10 best Amtrak trips from Milwaukee

Two Amtrak routes stop in downtown Milwaukee at the Intermodal Station: Hiawatha and Empire Builder. The Hiawatha provides quick and frequent service to Chicago while the Empire Builder travels long-distance to the Pacific Northwest. Between these two routes, you can travel to many beautiful places across America with the option to connect with additional trains in Chicago.

To start planning your rail vacation, here are the 10 best Amtrak trips from Milwaukee that don’t involve train transfers or middle-of-the-night travel. For current train schedules and ticket prices, visit Amtrak.com.

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Chicago

For great food, live music and museums, head to Chicago. Travel time is only 1.5 hours on the Hiawatha Amtrak route, so it’s an easy day trip or plan to stay overnight to enjoy the many shows, concerts and nightlife venues. There are many festivals and events to check out along with top attractions, including the 360 Chicago Observation Deck, Millennium Park, Chicago Riverwalk, Navy Pier and Wrigley Field.

You can also transfer to another Amtrak route in Chicago to travel across the country. We recommend the trip through the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada on the California Zephyr, travel to New Orleans for festivals and live music, and a journey through the desert on the Southwest Chief. View the best Amtrak trips from Chicago to learn more.

Wisconsin Dells

Dells of the Wisconsin River — *Photo by Pentachlorphenol/Wikimedia Commons*

A unique geographical area carved by glaciers, the Wisconsin Dells has many indoor and outdoor water parks, boat tours and outdoor activities. It’s a two-hour train ride from Milwaukee 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 or check out hotels with shuttles (verify service with the hotels before booking).

La Crosse

Almost 3.5 hours away from Milwaukee by train, La Crosse, Wisconsin is on the Mississippi River and known for its large Oktoberfest and paddlewheel boat cruises. In the winter, you can ski at nearby Mt. La Crosse. Use rideshare or taxi to get to the slopes and to the historic downtown area where there are restaurants, hotels and the charming Riverside Park. Nearby is a vintage car museum and a children’s museum for more things to do.

Minneapolis/St. Paul

Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis — *Photo by Alfred Essa*

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.

Trains stop in downtown St. Paul near museums and the historic Summit Avenue. Hyatt Place is conveniently next to the Amtrak station and several other hotels are nearby. Downtown Minneapolis is only a 15-minute drive away and you’ll want to consider booking lodging there if you want to be close to nightlife.

Glacier National Park

Ride Amtrak overnight to reach the stunning landscapes in Glacier National Park. The historic 1913 Glacier Park Lodge is next to the East Glacier Park Station, which is typically open late May through most of September. There is a pool, golf course and connections to tour buses that will take you into the national park. Travel time from Milwaukee is about 28 hours.

Whitefish

Whitefish is a resort town full of events, restaurants and places to stay. Head to the Whitefish Mountain Resort to ski in the winter, hang out at City Beach in the summer, or rent a car and drive to Glacier National Park in about 30 minutes. Don’t want to drive? Book a national park tour with Whitefish Outfitters. Another perk is the nearby airport if you want to book a flight home instead of riding the train.

Leavenworth

In the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth is a Bavarian-themed town with events, shops, restaurants and wine tasting rooms. Winter is an especially charming time to visit with holiday lights, sleigh rides, a reindeer farm and nearby skiing and snowboarding. Hiking, whitewater rafting and other recreational activities are some of the non-winter things to do.

When booking your tickets, choose the Leavenworth Icicle Amtrak Station as your destination. To reach the village (where there are several hotels), plan to use the shuttle (509-548-7433). Trip time on Amtrak is about 40.5 hours.

Edmonds

On Puget Sound, Edmonds is a beautiful getaway in Washington State. In addition to beaches and places to walk along the waterfront, you can go on a whale watching tour with Puget Sound Express and scuba dive at the underwater park.

After a day of exploring, you can eat dinner in the historic downtown area, where there is an Art Walk once a month, outdoor summer concerts and other events. Book a room near it all at Best Western Harbor Inn or check out a vacation rental for a more unique place to stay. Travel time from Milwaukee is about 44 hours.

Portland

A pedestrian-friendly and bike-friendly city full of parks and gardens, Portland is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts, foodies and craft beer fans. Mt. Hood (home to multiple ski areas) and the Columbia River Gorge are nearby, which are great day trip options. This train trip involves two nights on the Empire Builder, and you have the option to fly back to Milwaukee or transfer to the scenic Coast Starlight or Cascades routes in the city.

Seattle

Almost 45 hours away from Milwaukee on Amtrak, Seattle is a cultural urban getaway with many attractions and activities. Grab a coffee and stroll through the famous Pike Place Market, visit the Chihuly Gardens, Museum of Flight, or head to Kerry Park for stunning skyline views of the city.

Downtown Seattle hotels are near great restaurants and Pike Place Market, Belltown hotels are near nightlife and many museums, or stay near the waterfront for a quieter location with easy access to ferries, boat tours and the aquarium.