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Planned trip is Embire Builder Seattle to Chicago changing to the Capital. 3 days in DC and return via Chicago and the Southwest Chief to Los Angeles. 1 Day in Los Angeles and home to Seattle via the Coast Starlight.
I have been assigned Room 2 on all trips. I have read and read and have no questions, but am open to any tips you might want to provide. My only other trip was Seattle to Ft. Lauderdale about 7 years ago. The train is actually my destination, but seeings I am going to DC I might as well stop and see something.
Posts: 30 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jul 2007
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One tip for DC. Check out the tour mobile. You can get it at the station and it goes to all the museums and important monuments. I don't know the cost but it was resonable when we last sent friends on it. You can get on and off at will. It is easier and less expensive than using the metro or tour companies and you get to the important places with a minimum of effort. having said all that I am presuming it is still running but you can easily check at the station or whereever you plan to stay.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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I meant to add if it were me and it were possible I would change my room to 3,4,5,or6. #2 is next to the coffee and water and is very noisy to me because peole are always stopping to get coffee or chat with each other.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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This is interesting; while Mr. Aircrest has not shared with us how long ago he booked the trip, I note that he was assigned RM 2 for all segments of his trip. Although Ms. Train Lady suggested for good reason, she would prefer a Roomette somewhat deeper in the car, RM 2 is center car, and hence more desirable than, say, 7-10. Accordingly that will be sold before the latter mentioned.
Unless this journey is being made through the slow "holiday week' comprising Dec 24 to 31, I'm surprised to learn, absent having booked a long time ago, how light the demand for Sleeper space appears to be through the Xmas travel period.
Posts: 9977 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Trip begins Dec 1 and external noise does not bother me. They can hold a party at the top of the stairs and it would not bother me. Thanks for your concern
Posts: 30 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jul 2007
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The May 29 booking certainly does mitigate my thought.
Posts: 9977 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Wow, you're covering a huge area and there's so many things to recommend. I don't even know where to begin. I also recommend the DC Tourmobile. Here is their website:
They also have certain trams that will take you INTO Arlington National Cemetery. It's worth the trip to drive through there on the tram. It helps to put into perspective how great the USA is, and how many people died for what we have. Not that the Iraq war deaths are insignificant (not at all!), but when it's put into perspective, it's not that much.
If you like ice cream, after being on Amtrak for so long, you'll want something different. When you get to ABQ on the Southwest Chief, you will probably be on-time or early. This is a service stop for the train, so you should have plenty of time to walk over to Coldstone Creamery. You walk towards the street (away from the tracks), turn right and start looking for a big clock on the wall of a building (above the front door) on your left. That is Coldstone Creamery. I usually bring my sleeper attendant some ice cream also---they like having something different also.
It might be too close to your travel date, but you can try emailing your Congressperson to get Congressional tickets for admittance to places such as the US Supreme Court or Capitol Hill. Go to your rep's web page to see what types of tickets they can get for you. I've also heard many people say that the Congressional Cafeteria has good food, and it's cheap. You will also see lots of Senators and Members of Congress in there. It's open to the public, but not too many people are aware of this.
Check out the Vietnam, Korea, and World War II Memorials. It will again help to put things into perspective for many Americans who don't realize or understand how we got to be where we are today. The names of the dead soldiers engraved in the walls seems never-ending.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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I second Smitty's ideas for DC. Arlington is almost a must. The tombs of the Unknowns is very emotional and touching. In the "old days" one could wander at will through the cemetary because there was no need for the security of today. Many are the times we sat on the front lawn of Arlington House with a picnic lunch. As to the Capitol your senator or Rep also has a certain number of tickets to the house or senate if they are in seesion while you are there. If you are lucky they will not be off on one of the vacation times. Also they have tickets for the White house tour which means you don't have to stand in line and take your chances. It may be already decorated for Xmas. But do this right away as tickets go fast. Usually Reps are easier to get than Senators because they serve fewer people. The congressional dining room does have good food as do many of the museums and galleries. Try the senate bean soup which is quite famous. The National Geograph has a wonderful museuma and the Zoo is great. Remember most of the bulidings are free because we pay for them with our taxes. In Chicago the museum, which I call the Rosenwald because I can never remember its name ,has a prototype of the Zephyr and the Field museum has wonderful exhibits, ditto the Art Institute. In the days we rode roomette we always had room 4. It was totally comfortable. One year the car attendent told me that they were going to put a plac in that room with our name on it after I told her how many times and in how many trains we had that room.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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I just clicked into the site Smitty listed and noticed that they go to the Museum of the American Indian. In addition to being a wonderful museum the cafeteria is divided into regional sections so you can decide which type of Indian food you want to try.All that we have had has been excellent.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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The "Rosenwald Museum" you note, Ms. Train Lady, is of course the well known Museum of Science and Industry. Julius Rosenwald was a philanthropist from early last century who made an initial gift to start the Museum.
