Whether you want to surprise a loved one or you need to give out cards for a whole class (parents, we’re talking to you!),  you’ll stop everyone in their tracks (pun intended).

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Explore fall views from the East Coast to the Midwest on the Cardinal

With tracks in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains, the Cardinal takes passengers through an array of fall colors. Hop on the Capitol Limited for views on a similar route!

Cowboy country meets autumn on the Heartland Flyer

Take a ride through the wild west and take in seasonal views from Fort Worth to Oklahoma City on the Heartland Flyer.

Catch the best views of New England on the Vermonter

As its name suggests, the Vermonter takes riders through maple country in the heart of New England. Find similar views on the Ethan Allen Express, Adirondack, and Maple Leaf routes in the same region!

Find the true meaning of fall in New York with the Empire Service

In the city, there aren’t many signs of fall. With service from New York to Niagara Falls, there is no better way to adventure out of the everyday gridlock than with our Empire Service!

Experience fall in the South on the Silver Service

With a route from New York to Miami, the Silver Service will take you through the best views in the South!

The post Amtrak’s Top Train Rides to See Fall Foliage appeared first on Amtrak.

Our new Acela train interiors will provide world-class accommodations and amenities, along with a smoother and even more comfortable ride.

Each electric trainset will offer more seating capacity with 378 seats to offer the spacious, high-end comfort our customers expect. The new trains will provide travelers with world-class accommodations and amenities.

Follow along for a look into those amenities on our next high-speed fleet!

Café Car

Updated Café Car will offer customers convenient access for grab-and-go and a greater selection.

The Café Car features a nest area, with standing room and hip rests. Digital screens throughout the café car provide useful, and state-of-the-art information to customers.

A behind-the-scenes view of the food and beverage prep area.

First Class

The First-Class car features larger seats with more space and extra legroom.

Each seatback is equipped with dual tray tables providing customers with a large and small table option.

Special features also include personal outlets, USB ports and adjustable reading lights at every seat.

Business Class

Each train will have 25% more seats, with spacious, high-end comfort customers expect, including personal outlets, USB ports and adjustable reading lights at every seat.

The new Acela trainset interiors will feature winged headrests and spacious and smooth leather seats, constructed from recycled leather.

Restrooms

The updated bathrooms offer an automatic door, touchless features throughout, and are spacious and fully-ADA compliant with a 60-inch diameter turning radius. Changing tables are another new addition, making diaper-changing easy for parents on the go.

Engineering Cab

The engineer’s cab is the nucleus of the train. New Acelas will feature enhanced “tilting technology,” which will allow trains to travel at higher speeds even along curves.

The trainsets are being manufactured at Alstom’s Hornell and Rochester, N.Y., facilities, creating 400 local jobs.  Additionally, parts for the new trainsets will come from more than 250 suppliers in more than 27 states, generating an additional 1,300 jobs across the country.

The first prototypes will be ready later this year, with the first train entering service in 2021!

The post Amtrak’s New Acela Fleet Interiors appeared first on Amtrak.

Check out our discounts and deals to start planning your trip today!

Amtrak’s Share Fares are the perfect way to get around with friends and family! The newly expanded program offers up to 45% savings for 6 passengers. You can now use these discounted fares on the North East Regional through Virginia and on the Auto Train!

Broadway in Bryant Park: New York, NY

This summer, Broadway’s greatest companies are taking their performances to Bryant Park! Broadway in Bryant Park brings the best numbers to you for a free afternoon performance. Make your way to the park on August 15th to hear select numbers from Mean Girls, Tootsie and more.
Routes: Acela, Northeast Regional, Keystone and 11 others!

17th Street Festival: Washington, DC

Just outside of Dupont Circle, Washington’s 17th Street Festival brings restaurants and businesses together to celebrate the neighborhood. Stop by this event on August 24th to experience DC through the eyes of a local, discovering the district’s artists and makers along the way.
Routes: Acela, Northeast Regional and 12 others!

