Amtrak Roadtrip 2019
January 25-27, 2019

There are still several places to go on Amtrak that have not yet been visited previously. The Kalamazoo Air Zoo is one such example. There are more than 50 airplanes covering the history of flight and its applications. Refer to www.airzoo.org for photos of planes and the facilities and to YouTube for a video describing the attractions.

One of the traditions is to quietly party on the train by passing snacks and drinks. There is a bar on this train selling pop, water and adult beverages.

Getting there and back: This should be a 2 hour trip, depending on weather, track condition, personnel availability, equipment maintenance/reliability and the freight train schedule. We leave from Union Station, Jackson and Canal, Chicago and meet inside the terminal on the upper food court concourse in the bar.

Use Amtrak.com. There may be specials. Note that prices are higher the closer to departure the tickets are purchased. The range is currently about $50 or less depending on discounts that may be available.

Leave on Friday January 25 2019 Amtrak 352 Wolverine
From Chicago Union Station (CHI) at 1:25 P.M. Arrive Kalamazoo (KAL) 4:34 P.M.

Return Sunday January 27 2019 Amtrak 353 Wolverine
From Kalamazoo at 1:31 P.M. Arrive Chicago at 3:05 P.M.


Where to stay:
Stay at the Hampton Inn, 2610 Airview Boulevard, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49001: +1-269-343-0400; breakfast is included; $124 plus tax per night. Use booking link below:
Booking Link: Copy and paste into your browser. You should get a page stating ‘Chicagoland MG Club at the top right.

https://secure3.hilton.com/en_US/hp/reservation/book.htm?inputModule=HOTEL&ctyhocn=AZOKAHX&spec_plan=CHHCMG&arrival=20190125&departure=20190127&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT

There is no shuttle service and we must use taxi service, probably about $30 per person total for all transfers to and from the hotel and to and from the Air Zoo.


What to see:
Kalamazoo Air Zoo, 6151 Portage Rd, Portage, MI 49002, $15 entrance (bring your Smithsonian card if you have one for a reduced entry fee).

Questions: snyder@chicagolandmgclub.com / 847-295-2753 (leave message).

~~ Jake & Ann Snyder