In Business Since 2001 We accept Paypal
Home Article Directory
More from Bill Platt
"Bill Platt for Book Authors" Youtube Channel
Training for Book Authors
Other Resources for Book Authors & Publishers
FictionPlots.com (350+ Plots & counting)
Please Support Our Advertisers

 
D9 Hosting


American Travel Ideas: Amtrak Will Take You Most Anywhere

Copyright (c) 2008-2023

When I was a child in the 1970's, my grandmother heard that Amtrak was coming to an end in our part of the country. So, she arranged with my parents to take us kids on a train ride one last time, before the end of an era. Fortunately, we were able to ride the train twice before the service ended in the Great Plains of the United States.

On our first trip, we rode the train an hour-and-a-half to Oklahoma City. On our second trip, we traveled much further, riding all the way to Fort Worth Texas. And then the Amtrak service ended its run from Chicago, Illinois to San Antonio, Texas. That was in the early 1970's, when I was about eight-years-old.

In the 1970's, Congress decided that in the era of air travel that the citizenry of the United States would not ride the train anymore. But in 1999, Amtrak brought its service back to Oklahoma. Now, if we are willing to change trains in our route, we can catch a train out of Oklahoma City and reach nearly every area of the nation in less than a day.

Traveling With Young Children

Given the challenges of arriving two hours early at the airport, toting young children through security, and keeping children calm during a long flight, a train ride may be much more attractive for most parents. With my children, we will not even consider flying with the kids, but we have taken the train to San Antonio to visit family.

With comfortable seating, great views of the Oklahoma and Texas countryside, and a dining car available to us, the twelve-hour ride to San Antonio and back again even beat putting the kids in the car for the long trip.

Don't get me wrong - if it were only my wife and myself, I would enjoy the long drive. But with three young children in tow, I would not consider making such a trip with the kids again. The last time we drove, we only had two kids, and that was very painful and frustrating, as the kids needed to get out and run about every hour. What is normally a 13-hour drive by car took two days and a hotel-overnight, when we took the kids with us for the trip.

Most Any Destination In The Country Is Served

When you visit the Amtrak.com website, you should click the tab at top labeled, "Routes". Once on that page, you should click the link for the "Interactive Route Atlas". Upon doing so, you will notice that Amtrak routes run through 47 of the 50 states in the United States. The only states not served by at least one stop are: Hawaii, Alaska and South Dakota.

No matter where you live or where you want to travel, you will find that the Amtrak service can get you pretty close to your intended destination. When we rode to San Antonio, we rented a car that helped us travel the last ten miles to our final destination.

The Amtrak website offers an interactive scheduling tool, to help you to find the right train to carry you to your target destination. It can also offer you an accurate tool to help you to determine the real costs of your journey.

Compared To Airfare

In the next couple months, I need to make a solo trip to Chicago, Illinois, so if I decide to Amtrak to Chicago, I can do a full round trip from Oklahoma City to Chicago for just about $263. The same trip will cost me anywhere from $271 to $490 by air, depending on which airline I get my tickets.

Cash-wise, Amtrak offers the better deal. Time-wise, I gain a little bit of time by using an airplane. The train ride will take 15 hours. The airplane ride will be five hours, but I need to buffer that by arriving at the airport at least two hours early, so my airplane commitment will be 7-8 hours.

If I were taking my kids with me to Chicago, Amtrak would be my only consideration. However, since my future travel plans are related to business, I might opt to fly, but I doubt it.

Fun For The Whole Family

Not only is a train ride less stressful than an airplane ride, on small children; it is also less stressful on parents who are tending to the children. But beyond the stress factor, a train ride can be fun for everyone in the family, since more than one of you will be able to see out the windows on the train.

I have to be honest. When I took my children on the Amtrak to San Antonio, not only did they have fun, but also I found the trip as exciting as I did when I was eight-years-old.




About The Author: Shop Amazon - Top Gift Ideas
Chuck Saddler has traveled America most of his life. As a writer, he has decided to share with his audience another a different view of the places and attractions he has visited and might like to visit in the future. With three young children, Chuck's view of travel has changed to reflect how to enjoy his travels with three young children in tow. Read more of Chuck's American Travel Ideas on the website: http://www.americantravelideas.com/blog

VOTE ON THIS ARTICLE
Needs Work >> 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 << Excellent Article

Tell our authors what you think about their article.



