Great USA Rail Adventure
In the summer of 2021, I bought an Amtrak rail pass and took six train rides across the United States over the course of almost three weeks. Here are all of my adventures in their chronological glory.
A Week Til My Train Leaves the Station
I’m off on my Great USA Rail Adventure: 8 cities. 8 train rides. 23 days.
Find out where I’m going and how I’ve been prepping.
DENVER: 10 Hours Out and About in the Mile High City
And so my Great USA Rail Adventure begins! With just 10 hours in Denver, CO, I visited Larimer Square where I encountered hipster poets in the wild, and toured the Molly Brown House Museum. Read on for deets.
CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR: 32 Hours on a Train
and I Loved Every Minute
My first train ride on my Great USA Rail Adventure was 32 hours from Denver to San Francisco! I saw naked butts, made new friends, and journeyed through an alien landscape. Keep reading for the tea on train life.
SAN FRANCISCO: A Bumpy Start with a Smooth Finish
San Francisco was a whirlwind! My first day was rough—namely due to staying in Oakland—but I bounced back. My second day was a tourist’s dream, and my trip ended on a high note. Get the deets.
SAN LUIS OBISPO: Taking It Slow in SLO
This time I’m in San Luis Obispo, a cute, little Spanish-influenced college town in California wine country where you can eat your fill and shop ’til you drop. Try the tacos!
PACIFIC SURFLINER: A Short and Sweet Ride
Down the Coast
I thought riding the Pacific Surfliner would fulfill my dream of driving down the Pacific Coast Highway, but I think it’s given me a new one: live in an Airstream on the beach!
LOS ANGELES: Thanks But I’ve Had Enough
While I’ve determined that Los Angeles is not the city for me, I enjoyed playing tourist on a Rasta Bus, trying new-to-me Asian foods, and visiting The Ripped Bodice romance bookstore.
FLAGSTAFF: Jax Takes on The Grand Canyon
…and Laundry
There’s not much to do in Flagstaff itself, so I did laundry. But I took an all-day tour that culminated in seeing the GRAND CANYON! Keep reading for the goods.
CHICAGO: Three and a Half Days in the Windy City
Chicago is a foodie’s dream! Besides beginning a love affair with deep dish pizza, I did a ton of sightseeing, and caught up with friends.
NEW YORK CITY: Winding Down in the Big Apple
After riding the Lakeshore Limited to New York City, I spent most of my trip under the weather but rallied enough to meet my agent, visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and try some NYC classic eats.