Posts: 9977 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Thanks Gil. We lived in Chicago until I was 10 and my cousins and I loved that museum. At that time it was known as the Rosenwald as opposed to the Field and for some reason I seem to have a mental block about it's real name. It is a short cab ride from Union station and well worth a visit if there is time between trains for museum lovers..
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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If you want more trains after traveling cross country on Amtrak, I recommend from DC a morning MARC commuter train on the Camden line to the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore. There is a fabulous aquarium there and......about 8 blocks the opposite direction......the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Another point to consider...sunset will be before 5pm. Plan your Day Trips and other (out of town?) excursions accordingly or if want to be back to your hotel before it gets too dark.
-------------------- The best part of life is the journey, not the destination. Posts: 497 | From: Clarksburg, West Virginia | Registered: Oct 2003
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Ms. Train Lady, The Field Museum of Natural History is located at 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive. The Muesum of Science and Industry is located at 5711 S Lake Shore Drive.
Different benefactors, the Rosenwalds were of Sears Roebuck. The Fields were of the late retailer with same name.
Posts: 9977 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Yes I know they are two different museums. what I tried to say and obviously wasn't successful is thaet I always seemed to get confused between then names of the Field (museum of Natural History) and what we called Rosenwald ( Science and Industry).Marshall Field would be pretty upset, one would think ,about the change of the great store. Is the Walnut room still as lovely? We took a young couple from Holland there 5 years ago betwen trains, They couldn't believe the room never mind the entire store.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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Boy, Train Lady, you started a flood of nostalgia with me! My family moved to Chicago in 1948 and I paid my first visit to the Museum of Science and Industry, as I have always known it, in 1949 when I was nine years old. Its name had been changed in 1928 from the Rosenwald Museum. But I am sure old Chicagoans called it the Rosenwald for decades. I still think of U.S. Cellular Field as "Comiskey Park" and am always preceding "Dodgers" with "Brooklyn." (In print, too!)
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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You're right , Henry. My mother and aunt who both died in the end of the 1980s always refered to the museum as the Rosenwald.It surely is a great museum isn't it? We loved that coal mine!
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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I grew up in the Chicago area, and have never heard the Museum of Science and Industry being known as the Rosenwald Museum, so that was interesting. When I was young, I used to go to the Field Museum quite a bit (and I still do today if I have a few hours to spare in Chicago!!!) When I was a kid, we knew the Field Museum as the "Chicago Museum of Natural History."
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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Thank You for all your suggestions. Viet Nam Memorial, WW II Memorial and Arlington are on the top of my priority list along with the air and space museum
Posts: 30 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jul 2007
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Aircrest7: I'm glad you mentioned the Air and Space Museum---how could I forget that??? You probably know this already, but just in case, there are actually TWO Air and Space Museums. One is the original, located on "The Mall" in DC near all of the other Smithsonian museums. The other one is located next to Dulles Airport (in Virginia). Depending on traffic, it's about a 30 to 45 minute cab ride there. I know there is a way to get there by Metro (DC's subway system), but I'm not sure how to do it. The Metro does not go directly there, but it gets you close to it. I think the last leg of the trip would be by bus or taxi.
Anyway, on my last trip to DC my plane got in late, so my plans to see the new museum by Dulles did not work out. I've heard many great things about this place. They even have a space shuttle! Here is their website:
I think they also have a location inside the museum where you can watch the airplanes coming in and out of Dulles.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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One other thing I should mention also are the taxis in DC. They do NOT have meters! I was surprised when I saw this, so if you hop in a taxi and don't see a meter, that's because none of DC's taxis have them. They do everything by "zone", so the rates are the same all over DC. They nickel-and-dime you a little bit with add-ons such as a "rush hour surcharge" and a few other things, but it's not a big deal. The only taxis you'll see in DC with a meter are the "Washington Flyer" taxis, which are the ONLY taxis authorized to make pickups at the airports. They charge like a normal taxi with a meter.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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The air and space museum near Dulles is super. There is a tower where you can watch the planes at Dulles and they also have a sort of cafeteria.Stand in line the way you do at fast food places. We took the grandkids there last year and they ran us ragged with excitement. As to taxies you can call a Va company like Red Top to pick you up in DC but they can't drop you off until you get to Va.They do have meters and know the teritory better than the DC ones. We use them coming from Union Station home. But they cannot operate within the District.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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Aircrest, if you are a history buff and have the time get a tour bus out to Mt. Vernon, Washington' home. The new visitors' center is really incredible. After much research they have come up with a progression of figures showing how he looked at various ages. Also the 2 films really put you in the middle of things.My granddaughter and I were watching the batle of Trenton and as the sounds and sights of the guns( which were so real you wanted to duck for cover)the following ensued: Jill "Gran, it's snowing" Me "I can see that" Jill "no, I mean in here,Put your hand out" Me after following her directions "Well I'll be darned." My hands WERE wet from "snow flakes" This gives you an idea of what to expect there.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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Mr. Smitty and Ms. Train Lady, we should also note that District taxicabs are "jitneys". I can recall a 2003 visit to the District where both native Lady Friend and I would have thought adequate time was being allowed from an 18th St "watering hole' to my "Georgetown favorite" 1789 Restaurant.
