I'm in Omaha briefly in July - arrive 2256 July 5th, depart 0514 July 7th. Any tips on hotels that aren't to far from the Amtrak station and also arent to expensive, Omaha is 3rd stop on a 7 stop itinery and i'm travelling with my 4 year old. Friends have suggested that i could find somewhere to stay for the first night and wait at the station for the second night (considering how early the train is) but considering all alternatives to this!

To the best of my recollection, the closest is the Embassy Suites/Old Market, but it's not cheap! There are also some hotels downtown, but again, not cheap...Hilton Garden Inn, Courtyard, Doubletree, Hilton. Just north of downtown there is a Fairfield Inn (could be reasonable), Hampton Inn & Suites and Homewood Suites.

You might look at the Comfort Inn/Suites at the zoo...it would be south of the train station and near the zoo and if you have a 4-year old, the zoo would be a great activity for you both--it's awesome!

Here is the website:

http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-omaha-nebraska-NE049?sid=xoDgt.5dO$rgWgdg.1

I've stayed there once, several years ago and as I recall it was quite serviceable, nothing fancy, but fine.

Comfort Inn at the Zoo is within my budget and looks pretty alright, i just hope they'll be ok about late checkins and early checkouts, they say they have a 24 hour desk so hopefully it'll be ok

I would think they'd be fine with that...it's right off I-80 so I would think they'd be prepared for people checking in and out at all hours. Best of luck with your trip.

looking forward to it now going to New York, Washington, Chicago, Galesburg, Kansas City, Independence and Los Angeles as well as Omaha

Wow--that's quite a trip! I'm jealous...I love train travel even though I realize it has its issues in the US.

i love train travel within in the US but i've only travelled alone before, my four year old travelled well when she was smaller but this is the first "big" trip we've taken since she was 23 months so i'm looking forward to all the stops in between train travel!

My son and I when he was 4 traveled from Syracuse, NY to Chicago, IL and honestly I give you props for doing it because it was a horrible ride. Are you getting yourselfs the private carts for the trip? The trains are cramped and very hard to sleep on. But, if you have the private carts, its well worth the extra 300.00 plus tickets. Good luck with your travels!

I got the rail passes so it'll be coach all the way, but i took the lake shore limited and the texas eagle from new york to los angeles last year and managed to sleep ok and my daughter will sleep anywhere fortunately

hmm just got a better deal on priceline at Fairfield inn and suites