Remember Me
forgot your password?

Train Travel: a Family Vacation Adventure

This past Christmas my husband and I took our kids on a ski vacation. But rather than drive through the snow and ice to someplace close or brave the airport to go someplace farther away, we chose to take book an overnight train trip on Amtrak's Empire Builder from Seattle, WA to Whitefish, MT. The skiing was great but I think that the train trip to and from Whitefish was the best part for the kids.

The ticketing and baggage check-in experience for Amtrak is unbelievably simple and easy. No lines, no security hassles, no problems. You could literally arrive minutes before your train leaves the station.

While on board we experienced some of the country's most exciting and colorful sights: the Cascade Mountains. It didn't take us long to get into the mountains were we could enjoy beautiful snow-capped vistas. And we didn't have to drive in the snow or strap chains on the tires.

We banned portable DVD players, Nintendo DS, and iPods from the trip and instead favored the scenic views from the train, books, card games, board games, and good old fashioned conversation. And our ten year old had so much fun that she didn't suffer any technology withdrawal symptoms. And our two and a half year old was so excited to be on a real train (like Thomas the Tank Engine) he was practically beside himself. Movies, games, etc. were in available in the Lounge Car but we chose to quietly relax on our own.

The kids loved the train tunnels! A mile-long tunnel under downtown Seattle leads out from King Street Station. And later on during the trip you pass through the 7.79 mile Cascade Tunnel, bored under Stevens Pass.

The trip from Seattle to Whitefish is a little more than 13 hours. And because departure is in the late afternoon or evening much of the trip is spent sleeping. We reserved a family-sized (sleeps four) room on the Sleeping Car. A friendly, traditionally dressed conductor came by to smile and punch our tickets. The kids thought he looked like the Tom Hanks character for The Polar Express. And a few minutes later the attendant arrived with champagne for the adults and sparkling cider for the kids.

Seating on the train is unbelievably comfortable as compared to airline seating. There is lots of leg room, room for your carry-on baggage, you can reserve a room with your own lavatory, and you can move around as much as you like.

After relaxing for several hours we proceeded to the dining car (dinner included in the fare for sleeper car customers) where we sat in a large, comfortable booth with a white table cloth and candles. The food is not world-class; but, the meal was much better than your typical reheated airline dinner.

Later when we arrived back at our room on the sleeping car the seats had already been converted into bunk beds for us by the attendant. The kids LOVED sleeping on the train. And of course, they loved that the room had bunk beds. I have to say that I didn't sleep as well as I would have in my own bed or in a hotel room but there is something strangely soothing about the rocking motion of the train.

Wake-up calls are available and the attendant will bring the morning paper. The following morning we awoke just in time for a hot breakfast in the dining car before rolling into Whitefish.

The kids loved the trip so much that we have been scouring the map looking for other vacation spots that we can reach by train.

Mischelle Weedman Davis

Mischelle (Schelly) Weedman-Davis is a freelance writer and the client relations manager for the Davis Law Group, a Seattle personal injury law firm. To learn more about Davis Law Group visit http://www.InjuryTrialLawyer.com or http://www.washingtonaccidentbook.com.

Rate this Article: 5 / 5 stars - 2 vote(s)
Print Email Re-Publish


Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/train-travel-a-family-vacation-adventure-297074.html
Add new Comment



Captcha

  • Latest Travel Articles
  • More from Mischelle Weedman Davis

Explore Florida's Long History at the Orange County Regional History Center

By: Mark Whichard | 06/07/2009
Almost everyone who visits Orlando for a vacation will surely go to Disney World, Sea World, Universal and the other well known attractions but fewer will take in the other sites of the city. One of these sites is the Orange Country Regional History Center

British Islands is Your Best Destination

By: TravisOl | 06/07/2009
The Isle of Man, the Isle of Scilly and the Isle of Wight are the best British islands where you can have a great vacation. They can offer all kinds of indoor and outdoor events, entertainments, amusements available for all your journeys a covering, all ages and interests.

Indian Railways : Tourism in India By Trains

By: Ravinder Malik ( SEO Analyst ) @ iXiGO | 06/07/2009
Indian Railways (IR) is a railway company, set-up and owned by the government of India. Established on 16th April in the year 1853, the Indian Railways has since become one of the largest and busiest rail networks in the world.