Top-Level Category: Travel and Leisure Articles || Related Categories: Family Articles

10 Most Recent Articles Written by Chuck Saddler

Ossining, New York Is A Destination For More Just Than Hardened Criminals
Written by: Chuck Saddler | Distributed: 2009-07-03 | Word Count: 1074 | Page Views: 4640 | Votes: 18 | Rating: 2.22
There is not too much to say about the city of Ossining, New York - unless you want to talk about its almost namesake, the Sing Sing prison, built in 1825 by convicts brought in from Auburn Prison. But once you step outside of town, the natural world opens the doors to wonders that may even impress the Big Guy upstairs...

A Guide to Must-See Beaches in Southwest Florida
Written by: Chuck Saddler | Distributed: 2009-04-21 | Word Count: 602 | Page Views: 4069 | Votes: 13 | Rating: 1.92
You may have heard of Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, or Captiva Island, but have you ever heard why they are such attractive vacation spots for most travelers? This article will tell you exactly why the Paradise Coast of Florida's southern Gulf Coast is so popular with tourists.

Charlotte, North Carolina: Natural Beauty Nearly Year Around
Written by: Chuck Saddler | Distributed: 2008-12-03 | Word Count: 1763 | Page Views: 4241 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 2.27
The largest city in North Carolina, Charlotte is the largest metropolitan city on the eastern seaboard between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Jacksonville, Florida. Nicknamed the Queen City, Charlotte has a population of nearly 675,000 people. Read this article to learn more about the area and the attractions that appeal to travelers taking family vacations.

Riverboat Cruises And Vacations For Families And Couples
Written by: Chuck Saddler | Distributed: 2008-11-18 | Word Count: 800 | Page Views: 9111 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 1.63
The era of steamboats that most people think about is the paddle-wheel steamboats of the Mississippi in the 1800's, but the modern age offers a wide variety of riverboat cruises around the U.S. and around the world.

A Brief History Of America's Route 66
Written by: Chuck Saddler | Distributed: 2008-11-17 | Word Count: 829 | Page Views: 6071 | Votes: 11 | Rating: 2.00
Route 66 (1926-1985) is probably the most famous highway in the United States. This highway remains in the consciousness of Americans, even in this day and age, 23 years after the road ceased to carry the designation of an official U.S. Highway.

All of Author's Articles on this site:

Most Recent "Travel And Leisure" Articles

The Top 10 Cities Chosen by Italian Tourists for the Autumn Bank Holiday
Written by: Ilaria Aglietti | Distributed: 2011-12-12 | Word Count: 312 | Page Views: 569
A study carried out by Italian travel comparison engine VoliLowCost.it reveals that London was the Italians’ favourite destination for the Halloween weekend.

South Texas Quickens with Wildlife
Written by: Jeff Parker | Distributed: 2011-09-14 | Word Count: 706 | Page Views: 5214 | Votes: 4 | Rating: 0.25
While many of the world's other destinations lose species, the Brush Country's heart beats a steady rhythm. Nature here still thrives along the full spectrum of the food chain and today more wildlife roams per acre in the Brush Country than anywhere else in the United States. In fact, South Texas' rich biodiversity has made it one of North America's liveliest places for nature-lovers and wildlife photographers to visit.

Honduras Delivers Wildlife Wow!
Written by: Jeff Parker | Distributed: 2011-09-13 | Word Count: 502 | Page Views: 569
Adventure to Honduras' north central coast and discover for yourself the untamed beauty and incredible wildlife that await you and your lens. Here, its friendly Carribean people aren't jaded from a constant onslaught of tourists and you can still blaze your own trails, yet enough of a path has been cleared so that you can comfortably enjoy the thrill of the jungles, seashores, and mangrove estuaries of this often-overlooked Central American jewel.

