Amtrack Honeymoon

mcrystaldaniel

We wanted to get away for a bit, but didn't want to drive or fly, so we decided to take thie train! At the moment we are trying to decide between going to Santa Fe, Glacier National park, or New Orleans. We are both history and nature buffs, and wanted to visit a place that would pander to that.

Taking the train will let us enjoy the scenery on our way, without the exhaustion and expense of driving or flying. The vacations are mostly inclusive as well, which is nice.

http://www.amtrak.com/all-inclusive-train-vacation-packages

What do you think?

JadziaDax

I've taken Amtrak a few times for work and I really hated it. I just couldn't wait to get to my destination. Have you taken it before or will this be your first time?

mcrystaldaniel

We've traveled before going from Alabama to New Orleans. We didn't find it to be terrible, but I would imagine that the commuter trains would be different than ones designed for long distances.

freebread03

Ditto, I love Amtrak. I've never done an Amtrak vacation or anything but the seats are so big and I feel like I have so much more flexibility on a train rather than a plane. When we use the train in Romania last year I loved watching the scenery, so I imagine it would be the same experience. Just make sure to consider the time to your destinationa long ride anywhere can kind of suck, so having points where you get off and stay the night or spend an afternoon might be a good idea.

mcrystaldaniel

We are having an autumn wedding, but are putting off the honey moon until the next spring or summer, because, well most places are unpleasant in the fall/winter. Glacier is our first pick, it's nice to know that others have enjoyed it. Plans of course are always changing, this was just an idea that crossed our minds. I'm glad to know that others have had a positive experiance with Amtrack.

hoffse

Yeah... New Orleans caters more toward booze than nature.  Just saying.  It's my favorite city in the US hands down, so I'm not knocking it, but it is very very very different from Glacier Park.  There is some neat history there, but it's more slanted toward architecture, music, and food.  It's not exactly Williamsburg, you know?  Given your interests, I would save New Orleans for a different trip.

AdeleDazeem

I've taken Amtrak up and down the Northeast Corridor for years - from Boston to NYC to Philadelphia.  I've taken both Acela and local trains.  I once slept in an Amtrak train while it sat in NYC's Penn Station over night - me and everyone else!

Perhaps because I've commuted regularly in all those above cities, I've found Amtrak to be quite nice and clean.  The conductors came through on my overnight trains to gently wake people up if their destination was next.  There's a food car that even sells alcohol (wine and beer - score!).  It gets you where you need to go but it takes a bit longer (in theory) than a plane.  I say "in theory" because by the time you get to the airport, get through security, wait, get on the plane, deal with delays, etc... it sometimes takes just as long, but it really depends on where you're going.

If you enjoy watching the scenery as you get somewhere, then I think you will enjoy your Amtrak vacation. 

A lot of people knock Amtrak.  Granted, I've only been on the busiest routes, but I don't think they should.  Trains aren't held in high regard in the US so they aren't the awesome systems of Europe, but I think they're doing an okay job here.  I wish Amtrak was more extensive and made more money so the ticket prices would go down.  I'd take it all over the east cost.

Xstatic3333

Cool idea! I took Amtrak cross country on the southwest route as a kid. Trains west of Chicago were spacious and comfortable. A word of advice about Glacier though. We were looking into national parks for our August HM and found most lodges nearby booked up around a year in advance. Book early for the summer!

KatWAG

This reminds me of the sex and the city episode where Carrie and Samantha take the train to San fran and are basically sleeping and showering on top of each other.

It doesnt scream romantic honeymmon trip to me.

mcrystaldaniel

Well, I suppose it depnds on your idea of romance...I won't complain about a three day train ride on top pf my husband :P