CITIES ON THE EMPIRE BUILDER ROUTE Everything along the Empire Builder route seems to be larger than life -- the 110-story Sears Tower in Chicago, the Mall of America in Minneapolis-St. Paul, and the wide-open spaces of Big Sky Country. When native Americans made this trip years ago, they called it the "Trail of Tears," but you'll love the comfort and style of making the trip aboard Amtrak. The train leaves from Union Station in Chicago, stopping in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, then Fargo. From there, take the train along the Canadian border to Spokane, where you can board connecting service to Portland. Along the way, peer out the panoramic windows of one of our Lounge Cars, and look for bald eagles as you zoom by the vast wilderness that is Glacier National Park, the rugged cliffs of the Rockies and the rushing Columbia River. Be sure to pick up a cup of Java when your trip ends in Seattle. _______________ CHICAGO, IL Chicago may be known as the "Second City," but this city is second to none. Starting with the city's picturesque Union Station, this city is a perfect combination of past and present, of industry and technology. Enjoy an architectural tour down the Chicago River, cheer on one of the local sports teams, groove to world-class music at the renowned House of Blues, or marvel at the view of Lake Michigan from the tallest building in America. With fantastic shopping, various ethnic cuisine and show-stopping theater, the Windy City will knock you off your feet. Let Amtrak take you there. UNION STATION á 225 S. CANAL ST. á CHICAGO, IL 60661 _____ MILWAUKEE, WI Recognized as the "Beer Capital of the Nation," Milwaukee offers visitors more than just a few tall, cold ones. The city sits on the western shore of Lake Michigan, at the intersection of the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic Rivers, so stunning vistas aren't hard to come by. Drive down Lincoln Memorial Drive, along the beach, for some of the best views inland of an ocean coast. For the landlubbers, there's the War Memorial Center, the world-famous Milwaukee County Zoo, and the Pabst Mansion, an architectural utopia like the ones in New England. _____ MINNEAPOLIS, MN The mighty Mississippi River begins in Minneapolis, where visitors can walk along the Mississippi Mile and watch the river gain volume and momentum. Historically, this rush of water into the "River City" was harnessed to process Minnesota's grain into bread for the entire Midwest. Grain giants like Pillsbury and General Mills still have their headquarters in the city's glistening downtown. Perhaps Minnesota's most famous site is the Mall of America, the nation's largest indoor shopping center. Other attractions include the American Swedish Institute, Minnehaha Falls, the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. ST. PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, MN á 730 TRANSFER RD. á 55114 _____ FARGO, ND Situated in the heart of the Red River Valley, Fargo is the largest metropolitan area between Minnesota and Washington, and one of the busiest cities along the country's northern border. The city is home to some of the most fertile farmland in the world, and agriculture is a big part of the true Fargo experience. Visitors can enjoy the Plains Art Museum, Children's Museum at Yunker Farm, AB Farm Art, North Dakota's largest art gallery. Other attractions include the Roger Maris Museum, the Fargo Theater, Red River Zoo, and the Hjemkomst Interpretive Center, a facility devoted to the city's Scandinavian heritage. 420 4TH ST. N. á FARGO, ND 58102 _____ MINOT, ND Named after a young, entrepreneurial visionary from the east, Minot was built upon the arrival of the Great Northern Railroad in 1886. The city grew quickly, and residents nicknamed it the "Magic City" for the speed with which the place came together. Today, with a population of 35,000, the city is a vibrant center of agriculture offering a nationally recognized quality of life. Visitors can enjoy the annual Norsk Hostfest, a Scandinavian-American heritage festival held every winter, and a tour of the Minot Air Force Base, one of the busiest bases in Big Sky country. A visit to Minot is one you'll never forget. 400 FIRST AVE. S.W. á MINOT, ND 58701 _____ WHITEFISH, MT Once a lucrative fur-trading outpost, Whitefish is now one of the most popular ski destinations in the West. Big Mountain, the ski operation, features more than 3,000 acres of terrain in the Whitefish Range. The mountain offers ski fanatics trails for every skill level, and views unmatched anywhere in the Northwest. This is Big Sky country at its finest, and from the nearby Glacier National Park, you can trace the horizon into oblivion. If you don't ski, don't worry. With dozens of local restaurants and hotels, Whitefish is a year-round vacation town situated perfectly for day-trips or for relaxing in a resort ambience. 500 DEPOT ST. á WHITEFISH, MT 59937 _____ SPOKANE, WA Dads owe a lot to Spokane. Back in 1910, it was the first city to celebrate "Father's Day," starting what has become a national day of appreciation. But Spokane is really a city for the entire family, offering picture-perfect scenery and enough amenities to keep everyone happy. Overlooking the beautiful Spokane River, the city is a major railway connecting point for the Pacific Northwest. Visitors can check out the famous Coulee Dam, listen to the Spokane Symphony, or relax in Riverfront Park, site of the 1974 World's Fair. Music fans can enjoy the Bing Crosby Memorabilia Room at Gonzaga University, Crosby's alma mater. W. 221 FIRST AVE. á SPOKANE, WA 99204 _____ SEATTLE, WA Seattle draws visitors with its blend of urban sophistication, easy-going charm, and access to spectacular recreation. The arts here are strong and innovative, and the restaurants -- from the tiny International District dumpling stands to the posh, first-class dining rooms -- further add to the city's eclectic character. Other sites to see are Space Needle, which dominated Seattle's boldly futuristic 1962 World's Fair; Pike Place Market, the oldest continuously operating farmer's market in the country; and the numerous coffee shops that started a nationwide trend. 303 S. JACKSON ST. á SEATTLE, WA 98104