As I mentioned in another thread, DS is about to get a windfall - his increased SS benefits are retroactive back to April. I would love for him to buy something awesome with the money, but he’s really not interested in any “things.” He DOES like to travel, but he needs to rest a lot (it’s exhausting for him to appear “normal,” he told me). My sister suggested a train trip, which sounds awesome. Have any of you taken a train trip/tour that you enjoyed? I don’t even know what length of trip to consider.
We both have passports, so Canada would be a possibility.
The Amtrak from NYC to Niagara Falls is supposed to be quite beautiful if you sit on the “river” side of the train and is about 9.5 hours. And IMHO, Niagara Falls should be on everyone’s “must see” list. I was there this summer and I was blown away. (I took CC-ers advice and stayed on the Canadian Side which is much nicer and splurged on a room that had floor-to-ceiling views of the Falls. The best deal for that that I could find was at The Oakes Hotel — way less expensive than its competitors and I thought it was quite nice. The town of Niagara Falls also has a paid shuttle that can take visitors to all the different sites, so pretty easy to hop on and hop off – which could help if he would like to rest between things to see/do.
I would imagine you could also take the train from somewhere in Maine to NYC if that also appealed — and if they have sleeping cars that adds a whole new dimension of enjoyment / luxury. I know the northeast corridor trains (Boston to DC with all stops in between) have sleeping cars. I’ve done that occasionally and loved it. (I like trains!)
Also, if your son likes trains he might also like ferries. I will go rather far out of my way to take a ferry when one is available!
I don’t have direct experience, but sounds really fun. So many options depending on your time and your timing.
My brother-in-law did a cross-country train through Denver a number of years ago and thought it was amazing. However, I believe he stayed in California for a while and then flew home. Round trip would be a lot of train travel.
For a shorter trip, the Adirondack looks good as it goes up to Montreal along Lake Champlain (on the NY side). It should be really nice during leaf season.
We did the California zephyr from SF to Chicago. Amtrak bed comfort is a bit meh but the journey itself was amazing. I seem to recall prices can vary considerably depending on when you book.
I was going to recommend the Adirondack route to Montreal depending on the time of year. Montreal can be like a “mini” trip to France - enough French Canadian influence to feel like you are somewhere different than the US! Looks like from NYC it’s a 10 hour train ride. Didn’t look to see if there are closer to Maine departing spots.
I would say anywhere from 3 days to a week. I will go with him. He said I’m his “filter,” to help him process everything. I’m not sure about the amount - up to $3,000, I would say, but it’s not set in stone.
Well…you would have to fly one way…but it’s a great train ride.
My kid wanted this as a college graduation gift. She took the train from CA to Chicago and had a roomette. I think it’s large enough for two people. The cost of the roomette included meals in the very nice dining car, a turn down service, water and snacks. It was great. Trip was about $900 but that was in 2010. I’m sure it’s more now. Kid then took a coach seat from Chicago to Springfield MA. I think you can continue to Boston somehow.
Check the Amtrak site. My husband did the same trip a longer time ago and said the scenery was breathtaking.
I did the Denver Zephyr round trip from Chicago to Denver.
My S22 and I took the Montreal → Quebec City train this past summer. Fun. My only wish was that we could have gone at a different time of the year. Old Quebec City was very hot and very crowded.
He said I’m his “filter,” to help him process everything. I’m not sure about the amount - up to $3,000, I would say, but it’s not set in stone.