Echo Park Rising: Los Angeles, CA

Artists and musicians native to the Los Angeles area are coming together from August 15th to the 18th for the ninth annual Echo Park Rising. Head to Echo Park for a weekend of free music and entertainment!
Routes: Coast Starlight, Pacific Surfliner, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle

Portland Hot Sauce Expo: Portland, OR

Food festivals have been all the rage this summer, and Portland is bringing you one of the spiciest. The PDX Hot Sauce Expo will be held on August 17th and 18th, where you’ll  find hot sauce tastings and themed cocktails!
Routes: Coast Starlight, Cascades and Empire Builder

Festival of Nations: St. Louis, MO

On August 24th and 25th, Tower Grove Park will host The International Institute’s Festival of Nations. This weekend-long celebration will bring cultures from all over the world together, with food, music, and dance!
Routes: Texas Eagle and Missouri River Runner

The post August’s Top Free or Low-Cost Events Across the Country appeared first on Amtrak.

Photo by Patrick Kidd

Starting in Chicago, take the train through South Bend, Indiana, to Cleveland, Ohio. While there, visit The Cleveland Museum of Art or the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. After taking in views of Lake Erie, Amtrak will take you through New York, where you’ll find yourself in Buffalo, Syracuse, and Albany.

From Albany, travel through the Berkshires and stop in Pittsfield, where you can tour the house where Herman Melville wrote Moby Dick. Continue to Boston, where you can make connections to Providence and Mystic Seaport on the Northeast Regional service.

In Albany, you’ll also be able to travel South through New York, to Penn Station in New York City. Amtrak’s busiest station will connect you to the largest city and cultural hub in the nation!

Along the way…

Discover the Great Lakes and Finger Lakes, rivers and mountains, big cities and college towns. Explore history and industry, lighthouses and the locks of the iconic Erie Canal. Glide past New England steeples and beneath the spires of modern-day skyscrapers. Celebrate the rich culture and contributions of the great Iroquois Nation and sip on the region’s award-winning chardonnays and cabernets.

Lake Shore Limited, Photo by Ryan Parent

The post Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited Train appeared first on Amtrak.

Midwest: Central BBQ

There is no shortage of barbecue in our Midwest region! Take the train to Memphis, TN, where you’ll find Central BBQ. The restaurant claims “smoke is our sauce,” serving meats that are smoked with hickory and pecan woods. Make your way to Central Station to check out this award-winning BBQ spot!
Route: City of New Orleans

West: Louie Mueller Barbecue

How could we write about BBQ and not include Texas? Located just outside of Austin, Louie Mueller Barbecue serves some of the best BBQ that the Western region has to offer! This family-owned restaurant has been in operation since 1949, and you can find it just steps from the station in Taylor, TX.
Route: Texas Eagle

IG: @mattsbbqpdx

North West: Matt’s BBQ

Located in the heart of Portland, OR, Matt’s BBQ has made a name for itself by fueling the region with Texas-style barbecue. Their camper-like food truck is sure to impress the pickiest eater. Head to Union Station and make your way across the Willamette River to see for yourself!
Routes: Coast Starlight, Cascades and Empire Builder

North East: Sweet Cheeks Q

Sweet Cheeks Q brings southern style barbecue to Boston proper, with pork ribs, fried okra and more! Top Chef finalist, Tiffani Faison, serves an award-winning menu that you won’t want to miss. Take a short walk from the Back Bay Station in Boston, MA, to experience some of the best BBQ in the North East.
Routes: Acela, Northeast Regional, Downeaster and the Lake Shore Limited

South: Midwood Smokehouse

In the South, there is no shortage of BBQ! Head over to the Carolinas and you’ll find Midwood Smokehouse. The restaurant serves a fusion of barbecue styles at five locations in North and South Carolina. Head to the Charlotte, NC station and you’ll find their original location on Central Avenue!
Route: Carolinian and Crescent

IG: @midwoodsmokehouse

California: Ugly Drum

We’ve all had pastrami at the local deli. But have you tried pit-smoked pastrami? Ugly Drum serves just that and has made a name for itself in doing so! Take the train to LAX Union Station to try this one of a kind dish.
Routes: Coast Starlight, Pacific Surfliner, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle

Photo by Anne Fishbein

Getting to the nation’s best BBQ spots doesn’t have to be difficult! Check out Amtrak’s discounts and deals to make your trip easier.

