Great Train Itineraries - California Zephyr

As soon as you catch sight of Chicago – the most important city of the Midwest, standing on the shore of Lake Michigan –, its skyline will leave you awestruck. After the devastating 1871 fire, Chicago was rebuilt by the most famous architects of the day – namely Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies Van de Rohe. The city is now one of the finest examples of contemporary architecture in the world. Chicago also boasts plenty of modern artworks, on display at the Millennium Park and in virtually every square, museums as outstanding as the Art Institute and an extremely thriving music scene, with several top-notch jazz, blues and rock clubs and festivals.

Founded in 1859 by gold seekers from Kansas and Georgia, Denver marks the boundary between the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains that provide a splendid backdrop. A university town and the capital of American craft beer, it is called the 'Mile High City' because it is located exactly one mile (about 1600 meters) high, as noted on the 13th step of its Capitol building. Modern and youthful, it has trendy neighborhoods for all tastes and is pleasant to explore on foot, featuring diverse architectures ranging from Victorian to postmodern, along with art, history, culture, shopping, and a vibrant nightlife.

Glenwood Springs is known for its hot springs and caves. Springs like Glenwood Hot Springs Pool and Iron Mountain Hot Springs are considered healing. In the area, you can also go rafting on the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers or visit the fun Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

Grand Junction is the main town in western Colorado and an excellent starting point for exploring the vast and spectacular canyon region with the pinnacles of the Colorado National Monument; here the Green River merges into the Colorado River.

Salt Lake City is the vibrant, urban heart of Utah. Nestled within a valley, at an elevation of 1320 m above sea level, the capital city of Utah is surrounded by the peaks of the Wasatch Mountains. Founded by Mormons in 1847, It hosted the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Start your visit in the historic and spiritual heart of Salt Lake City, Temple Square. Nearby you’ll find a variety of eateries and bars, and you can shop at City Creek Center, which boasts more than 100 stores and restaurants. You should not miss the Campus district. A quick trip on TRAX, SLC’s light rail system, takes you from city center to the University of Utah campus district, home to Red Butte Garden and Arboretum and the Natural History Museum of Utah.

Known as the "Biggest Little City in the World," Reno is famous for its casinos on one hand, and on the other as a starting point for outdoor activities in the nearby Sierra Nevada or along the Truckee River that runs through it. It hosts important events, such as the famous Burning Man Festival, a festival that has been animating the salt flats of the Black Rock Desert since 1991, not far from the city.

San Francisco’s iconic streets twist up and down its many hills and scenic bridges connecting it to the mainland – chief among which the red Golden Gate. San Francisco is a charming, multi-faceted city, regarded as a liberal, enlightened oasis in a rather conservative America.