Most people who ride Amtrak’s Empire Builder route between Chicago and Seattle watch the heartland whiz by. Our writer hopped off to explore a few remarkable places you might otherwise miss.

Amtrak now is making it easier to buy tickets for the two routes that serve Edmonds and Everett. The national passenger train service has started its eTicket service beginning on Monday.

Amtrak Vacations: “Northern Border and Pacific Northwest” — eight days and includes Empire Builder from Chicago to Glacier National Park, with three days at the park, then train to Seattle.

Quick Summary Taking the Amtrak Empire Builder with our family of six cost us $1,380 in coach ($230 per person, with child discounts), which was significantly cheaper than flying.

Amtrak stations in Columbus, Portage, Wisconsin Dells and Tomah will be among its stops, joining the long-running Empire Builder train.