The post America’s Best Barbecue Spots via Amtrak appeared first on Amtrak.

It’s made up of a national rail system that connects 46 states and more than 500 destinations. We’ve grown in some places, but in many ways, our network has remained largely unchanged since Amtrak was created in 1971.

At nearly 50 years old, it’s a pivotal time to assess the future of intercity passenger rail and Amtrak’s network for the next 50 years.

See, a lot has changed in 50 years:

• We’ve ditched 8 track tapes for streaming;
• Traded CB radios for cell phones;
• And swapped bell bottoms for skinny jeans.

The world has changed a lot. Shouldn’t our rail service?

We sure think so, and with an estimated 100 million more people living in the U.S. by 2050, we must get started quickly. If you think congestion on our nation’s highways and long waits at the airport are a problem today, well…you get the picture.

Amtrak and intercity passenger rail can help improve travel all across America, but it will require us to rethink how we serve our national network.

Demand for intercity rail travel has never been higher: More than 30 million riders have chosen Amtrak for the last seven years straight, and our ticket revenue is at all-time record levels. Most of this growth comes from shorter-distance travel between cities—what we call “corridor service”—where the speed, convenience, reliability and comfort of rail travel makes Amtrak competitive with other options.

In fact, nearly 83% of riders use our services to travel under 250 miles. We see a huge opportunity to better serve the corridors that already exist along today’s long distance routes with trains that are:

• More conveniently-timed;
• More frequent;
• And overall faster.

How can Amtrak continue its successful trajectory of growth?

We need to add services in the regions, cities and towns across the nation where other transportation options are constrained and we can provide a competitive service. Today, Amtrak may only stop in your city or town once a day and maybe in the middle of night. Or, perhaps you are one of the millions of Americans that lives in a major city where Amtrak service doesn’t exist at all?

In 2020, Congress is scheduled to develop and vote on Amtrak’s reauthorization, which will establish the Federal policies, funding recommendations and other aspects of what Amtrak does for the nation. These decisions will guide the United States’ investment in intercity passenger rail for decades to come.

That’s why we are busy working on our vision for the future, so we can let Congress know how we think Amtrak can do even more for America.

The post Passenger Rail in 2050—With 2020 Vision appeared first on Amtrak.

Check out our discounts and deals to make getting there easier!

Picklesburgh: Pittsburgh, PA

From July 26-28th, the Roberto Clemente Bridge and Ft. Duquesne Boulevard will be transformed into a food festival celebrating everything pickled! Picklesburgh takes over Pittsburgh with a flying pickle and culinary dishes from all over the world. Stop by this event for a weekend of local music, competitions, cooking classes and more!
Routes: Capitol Limited and Pennsylvanian 

City of Water Day: New York, NY

The Waterfront Alliance in New York is holding its 12th annual City of Water Day on July 13th. Head to Piers 16 and 17 in the Seaport District, where you can learn about protecting New York’s waterfront and natural resources. While you’re there, enjoy water-themed activities and meet local marine life!
Routes: Acela, Northeast Regional, Keystone and 11 others!

Jazz in the Park: Boston, MA

The North End Music & Performing Arts Center is bringing a series of jazz concerts to Boston. Jazz in the Park will take place throughout the month in North End Greenway Park, with the first concert on July 9th. While visiting, enjoy views of the city skyline while listening to all types of jazz! Check out the line-up for the month to get a view of the performers.
Routes: Acela, Northeast Regional, Downeaster and the Lake Shore Limited

Cathedral Park Jazz Festival: Portland, OR

The Jazz Society of Oregon is hosting the 39th annual Cathedral Park Jazz Festival July 19-21st. Set underneath the St. Johns Bridge, this festival unites the Portland community through music, featuring local jazz and blues musicians. Plan on packing a blanket for one of the best picnics in the region!
Routes: Coast Starlight, Cascades and Empire Builder

Truckeroo: Washington, D.C.