Well guess what; the cabbie had other ideas, He wanted first to take a fare up to the Hilton on CT Av, THEN we would be taken to 1789. As a result, something I carefully avoid happening when I am in control occurred; late for a restaurant reservation! If possibly you know 1789, Ms. Train Lady, we got "lated" out of the main Dining Room with its huge fireplace and diverted off to an "annex". The hefty tab is the same dining in either room, but I felt gypped through no fault of either the restaurant or myself.
Posts: 9977 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Gil, there has been a big "broo hah" here because the city council wanted to put meters in the cabs and the drivers went ballistic. They said that would make them lose money. Zone wise theycan tke you round about and avoid short trips. In addition I hear from friends many of them don't know the routes
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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Well trainlady thanks for the tip on Red Top. Hopefully, in April we'll be taking the regional to Washington Union Station to catch a taxi to Dulles for our flight.
mmmmm.....Mr. Norman, 1789 Restaurant in Georgetown sounds great. Next time I visit friends in D.C. I'll have to try it.
Aircrest7 you will enjoy your journey if, as you said,coach is not a bother.
Posts: 498 | From: New Hope, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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The phone # for red top is 703 522 3333. A cab could be very expensive so you might want to check out airport transportation. I know there is a bus directly to Dulles but can't think of the name of it so I suggest if you are interested check at the info desk at Union station.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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Sorry you misunderstood me but I have a sleeper Room 2. Could not handle this as coach. Smithsonian has there own channel on Directv. They showed both Mt. Vernon and the Udvar Hazy Center at Dulles today. I will bet that when I get to the Air and Space Museum they will have the knowledge for the best way to get to Dulles.
So much to see so little time.
Posts: 30 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jul 2007
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You know I have a vague recollection of some kind of a shuttle out to the center at Dulles. You're right,ASM will probably have the info Good luck and when you return report in as to all your adventures.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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quote:Originally posted by train lady: The phone # for red top is 703 522 3333. A cab could be very expensive so you might want to check out airport transportation. I know there is a bus directly to Dulles but can't think of the name of it so I suggest if you are interested check at the info desk at Union station.
About three years ago I flew into Dulles and caught an express shuttle bus from the airport to one of the outlying Orange Line Metro station.....maybe it was Vienna. I'd poke around on the airports' website for more info on that operation.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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David, I think he wants to go to the Udvar Hazy center not the airport. It is in the Dulles area but not at the airport. That is why it is a good idea to check at asm.I think we both misunderstood.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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Sorry Aircrest, I did misunderstand. Confused it with another thread. BUT,enjoy the trip.
Train Lady,thanks for the phone#. We'll probably use it rather than haul our luggage from one conveyance to another.
Posts: 498 | From: New Hope, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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20th Century, btw you can call Red Top, tell them where you want to go and they will tell you about how much the fare will be. They are quite accurate .
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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quote:Originally posted by train lady: You know I have a vague recollection of some kind of a shuttle out to the center at Dulles.
The shuttle costs 15$ roundtrip and tickets can be purchased in the Air and Space Museum on the Mall. Take the first shuttle (9am?) and see the Space Shuttle, walk around the supersonic Concorde, tour the museum, eat lunch, watch Dulles takeoffs and landings, and you can still be back by 3pm. I did this a few years back and it is a great muesum! I think the Enola Gay is there too.
Posts: 497 | From: Clarksburg, West Virginia | Registered: Oct 2003
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Thanks. We have driven so I am not up on the public transport.but I thought I had heard about it. The Enola Gay was there. I just heard that it was named after the pilot's mother.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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