experiences have you encountered lately?
If you have a favorite train ride story, I’d love to hear it.
~Prosperity Passenger
I have always wondered what traveling by train would be like. Now I am wanting to take a train ride myself! Thank you so much for such an in-depth description of what it is like. This is definitely something my husband and I need to try.
Thanks Erica! I hope you do try it. We really enjoy it!
Great post! Thanks for posting such a nice information. It is great to come across a blog similar to this once in a while.