12 Things You Should Know Before Traveling Across the Country on Amtrak

Speaking of views, photos alone will not do this trip justice. We were able to see the Rocky Mountains, the Sierra Nevadas, Colorado's canyons, and even a few bald eagles. We spent many hours just looking out our window because the sights were entertainment enough.

Truth be told, the section of the trip from Denver to Chicago was bland. There were lots of endless fields and farmland, but not much more than that. The excitement comes mostly at the beginning and end of the journey.