train trips chicago

Amtrak Guide

By train travelers for train travelers, 20 best amtrak trips from chicago.

Chicago is one of the best cities for train travel. Sixteen Amtrak routes arrive and depart from Chicago Union Station , so there are many options for day, weekend or multiple-day getaways. Here are some of the best trip options listed in order of travel time so you can start planning your rail adventure. Destinations were selected based on convenient train departure times and unique things to see and do.

This website is reader supported and not affiliated with Amtrak. We may earn a small commission from links on this page . For current schedules, visit Amtrak.com,

For a day or overnight trip, travel to Milwaukee on the Hiawatha Amtrak route. Travel time is about 1.5 hours, and you’ll arrive near the Historic Third Ward neighborhood and the RiverWalk. There are several museums and a zoo to explore, including the Harley-Davidson Museum, which is in walking distance of the Amtrak station. You can also go to a sporting event, visit the many breweries or attend one of the city’s many festivals .

St. Joseph/Benton Harbor

Escape the city and experience Lake Michigan from the charming towns of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor via the Pere Marquettte Amtrak route. In addition to beaches and parks, explore the Sarett Nature Center , Silver Beach Carousel and wineries. This trip from Chicago is only two hours, but you’ll need to stay at least one night in Michigan as there is only one train each day.

Springfield

Book a trip on the Texas Eagle or Lincoln Service to visit Springfield , the Illinois capital. Major attractions here include the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum , Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Illinois State Museum and various other historic homes and parks. If you plan to do a day trip, you’ll have about six hours to explore if you choose the morning departure from Chicago and evening departure from Springfield.

Wisconsin Dells

A great destination for kids, the Wisconsin Dells is full of water parks , theme parks, wildlife parks and outdoor activities . It’s approximately a four-hour train ride from Chicago on the Empire Builder , with an arrival around dinnertime. Plan to stay two nights in order to have a full day to visit the local attractions. You can walk to several hotels and motels near the Amtrak station ( White Rose Inn s and Alpine Motel are two of the top-rated places to stay) or check out hotels with shuttles (verify service with the hotels before booking).

About 5.5 hours away from Chicago by train, St. Louis is known for the Gateway Arch , but there are many other things to see and do. Some of the top attractions include the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Art Museum, Mississippi River and Busch Stadium. There are multiple trains to choose from each day, so a day trip is doable, but due to the longer travel time, you may want to stay overnight in St. Louis .

Minneapolis/St. Paul

Minneapolis and St. Paul are full of cultural attractions, sport venues and outdoor activities — including a  scenic bike trail  along the Mississippi River,  Chain of Lakes recreation  and a beautiful  urban park with a waterfall . If you don’t like cold weather, plan to visit between May and September, although the  Saint Paul Winter Carnival  is a historic event worth checking out. Travel time from Chicago is almost eight hours.

Niagara Falls

Visit the majestic Niagara Falls with a getaway on Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited route. This is an overnight trip with a morning arrival in Buffalo, New York. Roomettes and bedrooms are available for a more comfortable and private experience on the train. Travel time is 10 hours, and you’ll be sleeping most of that time.

On the return trip to Chicago, the Lake Shore Limited departs Buffalo around midnight, which means you can spend the day sightseeing and get back on the train same day instead of staying at a hotel.

You’ll need to rent a car or use a taxi or rideshare service to reach downtown Buffalo and the Niagara Falls area — both have hotels if you plan to stay overnight. An Enterprise rental car office is near the Amtrak station. Call ahead to confirm pickup from the Amtrak station. The falls are about a 40-minute drive away from the train station and 30 minutes from Enterprise. FlixBus also departs from downtown Buffalo and travels to the Niagara Falls State Park .

About 10.5 hours away from Chicago, Memphis is full of music and iconic places. It’s a party every night on Beale Street , and during the day you can visit Graceland, Sun Studio, the National Civil Rights Center and other tourist sites . When you aren’t sightseeing, eat the city’s famous barbecue or go on a top-rated food tour .

The Greenbrier Resort

Travel through the beautiful New River Gorge on the Cardinal route to reach The Greenbrier , a 1778 resort with casino. The Cardinal only operates three days each week, so you will need to stay more than one night, but there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. In addition to the casino, there is a spa, golf course, swimming pools, bike rentals, bowling alley, fishing, aerial adventure course and more. Travel time is about 17 hours from Chicago, and the White Sulphur Springs Amtrak Station is conveniently next to the resort, so you don’t have to rent a car.

Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. is about 17 hours away from Chicago via the Capitol Limited route. The train departs Chicago around dinnertime and arrives at D.C. Union Station in early afternoon. At the station you can transfer to WMATA subway trains for easy access to museums , monuments and hotels. Taxi and rideshare cars are also options for getting around. Plan to stay in Washington D.C. at least one night before returning to Chicago. View top-rated hotels to find a place to stay.

New York City

Be a part of the city that never sleeps with trip to New York City . Travel time is between 19 and 20 hours on the Lake Shore Limited Amtrak route, with an arrival at the new Penn Station train hall in the evening. Penn Station has connections to the MTA subway and you can easily walk to the Empire State Building and Times Square . If you plan to see a Broadway Show, you’ll need to stay two nights in the city and use your first night to get settled at your hotel and see any attractions that aren’t at a scheduled time (in case there are train delays).

New Orleans

Plan a trip to New Orleans for amazing food, music and culture. The City of New Orleans train departs Chicago in the evening and arrives 20 hours later in the afternoon. The return train departs each day in the afternoon, so you could stay one night in New Orleans and have time to see some of the sights. Attractions to check out include the National World War II Museum , Garden District, French Quarter and historic cemeteries. There are also boat tours and streetcars for sightseeing.

Eat lobster, drink local craft beer and relive American Revolution history in Boston . The Freedom Trail is a must-do. Travel time is 21-22 hours to and from Boston’s South Station on the Lake Shore Limited route, with an evening departure from Chicago and evening arrival in Boston. You can also book your Amtrak ticket to the Back Bay Station, which is closer to Fenway Park and Copley Place shopping mall.

September and October are great months to visit, along with the summer months. Plan to stay two nights in the city, otherwise, you’ll basically only have one morning to see the sights before the daily early afternoon train back to Chicago.

Rocky Mountains

The California Zephyr is arguably the most scenic Amtrak route, especially the journey through the Rocky Mountains along the Colorado River (pictured above). There are multiple Amtrak stations in the Rockies with lodging and activities so you can enjoy time there before returning to Chicago.

If you love skiing, book your Amtrak ticket to Fraser/Winter Park (21-hour trip) and hit the slopes at the popular Winter Park Resort . Glenwood Springs (25 hours from Chicago and pictured top of page), is another great option with hotels and a hot springs pool in walking distance of the Amtrak station. There are also hiking trails, whitewater rafting, an amusement park and the Frontier Historical Museum to explore.