Las Vegas – One City, Many Destinations
Written by: George Cuthbert | Distributed: 2011-07-26 | Word Count: 816 | Page Views: 6252 | Votes: 23 | Rating: 3.87
Many of the fabulous Las Vegas hotels are themed to represent top attractions and places in other countries. Why go on a round-the-world tour when you can experience everything from the bright lights of Vegas?

5 Reasons Why Las Vegas Visitors Should Take a Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour
Written by: Keith Kravitz | Distributed: 2010-11-04 | Word Count: 606 | Page Views: 4468 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 2.00
Helicopters can take you from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon in just 45 minutes, making these air tours the perfect day trip. The West Rim is the only place where you can fly to the bottom and land. It's also home to the world-famous Grand Canyon Skywalk. Need more reasons to go? Read on...

South Rim or West Rim? How to Pick a Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour
Written by: Keith Kravitz | Distributed: 2010-11-02 | Word Count: 632 | Page Views: 4498 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 2.00
If you are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, especially from Las Vegas, you will need to choose which rim to visit. This article gives you the tools to pick the rim that's right for you.

Bunratty Castle in Ireland
Written by: Patricia G. McKinney-Lins | Distributed: 2010-11-02 | Word Count: 744 | Page Views: 4594 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 2.00
Bunratty Castle is conveniently located near Shannon Airport in Ireland. You will want to stop for a tour on your way in or out of the country. Enjoy a medieval banquet with food, drink and song and be transported back to the 1500s!

Things to Do With Your Kids in Toronto
Written by: Ryan Hogan | Distributed: 2010-07-30 | Word Count: 1342 | Page Views: 5534 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 1.33
There are a couple of things to keep in mind about Toronto. One is the weather. While Toronto has a pretty mild climate for a Canadian city, and it does experience four distinct seasons, its winters can be a bit harsh. You can expect snowfall from November through mid-April. Second, Toronto is expensive. It's often rated as the most expensive city in Canada in which to live. So while there's plenty for your family to do in Toronto, you'll need to pay attention to the weather and to your budget.

The 10 Best Places in America to See a Play or Musical
Written by: Kelly McCartney | Distributed: 2010-07-27 | Word Count: 531 | Page Views: 4738 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 0.80
Beginning with Radio City Music Hall, Kelly documents ten favorite vacation spots that allow you to take in a play or musical...

Changing Patterns Of Travel For Affluent Parents With Children
Written by: Shelley Cheny | Distributed: 2010-07-27 | Word Count: 544 | Page Views: 4443 | Votes: 2 | Rating: 0.50
One of the increasing trends we are seeing in today's travel scene is the changes in spending patterns in parents with young children. This article presents the case for increased catering for children in luxury resorts and five and six star accommodation.

Most Viewed "Travel And Leisure" Articles

Great Things To Do In Las Vegas Besides Gambling
Written by: Jason OConnor | Distributed: 2007-04-24 | Word Count: 981 | Page Views: 25076 | Votes: 74 | Rating: 2.61
If you want to visit Las Vegas but you are not really into the gambling scene, that isn't a problem. There are many things that the non-gambler can do in Las Vegas. Of course, the big shows are always available. Some of the most popular shows in Las Vegas are Cirque Du Soleil, Elton John and Celine Dion and of course, the fantastic magic of David Copperfield and Lance Burton. But Las Vegas has so much more to offer and there is something for everyone.

RV Showcases Alberta Movie Making
Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2007-02-23 | Word Count: 1549 | Page Views: 10070 | Votes: 10 | Rating: 2.60
RV rentals and Canadian road trips are rolling as the movie RV (the top comedy in North America when it debuted in theatres) showcases the diversity of Alberta's pristine, mountain-and-prairies scenery.

The David Thompson Explorer's Trail: Drive a Famous Expedition
Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2007-03-01 | Word Count: 972 | Page Views: 9547 | Votes: 30 | Rating: 2.07
Family road trips can offer the perfect opportunity for an invigorating and educational vacation – and what better place to do that than in Alberta's own backyard? Steeped in history and beautiful scenery, with hiking, museums, scenic drives and plentiful wildlife all at your fingertips, you can put an Alberta road trip at the top of your list of affordable family vacations.

