One of the great things about train trips is that last-minute travel is easy to plan. You can arrive less than an hour before departure for easy boarding, and your nearby Amtrak station might be easier to reach than your local airport. Plus, Amtrak coach tickets are typically much cheaper than last-minute airfare.
With Presidents Day weekend (Feb. 14-16, 2026) fast approaching, now’s the time to consider a short train trip if you want a change of scenery. The following getaways can be completed in three days and are organized by region so you can find travel ideas near you.
For discounted last-minute places to stay, check out Whimstay. You can also find hotel deals on Kayak and Tripadvisor.
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Jump to Region
Southern California
Multiple Pacific Surfliner trains travel through Southern California and the Central Coast each day, making train travel easy if you live near a station. There are many great destinations for a long weekend trip or you can ride the entire route round trip if you live near San Diego or San Luis Obispo. This full route option includes one day of sightseeing in your arrival city.
Top destinations:
- Santa Barbara: Beautiful beaches, shopping, historic architecture, fresh seafood
- Ventura: Quiet harbor town with beaches and boats to the Channel Islands
- Burbank: Near Universal Studios, Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory
- Los Angeles: Iconic attractions, performances, museums, nightlife
- Anaheim: Disneyland and California Adventure
- San Juan Capistrano: Walkable and romantic town with a historic mission
- San Clemente: Classic surf town with a pier, beaches, and coastal charm
- Oceanside: Beach town with a pier, historic harbor, and surf culture
- Carlsbad: Family-friendly destination with beaches and LEGOLAND
- San Diego: Great weather, world-class zoo, museums, outdoor activities, day cruises
Northern & Central California
You can travel to Central and Northern California cities on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight, including from Los Angeles, Burbank, and other places in Southern California (view station list). Plus, the Gold Runner and Capitol Corridor trains provide service in the Bay Area and Central Valley, making it easy to explore great restaurants, landmark attractions, and outdoor areas.
Top destinations:
- San Luis Obispo: Walkable downtown, historic mission, wine tours
- Paso Robles: Wineries and top-rated restaurants
- San Jose: Historic and cultural landmarks, museums, shopping, events
- San Francisco: Iconic attractions, whale watching, vibrant neighborhoods (book your ticket to San Francisco for a bus shuttle from Emeryville or travel to Oakland for the San Francisco Bay Ferry)
- Oakland: Redwood Regional Park, diverse food, family-friendly attractions
- Berkeley: Arts District, great restaurants, bay views, nature attractions
- Sacramento: Waterfront historic district, museums, farm-to-table dining
- Fresno: Rent a car to visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks
Pacific Northwest
If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you can board three Amtrak routes (Cascades, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder) to reach a variety of destinations. Long-weekend trips are doable along the coast or go on an overnight journey to Leavenworth or Whitefish, charming mountain towns near ski resorts.
Top destinations:
- Vancouver BC: Outdoor activities, diverse food scene, unique neighborhoods
- Seattle: Famous attractions, ferries, aquarium, and museums are half off in February with select hotel stays
- Portland: Powell’s Books, craft beer, cozy restaurants, winter hikes
- Edmonds: Charming downtown, whale watching excursions
- Leavenworth: Bavarian-themed village in the mountains
- Whitefish: Walkable resort town with free ski resort shuttle
Mountain West
If you live in the Mountain West region (including Colorado, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico) and parts of California, there are several three-day train trips with standout scenery. The California Zephyr and the Southwest Chief are the primary Amtrak routes; the Winter Park Express is also a seasonal option, but this train is sold out over Presidents Day weekend.
Explore top destinations below with some of the recommended places to start a three-day trip. All of the following cities are on the California Zephyr route except for Albuquerque and Flagstaff, which are stops on the Southwest Chief route.
Top destinations:
- Flagstaff: Stargazing, craft breweries, local shops & art galleries, day trips to the Grand Canyon (depart from Albuquerque and other cities in New Mexico, Winslow, Los Angeles, Fullerton, Riverside, San Bernardino)
- Albuquerque: Southwest culture, hot air balloons, mountain tramway (depart from Kansas City, Lamar, La Junta, Trinidad, Raton, Lamy, Las Vegas (NM), Gallup, Winslow, Flagstaff)
- Denver: Breweries, museums, and a lively train station with bars, restaurants, shops, and a hotel (depart from Omaha, Fraser-Winter Park, Granby, Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction)
- Fraser-Winter Park: Skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing (depart from Denver, Granby, Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction)
- Glenwood Springs: Walkable town with hot spring pools (depart from Denver, Fraser-Winter Park, Granby, Grand Junction)
- Grand Junction: Charming downtown with shops, galleries, and wine tastings (depart from Denver, Fraser-Winter Park, Granby, Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction, Salt Lake City)
- Reno: Casinos, museums, shows (Depart from Emeryville, Martinez, Davis, Sacramento, Roseville, Colfax, Salt Lake City, Grand Junction)
Southwest
The American Southwest is a vast space with deserts, mountains, plains, and rolling hills. Cities are spread out, making three-day train trips more challenging. However, there are a few options for fun getaways. View the best travel options below for a three-day trip.
