All Aboard: Where Northwest Suburbanites Can Travel by Train From Chicago

Whether you hate flying as much as I do, or you just love traveling and have some extra time on your hands, taking a train trip should be on your list if you haven’t yet. Living in the Northwest Suburbs gives us plenty of everyday conveniences, but one that is easy to overlook is our access to one of the most important passenger rail hubs in the country: Chicago Union Station.

Chicago has long been known as America’s railroad capital, and today, Union Station remains the center of Amtrak travel in the Midwest. For those of us in the Northwest Suburbs, getting there can be as simple as hopping on Metra, heading downtown and connecting to trains that travel across Illinois, the Midwest and the country.

Whether you want a quick weekend getaway, a scenic overnight ride or a cross-country adventure, there are a surprising number of destinations you can reach by train from Chicago.

One of the easiest Amtrak trips from Chicago is Milwaukee. It is close enough for a day trip or quick weekend getaway, with plenty to do once you arrive.

Visitors can explore the Milwaukee Public Market, walk along the riverfront, check out the lakefront, visit the Harley-Davidson Museum or enjoy a meal in the Historic Third Ward.

This is one of the best “start small” train trips if you are curious about taking Amtrak but do not want to commit to a long ride.

St. Louis is another popular option from Chicago, especially for families, sports fans and anyone looking for a manageable city getaway.

Once there, travelers can visit the Gateway Arch, explore Forest Park, check out the City Museum, catch a Cardinals game or enjoy some classic St. Louis barbecue.

It is a nice option for a long weekend without having to deal with airport security or a long drive.

Detroit has become an increasingly interesting weekend destination, with a growing food scene, riverfront improvements, museums, sports and historic architecture.

Train travelers can visit places like the Detroit Institute of Arts, Motown Museum, Eastern Market and the downtown riverwalk.

For Northwest Suburban residents looking for a different kind of Midwest city trip, Detroit is worth considering.

Grand Rapids is a great option for art, breweries, restaurants and a smaller-city getaway. It is known for its craft beer scene, downtown museums, public art and easy access to West Michigan.

It can be a nice alternative to the bigger city trips, especially for readers looking for a laid-back weekend.

One of the most iconic train routes from Chicago is the City of New Orleans, which travels south through Illinois and Memphis before reaching New Orleans.

This route is a fun one for music lovers, food lovers and anyone who wants to turn the trip itself into part of the experience. New Orleans offers live jazz, historic neighborhoods, Creole and Cajun food, riverfront walks and a completely different pace from Chicago.

It is one of the more memorable long-distance trips you can start right from Union Station.

For mountain views and a bigger adventure, the California Zephyr is one of Amtrak’s most famous scenic routes.

The train runs from Chicago toward the West Coast, with stops that include Denver, Salt Lake City and the San Francisco Bay Area. Many travelers consider the stretch through the Rockies one of the most beautiful train rides in the country.

Denver can be a great destination on its own, with mountain access, museums, restaurants, hiking and plenty of outdoor activities nearby.

Also along the California Zephyr route, Salt Lake City offers mountain scenery, national park access, skiing, hiking and a very different landscape from the Midwest.

For travelers who enjoy scenic routes, this is one of the most interesting destinations you can reach by train from Chicago.

The California Zephyr continues all the way to Emeryville, California, with easy connections into the San Francisco Bay Area.

This is not a quick trip, but it is one of the great American rail journeys. Instead of flying over the country, travelers pass through small towns, plains, mountains, deserts and western landscapes along the way.

For anyone who has always wanted to take a true cross-country train trip, this is one of the big ones.

The Empire Builder connects Chicago with the Twin Cities and continues west toward Montana, Portland and Seattle.

Minneapolis and St. Paul make a strong weekend or long-weekend destination, with great restaurants, lakes, museums, theaters, sports and neighborhoods to explore.

It is a nice choice for readers who want something beyond Illinois and Wisconsin, but not necessarily a full cross-country trip.

For a bigger adventure, the Empire Builder continues through North Dakota and Montana, including access to areas near Glacier National Park.

This is one of the most scenic train options from Chicago and a popular choice for travelers who want mountains, national parks and wide-open western landscapes.

The Empire Builder eventually splits toward Seattle and Portland, giving Chicago-area travelers access to the Pacific Northwest by train.

Both cities offer incredible food, coffee, scenery, waterfronts, hiking access and easy connections to the rest of the region.

It is a long trip, but for travelers who enjoy the journey as much as the destination, this is one of the classic Amtrak experiences.

The Southwest Chief runs from Chicago toward Los Angeles, with stops including Kansas City, Albuquerque, Flagstaff and other western destinations.

Kansas City is a great choice for barbecue, jazz, museums, fountains and a fun weekend away.

It is far enough to feel like a real trip, but still very approachable compared with the longer western destinations.

Continuing west on the Southwest Chief, travelers can reach Albuquerque, New Mexico and Flagstaff, Arizona.

Albuquerque offers Southwestern food, desert scenery and Route 66 history, while Flagstaff is a great jumping-off point for the Grand Canyon and northern Arizona.

For readers who want a train trip with a completely different landscape, this route is worth a look.

The Southwest Chief continues all the way to Los Angeles, making it another true cross-country train journey from Chicago.

It is a long ride, but it offers a rare chance to see the country change from the Midwest to the Southwest to Southern California without stepping into an airport.

Heading east, the Lake Shore Limited connects Chicago with cities including Cleveland, Buffalo, Boston and New York.

This route can be useful for anyone looking to reach the East Coast by rail. New York and Boston are major destinations on their own, while Cleveland and Buffalo can make for shorter trips with museums, food, lakefronts and regional attractions.

Several Amtrak routes and connections from Chicago can also get travelers toward Washington, D.C. and other East Coast destinations.

For families, history lovers or anyone looking for a classic city trip, D.C. is full of museums, monuments, restaurants and walkable neighborhoods.

One of the perks of living in the Northwest Suburbs is that we are close enough to Chicago to access big-city transportation options, while still living in quieter communities.

Instead of driving to the airport, paying for parking and going through security, some trips can start with a Metra ride downtown and a train out of Union Station.

For some destinations, flying may still be faster. But for the right trip, Amtrak can be more relaxed, scenic and memorable, especially if you are traveling with family, taking a slower getaway or simply want to see more of the country along the way.

If you are thinking about taking Amtrak from Chicago, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Book early for better prices, especially on long-distance routes
• Compare coach seats, roomettes and bedrooms for overnight trips
• Bring snacks, chargers and entertainment
• Give yourself extra time when connecting from Metra to Union Station
• Check current schedules before planning, since times can change
• Consider starting with a shorter Midwest trip if you are new to Amtrak

It is easy to forget how connected we are here in the Northwest Suburbs.

From nearby weekend getaways to cross-country routes that reach the mountains, deserts, coasts and historic cities, Chicago Union Station gives local residents access to some of the best train travel in the country.

So the next time you are planning a trip, it might be worth asking: could we take the train?