Every summer, The Bullpen hosts some of the D.C. Metro Area’s best food trucks for Truckeroo, a monthly food festival. This month, Truckeroo lands on July 19th! Check out the list of participating trucks to plan ahead.
Routes: Acela, Northeast Regional and 12 others!

Alternatives Bluegrass and Blues: Richmond, VA

Take advantage of our new Share Fares and gather the crew for the AlternNatives Bluegrass and Brews Festival in Richmond! The music festival will be fundraising for the Highland Support Project to raise awareness for the mountain regions across the country. The event will be filled with music, craft beer and cuisine, all local to Virginia!
Routes: Northeast Regional, Carolinian and Silver Service

Check out our previous blog post, June’s Top Free or Low-Cost Events in D.C., NYC and PHL, to see additional events you can still experience in the month of May!

The post July’s Top Free or Low-Cost Events Across the Country appeared first on Amtrak.

And don’t forget! With our new Share Fares the whole family can tag along!

Washington, DC

Discover our nation’s history by visiting the National Mall and exploring everything the city has to offer. While you’re there, stick around into the evening for fireworks overlooking the monuments. 
Routes: Acela, Northeast Regional and 12 others!

New York, NY

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks returns to the Brooklyn Bridge this year to showcase one the biggest light shows in the country.
Routes: Acela, Northeast Regional, Keystone and 11 others!

Atlanta, GA

Relive the 1996 Summer Olympics this Independence Day by celebrating at Centennial Park with fireworks in the heart of Atlanta.
Route: Crescent 

St. Louis, MO

Celebrate at Fair Saint Louis with a lineup of performances, air shows, and fireworks under the Gateway Arch!
Routes: Texas Eagle and Missouri River Runner

New Orleans, LA

Go 4th on the River presents fireworks on the Mississippi River, which can be viewed from the French Quarter!
Routes: City of New Orleans, Crescent and the Sunset Limited 

Boston, MA

Catch a free concert at the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular and view their 23-minute light show over the Charles River.
Routes: Acela, Northeast Regional, Downeaster and the Lake Shore Limited

Seattle, WA

Seafair Summer Fourth provides one of the best celebrations in the Pacific Northwest! Head to Gas Works Park for a day activities and fireworks over Lake Union.
Routes: Amtrak Cascades, Coast Starlight and the Empire Builder

Philadelphia, PA

Celebrate in America’s birthplace at the Wawa Welcome America concert and fireworks over the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Routes: Acela, Northeast Regional, Keystone and 9 others!

The post The Best 4th of July Fireworks Around the Country via Amtrak appeared first on Amtrak.

Florida
Forget what you’ve heard, Disney World isn’t just for the kiddies. Mickey and friends have some thrill seeker rolling through their veins too. If you live in the Northeast, just hop on our Auto Train or our Silver Service, head south and before you know it, you’ll be enjoying all Orlando has to offer.

Ohio
As the second oldest amusement park in the U.S., Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH is a must see for any true adventure junkie out there. Roller coasters with views of Lake Erie, a water park for the wave-friendly members of your group and two Amtrak routes that can take you there – Capitol Limited and Lake Shore Limited for those staying on track (get on track?).

Wisconsin
Let’s head to Wisconsin Dells for a weekend of waves at America’s largest waterpark, Noah’s Ark. Our Empire Builder can be your ride before the thrills, drops, and spins at the park. If you’re into epic water slides and lazy rivers, pack two towels because the forecast for that weekend is definitely wet and wild.

California
Looking for a park jam-packed with heart-pounding adventure? Look no further than Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles. With over 15 thrill rides in one park, getting an adrenaline rush is almost a guarantee.  Lucky for you, we have five routes that can get you to your day of flips and turns.

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