Day 1: Chicago to Minnesota
June 3, 2024
States traveled through so far
- Illinois NEW
- Wisconsin NEW
- Minnesota NEW
Route day 1 from Chicago to North Dakota.
Depart Chicago @ 3:05pm
I’m back on the Amtrak and I couldn’t be happier!
It’s been almost three years since I’ve done a long-distance Amtrak ride. My first route, in 2021, was from Chicago to Seattle, with stops in Minneapolis/St. Paul and Glacier National Park.
But this trip is not that.
This time, I am going non-stop to Seattle from Chicago.
It is a 47-hour trip that is basically non-stop except for the occasional passenger pickup/drop-off and refueling.
Not only am I going non-stop to Seattle, but I am also traveling with my dad in a roomette. This means that we can actually lie down to get some sleep, eat proper meals, and have some level of privacy compared to the regular coach seats.
I’ve done overnight coach before, and it’s not something I would do again if I didn’t have to. We are barely 5 hours in and I can already tell what an upgrade having our private space is.
Dinner: 7:30pm
For dinner, my dad and I are paired with two random people. One of them seems to be an Amtrak veteran.
His advice:
- Expect delays — long delays.
- Order french toast for breakfast and the flat iron steak for dinner.
- Listen to the observation talks.
Dinner menu
- Spring salad
- Flat iron steak
- Cheesecake
- White wine
9:30pm — 6 hours in
It’s pitch black now. I’m in the observation car. It’s quiet. Magical.
Time in motion is something else. Whether flying or cruising at 79 mph, hours fill themselves with thought — and I think that’s a good thing.
Goodnight for now. I’ll write back tomorrow 👋
Day 2: Minnesota to Montana
June 4, 2024
States traveled through so far
- Illinois
- Wisconsin
- Minnesota
- North Dakota NEW
- Montana NEW
1:13pm
After falling asleep around 2am, I got about five and a half hours of decent sleep.
Breakfast
- Coffee and orange juice
- French toast with maple syrup and strawberries
- Sausage links
The dining car food is miles ahead of the snack bar.
10am — Minot break
A half-hour stretch, smoke, and refuel stop. I went for a short run and grabbed coffee from a trailer shop near the platform.
Fresh air makes all the difference.
6:03pm — Montana
The mountains are upon us.
We cross from Central to Mountain Time, and Glacier National Park begins to reveal itself.
7pm — Dinner & delays
Tornadoes. Signal malfunctions. High winds. We’re now 3.5 hours behind schedule.
The train stops. The lights go out.
“Well, that’s not good.”
Eventually, the lights return. No answers yet.
Train people
Someone explains the idea of “train people” — people who make train travel their personality.
I kinda like that.
9:34pm MT
Still light outside. Racing the sun.
This is the home stretch.
Day 3: Montana to Seattle
June 5, 2024
States traveled through so far
- Illinois
- Wisconsin
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- Montana
- Idaho NEW
- Washington NEW
We finally arrive at King Street Station.
Sunny. 70s. Perfect.
Thoughts on Amtrak’s Empire Builder
- Get a sleeper car if you can.
- Expect delays.
- Enjoy the journey.
- Talk to people.
- The shower is fine.
- The observation car is elite.
Ratings
- Sleeper car: ⭐⭐⭐½
- Coach seat: ⭐⭐½
Day 4: Seattle
June 6, 2024
Today was quiet but meaningful.
I met a family member who spoke only Korean. We didn’t share words — but we didn’t need to.
Some connections exist beyond language.
Dad and me in Seattle.
Day 5: Seattle
June 7, 2024
Pike Place Market. Crowded. Hot. Worth it.
Dinner at Din Tai Fung — dumplings on dumplings.
Fun fact:
Pickleball was invented in Washington in 1965.
Days 6–13: Cruise Days
June 8–13, 2024
Internet was limited, days blended together.
Route
- Seattle → Juneau
- Juneau → Icy Strait
- Icy Strait → Sitka
- Sitka → Ketchikan
- Ketchikan → Victoria, BC
- Victoria → Seattle
Seasickness
Running on a rocking treadmill is… not recommended.
Motion sickness pills saved me.
Native Americans in Alaska — The Tlingit
Totem poles. Symmetry. Craft before machines.
Art wasn’t separate from life — it was life.
Glacier Bay National Park
Whales. Otters. Tidewater glaciers.
“I’ll be back and be up close.”
Cruise reflections
Unique, but limiting
A floating hotel. Comfortable. Controlled. Brief glimpses.
Great staff
Many from Southeast Asia — hardworking, kind, exceptional.
Food
Too good. Too much.
I gained weight. No regrets.
Day 13: Going Home
June 13, 2024
Everything ends.
Two weeks pass. We board the plane. We’re home again.
If you made it this far — thanks for reading.
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