When the weather gets cold in Chicago, head to Texas on the Texas Eagle to explore Dallas or Austin . Dallas is 22 hours away from Chicago by train and Austin is 28. Both have surprisingly walkable areas near the Amtrak stations, light rail transit and rental car options.

In Dallas, the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza , the site of his assassination and the Sixth Floor Museum are all in walking distance of the Dallas Amtrak Station . There are also many other museums and an aquarium nearby, or rent a car to reach the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.

For a vacation full of music, nightlife and outdoor recreation, travel to Austin. There are many parks along the Colorado River to explore, boat rentals and tours, kayaking, paddleboarding, festivals, and live entertainment on 6th Street .

Albuquerque

Albuquerque is 26 hours away from Chicago on the Southwest Chief . It’s New Mexico’s largest city, plus you’ll travel through mountains on the way there. Top attractions include Sandia Peak Tramway for gorgeous panoramic views, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center , National Museum of Nuclear Science and the Petroglyph National Monument . There’s also plenty of things to check out near the Amtrak station, including a zoo , botanic garden , Old Town Albuquerque , and trails along the Rio Grande River. Consider planning your trip around the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta , which is a major event in the fall.

Glacier National Park

Take Amtrak to Glacier National Park on the Empire Builder to see stunning landscapes and relax in a historic inn. There are four train stations near the park to choose from, each with unique lodging options. East Glacier Park is the first stop, about 30 hours away from Chicago, and you can walk to the Glacier Park Lodge from the station. Next is Essex Station, which is next to the historic Izaak Walton Inn . West Glacier Station is the third station near the park, with the West Glacier Village, the 1910 Belton Chalet and other lodges in walking distance. Or get off the train in Whitefish if you want to rent a car or stay in an area near restaurants.

Los Angeles

Travel to Los Angeles for a 43-hour, two-night trip on the entire length of the Southwest Chief Amtrak route. You’ll travel though mountains and deserts and arrive at the beautiful Los Angeles Union Station in the morning. There’s plenty to see and do in the city, including the Getty Center , Griffith Observatory , Hollywood Sign , Santa Monica Pier , theme parks, tours, shopping and beaches. If you don’t want to take Amtrak back to Chicago, there are plenty of direct flights to choose from.

Portland and Seattle

Last, but not least, is the full long-distance trip on the Empire Builder . You have the choice to travel from Chicago to either Portland or Seattle . Both options offer amazing scenery, with views of the Columbia River Gorge on the Portland route, or travel along Puget Sound and multiple rivers on the Seattle segment. You’ll also see the Rocky Mountains in Montana if you book your trip around the summer solstice. Total travel time is 46 hours, with two nights on the train. You can easily get a flight back to Chicago in Portland or Seattle to shorten the return trip.

More Information

• Amtrak’s 15 Long-Distance Routes
• 7 Essential Things to Pack for an Amtrak Trip
• Popular Amtrak destinations from Chicago

Top photo credit: Loco Steve/Flickr.com (California Zephyr train in Colorado)

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The best Amtrak train trips from Chicago

Escape the city by train and discover everything the Midwest has to offer, from Minneapolis-Saint Paul to St. Louis.

Looking to get away but don't own a car? No worries. Chicago is surrounded by destinations featuring transformed Rust Belt lakefronts, walkable neighhorhoods, tranquil urban nature and glitzy restaurants that may even rival our Chicago favorites. And luckily, these  weekend getaway s  are accessible by train—so you  don't have to spend hours sitting in traffic on a Friday afternoon. Savvy Chicagoans know that whether it’s a day trip on the Metra or a family-friendly vacation, traveling the Midwest by rail means more time staring at sunsets than the Illinois Department of Transportation’s humorous highway messages (although we must admit they’re quite genius). Plan your next escape with our guide to the best trips from Chicago by Amtrak.

RECOMMENDED: Unique day trips from Chicago

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The top Amtrak excursions from Chicago

St. Louis, MO

Illinois Service Line  Train time from Chicago: 4 hours and 45 minutes

The Gateway City is best known for the 630-foot arch towering over downtown (it’s worth visiting the historic landmark for a great aerial view of the city), but venture to neighborhoods like Central West End, Lafayette Square and Maplewood for art, Victorian architecture and locally-owned shops and restaurants.

Say cheers to St. Louis’s brewing past with a tour of the Anheuser-Busch flagship brewery , an ornate 1850s-era facility housing over 30 of the company’s brands. Afterwards, head to one of the nearly 65 crafts breweries St. Louis boasts—start with Earthbound , Schlafly and 4 Hands Brewing Co . Before hopping back on the train, fill up at nearby Levels , a Nigerian-inspired restaurant aiming to bring the spirit—and delicious food—of Lagos to the Midwest.

Cincinnati, OH

Cardinal Line  Train time from Chicago: 10 hours and 49 minutes 

A two-state riverfront, historic German pork and beer manufacturing neighborhood and—if you time it right—a kitschy pig-themed road race are only an Amtrak away in Ohio’s third largest city. Head to the aptly named Over-the-Rhine district, where a world of 19th century European architecture, the Cincinnati S ymphony Orchestra , meat and cheese markets , breweries , and Cincy’s favorite scoops, Graeter’s , await. Finish off the historic charm admiring the over 80,000 volumes at downtown’s Mercantile Library , an impressive, brightly-lit space with a good sense of humor—especially when it comes to the terms of its 10,000-year lease.

Indianapolis, IN

Cardinal Line  Train time from Chicago: 4 hours and 54 minutes 

With the perks of a big city and the friendly and affordable atmosphere of a small town, it’s easy to feel at home in Indiana’s capital.  Olympic-sized swimming pools were recently constructed inside  Lucas Oil Stadium  to house competitors just weeks before the Paris Olympics—a first for an NFL stadium and an expected record for the largest swim meet ever. Whether you visit to cheer on the swimmers or the Colts, savor brunch carbonara and a croissant at Gallery Bistro & Bar under a wall-sized Anthony Bourdain painting (the late chef visited Indy in 2010) and head across the street to snap your photo with a one of the many NDY sculptures.

Kansas City, MO and Kansas City, KS

Southwest Chief Line  Train time from Chicago: 12 hours and 30 minutes 

Though forming distinct identities throughout its history, both sides of this city—often differentiated as either KCK or KCMO—captivate visitors with delightful recreation, thrilling sports and unexpected arts and culture, like boasting the most public fountains of any city in the world. After your train ride, stretch your legs on a walking tour with Urban Hikes KC (you’re bound to run into a fountain or two), offered in English or Spanish. Keep moving—and fill up—on the Missouri side at Chicken N Pickle , an indoor/outdoor recreation complex and restaurant with pickleball courts. Don’t miss the chance to catch a Kansas City Current game at the 11,500-seat CPKC Stadium , the first ever to be purpose-built for a professional women’s sports team.

