Amtrak Adventure: Wilmington, DE ➜ Portland, OR (January 2026)

Day 1: Departure & Washington, DC

Morning: Board the Amtrak Northeast Regional at Wilmington Station and enjoy a relaxed ride through the historic towns of Pennsylvania. Sip coffee while admiring the rolling countryside.

Afternoon: Arrive in Washington, DC and explore the National Mall, taking quick photo stops at the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument before catching the Capitol Limited.

Evening: Settle into a comfortable seat on the Capitol Limited as it departs Union Station, watching the sunset over the Potomac and settling in for an overnight journey.

Day 2: Across the Heartland to Chicago

Morning: The train glides through the scenic Allegheny Mountains and the fertile farmlands of Ohio, offering panoramic views from the observation car.

Afternoon: Stop briefly in Indianapolis for a stretch and a quick snack before continuing westward across Indiana’s prairies.

Evening: Arrive in Chicago after a full day of travel; grab dinner at a downtown eatery and spend the night near Chicago Union Station to rest before the next leg.

Day 3: Empire Builder to the Pacific Northwest

Morning: Board the iconic Empire Builder at Chicago Union Station, settling into a roomette for comfort on the long haul.

Afternoon: Traverse the majestic Mississippi River valley and the rolling hills of Wisconsin, with opportunities to view wildlife from the large windows.

Evening: Enter the expansive plains of South Dakota; watch the stars from the observation dome as the train rolls toward the Rockies.

Day 4: Arrival in Portland & Exploration

Morning: The train descends into the lush Columbia River Gorge, offering breathtaking waterfalls and vistas before pulling into Portland Union Station.

Afternoon: Stroll through the vibrant Pearl District, browsing boutique shops and sampling local food trucks for lunch.

Evening: Visit the historic Powell's City of Books and unwind at a nearby microbrewery, soaking up Portland’s laid‑back evening vibe.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Wilmington Station – 30 min – $5 (parking)
• Washington, DC (National Mall) – 2 h – Free
• Capitol Limited (train ride) – 17 h – $150 (coach)
• Chicago Union Station (overnight stay) – 8 h – $120 (budget hotel)
• Empire Builder (train ride) – 46 h – $250 (coach)
• Portland Union Station – 30 min – Free
• Pearl District (lunch & shopping) – 3 h – $40
• Powell's City of Books – 1.5 h – Free (optional purchases $20)
• Microbrewery (evening) – 2 h – $30
• Total Estimated Cost – $665

Tips

If you have extra time, consider adding a day in Chicago to visit the Art Institute and Millennium Park, or extend your stay in Portland to explore the Columbia River Gorge and nearby wine country. For a shorter trip, skip the overnight layover in Chicago and opt for a direct overnight Amtrak connection (if available) or consider flying from Chicago to Portland to save travel time.