15 best Amtrak trips from Detroit

Ready to get out of Motor City and travel by rail instead of car? Multiple trains on Amtrak’s Wolverine route travel to and from Detroit each day, making day trips and long-distance journeys possible. To start planning, here are the best Amtrak trips from Detroit with good departure and arrival times, including trips that involve an easy train transfer in Chicago.

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Ann Arbor

Just 45 minutes away from Detroit on Amtrak and a day trip option, Ann Arbor is a college town full of activities and food (don’t miss Zingerman’s Deli, pictured above). The Kerrytown District and University of Michigan campus are great places to walk around (and football games are fun to attend). There are also many museums to check out, including the Gerald Ford Presidential Library, and nature lovers should visit Nichols Arboretum and Matthaei Botanical Gardens.

Kalamazoo

For craft beer, trails, historic buildings and a unique downtown shopping experience, plan a train trip to Kalamazoo. Kids will love the Kalamazoo Valley Museum the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum, and car fans can visit Gilmore Car Museum, one of the largest automobile museums in the world. Train travel time is almost three hours from Detroit, and you have the option to return same day.

New Buffalo

New Buffalo is a small town on Lake Michigan that’s almost four hours away from Detroit via Amtrak. It’s a fun getaway with a marina (boat and jet ski rentals available), beaches and a casino. Trains stop in a walkable area near the waterfront and downtown and you can return same day or stay for a night or more. The Neighborhood Hotel is closest to the station — walking time is just three minutes.

Chicago

For great food, live music and museums, head to Chicago. Travel time is about 5.5 hours (faster if you are on the early morning train). There are many festivals and events to plan a trip around, and top attractions include the 360 Chicago Observation Deck, Chicago Riverwalk, Lakefront Trail, Navy Pier and Wrigley Field. There are also many connections to other Amtrak routes if you want to continue your train travel across the country. View the best Amtrak trips from Chicago to learn more.

Milwaukee

An easy train trip from Chicago, Milwaukee is full of breweries, sporting events and festivals. Travel time on Amtrak’s Hiawatha route is about 1.5 hours and there are multiple departures each day. You’ll arrive near the Historic Third Ward neighborhood, the RiverWalk and the Harley-Davidson Museum. Check out the popular Discover Iconic Milwaukee tour to see top sights and hidden gems.

Wisconsin Dells

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

A great destination for kids, Wisconsin Dells is full of water parks, theme parks and unique rocks carved by glaciers. It’s a 3.5-hour train ride from Chicago on the Empire Builder; plan to stay at least two nights in order to have a full day to visit the local attractions. You can walk to restaurants, attractions and places to stay near the Amtrak station or check out hotels with shuttles (verify service with the hotels before booking).

Memphis

Travel to Chicago and change trains for a 10.5-hour trip to Memphis. There’s great blues music and nightlife venues 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.

Harpers Ferry

If you’re up for an Amtrak bus ride or one-hour drive to Toledo to catch a train (overnight parking available), book a trip to historic Harpers Ferry. The town played an important role in the Civil War, and we recommend a certified guide tour to learn about all that has happened here. The other must-do activities include visiting The Point (where two rivers meet), Jefferson Rock and various hiking trails for beautiful river and mountain views. Travel time is just over 11.5 hours from Toledo on the Capitol Limited.

Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. is another destination option on the Capitol Limited. Take the Amtrak bus or drive to Toledo to connect with the train and travel over 13 hours to reach the many activities, museums, monuments, year-round events and great restaurants. Consider a sightseeing tour to easily explore the many attractions, and plan your trip in March to view the cherry blossoms or in fall for great weather and fewer tourists.

New Orleans

For food, fun, festivals and fantastic music, travel overnight to New Orleans on the City of New Orleans train (transfer in Chicago). A train ride can be a great option during major events like Mardi Gras and the New Orleans Jazz Festival when flights are expensive. Top attractions include the French Quarter, the Garden District, National World War II Museum and historic cemeteries. Amtrak travel time from Chicago is almost 20 hours.

Colorado Rocky Mountains

*Photo by Loco Steve/Flickr.com (California Zephyr in Glenwood Canyon)*

The California Zephyr is one of the most scenic Amtrak routes, especially the journey through the Rocky Mountains. Plan to board the train in Chicago, and you can travel to Glenwood Springs (25 hours away) to see the mountain scenery and visit the hot springs pool and other attractions in the walkable town. Otherwise, stay on the train to continue west and travel through the Sierra Nevada Mountains and end the trip in Sacramento or Emeryville near San Francisco.

Austin

Austin is a beautiful city full of live music, outdoor activities and food. Transfer to the Texas Eagle train in Chicago for the 28.5-hour trip. There’s plenty of nightlife to enjoy after you arrive (and bat watching on the Congress bridge). On the following day, you can explore top attractions, including the Lady Bird Lake Trail, the LBJ Presidential Library and 6th Street. A day trip to Hill Country for wine tasting is another fun activity.

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is the easiest national park to reach on Amtrak and a trip option from Detroit. You’ll travel to Chicago and transfer to the Empire Builder to reach one of four stations near the park. East Glacier Park Station is the most convenient — it’s in walking distance of the Glacier Park Lodge and the first national park stop, about 30 hours away from Chicago. Whitefish is another popular place to stay.

San Antonio

San Antonio is full of things to do for kids and adults. The city is famous for its River Walk and historic Spanish missions, including the Alamo. Other top attractions include Fiesta Texas Six Flags, SeaWorld, Natural Bridge Caverns and the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Transfer in Chicago to the Texas Eagle for the 32-hour trip.

US Southwest

Southwest Chief train in the Mojave Desert — *Photo courtesy Wikimedia (Southwest Chief in the Mojave Desert)*

For desert scenery and travel through Apache Canyon, book tickets on the Southwest Chief. You’ll change trains in Chicago and end the trip in Los Angeles if you ride the entire route (about 43 hours). There are several great places to visit along the way, including Albuquerque, Gallup and Flagstaff (which is the stop for the Grand Canyon). For the trip home, consider booking a flight out of Los Angeles.