Back in '94 I took Amtrak from Milwaukee to Seattle to visit a college friend of mine. Its a fun way to go! I liked to sit in the observation car and just watch the scenery go by. If your expectations aren't too high about the level of service (food in the dining car was good, but the service was slow and the staff was more like what you'd find at the motor vehicle office than in a service business), you'll have a good time.