Tucson
For a desert escape, travel to Tucson from Southern California. You can walk from the Tucson Amtrak station to downtown, and with a rental car you can visit Saguaro National Park. Long weekend trips are doable from Los Angeles, Pomona, and Ontario (9.5-hour or less overnight trip, departure on Friday and return on Sunday night).
Winslow
Winslow is a historic Route 66 town in Arizona. A highlight is the charming and historic hotel next to the train station, which has a top-rated restaurant, gardens, and art gallery. Depart from Los Angeles, Fullerton, Riverside, San Bernardino, Gallup, Albuquerque, Lamy, and other cities in California, Arizona, and New Mexico (view station list).
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is an easy train trip from the Fort Worth Central Station, a great option if you live in Fort Worth or Dallas. The Heartland Flyer provides daily service, and you can also board the train in several Oklahoma cities.
Texas
For a long-weekend train trip within or to Texas, view the following destinations with the recommended departure cities. View all stations on the Texas Eagle route to explore more options.
- Austin: Depart from San Marco, San Antonio, Dallas, or Fort Worth for live music, outdoor activities, events
- Dallas: Depart from Austin for museums and great restaurants
- Fort Worth: Depart from Austin, Oklahoma City, and other cities in Oklahoma for Stockyards events, museums, and a zoo
- San Marco: Depart from Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, or Forth Worth for outlet shopping, kayaking, and hiking
- San Antonio: Depart from San Marco or Austin for riverwalk activities, historic missions, and Six Flags Fiesta
- Houston: Depart from San Antonio (train frequency 3x per week so plan accordingly)
Midwest
There are multiple regional and long-distance Amtrak routes in the Midwest that you can use to reach a variety of places. With the cold weather in February, our top recommendations are destinations with indoor fun and presidential history.
The easiest three-day train trips are from one Midwest city to another, especially trips to Chicago. However, if you live in or near Kansas City, Missouri, you can board the Southwest Chief for a three-day trip to Albuquerque (depart Friday night, arrive Saturday afternoon, return Monday morning).
Top destinations
- Chicago: It’s cold in February, but there are many museums, an aquarium, live performances, restaurants, bars, and the Garfield Park Conservatory where you can stay warm.
- Wisconsin Dells: Multiple indoor water parks (Kalahari Resort has the largest, and this resort also has an arcade, bowling alley, and spa). Depart from Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and other cities in the Upper Midwest (use rideshare or taxi after you arrive).
- Springfield, IL: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (depart from Little Rock, St. Louis, Chicago, and other cities in Illinois)
- Kansas City, MO: Many museums, attractions inside the train station, live jazz, barbecue (depart from St. Louis, Chicago and other cities in Illinois and Kansas)
- Hermann, MO: Romantic riverfront town with German heritage and wineries (depart from St. Louis, Kansas City, and other cities in Missouri)
Northeast
For an easy weekend trip on the East Coast, travel on the high-speed Acela or Northeast Regional route. Trains travel frequently between major cities that are full of museums, shows, and other indoor things to do (perfect for chilly February weather).
Tip: You can also plan a three-day trip to Washington D.C. from cities in West Virginia on the Cardinal and Floridian routes.
Top destinations:
- New Haven: Yale University museums, live performances
- New York City: Shows, shopping, museums, observation decks
- Philadelphia: Reading Terminal Market, Old City cafés, museums (including special activities at the Museum of the American Revolution)
- Washington D.C.: Presidential landmarks, free museums
- Alexandria, VA: Colonial architecture and legendary taverns, including one frequented by George Washington
- Richmond: Brewery district, cozy food scene, museums
- Roanoke: Romantic escape in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Florida
A quick Florida escape from cities on the East Coast is possible over a three-day weekend if you leave on Friday (afternoon and evening departures on the Silver Meteor and Floridian). It’s an overnight trip, so you’ll arrive on Saturday and can spend a day in Florida. Jacksonville, Winter Park, and Orlando are the destinations where you can spend the most time before getting back on a train.
