posted
My family and I are planning on taking the Empire Builder this summer from Milwaukee to Seattle. This will be our first time on Amtrak. We were thinking of stopping at Glacier Park, spending the night and the next day there, and then get back on the train to continue on to Seattle, but we were wondering if it is feasible. Can anyone answer some questions for me? Where do you get off? The schedule shows stops at Glacier Park East and Glacier Park West. Which one is best to get off at? What about Whitefish or Kalispell? Are they close enough or is that too far to drive? Are there car rental places near the train station? Can anyone recommend a place to stay, either in the park or nearby? We're NOT campers, so we're looking for hotel recommendations!!! How do you buy the tickets for the train? Do we buy two separate tickets? We would end up going from Milwaukee to Glacier Park. The next day we would be going from Glacier Park to Seattle. And then we would need a return trip from Seattle to Milwaukee. Is there anything else that I'm not thinking of? Thanks in advance!!!
posted
If you have checked baggage, Whitefish is the only option. There are at least 2 car rental companies that will meet you at the depot in Whitefish (Hertz is one), and there are many very nice but pricey places to stay in town. Glacier is only 20 miles away. I stayed at the cheapest nice place I could find: "The Cheap Sleep" Motel and it was excellent but no frills. There are also many fine eateries in town. Reservations are a must in the summer as most good lodging is full by evening.
Whitefish is home to a major ski area (Big Mtn.) and is a Mountain Biking destination of national repute, so the whole town is built around tourism and recreation.
East Glacier offers tours by open top bus into Glacier (an old railroad tradition) and has an elegant historic lodge right behind the depot. They may have rental cars there, but no checked baggage.
West Glacier is the closest to the most popular attractions and lodges in the park.
None of the 3 train stops are a bad choice, but Whitefish offers the most convenience and amenities, and has a beautiful big busy depot. It is also a longer stop for the train and you don't feel hurried to get on or off.
One day? You might wish you had more. The Going-to-the-Sun Highway is breathtaking, but it will take a good part of your day.
You might have to check with an Amtrak agent regarding the rules on stopovers vs. separate tickets. If you are looking to get a sleeping compartment in the summer, reserve early. If your kids are small enough, try for the family room (1 per car) where you can see out both sides of the train.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
My wife & I stopped at East Glacier Park in May 2002. The rental car agency is two and a half blocks away from the station and the hotel we stayed at is about a quarter mile away from town.
The rental was for a compact car, but we were upgraded to a 4 wheel drive explorer, due to the snow problem (It was snowing for two days {about one and a half feet of snow!}). The area is very scenic and the drive to West Glacier Park provides an awesome view of the Rockies.
However, a day is not enough time, unless that's all the time you have. You will definitely want to return for a longer visit.
On the Amtrak tickets, just tell the agent what you want to do. That part will be no problem at all.
BOOK the trip EARLY! And do a google search for hotels in East Glacier Park. They were reasonable on the rates (to the best of my memory).
[This message has been edited by mikesmith (edited 02-23-2004).]
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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As someone else said, the Glacier Park Lodge is right behind the East Glacier AMTRAK station (and can be seen from the station). Another option is the Izaak Walton Inn, which is basically at the Essex stop, which I believe is a flag stop, but if your AMTRAK reservation lists that as your destination, the train will stop for you. I can't address the rental car issue, but, concerning reservations, you can make one AMTRAK reservation which will include all 3 legs of your trip (MKE-Glacier; Glacier-SEA; and SEA-MKE) as long as you know the days you will be travelling. You will get one ticket stub for each leg of the trip.
Like someone else said, you may want to spend more than one day at Glacier Park. Have a great trip!!
[This message has been edited by RRRICH (edited 02-23-2004).]
[This message has been edited by RRRICH (edited 02-23-2004).]
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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