America by Rail

 

Branson Holiday Express - Pennsylvania - Details

Day 1: En Route

Our Tour Director will greet those departing Binghamton at the K-Mart on West State Street this morning. Stops will be made at other popular spots in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Allentown, and Reading. An “on-your-own” lunch stop is scheduled in Lancaster before we continue on to the Amtrak station. Lancaster tour participants will meet us there. At 1:52 p.m., we’ll depart Lancaster on Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian and enjoy a pleasant afternoon rail excursion through some of the Keystone State’s most beautiful mountain scenery. Additional tour members will board the Pennsylvanian in Harrisburg (2:40 p.m.), Altoona (5:06 p.m.), and Johnstown 6:00 p.m.). Relax in your comfortable reclining coach seat. The lounge car is nearby. At 5:20 we’ll pass through the world-famous Horseshoe Curve. We’re scheduled to arrive in Greensburg at 6:52 p.m. Greensburg participants will meet us there. We’ll board a motor coach and transfer the short distance to Connellsville. Time permitting, we’ll make an “on-your-own” dinner stop at Greensburg’s Old Country Buffet. We’ll continue on to Connellsville where at 9:42 we’re scheduled to board the Capital Limited, a double-decker, Superliner-equipped train. When you board the train, you’ll be shown to your private Roomette bedroom. The upgraded Bedrooms with private lavatory and shower are available at an additional cost.

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Day 2: En Route - St Louis

Enjoy a hearty, full-course breakfast in the dining car. Then, head for the Sightseer Lounge car where the glass extends from floor to ceiling. It’s a great place to enjoy the scenery as we roll past the farmlands and factories of northern Indiana. Our arrival into the Windy City is scheduled for 8:40 a.m. During our time in Chicago the first-class Metropolitan Lounge will be our base. Chicago is one of America’s great cities with numerous world-class attractions. The Sears Tower is a block away from Union Station. Restaurants are located in Union Station and nearby.

At 1:30 p.m. we'll board the Texas Eagle for the 280-mile journey to St. Louis. Sandwiches, snacks and beverages are available in the lounge car. A full-course dining car dinner is another option. Our arrival into St. Louis is scheduled for 7:21 p.m. We'll transfer the short distance to the Holiday Inn Southwest.

Meal(s): B

Day 3: Branson

A full-course breakfast in our hotel is included. We’ll board our deluxe motor coach and travel southwest through the foothills of the beautiful Ozark Mountains. “Duck! Oh; it’s just another three-inch missile whizzing by your ear.” Today’s “on-your-own” lunch site is Lambert’s Cafe, the only home of the throwed rolls. The food is great and there’s plenty of it. This Ozark, Missouri, eatery is one of America’s “funnest” restaurants. At mid afternoon we’ll arrive at the attractive Lodge of the Ozarks, our comfortable accommodations for the next three nights in Branson. The Lodge is convenient to many shows and attractions. Count on an exquisite dining experience this evening at our hotel’s Club Vegas. Following dinner, our Branson travelers will enjoy a performance by one of America’s favorite songsmiths, Bobby Vinton. The “Polish Prince” will perform many of his number one hits, including seasonal favorites.

Meal(s): B D

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Day 4: Branson

A full buffet breakfast in our hotel is included each morning in Branson. At 9:00 we'll embark on a three-hour sightseeing tour of Branson and the awesomely scenic Ozark countryside. You'll have time for an “on-your-own” lunch in downtown Branson. Be sure to visit Dick’s old-fashioned 5 and 10 cent store. Following lunch, we’ll transfer to the Sight and Sound Theater for the Noah spectacle. After God reveals to the righteous Noah that a flood will extinguish all life on earth, He charges Noah to construct an ark massive enough to shelter his family, other true believers, and pairs of every species of living creatures. You’ll be captivated as this powerful Biblical story unfolds before you on the extraordinary, towering wrap-around stage. Tonight we’re off to McFarlain’s Family Restaurant and Pie Shop. “Homestyle cookin’ like it’s supposed to be!” The pie is served first. This evening we’re off to the Starlight Theater for a spectacular Christmas Show. For the first time ever, Tony Orlando joins the Lennon Sisters for an incredible Christmas Celebration! Tony Orlando showcases his chart topping songs including "Tie a Yellow Ribbon around the Old Oak Tree", "Sweet Gypsy Rose" and "Knock Three Times" then The Lennon Sisters sing harmony from their hearts with musical memories from their 50 years as America's Sweethearts of Song.