If you live in Florida, you can visit many cities within the state on Amtrak. Note that Brightline is the faster option for travel between Orlando and South Florida if you want to travel between these two areas.
Top destinations:
- Miami: Michelin-star restaurants, beaches, nightlife, diverse culture
- Fort Lauderdale: Nightlife, beaches, boat tours and day cruises
- Deerfield Beach: Family-friendly beach town
- Delray Beach: Walkable and artsy beach town
- West Palm Beach: Upscale dining and shopping
- Tampa: Busch Gardens, riverwalk activities, family-friendly attractions
- Orlando: Theme parks, natural springs, sporting events, global cuisine
- Winter Park: Historic and walkable town near lakes
- Jacksonville: Parks, beaches, shopping, animal experiences
Southeast/South
Savannah and Charleston
Several trains along the East Coast stop in Savannah and Charleston, including the Palmetto. Both destinations are full of Southern charm, perfect for a romantic Valentine’s Day weekend getaway. A three-day trip is doable from cities including Jesup, Jacksonville, Winter Park, Orlando, Richmond, Alexandria, and Washington D.C. Plan to use rideshare or get a taxi after you arrive as neither train station is in a walkable area.
North Carolina
The Piedmont and Carolinian trains stop in many North Carolina cities for easy travel within the state. You can also take a three-day trip to Raleigh from Virginia and Maryland, or visit the charming town of Southern Pines on the Floridian (depart from cities in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia). Click the route links above to view cities where you can start your trip.
Top destinations:
- Raleigh: Stampede Rodeo, world-class museums, craft beer, green spaces
- Durham: Duke Lemur Center, Museum of Life + Science, live music and entertainment, creative and comfort-food restaurants
- Greensboro: Civil Rights history, family-friendly attractions
- Charlotte: Museums, sporting events, shopping, city tours
- Southern Pines: Walkable town with spas, local shops, restaurants, bars
Crescent Route Destinations
Three-day train trips between cities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia are possible on the Crescent route. There are also stops in the Carolinas, but the train arrivals and departures are overnight so they aren’t included here.
Top destinations are listed below along recommendations on the best places to board the train. View the full list of Crescent route stations to view all your options.
- Washington DC: Monuments and museums (depart from Atlanta, Charlottesville)
- Alexandria: Historic Old Town where George Washington spent time (depart from Atlanta, Charlottesville)
- Charlottesville: Walkable college town near Shenandoah National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and wineries (depart from Washington D.C., Atlanta)
- Atlanta: Museums, events, nightlife (depart from Washington D.C., Charlottesville, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Laurel, Hattiesburg, New Orleans)
- Birmingham: Walkable downtown with museums, performance venues, Civil Rights history (depart from Atlanta, Tuscaloosa, Laurel, Hattiesburg, New Orleans)
- Laurel: Charming downtown with HGTV home tours (depart from New Orleans, Hattiesburg, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Atlanta)
- Hattiesburg: Historic and walkable city with a bike trail, zoo, boutique shops
- New Orleans: Festivals, live music, bars, river cruises, historic districts (depart from Hattiesburg, Laurel, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Atlanta)
Trips to New Orleans
Presidents Day weekend is also the weekend before Fat Tuesday, so New Orleans is going to be a big party spot. Be sure to secure lodging in the city before booking your train trip to ensure you’ll have a place to stay.
See the list below of some of the cities with the shortest train travel times to New Orleans. For a full list of stations with trains to New Orleans, view the Sunset Limited, Crescent, City of New Orleans, and Mardi Gras Amtrak routes guides.
For more information, see How to get to Mardi Gras in New Orleans by train.
Amtrak travel times to New Orleans
- Gulfport to New Orleans: 2 hours
- Biloxi to New Orleans: 2.5 hours
- Mobile to New Orleans: 3 hours 45 min
- Hattiesburg to New Orleans: 3.5 hours
- Laurel to New Orleans: 4 hours
- Jackson to New Orleans: 4 hours
- Lafayette to New Orleans: 4.5 hours
- Lake Charles to New Orleans: 6+ hours
- Birmingham to New Orleans: 8 hours
- Memphis to New Orleans: 9 hours
- Atlanta to New Orleans: 13 hours
More Information
- Amtrak trip ideas from cities across America
- Best Amtrak day trips from Washington D.C.
- Best Amtrak day trips from Philadelphia
- Best Amtrak day trips from Los Angeles
- Best Amtrak day trips from New York City
- 10 best daytime Amtrak routes for scenery and sightseeing
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