10 best stops on the Cardinal route to plan a trip around

Planning a trip on Amtrak’s Cardinal? This scenic route between Chicago and New York City is filled with charming towns, mountain views, and historic cities. Whether you want outdoor adventure in the Appalachians, arts and culture in big cities, or relaxing small-town retreats, the Cardinal offers plenty of memorable places to explore. Below are the 10 best stops worth planning your trip around.

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New York City

The Cardinal begins and ends in New York City, a world-class destination full of iconic landmarks, culture, and entertainment. You’ll arrive or depart from New York Penn Station, which is in walking distance of Times Square and the Empire State Building.

Travel Tips

Stay in Midtown Manhattan for easy access to Penn Station and attractions.
Consider buying a New York CityPASS to save money on top attractions.
Fall is a great time to visit. The weather is pleasant and there are fewer tourists.
December in NYC is magical with the Rockettes, holiday decorations and ice skating.
Visit in January or February to take advance of Broadway Week deals.
Guided tours can help you see more in less time, and there are a ton of options from Statue of Liberty visits to carriage rides and food tours.

Philadelphia

Visit Philadelphia to explore America’s rich history, food (including the legendary cheesesteaks) and art scene. The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are the must-do attractions, and when you need a nature escape, visit the waterfront or rent a bike and explore the Schuylkill River Trail.

Travel Tips

Avoid summer trips unless you’re planning to go to a festival (hot and touristy).
South Street is the place to go for bars and unique shops.
Visit South Philly for authentic Italian markets and restaurants.
Rideshare, bikeshare and the hop on hop off bus are great transportation options.
Book a vacation rental in Fairmount for a neighborhood stay near the art museum. Or check out the best hotels in Philadelphia for more ideas.

Washington, DC

The nation’s capital has free museums, stately monuments and historic sites, all accessible from Union Station. After getting off the Cardinal, you can transfer within the station to the WMATA red subway line, or get a taxi, Uber or Lyft ride to reach your final destination. For a quieter stay, book your tickets to Alexandria instead of the D.C. Union Station. Old Town Alexandria is across the river from the capital and has a water taxi to the National Harbor, The Wharf and Georgetown. View Old Town hotels to learn more.

Travel Tips

Visit late March to see the cherry blossoms.
Potomac River cruises are a relaxing way to see the area.
If you have limited time, check out one of the many DC sightseeing tours.
Book a hotel off the red line for an easy subway ride from Union Station, including in Penn Quarter and Dupont Circle. Dupont Circle is also a charming neighborhood for a vacation rental.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville, Virginia is a charming and historic college town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can easily walk to the beautiful University of Virginia campus and to the pedestrian-friendly downtown from the Amtrak station.

Travel Tips

Crescent and Northeast Regional trains also stop in Charlottesville.
Guided day tours can take you to nearby wineries and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.
Rent a car for exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park (Enterprise has pick up service).
Hampton Inn & Suites and The Doyle Hotel are both a 5-minute walk from the station. There are also a variety of vacation rentals in the area.

Staunton

Nestled in the Shenandoah Valley, Staunton, Virginia is known for its well-preserved historic downtown and being the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson (you can visit his presidential library and museum). It’s a charming place to step back in time for a few days.

Travel Tips

Check festival dates and consider planning your trip around one.
Stay in a historic hotel (like Hotel 24 South and Barristers Row) or vacation rental downtown.
Staunton has the world’s only replica of Shakepeare’s indoor theatre, complete with live performances.
With a rental car (Enterprise offers pickup service or use Turo) you can drive less than an hour to reach Shenandoah National Park.

White Sulphur Springs

The White Sulphur Springs station is next to The Greenbrier, a National Historic Landmark and one of America’s oldest resorts. There’s a spa, casino, championship golf course, indoor and outdoor pools, bike rentals, horseback riding, guided bunker tours, and easy access to nearby hiking and rafting adventures (see the full list of activities).

Travel Tips

The Greenbrier is a great destination all year long, especially for fall foliage and holiday decorations.
Complimentary transportation from the train station to the resort is available, and walking time is only 6 minutes.
You can also walk about 11 minutes from the Amtrak station to downtown White Sulphur Springs (or 15 minutes from the resort). There are a few restaurants along with vacation rentals, Howard’s Creek Inn and The Schoolhouse Hotel, which offer alternate places to stay if you’re on a budget.

Hinton

Hinton offers a peaceful, small-town getaway in the Appalachian mountains. The Amtrak station sits next to the New River, and from here you can stroll through the Victorian-era town, browse local shops, and visit the Hinton Railroad Museum and Campbell-Flannagan-Murrell House Museum. The town is especially charming in the fall with the colorful mountain scenery and Hilton Railroad Days Festival.

Travel tips

Transportation is limited, so plan to stay in the town until you re-board the train.
Guesthouse Inn on Courthouse Square and downtown vacation rentals are great places to stay.
The Ritz Theatre and Wild Water Express water park are great attractions for kids.

Charleston

Charleston, West Virginia, is full of Appalachian culture and riverfront charm, offering visitors a walkable city filled with historic architecture, live bluegrass and folk music, and attractions like the West Virginia State Museum. About an hour away from the New River Gorge National Park, the city also serves as a convenient gateway to hiking, climbing, rafting, and other outdoor adventures.

Travel Tips

There is a nearby airport (CRW) if needed.
Visit the Capitol Market for local food and shopping.
FestivALL in June is one of the city’s biggest festivals, and there are many other events to check out throughout the year.
Rent a car with Enterprise to reach the national park. Pick-up service is available. The Hills to Hills shuttle also offers transportation and tours.
The hotel closest to the Amtrak station has rooms with river views: Four Points by Sheraton (15-minute walk from the train station). Or consider staying at a 1920s home rental that’s closer to the station.

Indianapolis

Indianapolis is a friendly, mid-sized Midwest city with a walkable downtown. You can easily reach events at Lucas Oil Stadium, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indiana Convention Center, and the Slippery Noodle Inn (historic bar that’s now a blues club). Stroll along Massachusetts Avenue (Mass Ave) to explore local shops, galleries, theaters, and restaurants, or head to White River State Park, which has a zoo, museums, and riverfront paths all within walking distance of the station.

Travel Tips

Trains arrive around midnight and early in the morning.
Historic areas include Lockerbie Square and the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.
The Crowne Plaza Union Station hotel is in the train station. Other downtown hotels are a short walk away, including Omni Severin, which is connected to the Convention Center.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a top attraction that requires transportation, but it’s worth a Lyft or Uber ride. There are racing events, track tours and a refurbished museum on site.

Chicago

Chicago is an ideal starting or end point for a Cardinal trip, offering world-class museums, lakefront views, and iconic architecture all within easy reach of Union Station. Top attractions include Millennium Park, Chicago Riverwalk, Navy Pier and the Art Institute of Chicago. You can also connect with many other Amtrak routes to continue traveling by train across the country. View the best Amtrak trips from Chicago to learn more.

Travel Tips

Go on a guided food tour to try deep-dish pizza and other local specialties.
Architecture river cruises are one of Chicago’s most popular activities in the summer.
Save on top attractions by purchasing a Chicago CityPASS, which offers discounted admission to major museums and observation decks.
Stay at a hotel near the riverwalk for easy sightseeing. The Hilton Garden Inn, Canopy by Hilton and JW Marriott Chicago are also less than a 10-minute walk from the train station and are near Willis Tower.