Carbondale, IL

Illinois Service Line  Train time from Chicago: 5 hours and 30 minutes

What could be more perfect for a city esacpe than wine and the outdoors ? Just outside the home of Southern Illinois University, you’ll find over 40 miles of vineyards and some of the best hiking in Illinois. Between the eleven wineries comprising the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail (tasting ranges from $1-$12 depending on the pour) and the endless private and public camping , trailer and RV sites in and around Shawnee National Forest , the Carbondale region provides a welcome escape from the city bustle. There are plenty of shuttle services between wineries, including affordable commutes in five Southern Illinois counties through Shawnee MTD Public Transportation .

Cleveland, OH

Capitol Limited Line Train time from Chicago: 7 hours and 8 minutes 

Along the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland—”The Land” as it's known—is bursting with charm, proving it’s far from its ill-fitting reputation as another piece of the rundown Rust Belt. The city of neighborhoods has farm-to-table restaurants, cafes, bookstores and a diverse population ready to set the record straight. In Ohio City, stroll the cocktail bar-lined streets and take home a souvenir, and maybe even the scent of the city with a candle making class at Cleveland Candle Co . Explore the other areas of the city as you learn about Black history in Cleveland on a self-guided mural tour and even book  an overnight stay at the house where A Christmas Story was filmed—holiday season or not.

Milwaukee, WI

Hiawatha Line Train time from Chicago: 1 hour and 29 minutes

Chicago’s northern neighbor is an easily accesible getaway no matter the season, but head to the Cream City in the summer for an unbelievable array of water recreation and relaxation, international festivals and live music every night as the sun goes down. Delight in the painstakingly friendly atmopshere, whether you kayak between some of the city’s best breweries, jam out at weekly Chill on the Hill concerts or celebrate Black culture and heritage on Juneteenth .

Minneapolis–Saint Paul, MN

Borealis Line  Train time from Chicago: 7 hours and 24 minutes 

Set your sights on urban nature and Native American heritage when your train crosses the Mississippi into the Twin Cities. In fact, with 180 parks in Minneapolis, six blocks is the furthest you’ll have to walk to find one. Take in the flowing waters of the 53-foot waterfall at Minnehaha Regional Park or wind a kayak through the 22 miles of Minnehaha Creek, between the park and Lake Minnetonka. Before heading back to Chicago, graze on crickets with popcorn and elk tacos at James Beard Award winner Owamni , a one-of-a-kind indigenous restaurant using decolonized ingredients. 

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The 6 Best Train Trips To Take From Chicago

By staff in arts & entertainment on oct 9, 2015 4:00pm.

The Midwest loves its trains, and as the autumn leaves change colors, this might be the most beautiful time of year to take a weekend getaway by train. Take in the countryside views of Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and beyond from a cushioned seat aboard one of these trains bound for some of our favorite cities outside of Chicago. Here are our favorite train trips to take from Chicago—and if your favorite getaway isn't here, let us know in the comments.

Milwaukee : In under two hours on the Amtrak, Chicagoans will find themselves at the train station in the heart of downtown Milwaukee to begin either an eclectic day trip or a weekend getaway to check out the many gems the city has to offer. From bars and great food, to art, bookstores and the river walk, visitors from the Second City will experience a getaway with an cosmopolitan feel while enjoying the city's quintessential Midwestern personality.

Highlights include the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Betty Brinn Children's Museum for excellent exhibits, Woodland Pattern Book Center for readings and a decidedly unique book shop, especially for poetry lovers. For food and drink, the classic German tavern, Von Trier's and the cozy bar with a hipster edge, Hotel Foster will satisfy if you find yourself on the East Side.

While downtown, must-do highlights include the Newsroom bar for great cocktails and beer in a classic, noir pub with a journalism theme. As a bonus, it is located next to Safe-House, just another extension of this best-kept secret gem.

Grab some well above average pub food at Swinging Door Saloon , a place that also has an engaging and casual "locals" energy to it with a friendly staff within a classic space. With every part of the city offering a diverse array of places to see and things to do, it is ideal for a weekend trip so many of its nooks can be fully explored. —Carrie McGath

Kalamazoo : Just over two hours away from Chicago on the Amtrak, writers and artists as well as beer lovers and foodies will be equally content in this charming and bohemian Southwest Michigan city. Do your own brewery hop or schedule one with West Michigan Beer Tours since Kalamazoo is home to over a dozen microbreweries both downtown and in the surrounding area.

For fine art, be sure to go to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts to see a solid and significant permanent collection as well as compelling exhibitions. Also a literary hub that only continues to grow, see all manner of events from readings, to poetry slams and other spoken word performances. The presence of Kazoo Books and the Michigan News Agency just adds to the writer-friendly oasis Kalamazoo is at its core.

For foodies, Food Dance and Rustica are absolute musts. Off the beaten path is Rupert's Brew House a laid-back brewery with free shows, great beer (and housemaid rum!) and a pub dog, Captain Stooby, the brewery's 200 lb. Great Dane. O'Duffy's in the Vine Neighborhood is an authentic, friendly and cozy Irish pub with excellent pub fare and great rotating taps. For the "local watering hole," The Green Top Tavern is not to be missed as the bar with a mixture of beer tourists, hipsters and all other manner of longtime natives of the city. —Carrie McGath

Libertyville If you've only got a little bit of travel time, hope the Metra and get off at the Libertyville stop one weekend. It's a little over an hour of train time, and the train station is a short walk from fantastic places to eat, drink and shop. For finer dining, head to Tavern , or the newest sushi place in the area gaining great accolades, Shakou . If bar food is more your speed, check out Mickey Finn's , a newly relocated brew-pub that's long been a Libertyville favorite, both for its craft beers and its food.

Shopping includes everything from boutique home design stores to specialty shoe shops and Savory Spice shop , a gourmet spice purveyor on par with Evanston's Spice House. You can even catch a movie on the cheap at the old school Liberty Theatre .

Finally, if you could only spend time or money in one place, we recommend that it be Firkin . With amazing, creative entrees, a full bar of fantastic beers and wines, and an incredibly knowledgeable and friendly waitstaff, this tiny treasure will not disappoint. —Marielle Shaw

New Buffalo : Easily accessible via the Amtrak or the South Shore, this quaint resort town is especially a must-visit in the summer months, but is equally beautiful in the fall. Boasting a captivating lakeshore and pleasant beaches, it is a wonderful place to decompress and refuel from life in the big city. Also home to Oink's , once visited by Vice President, Joe Biden, is a wacky and wondrous spot to indulge in the joy of ice cream with huge selection of flavors.

