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I love this time of year! I’m a huge holiday person and I love everything about it. However, it can be really stressful. There is so much to get done in a very limited amount of time. We took a break from all the hustle and bustle and had a family holiday getaway with the Downeaster from Amtrak. It was the perfect way to spend the day as a family and take in the great New England scenery.

We hopped on the train at the Haverhill, MA station and went into Boston for the day. The station was clean and nice. It is all outside (though there is a covered platform) and unmanned so you have to have your tickets in advance. The train was on time and the kids were excited. When we got to our seats they were a lot roomier than I expected. The seats were very comfortable with large windows (which the kids loved) and fold-down tray tables. The seats also had plugs which came in handy for keeping the kiddos iPads charged. The kids were a little on the “over excited” side so I’m glad we took an early train that was not as crowded.

Our seats were in the Coach car (you can upgrade to Business Class for a small fee). The Coach car also has a bathroom and we explored this several times throughout our short trip. We loved the Downeaster Cafe. It serves snacks and light meals from local vendors which was a nice touch. You can also purchase alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. I found the prices reasonable and the snacks kept the kids happy while they were watching the scenery. Check out the cafe menu below:
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We got off at Boston’s North Station in the heart of Boston ready to spend the day together! We have spent a significant amount of time in Boston so we are familiar with the subway system. We were able to hop on the “T” and went to the Aquarium with the kids. Our day was full of transportation fun for our mini holiday getaway! We had a blast as a family and enjoyed a comfortable ride back on the train. I can’t wait to take the train the other way and explore everything Maine has to offer!

There are several current promotions for the Amtrak Downeaster you can take advantage of this holiday season like the Take 5 – Pay $5. Gather your group on Tuesdays and Thursdays through the end of 2015 and take advantage of our Take 5 – Pay $5 promotion. Buy one full-price ticket and bring up to 5 companions for $5 one-way.The also offer the Train to Maine BOGO deal. Buy one full price ticket and you get a ticket for free! This promotion runs until December 31, 2015 and tickets must be purchased three days in advance of travel to take advantage of this discount. Offer valid on select trains. For more information on any of these deals or to plan your own trip you can visit the Amtrak Downeaster website. You can also sign up for their newsletter to be the first to know about all of their upcoming specials! You can also see the train schedule below.

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Amtrak is generously giving one of my readers two round-trip tickets for the Downeaster for a special holiday getaway (or anytime getaway!). Enter below for your chance to win:

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