Amtrak has a sale on their USA Rail Pass, reg. $499, now $299
30 days, 10 different rail travel "segments". Restrictions apply. You can read about it here:
https://www.amtrak.com/tickets/departure-rail-pass.html
This is an excellent way to see the USA on a budget. If you've never taken a long-distance train trip, now may be the time. Sale ends June 22. Cross post from the Travel group.
Hmmm, where can I go in October?
= new reply since forum marked as read
When I went back to the website, I logged in with my info and it brought up the "Purchase" option. Perhaps you need to create a login account to purchase it. Also, if you are logged in, when you make any purchase, you receive "Guest Reward Points". These are like frequent flyer miles. Save them up and you get free travel. At the end of this month, I am taking a week-long trip from Tacoma to Sacramento (3550 points), then on to Galesburg, IL (5751 points), back to Los Angeles ($145) and then back to Tacoma ($99). Total cost for a week of train travel (4 segments): 9301 points and $244. That's travel only (in Coach Class), and does not include any food or lodging outside of the train itself. So you can see that the $299 for 10 segments is quite the bargain.
As for food, in lieu of buying the expensive food and snacks on the train, they let you bring your own. They also let you bring 2 carry-on bags, and 2 personal items (for me, a large purse and food bag) at no additional charge. Of course, in addition to that, you may also check 2 bags, also free of charge. The seats in coach are very roomy, bigger than the airline's first class, and they recline with a leg and foot rest so it's like sleeping in a recliner. Here's what Coach class looks like:
And on most long-distance trains, you get access to the Sightseer Lounge, also called the Observation car:
So you aren't confined to your assigned seat for the trip's duration.
Disclaimer: I have been riding Amtrak since the mid 1980's and it is my favorite way to travel. I absolutely love Amtrak! 
The person who sold us the tickets said oh for a few dollars more you can get the first class treatment, you’ll really enjoy it. We did and what a blast, we got a sleeper compartment, first dibs on eating in the dining car and free access to the observation car. Only time I have been on a train, and he was right we really did enjoy it. Only way to go, first class. 