For dining overlooking Lake Michigan, right near the beach, enjoy The Stray Dog pub and restaurant and Jimmy's bar for that local bar feel and an excellent New American menu and a rooftop patio. And of course, you can always try your luck at Four Winds Casino and free shuttles are available to get you there and back. —Carrie McGath

Memphis If there’s a place to slowdown and not be bothered by human drama, it’s on wheels of steel headed toward Memphis, Tennessee. On this ten-and-a-half hour train ride, let the city fade away and immerse yourself in a book, music or the scenery out your window as you slice through the cornfields of southern Illinois and ultimately the countryside of the upper south. Remember to pack some Soul with you too—you’re riding into Memphis, the home of Stax Records! For those who don’t know the label, they introduced the world to Soul greats such as Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes. —Ben Kramer

Grand Rapids, Michigan Here is a city that has culture, great food and lively nightlife. From the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts with cutting-edge exhibitions and film viewings, to Meijer Gardens for public artworks among a beautiful and sprawling park, the opportunity for fine art culture is diverse and appealing.

Stella's burger and whiskey bar has what GQ called the best burger in America in 2012 with the added asset of arcade games, pinball and a great bar in a fun atmosphere. Across the street, continue your pinball game at Pyramid Scheme and stay later for a show, with events almost nightly in a hipster-punk atmosphere. Vault of Midnight is a must-do for comic book lovers, and it is worth crossing the street for a superbly crafted coffee at Madcap . —Carrie McGath

Best of Chicagoist

Find train tickets to Chicago

Good to know, top tips for finding chicago train tickets.

• If you’re taking a train to Chicago, Union Station is the only train station in the city offering regional transit. All trains connecting with other cities in the United States and Canada leave from and arrive here. Get to and from Union Station using the CTA train system. It’s a great way to get around the city and the CTA Quincy stop is just half a mile away from the train station.
• When visiting Chicago, look up train tickets to Union Station in Chicago instead of arriving by plane. It’s probable this option is more affordable than flying in to the city. Not only is it more likely to be more inexpensive, but when arriving in Chicago you’ll find that the Union train station is already downtown. Arriving at Union Station can make getting around the city and to wherever you may be staying easier and avoids any airport hassle.
• If you’re taking the Amtrak to Chicago Union Station and you require accessible options of getting around, you have nothing to worry about. Chicago Union Train Station has an accessible entrance available at the main entrance on Canal Street. The station also offers elevators to get to the concourse from street level as well as assisted waiting and boarding areas in case you require extra assistance to get on or off the train.
• A great idea for traveling by train is taking a day trip from Chicago. There are a couple good options. Take a trip to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for example. There are plenty of departure and return times out of Union Station starting in the early morning until late evening. The trip is just about an hour and a half between cities and it’s definitely worth your while. Traveling by train gets you easily from one downtown to another.
• Looking for cheap train tickets to Chicago? 25% of our users found round-trip tickets to Chicago for the following prices or less: From Champaign $38, from Milwaukee $41, from South Bend $55
• Chicago's most searched train station on KAYAK is Chicago Union. It is located 1 mile from the city center.
• You will generally catch the best train deals if you travel to Chicago at noon.

FAQs when traveling to Chicago by train

What is the most popular train station in chicago.

Chicago Union is the most searched station in Chicago by KAYAK users.

Which train companies travel to Chicago?

Amtrak is the only train company serving Chicago.

How long is the train journey to Chicago from the closest popular cities?

Milwaukee to Chicago - 1h 19m East Lansing to Chicago - 3h 51m Kalamazoo to Chicago - 2h 40m Champaign to Chicago - 2h 37m Bloomington to Chicago - 2h 26m Grand Rapids to Chicago - 4h 08m South Bend to Chicago - 2h 05m

Is there a train with access to the airport?

If you wish to get to and from the airport by train, the city has the L line train, part of the Chicago Transit Authority. This train offers direct access between both the Chicago O’Hare International Airport as well as Midway Airport, and downtown Chicago. These trains are part of the rail system to get around the city.

Is taking a train to Chicago a good option for work travel?

If you need to go to Chicago on business, traveling by train is a great option. The Amtrak to Chicago offers free Wi-Fi on board so you can comfortably get work done on your way in to the city. Furthermore, if you’re eligible and part of some specific memberships, Union Station has the Metropolitan or the Hiawatha Lounges at your disposal where you can find workstations.

Is it possible to store luggage at Union Station in Chicago?

If you’re taking a train to Chicago and wish to visit the city without the hassle of dealing with luggage, there is the option to leave your luggage at the train station. In the lounges you may pay for a day pass and then have access to the storage area. This is a way for you to arrive comfortably to the city and walk around without having to carry any suitcases with you.

Does a ticket to or from Chicago include a piece of checked baggage?

Depending on where you’re traveling to, you may or may not have a piece of luggage included with your ticket to Chicago. For the most part, the overnight trains to and from Chicago include one checked bag with your ticket. Nonetheless, when reserving your specific trip through KAYAK, it will let you know if there is luggage included in your train fare.

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Search by train company, book train tickets to chicago (one-way).

7 National Parks You Can Visit By Amtrak Train

Discover these U.S. national parks that are accessible by Amtrak! Skip the traffic, enjoy scenic train rides, and explore stunning natural wonders.

• National parks can be accessed by Amtrak, providing a hassle-free and scenic way to reach stunning natural wonders.
• Travelers can explore iconic parks like the Grand Canyon and Glacier National Park via Amtrak routes with affordable ticket prices.
• Amtrak train rides offer breathtaking views of the American West while taking passengers to famous national parks for outdoor adventures.

National parks are great places to vacation and explore the country’s most stunning natural wonders without too much hustle. However, the challenge is that most of these national parks are far away. So, when people think of how to get there, some are discouraged. Many travelers opt for a road trip or RVing to these parks, and some take day trips to parks that are close to where they stay.

But there's one way that has been getting Americans to national parks for hundreds of years: Amtrak trains. On Amtrak train rides, vacationers can explore the country and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. Here are seven national parks that can be accessed by Amtrak routes.

7 Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Accessed by the amtrak southwest chief, which runs between chicago and los angeles.

The country’s top attraction, Grand Canyon National Park , doesn’t need an introduction. It's the prime destination for family vacations and one of the most visited national parks. Boarding the Southwest Chief takes travelers to this most visited natural wonder in the world . The train passes through eight states and iconic cities like Albuquerque.

Gaze outside the window to understand what makes the American West majestic. Passengers are rewarded with views of mountain ranges, canyons, and deserts. The Southwest Chief stops at the Flagstaff Amtrak Station. From there, visitors can drive to the national park and enjoy this amazing natural wonder.