Riverboat Cruises And Vacations For Families And Couples
Written by: Chuck Saddler | Distributed: 2008-11-18 | Word Count: 800 | Page Views: 9111 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 1.63
The era of steamboats that most people think about is the paddle-wheel steamboats of the Mississippi in the 1800's, but the modern age offers a wide variety of riverboat cruises around the U.S. and around the world.

Ride Into Sunset at Kananaskis Guest Ranch
Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2007-02-21 | Word Count: 1018 | Page Views: 8351 | Votes: 16 | Rating: 2.00
Brewster's Kananaskis Guest Ranch has changed little since opening in 1923, and guests can still enjoy the pioneering family's tradition of Western hospitality within the rugged splendor of Alberta's pristine mountains, rivers and lakes.

Bear Attacks - Guidelines For Those Of You Hiking Or Camping In Our Wilderness
Written by: Jane Baker | Distributed: 2009-01-21 | Word Count: 1166 | Page Views: 8140 | Votes: 14 | Rating: 1.50
This is about a remote area in west central British Columbia, Canada called the West Chilcotin. Since we have a high density of both black and grizzly bear, this series of articles is intended to help give you an idea of what you are dealing with when vacationing in our area.

The Bahamas: Discover an Island Paradise
Written by: Clinton Douglas IV | Distributed: 2006-08-24 | Word Count: 350 | Page Views: 7641 | Votes: 23 | Rating: 1.91
With more than 500 miles of the world's clearest, turquoise water, this 100,000 mile stretch of 700 petite islands in the Atlantic Ocean is one of the most scenic and secluded vacation spots around. It's uninhabited, pristine beaches are ideal grounds for scuba and deep-sea diving, world-class sport fishing, kayaking and snorkeling by day and extravagant island dining and dancing by night.

The Magnificent Seven (Days in the Saddle)
Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2007-03-02 | Word Count: 1319 | Page Views: 7187 | Votes: 14 | Rating: 1.79
Once you have an idea where you want to go on your week-long pack trip adventure, it's just a matter of deciding when and how. Here are some of your options when planning a trek into the far alpine reaches of the Rocky Mountains.

Iceland: Tectonic Plate Diving
Written by: Alex J Smith | Distributed: 2007-10-19 | Word Count: 763 | Page Views: 7176 | Votes: 22 | Rating: 2.73
Iceland is Europe's westernmost country, and occupies a strategic location in the North Atlantic, straddling the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, on the edge of the Arctic Circle. One of the coldest countries in the world, it is also one of the world's most volcanically active hotspots. Iceland is known today for its mix of glaciers, bubbly hot springs, rugged fjords and fiery volcanoes.

Untouched Wilderness, Crowd-free Fishing: Central Alberta
Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2007-03-08 | Word Count: 1371 | Page Views: 7173 | Votes: 17 | Rating: 2.35
Whether you're a novice angler or an expert fisherman seeking to fly fish or explore lakes, the waters of Central Alberta offer opportunities that are among the world's finest. Alberta's spectacular waterways, from gurgling rivers to placid lakes, provide experiences suited to anglers of every skill level.

Highest Ranked "Travel And Leisure" Articles

Las Vegas – One City, Many Destinations
Written by: George Cuthbert | Distributed: 2011-07-26 | Word Count: 816 | Page Views: 6252 | Votes: 23 | Rating: 3.87
Many of the fabulous Las Vegas hotels are themed to represent top attractions and places in other countries. Why go on a round-the-world tour when you can experience everything from the bright lights of Vegas?

Much To Do with Nothing
Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2007-02-14 | Word Count: 660 | Page Views: 3747 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 3.14
It almost goes without saying that hiking in the Rocky Mountains is a free activity. The same is true of mountain biking, provided you bring your wheels with you.

Try This Cost-Free Way To Roam The Globe And Write About It
Written by: Charles Jacobs | Distributed: 2009-07-21 | Word Count: 1159 | Page Views: 4627 | Votes: 24 | Rating: 3.08
Enjoy exploring the world, and discover the satisfaction of sharing your unique experiences with others. With a little discipline and some research, plus an inquiring mind, you can craft and even sell travel articles.

