Amtrak
The Amtrak network is split into six regions: California, Midwest, South, Northeast, Northwest and West. It connects over 500 destinations, including big cities like Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Portland, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Washington, D.C. and more.
One time I thought I wanted to arrive in NYC by train from Miami Florida. It's the old romantic movies I had seen creating visions of glamour and excitement as you are welcomed in Penn Station. Even though I was being met by my daughter I anticipated the glamour of arrival. I also remembered my train ride from Florida to New York with my Mother when I was little. I had so much fun and my mother had motion sickness the whole way!
As I should have known a trip of that length would be uncomfortable unless you had a sleeping car. The train was crowded too because I decided to attempt this in July. All the kids were out of school and going to theme parks. The bathroom became filthy in time and the children impatient with the ride. The parents impatient with the children. I sat with my headphones music blasting and looked out the window during daylight hours.
The experience was miserable on the return trip also because I cried all the way back to Florida. I had plenty of time during that train ride to make a decision and a plan to move back to NYC.
The experience is not one I want to repeat. We were held up in Florida by railroad crossings during Florida tropical downpours. In Washington D.C. we were held up by train problems and train traffic trying to get in and out. When I finally arrived my daughter greeted me with a look of chagrin because she couldn't find me. This was pre cell phones. By the time I arrived I was traveling a full 24 hours at least. From then on I took a plane!
I'm not saying I wouldn't try one of their travel packages for a short excursion. I do think car travel is still my favorite! read more