10 Most-Visited Natural Wonders Of The World

6 yosemite national park, california, ride amtrak san joaquins to get here.

Yosemite National Park is one of the oldest parks in America . It certainly knows how to wow visitors with its cascading waterfalls, majestic granite cliffs, and giant sequoias. The park offers many outdoor adventures, including rafting, horseback riding, rock climbing, and water activities. Visitors can also pursue the scenic hiking trails in Yosemite National Park .

A ride on the Amtrak San Joaquins from Los Angeles is a hassle-free way to this natural wonder. The train goes through San Joaquin Valley, where passengers can see fields of tomatoes, almond orchards, and peach trees. Once travelers reach the Merced station stop, a YARTS bus (usually included in the train ticket) takes you to Yosemite.

5 Glacier National Park, Montana

Book the empire builder.

The Empire Builder travels daily from Chicago to Portland, passing through Seattle. This train journey offers a chance to experience the rugged beauty of the American West. Major portions of the Lewis and Clarke Trail and Big Sky Country in Montana are some of the attractions found along the way.

Passengers going to Glacier National Park are dropped at the East Glacier Station. After arriving at the park, spend time getting up close and personal with this natural wonder. Tour the cedar and hemlock forests in the park, learn about the history of Two Medicine Valley, or ride Red Buses and see why the park is referred to as the Crown of the Continent.

Explore 5 National Parks In Two Weeks On This Amtrak Trip

4 crater lake national park, oregon, accessible by the coast starlight line.

Oregon's bluest lake, Crater Lake , is one of the deepest lakes worldwide and is the deepest in the U.S., at nearly 2,000 feet. It was formed thousands of years ago after a massive eruption of Mount Mazama. The pressure from this eruption was so intense that the volcano collapsed on itself, leading to Crater Lake's formation. The park is attractive to all outdoor adventurers and a common place for hiking, paddling, and camping.

The Coast Starlight presents a fantastic journey to this park. It allows passengers to see the beaches of Southern Carolina and the forests and mountains of the Pacific Northwest. The ride is scenic and inviting throughout.

3 Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Board the lake shore limited.

Want to spend some days in dense forests and hills? Plan a trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the only national park in Ohio . Packed with scenic hiking trails and different places to kayak, vacationing there is a fun-filled experience.

Amtrak Lake Shore Limited doesn't reach the gates of the park, but it takes passengers close to the park’s gates. Travelers arrive in Cleveland and take a bus or taxi for an hour’s drive to the park. The train connects New York and Chicago, offering a 19-hour trip filled with scenic natural beauty. Guests can see the pristine Great Lakes shoreline up close and the scenic Finger Lakes region.

2 Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana

Accessible by the michigan service.

Indiana Dunes National Park occupies around 15,000 acres and is filled with dunes, oak savannas, marshes, rivers, wetlands, and forests. It's a massive park on the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has a diverse ecosystem. It’s also among the easiest parks to visit by Amtrak train.

Boarding one of the three Michigan Service lines from Chicago takes travelers to this park. The journey rides through the west region of Michigan, allowing riders to see beautiful lakeshores, rolling hills, lakes, and lush woods. Riders get off at Michigan City, which is just a few miles from the park’s entrance.

10 US National Park Road Trips With Scenic Stops

1 canyonlands national park, utah, ride the california zephyr.

California Zephyr travels daily between Chicago and San Francisco. It’s a cross-country train offering adventure filled with natural beauty. Along the way, visitors can see the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevadas, Nebraska plains, and the city of Denver, among other attractions.

Grand Junction, Colorado, about 2 hours away, is the best place to depart to explore the park’s desert landscape. Canyonlands comprises canyons and mesas and is divided into districts by the Green and Colorado Rivers. Visit the Horseshoe Canyon Unit to see rock art panels from Native America or the Island in the Sky Unit for epic hiking with expansive views.

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Chicago to NYC (Amtrak): Cardinal or Lake Shore? - Train Travel Forum

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Hello, I’m planning my first coast-to-coast US trip on Amtrak.

I arrive in Chicago from San Francisco on the California Zephyr.

For the Chicago to NYC leg, the Amtrak app has presented 2 options: the Cardinal and Lake Shore. Which do you think is preferred for better scenic views? I plan to travel in either late September or sometime in April-May next year. I plan to book a roomette.

The Cardinal is 7 hours longer but is about $150 cheaper for a roomette. The Cardinal departs CHI at 5:55pm arrives 10:23pm, while the Lake Shore departs 9:30pm arrives 6:40pm.

6 replies to this topic

Only the last two and a half hours of the Lake Shore Limited are really very scenic along the Hudson river as it goes south into NYC. I can't comment on the Cardinal as I don't think I've taken it eastbound before, but I did find the westbound trip became a bit more scenic at times after leaving the Northeast (at Washington DC).

The other thing to consider is layover time. The Lake Shore Limited leaves later which gives you much more wiggle room if the Zephyr is late arriving into Chicago

Another thing to consider is the connection at Chicago. The western long distance trains can run VERY late, and the Lake Shore, leaving at 9:30, gives you much more slack in the connection than the Cardinal at 5:55. If your inbound train is late, you may very well find yourself rebooked on the Lake Shore anyway, but without a sleeper room if you had one booked on the Cardinal.

While upstate New York on the Lake Shore is no great shakes, the run down the Hudson River Valley from Albany to New York is gorgeous.

My advice is if you want to take the Cardinal, build in an overnight layover in Chicago. That may be tricky on your overall itinerary since it only runs three times a week. If you must make a same day connection, take the Lake Shore.

Finally, whatever you decide, make sure both the California Zephyr and whichever train you choose to New York are booked on the SAME RESERVATION NUMBER. Do NOT make separate reservations.

Being on the same reservation ensures that you are protected by Amtrak's connection guarantee. This means, if a connection is missed Amtrak will take care of you, including rerouting and hotel layovers at their expense, if necessary. With separate reservations, in case of a late train, Amtrak will consider its obligation to you on your first ticket complete in delivering you to Chicago and will consider you a no show, forfeiting your fare, on the second one. Avoid such a mess by putting both trains on one reservation.

Thanks a lot Zephyr18 for the detailed information which is very helpful.

With regards to ‘cafe’ and ‘diner’, what exactly is the difference between the two in the Amtrak context?

Lastly, can you actually book a through reservation from San Francisco to NYC but incorporating a planned night’s layover in Chicago built into the schedule, using the Amtrak app? Or does such planned 1 night layover in Chicago dispense with such need for having the booking made in one same reservation since since there is more than ample wiggle room to handle any delays on the leg into Chicago on the CZ?

It is probably more useful to talk about "cafe service" and "dining service."