Meal(s): B D

Day 5: Branson

This morning you’ll have the option of shopping or relaxing in your hotel. Attending a show or visiting the Landmark Titanic Museum / Attraction are other options. We’ll have an “on-your-own” lunch at a Branson restaurant. This afternoon we’ll transfer to the Shoji Tabuchi Theater where you'll be entertained by the renowned Shoji Tabuchi. For a number of years, the Japanese violinist has headlined Branson's most popular show Dinner this evening is at the popular Grand Country Buffet. Following dinner, we’ll travel to the Moon River Theater for an evening with Andy Williams. You'll be delighted by Andy’s full orchestra as he performs all his greatest hits as well as songs from the Big Band era, Broadway, and Nashville.

Meal(s): B D

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Day 6: En Route

Following breakfast, we’ll board our deluxe motor coach and depart Branson for St. Louis. An “on-your-own” luncheon stop is scheduled. At 1:45 p.m. we’ll arrive at the world famous 630-foot high Gateway Arch in St. Louis. A visit to the Museum is included. Options include: a trip to the top of the Arch and a 45-minute film chronicling the history of the Old West. We’ll continue north 100 miles to Springfield, Illinois, where we’ll spend the night at the attractive Drury Inn and Suites. There are a number of dining options.

Meal(s): B

Day 7: En Route

Following a Continental breakfast (included), we'll transfer to the Springfield Amtrak station where, at 8:33 a.m., we'll board the State House for Chicago. Snacks and beverages are available in the lounge car. Our arrival into Chicago's Union Station is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. The comfortable Metropolitan Lounge will again be our base in Chicago. At 1:30 p.m. we'll board a deluxe motor coach for a four-hour sightseeing tour of the Windy City. Chicago is one of the most exciting and vital cities in America. A one-hour stop will be made at the famous Navy Pier. We’ll return to Union Station and the Metropolitan Lounge. We’ll meet at 6:00 p.m. in the Metropolitan Lounge and prepare to board our east-bound Capitol Limited. Departure is scheduled for 7:05. You’ll again travel first-class in private Roomette bedrooms. The upgraded Bedrooms with private lavatory and shower are available at an additional cost. A shower for Roomette bedroom occupants is on the lower level. A full-course dining car dinner will be served following our departure from Chicago (included).

Meal(s): CB D

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Day 8: En Route

Enjoy a hearty, full-course breakfast in the dining car. The Allegheny Mountain scenery between Pittsburgh and Cumberland, Maryland, is spectacular. Upon arrival into Cumberland at 9:44 a.m., we’ll board a deluxe motor coach and travel northward to Greensburg, Pennsylvania. We’ll spend several hours at Greensburg’s Westmoreland Mall. There are a number of full service and fast food restaurants available. Lunch will be the main meal today for most tour participants. We’ll board the eastbound Pennsylvanian at 2:01 p.m. in Greensburg. Relax in a reclining coach seat. Sandwiches, snacks and beverages are available in the nearby lounge car. At 3:30 p.m. we’ll travel through the famed Horseshoe Curve. Tour members will disembark in Johnstown (2:54 p.m.), Altoona (3:49 p.m.), Harrisburg (6:45 p.m.), and Lancaster (7:40 p.m.) Those returning to Reading, Allentown, Wilkes Barre and Scranton will board a deluxe motor coach in Lancaster and arrive at home destinations throughout the evening. An “on-your-own” dinner stop will be made.

Meal(s): B

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