30 Facts about Canada

By: Javan McCabe | 06/07/2009
1. Canada is the only country in the world which borders three oceans 2. Vancouver is regarded as one of the most livable cities in the world and is rated the tenth cleanest. 3. Yonge Street in Toronto is the longest street in the world and the city's CN Tower used to be the tallest building in the world 4. Canada has more cars per person than any other country in the world 5. The Chateau Frontenac located in the city of Quebec is the most photographed hotel in the world

Pamplona, San Fermin

By: Mariangeles Claros | 06/07/2009
San Fermin celebration is a the biggest event in the north of Spain (Pamplona) that takes place every year on the 6th of July during a whole week. Bulls, champagne, red scarfs and lot of brave people running so that the bulls don“t catch them, these are some of the things one can see on these day in Spain.

Tickets Tickets, Tickets

By: rubina | 06/07/2009
Tickets for concerts, sports and other live performances are very difficult to obtain from the different points made for the same reason. Thus, ticketamerica.com proves eternal remedy such problems, so that diehard fans may enjoy the best of your favorite teams and players

Motels in Beijing - Beijing travel and flights info

By: Shane Lee | 06/07/2009
This article is about the motels in Beijing. You can find some useful Beijing travel and flights information in it if you are booking your China flights now.

Buying tickets through online

By: saher | 06/07/2009
When it comes to buying and selling concert, sports, and even theater tickets on the Internet, most people turn to turn to Stubhub, Ebay, or Craigslist.org. Although all three of these sites have their advantages, the new site on classfied event tickets may offer the best and easiest way to buy and sell your tickets, free ticket Deal type

Caring for your Prom Dress

By: Mischelle Weedman Davis | 11/01/2008 | Home & Family
You want to keep your prom dress or ball gown in good condition especially if you want to resell it later for the best price.

Train Travel: a Family Vacation Adventure

By: Mischelle Weedman Davis | 05/01/2008 | Travel
This past Christmas my husband and I took our kids on a ski vacation. But rather than drive through the snow and ice to someplace close or brave the airport to go someplace farther away, we chose to take book an overnight train trip on Amtrak's Empire Builder from Seattle, WA to Whitefish, MT. The skiing was great but I think that the train trip to and from Whitefish was the best part for the kids.

The Perfect Family Ski Vacation

By: Mischelle Weedman Davis | 04/01/2008 | Travel
In December 2007 our family enjoyed an amazing holiday ski vacation. The trip included an overnight Amtrak train ride from Seattle to Whitefish, MT (just over 13 hours) and five days of skiing at the Whitefish Mountain Resort (formerly known as Big Mountain Resort---not to be confused with Big Sky Resort).

2008 Holiday Season: the Beginning of the End of Wrapping Paper & Holiday Cards

By: Mischelle Weedman Davis | 24/12/2007 | Home & Family
For years our family has been diligent about recycling. But in 2008 we are kicking it up notch. We are eliminating gift wrap and holidays. Yes, I have wrapped my last Christmas gift and sent my last card. Even though we always put used gift wrap and holiday cards in the recycle bin and carefully save bows for future use, it just doesn't seem like enough.

Ten Habits of Highly Famous Thin People

By: Mischelle Weedman Davis | 13/12/2007 | Health
The term "celebrity diet" is used to describe a diet that is supposedly used by or is highly recommended by Hollywood stars, singers, or other celebrities.

How to Start your Own Baby Food Business Part #7: Marketing & Promotion

By: Mischelle Weedman Davis | 27/11/2007 | Business
Marketing is critical to the success of your baby food business. Here are some of the highpoints of the various marketing programs that we used during the initial launch of Sprouts Baby Food Inc. back in early 2006.

How to Start your Own Baby Food Business Part #5: Fresh, Organic, and Local

By: Mischelle Weedman Davis | 26/11/2007 | Business
Of course, you don't have to make fresh, organic, and local underlining values of your baby food business. You may loose potential customers if your food doesn't have at least one of these attributes.

Submit Your Articles Free: Signup


Article Categories




Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.27, 6)