Cafe service is much like rolling convienence store. Cold sandwiches, snacks, drinks, some heatable sandwiches and entrees. Dining service is full meals. Unfortunately, both trains are still on the unfortunate "Flexible dining" reheated meals as their dining service. Coming off the California Zephyr you will notice a marked decrease in quality from its "Traditional dining" to Flex. Dining service on both the Lake Shore and Cardinal is restricted to sleeper passengers. All passengers can purchase cafe items.

On the Lake Shore there is a cafe car and a dining car . The dining car was restricted to sleeping car passengers, but the last time I rode it they could also use it as lounge space as well as a diner. The cafe car is split off in Albany and goes to Boston, btw, the diner goes to New York.

Having two food service cars means you have a place to go hang out other than your room.

Building in an overnight layover makes the connection guarantee far less important. There is really nothing wrong with making separate reservations if broken by an overnight layover. You can, however, make a single reservation with an overnight layover on the Amtrak.com website, using the "Multi-City" option (or an Amtrak phone agent). Unfortunately, the simplified Amtrak app UI does not include the "Multi-City" option. You can do it on the website, though.

If you do elect to lay over, the Cardinal is more scenic, spending most of the day in the mountains of West Virginia and the rolling farm country of Virginia. You'll have to enjoy it mostly from the confines of your roomette, though.

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Amtrak launches the Borealis, a second daily train between St. Paul and Chicago

I t was Galileo in the early 1600s who is said to have first dubbed the seemingly supernatural northern lights the aurora borealis, combining the name Aurora, goddess of the dawn, and Boreas, the personification of the north wind. On Tuesday, following decades of advocacy and speculation by rail fans, a passenger train broke through the proverbial clouds and rolled into Ramsey County’s Union Depot transit hub in downtown St. Paul, launching Amtrak’s Borealis service, a second daily round trip between Minnesota’s capital city and Chicago.

The midday train, which originates in St. Paul at 11:50 a.m., will make the same stops as the daily Empire Builder between the Capital City and Milwaukee, and then mirror Amtrak’s Hiawatha service from Milwaukee to Chicago, arriving in the Windy City around 7:15 p.m., with tickets starting at $41 one-way.

Another Borealis train is scheduled to leave downtown Chicago’s Union Station at 11:05 a.m. daily and roll into St. Paul each evening at 6:29 p.m., meaning passengers deboarding at either location would arrive in time for a night out on the town. The westbound Empire Builder, by contrast, arrives in St. Paul from Chicago shortly before 11 p.m. The eastbound Builder arrives in St. Paul around 8:30 a.m. and is scheduled to arrive in Chicago at 4:45 p.m. — assuming there have been no delays since the train departed Seattle/Portland, Ore.

“Now a family vacation to the (Wisconsin) Dells or to Milwaukee just got a whole lot easier for families,” said Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, introducing the inaugural departure of the Borealis on Tuesday.

After opening its doors to the public for photos and walk-throughs, the Borealis — a locomotive and five passenger cars — left downtown St. Paul shortly before noon, making stops in Red Wing, Minn.; Winona, Minn.; La Crosse, Wis.; Tomah, Wis.; the Wisconsin Dells; Portage, Wis.; Columbus, Wis.; Milwaukee; the Milwaukee International Airport; Sturtevant, Wis.; Glenview, Ill.; and Chicago.

Views of Mississippi River

Amtrak officials noted that the Borealis offers the opportunity to sit in the café car — or coach or business class — and enjoy the view of the Mississippi River between St. Paul and La Crosse during daylight hours in both directions for the 7½-hour trip to Chicago, while still arriving at either major terminus in time for dinner.

It also offers wide reclining seats, no middle seats, free Wi-Fi and one-way coach fares starting at $41 to traverse the 13 stations — comparable or cheaper than flying — and fares as low as $7 each way between St. Paul and Red Wing.

That said, passengers noted that its relatively narrow, single-deck Horizon coach cars have a far different feel than the double-decker Empire Builder and fewer amenities than more modern cars. Built in the late 1980s, the Horizon trains require stairway boarding and offer limited business seating and no baggage car, so bicycles are not yet allowed.

“I need to ask the question — why can’t we get bike racks on there?” said Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega, a longtime advocate for the second train to Chicago who has chaired the county’s Regional Railroad Authority, off and on, for 20 years. “If that was on each train, that would be significant.”

Some took the relatively humble Horizon coaches in stride.

“The business class is OK. It’s small,” said Diego Vazquez, a diehard rail traveler and proprietor of the YouTube channel TrainWreckPoet, noting the difference between coach and business seating was minor. “Next time I do this, I’ll just go coach. I love that they finally did this. I’ve been waiting for years.”

Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said some states have offered to lease or buy rights to more modern train cars such as the Siemens Venture or the even newer Siemens Airo, which offer low-level platform boarding — a benefit for the disabled — as well as other modern amenities.

That would require additional investment from the state of Minnesota, which effectively leases the Horizon cars from Amtrak. “There’s no immediate plans to replace these cars with the Venture cars,” Magliari said Tuesday.

In addition to Ortega and the lieutenant governor, speakers during the morning program at Union Depot included Amit Bose, administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, and Stephen Gardner, the chief executive officer of Amtrak, as well as state Sen. Scott Dibble and state Rep. Frank Hornstein, who advocated for state funding to cover capital construction.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar phoned in remarks from Washington, where she was occupied with the work of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “There’s no such thing as a Democratic bridge or a Republican bridge,” said Klobuchar, quoting the late U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar of Minnesota, a longtime advocate for federal transit funding.

Transportation officials in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois said key funding fell into place with the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021, which authorized some $550 billion in spending on roads, bridges and mass transit, as well as water and broadband infrastructure, from 2022 to 2026.

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The 411-mile Borealis is Amtrak’s sixth-longest state-backed passenger rail corridor, and its capital costs came together through a long-sought partnership between Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. Minnesota contributed $10 million, Wisconsin $7 million, Amtrak $5 million and the Federal Railroad Administration $34 million.

The three states added additional funding to cover operating costs, with a one-time grant of $13 million from the FRA. Some 230,000 passengers are expected to use the service annually. Around 400 passengers rode each way on Tuesday.

Amtrak, which maintains 29 state-supported routes with 18 state partners, operates the Borealis on tracks maintained by the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway.

In 1993, longtime Pioneer Press business columnist Dave Beal opined that the fortunes of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Chicago and stops in between would be boosted by better rail connections, namely a high-speed train from the Twin Cities to Chicago. High-speed rail, which is common in Europe, China and Japan, remains largely elusive in the United States, though one line — Amtrak’s Acela Express — reaches speeds of up to 150 mph as it traverses the 450-mile northeast corridor from Washington to Boston in 6½ hours.

