15 best Amtrak trips from Cincinnati

If you’re looking for a unique getaway from Cincinnati, you can board the Cardinal Amtrak route at Union Terminal to reach destinations across the country. Trains travel to Chicago where you can connect with a variety of scenic Amtrak routes, or you can visit cities, resorts and national parks in the eastern half of the United States without a train transfer.

To start planning your rail adventure, see the best Amtrak trips from Cincinnati below. Note that train frequency in Cincinnati is only three days each week (not daily). Departure and arrival times at the Amtrak station are also during overnight hours, so you may want to book sleeping accommodations on the train and get a flight for the return trip.

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The Greenbrier

A luxury resort in West Virginia, The Greenbrier is a short walk away from the White Sulphur Springs Amtrak Station on the Cardinal route. It’s a wonderful getaway with endless things to see and do. In addition to a casino, there is a spa, golf course, swimming pools, bike rentals, bowling alley, horseback riding, bunker tours, whitewater rafting trips and more. Travel time is about 8.5 hours and you’ll arrive midday.

Chicago

For great food, live music and museums, plan a trip to Chicago. 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. Beaches, baseball games and boat tours are also fun activities in the summer. Travel time is 9.5 hours with an arrival in the morning. See the best Amtrak trips from Chicago if you want to continue your rail travels from the Windy City.

Milwaukee

Almost 14 hours away from Cincinnati via the Cardinal and Hiawatha Amtrak routes, Milwaukee is full of breweries, sporting events and festivals (including Summerfest, Polish Fest and German Fest). After changing trains in Chicago, 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.

New River Gorge

Travel through the New River Gorge on the Cardinal for one of the most scenic train trips on the East Coast. We recommend traveling to Alexandria, Virginia if you want to see the gorge and have easy access to an airport (DCA) at the end of your trip. Travel time is about 15 hours, or if you want to travel to the New River Gorge National Park instead of view it from the train, travel five hours to Charleston, WV and rent a car there. Drive time is just over one hour.

Alexandria

For easy access to Washington D.C. and Mount Vernon without DC crowds, travel to Alexandria, Virginia. George Washington considered Alexandria his home town, and you can experience his colonial life in the well-preserved Old Town historic district. The National Harbor, The Wharf and Georgetown are also accessible via water taxi or board a train at the King Street-Old Town Metro Station to reach all the sights in Washington D.C. Travel time from Cincinnati is 15 hours.

Washington DC

National Portrait Gallery in DC — *Photo by Bobak Ha’Eri*

Travel just over 15 hours on the Cardinal to Washington D.C. for 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. View the best Amtrak day trips from DC for more sightseeing options.

Baltimore

Baltimore is 16 hours away from Cincinnati via train. Once you arrive, you can connect with a taxi, Lyft or Uber for a ride to the Inner Harbor or attraction of your choice, including the National Aquarium, Fort McHenry and Fell’s Point neighborhood. Consider a boat tour for a unique way to see the city, and rail fans should consider visiting the B&O Railroad Museum.

Springfield

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum — *Photo by Randy von Liski*

Springfield is the Illinois capital and full of must-see historic sites. Top attractions are the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Illinois State Museum and various other historic homes and parks. Travel time is about 16.5 hours, which includes travel to Chicago and transferring to a different train. You’ll have time to get a late breakfast or lunch in Chicago before continuing to Springfield.

Wilmington

A small city getaway with parks, museums (including Nemours Estate pictured above) and nightlife in Trolley Square, Wilmington, Delaware is almost 17 hours away from Cincinnati. You can rent a car at the train station (including with Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz) or use Lyft and Uber to get around. With a rental car, you can visit the beautiful Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania Amish Country and the New Jersey coast.

Philadelphia

Travel to Philadelphia to eat an authentic Philly cheesesteak and visit the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, museums and the waterfront. Amtrak travel time is over 17 hours with the option to connect with commuter trains, subway, Lyft, Uber, tourist trolleys and bikeshare once you’re in the city. The Schuylkill River Trail is an especially beautiful place for a bike ride.

Wisconsin Dells

A great destination for kids, Wisconsin Dells is full of water parks, theme parks and unique rocks carved by glaciers. It’s a 18-hour train ride from Cincinnati with a train transfer in Chicago. Upon arrival you can walk to restaurants, attractions and places to stay near the Amtrak station (including White Rose Inns and Alpine Motel) or check out hotels with shuttles (verify service with the hotels before booking).

New York City

For big city fun, travel to New York City. It’s the last stop on the Cardinal route, almost 19 hours away from Cincinnati. You’ll arrive in Penn Station with easy access to the subway, commuter trains, taxis and rideshare services, which makes it easy to visit the many museums, attractions, restaurants, Broadway shows and shopping destinations. You can also transfer to other Amtrak routes here for a trip through the beautiful Hudson River Valley, including to Niagara Falls, Vermont and Canada.

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 Colorado Rocky Mountains. You can connect with the train in Chicago and travel the entire route to Northern California (which includes travel through the Sierra Nevada) or 39 hours to charming Glenwood Springs to spend time in the Rockies. For the return trip, we recommend traveling to Denver, Sacramento or Emeryville (near Oakland Airport and San Francisco) and flying back to Cincinnati.

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is the easiest national park to reach on Amtrak and has stunning scenery. 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 first stop and is in walking distance of the Glacier Park Lodge, but you won’t travel into the mountains on the train if you exit here. Travel time is 44 to 46.5 hours depending on the station you choose. Tip: There is an airport near the Whitefish Station if you want a flight option.

Southwest Desert

Southwest Chief in Laguna, New Mexico — *Photo by Jerry Huddleston*

For a trip through the US Southwest, including travel through Apache Canyon and Raton Pass, travel from Cincinnati to Chicago and transfer to the Southwest Chief. There are several great places to visit along the way, including Albuquerque, Gallup and Flagstaff (which is the stop for the Grand Canyon). You’ll end the trip in Los Angeles if you ride the entire route (over 57 hours from Cincinnati). Consider booking a flight home from one of the L.A. area airports.