I’ve traveled from Philadelphia to Seattle via Amtrak many times over the past 13 years. I wouldn’t want to go any other way.
My dad used to work for the Santa Fe Railroad and back then it was a great way to travel and see the country. So many perks back then which no longer exist. Miss those days.....
Had to go to a convention in LA in 1997 - also had to burn built-up vacation time. I took the train from DC-Chicago-Seattle-LA [5 days], spent 5 days in LA, went from LA across Southwest to New Orleans [spent a few days there], went from New Orleans-Atlanta-Great Smokies-DC. Took 21 days total ...
Cost me about $2100 total, or $100/day [this included my stays at the hotels in LA and NO]. Had the sleeper car, shower, meals included. PLUS, the scenery - FANTASTIC !!!
HAD A WONDERFUL TIME ...
When I was about 5 (back in the 50's) my entire family took the train from Boston to Miami.My mother wouldn't fly so driving and the train were the only two options.Until the day he died my Dad used to remind me that on that trip I started asking "are we there yet?" when we hit Connecticut! Happy memories!