Reopening Union Depot

With top speeds of about 80 mph, the Borealis is no Japanese bullet train. But officials in cities along the route have high hopes that improving passenger rail connections will boost commerce and tourism. Ramsey County officials, through the Regional Railroad Authority, have spent much of the past decade or more advocating for Amtrak’s second daily Chicago train — a service not seen since 1979 — spending some $243 million to begin a two-year restoration of the St. Paul Union Depot in 2011.

After decades in proverbial mothballs, the county reopened the 1923 depot’s long-shuttered waiting room and concourse and relaunched interstate passenger rail service there in 2014, with Amtrak relocating from a station in St. Paul’s Midway. The last passenger train before then departed Union Depot in 1971. The depot was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Ortega said he saw a bright future for the Borealis and potential connecting lines, as well as for the underutilized Union Depot, which has suffered from high turnover among its small vendors. Restaurant space currently sits vacant, though he said a new tenant is on the horizon, and Choo Choo Bob’s toy train store recently moved into a retail spot.

“I’m hoping that the increased activity will bring a more family-oriented environment,” Ortega said. “People will feel safer. Choo Choo Bob’s was part of that — we did a ribbon-cutting a couple weeks ago. We’ve got a new restaurant in, and we’re making sure that it’s family-friendly.”

The Empire Builder — which honors St. Paul railroad baron James J. Hill and his Great Northern Railway — has long offered passenger rail service through St. Paul from Seattle and Portland to Chicago, but passengers have routinely complained about delays, often due to conflicts with freight railroads, which lease their tracks to Amtrak but retain priority for their operations.

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Assuming there hasn’t been a weather or freight delay, the Empire Builder to Chicago rolls through Red Wing around 9:45 a.m., returning through the riverside station around 9:45 p.m. on its way back to St. Paul and points west. That would make for a long day for Twin Cities tourists, especially a family with kids out to explore Red Wing.

On the Borealis, “you can get here with kids and back in the same day,” said Bender, one of several dozen onlookers at the Red Wing station who applauded the train’s 12:35 p.m. arrival Tuesday. “It’s tough to arrive here at (around) 9 a.m. and leave at 9:30 p.m.”

©2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at twincities.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

StarTribune

6 essential new midwest travel experiences for summer 2024.

Minnesotans are already accustomed to supersized attractions — and travel ties to Nordic heritage. So an invasion of towering trolls should fit right in with this summer's lineup of road-trip enticements.

Vacationers this year can also steam themselves in a sauna floating on a lake, hop a new train to Chicago, plunge down the new tallest water slide in America, and find more places to stay and play from Duluth to the Brainerd Lakes.

Here's a look at what's up in the summer of 2024.

Troll takeover of Detroit Lakes

Danish artist Thomas Dambo is building six giant trolls out of wood and recycled pallets in the parks and woods around Detroit Lakes, Minn. They will add to Dambo's global installation of more than 120 trolls, which can be found in 18 states. They sit cross-legged at the Philadelphia Zoo, peek around trees in Washington state, and even lounge on a beach in Singapore, each with its own personality and narrative.

"In the old stories, trolls are the creatures that live in the forest, and they represent nature," said Dambo, who considers himself a recycling artist and activist. "They are the unspoken voice of the plants and animals."

He keeps his work family-friendly with a whimsical feel and imaginative touches, but also with a message about reducing waste. The Minnesota installation — his largest in the U.S. — will also include his tallest troll yet, at 36 feet.

With the help of more than 250 volunteers, the trolls are expected to be finished by mid-June, when people can visit downtown Detroit Lakes to get the first clues for an interactive experience. Locations will stretch between Fargo and Perham, Minn., as the story leads to additional trolls that can be purposely tricky to find.

"It's a big, free, outdoor, recycled fairy tale to go out and explore," Dambo said. Updates will be available through the nonprofit Project 412 ( project412mn.org/trolls-dl ).

New lodging and fun in Duluth's Lincoln Park

Fans of Duluth – especially those looking for good food and local drink — will have more places to spend the night in the city's increasingly popular Lincoln Park Craft District.

The Duluth Press Building, originally financed by "Buffalo Bill" Cody for his sister to run a printing press in 1894, has been renovated by the owners of Duluth Grill into eight one- and two-bedroom suites that are pet-friendly and have full kitchens ( duluthpressbuilding.com ).

Most guests will be tempted, though, by the dozens of eateries popping up along the Superior Street corridor, including OMC Smokehouse, Corktown Deli & Brews, and Burger Paradox.

Zenith Basecamp, described as "indoor glamping" or hostel-style lodging, also is expected to open by late summer. It will feature private dog-friendly rooms, a communal lounge, cocktail bar and easy access to guided activities through Zenith Adventure ( zenithbasecamp.com ).

The new accommodations join newish ventures blending residential apartments with vacation rentals: Lincoln Park Boutique Hotel, which opened in 2022, and Enger Lofts Hotel and Marketplace, which rents 15 rooms in a renovated warehouse.

Also new this summer: Visitors can buy a Duluth Passport to get three attractions — Great Lakes Aquarium, North Shore Scenic Railroad and the William A. Irvin lake freighter — for the price of two ( duluthpassport.com ).

A new train to new Chicago attractions (and the Dells)

Amtrak service between St. Paul and Chicago is not new. But there are three advantages to the new Borealis train over the long-running Empire Builder on the same track: fare, speed and reliability.

We're seeing one-way fares as low as $41-$50 or $98-$108 for business-class seats, although private rooms are not available on the new train. At seven hours and 24 minutes from St. Paul's Union Depot to Chicago's Union Station, Borealis shaves about 30 minutes off the Empire Builder's travel time. And since Borealis isn't coming all the way from Seattle or Portland, passengers can count on fewer delays ( amtrak.com/borealis-train ).

It's a good time for a long weekend in Chicago. At the Field Museum, the " Unseen Oceans " exhibit lets you "pilot" a submersible in a lifelike underwater environment, while the rare Chicago Archaeopteryx fossil reveals the link between dinosaurs and birds. The Navy Pier's new Flyover experience virtually thrills riders with a view of the city from above. And at the Chicago History Museum, " City on Fire: Chicago 1871 ″ immerses visitors (not literally, we hope) in the historic blaze. (Reserved tickets for all are a must.)

You say Chicago is too far? Amtrak also stops in Red Wing and Winona, Minn., plus La Crosse, Wis., Milwaukee and Wisconsin Dells, where the new tallest water slide in America, the 145-foot Rise of Icarus , is now open at Mount Olympus theme park.

Glamp sites double on North Shore

North Shore Camping Co. has doubled its number of platform tents to 30, following their popularity after opening in 2023 near Beaver Bay, Minn.

Tucked into the hillside across Hwy. 61 from Cove Point Lodge, the glamping tents include beds, potbelly stoves and basics for campfire cooking, plus a shared shower and bathroom building, campfire programs, naturalist activities and barrel saunas.