The Beaches of Puerto Vallarta
Written by: Justin Burch | Distributed: 2006-08-31 | Word Count: 783 | Page Views: 5067 | Votes: 19 | Rating: 3.05
The beaches in and around Puerto Vallarta may be the most diverse in Mexico. Located at the midpoint of Banderas Bay, the area surrounding Puerto Vallarta boasts 34 miles of coastline, 26 of which are sandy beaches. Within the city, the beaches are elegant and pristine, bordered by restaurants and resorts. Beaches to the north of the city tend to be longer and wider, with great opportunities for surfing and swimming. South of Puerto Vallarta, the mountains topple into the sea in places, creating placid coves and intimate sandy pockets.

Songs Drive Alberta's 'Brokeback' Landscape
Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2007-02-26 | Word Count: 1407 | Page Views: 4081 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 3.00
Movies are changing the way we travel, inspiring tours that revisit the landscapes we see in films. Some movies seem to grab us by the lapels and shove us toward a new world. We want to relive aspects of the movie, but we want to experience the real-world ambience of where the movie happened, beyond what was revealed on screen.

Cheap Air Travel
Written by: Alex J Smith | Distributed: 2007-10-03 | Word Count: 470 | Page Views: 4067 | Votes: 24 | Rating: 2.88
Most people are really wishing to visit other countries or even just a country once in their lifetime. Well, who will not wish such idea? Everybody loves visiting other places, jumping from one town to another and experiencing the adventure of dwelling with other people with different cultures. In addition, traveling will surely be a relaxing experience for anyone. A sound vacation will definitely free you from the exhausting daily chores of your work.

Waterton: Haven't Been There. Ain't Done That
Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2007-03-09 | Word Count: 513 | Page Views: 4128 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 2.87
The best way to absorb Waterton's many landscapes and spy its wild inhabitants is to trek the Carthew-Alderson Trail.

Why Chicago is a Classic Sports Town
Written by: Ryan Hogan | Distributed: 2009-07-08 | Word Count: 955 | Page Views: 4144 | Votes: 23 | Rating: 2.87
Chicago is one of the best sports towns in America. Not only do they have knowledgeable and passionate fans but they also have some of the oldest franchises and some of the most hallowed playing fields in all of sports.

Family Travel Ideas in California
Written by: Alex J Smith | Distributed: 2007-10-11 | Word Count: 517 | Page Views: 4046 | Votes: 21 | Rating: 2.86
California is a perfect place to go for family, there are many destinations that the whole family would enjoy.

An Introduction To The Paradise Coast of Florida, Surrounding Fort Myers, Florida
Written by: Jeb Maxwell | Distributed: 2010-01-13 | Word Count: 603 | Page Views: 4832 | Votes: 21 | Rating: 2.86
A wonderful place to visit and enjoy is southwest Florida, using Ft. Myers as a base for your explorations. Ft. Myers is 90 minutes south of Tampa on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Ft. Myers and the surrounding communities boast of having the world's best weather from October through May (and it's not too bad the rest of the year either).











Download an eBook today
 
Directory Navigation
Locate By Category:

ALL Categories
Arts & Crafts
Arts & Entertainment
Automotive
Business - Offline
Business - Online
Career
Computers
Education
Family
Finance
Food & Drink
Health & Wellness
Home & Garden
Humor
Internet
Nature & Pets
Real Estate
Religion
Self Improvement
Shopping
Society
Sports & Recreation
Technology
Travel & Leisure
Uncategorized
World Events
Writing & Speaking

Change Number of Results:
50 - 100 - 200 - 500
Article Reprint Rights
Creative Commons License

This work is
licensed under a
Creative Commons
License


You are not required to show the creative commons license notice when you reprint this work.
Article Statistics
Word Count: 805

Total Views: 4191

Article Rating: 1.80 of 5
Votes Cast: 15

More Articles By Author:



Last Distribution Date:
2008-11-14 11:12:00

Internal ID: #6382





All Articles are Copyright © 2001-2023 of the Defined Authors.

All other material and images on this site are:
Copyright © 2001-2023, ThePhantomWriters.com