Bonus: Glamping guests may use the pool at Cove Point Lodge and access the Lake Superior shoreline there. Bikes can be rented for the nearby Split Rock Wilds mountain bike trails or to ride the paved Gitchi-Gami State Trail to Split Rock Lighthouse and Gooseberry Falls state parks ( northshorecampingco.com ).

Saunas are floating now

If the thought of jumping into Lake Superior makes your teeth chatter, the key is to warm up first. Cedar + Stone Nordic Sauna opened in late 2023 on a barge docked at Duluth's Pier B. Up to 10 guests can get hot and steamy before taking the cold plunge into the Great Lake ( cedarandstonesauna.com ).

Sisu + Löyly, which has saunas in Grand Marais and Lutsen, also claims the country's first public floating sauna, a trend that originated in Norway. Reserve its sauna for up to six people floating at the dock of Skyport Lodge on Grand Marais' Devil Track Lake, through summer and early fall ( sisuandloyly.com ).

Brainerd area ups its resort and golf game

Quarterdeck Resort, a Gull Lake resort that opened in 1957, has completed a major makeover and expansion. It modernized its 18-room lodge and restaurant with a new exterior and contemporary menus, renovated six five-bedroom lake houses, and added the QD Social, a central recreational and entertainment area. The new gathering place includes a year-round heated outdoor pool, a 20-person sauna, outdoor fire tables, an indoor fireplace, large-screen TVs and games.

For larger get-togethers, the resort also built six lake lofts with five to six bedrooms each. Sixteen new woodsmoke cabins have two- to three-bedroom units ( quarterdeckresort.com ).

Meanwhile, Minnesota golf legend Tom Lehman has helped Cragun's Resort with its $15 million renovation and expansion of its Legacy courses, adding to the Brainerd Lakes Area's wealth of golf courses.

In addition to the Dutch 18, a 7,000-yard par-70 course with white sand bunkers, the Lehman 18 leads golfers through a 1,000-acre sanctuary that winds around Stephens Lake and natural wetlands and features stacked-sod bunkers. By next year, another nine holes will be added to the Dutch 18 course ( craguns.com ).

Star Tribune travel editor Simon Peter Groebner contributed to this story.

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Second train service now underway between St. Paul, Chicago

Amtrak launches borealis train to chicago.

Late Tuesday morning, Amtrak launched a second train service between St. Paul and Chicago.

The Aurora Borealis train service took years of work, as well as funding from the state and federal level.

The train will make the same stops as the  Empire Builder  does between St. Paul and Milwaukee, as well as the  Hiawatha  between Milwaukee and Chicago. The Empire Builder was previously the only Amtrak service from the Twin Cities to Chicago, but also travels to the Pacific Northwest, with stops in Seattle and Portland.

RELATED: 2nd passenger train from Twin Cities to Chicago could begin service in 2024

On Tuesday, 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS spoke with travelers headed to Milwaukee and Chicago. Trips to Chicago are estimated to take about seven and a half hours.

“I really enjoy like, watching and seeing parts of Wisconsin and Minnesota that I would never see if I was in a car. So, I think that’s really cool, and also, just having all that leg room, having somewhere to charge your phone and it’s just a chill experience,” said Taylor Barnes, who is headed to Milwaukee.

Meanwhile, Henry Miller is traveling to Chicago.

“I’m really excited,” said Miller. “I’ve never ridden trains in the U.S. before. I’ve ridden them in Japan and the U.K., so I’m excited to see how this will be different.”

As previously reported , tickets for the Borealis train begin at $41 for coach seats. CLICK HERE  for additional information about the Borealis train.

A historic day in train travel! The new Borealis Train just left Union Depot for the Windy City. Train runs daily to and from Chicago (other stops along the way) and starts at $41 each way. @KSTP pic.twitter.com/WWCKi00KtF — Kelsey Christensen (@KelseyReports) May 21, 2024

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‘A win for the Midwest’: Passenger rail service between St. Paul and Chicago is rolling

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A new Amtrak rail passenger service between the Twin Cities and Chicago is now operational.

The Borealis daily round trip service left Union Station in St. Paul for the first time on Tuesday.

The route includes stops in Milwaukee and Winona.

Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose said the federal government is investing billions of dollars in passenger rail service across the country.

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“Today is another big win for passenger rail expansion in America,” said Bose, speaking during an event at Union Station in St. Paul. “It’s a win for the Midwest, and it’s a win for the growing number of Americans in this region and nationwide who rely on and benefit from passenger rail.”

According to Amtrak, ticket prices for the new service start at about $40.

Amtrak’s Director of Strategy for State Supported Services Eric Olson called the new service a competitive travel option.

“Driving with a stop or two along the way is easily seven hours between Chicago and St. Paul,” said Olson. “This is seven hours and 40 minutes, and it’s very much competitive with driving downtown to downtown, St. Paul to Chicago.”

Amy Fisher attended the inaugural send off for the Borealis service. She’s excited about the benefit of passenger rail options in the Twin Cities at more times during the day.

“My son goes to school in Chicago, and he has to come home at midnight on Wednesday night and leave Saturday morning at 8 a.m.,” she said. “And to have a midday one gives us more time as a family over holidays.”

Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner said Minnesota is the national passenger railroad company’s 18th state partner, and the St. Paul to Chicago service is Amtrak’s 29th state-supported rail corridor across the country.

“These services account for half of our ridership across the United States which this year will be over 32 million riders, setting a new record for Amtrak back above the level of service and ridership we had pre-pandemic,” said Gardner. “So the old story is true. When we put it out there, when we make it happen people come, people are coming in droves to ride trains all over the United States.”

The Borealis passenger service is a partnership between Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois Departments of Transportation.         

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Chicago Cycling Events 2024: Dates, Itinerary & Tickets Price

In the vibrant city of Chicago, the year 2024 is set to be an exciting one for cycling enthusiasts. The city will host a series of Chicago Cycling Events, promising a thrilling spectacle for participants and spectators alike. These events, meticulously planned and organized, will showcase the city's commitment to promoting cycling as a sport and a lifestyle. The 2024 Chicago Cycling Events will feature a diverse range of races, from adrenaline-pumping professional competitions to fun-filled community rides. Each event is designed to cater to different skill levels and interests, ensuring an inclusive experience for all. The city's picturesque landscapes and iconic landmarks will serve as the backdrop for these events, offering a unique blend of urban and natural beauty. As the anticipation builds, cyclists from around the world are gearing up to take part in these events, making Chicago the epicenter of cycling in 2024. The city eagerly awaits the arrival of these events, ready to welcome cyclists and fans with its renowned hospitality.

Southside Critical Mass Chicago Bicycle Ride (1st Fridays) | Nichols Park Plaza (South End by Fountain)

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