Overnight trip from CHI

[bcoz]

Hi folks-

I've been lurking here for a few months, but just signed up to post.

My current Amtrak log includes only the Hiawatha, Saluiki and Illini, so I'd like to expand things a bit. I've been wanting to travel on one of the longer-distance trains (i.e. EB, SWC, CZ, etc) for a while to get the flavor of things.

My question is this... I'd like to do a weekend trip (either Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday) trip from Chicago traveling outbound on one day, staying overnight in a given city, and then returning the following day.

I was looking for some suggested destinations. The actual city and train doesn't really matter as long as halfway decent lodging is available within easy walking distance of a given station...or within a relatively cheap cab ride.

Any thoughts/suggestions/etc would be most welcome!

bcoz

 

[access bob]

Hi folks-
I've been lurking here for a few months, but just signed up to post.

My current Amtrak log includes only the Hiawatha, Saluiki and Illini, so I'd like to expand things a bit. I've been wanting to travel on one of the longer-distance trains (i.e. EB, SWC, CZ, etc) for a while to get the flavor of things.

My question is this... I'd like to do a weekend trip (either Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday) trip from Chicago traveling outbound on one day, staying overnight in a given city, and then returning the following day.

I was looking for some suggested destinations. The actual city and train doesn't really matter as long as halfway decent lodging is available within easy walking distance of a given station...or within a relatively cheap cab ride.

Any thoughts/suggestions/etc would be most welcome!

bcoz

try maybe the Thur evening Cardinal from Chicago to Washington DC, arriving if on time Fri evening stay over and leave on the Capitol Limited the next day Sat and arrive back in Chicago Sun morning. slightly longer than you mentioned but two great trips, Eastbound on the Cardinal is thru the New River gorge in daylight and then the Potomac river valley westbound

Bob

 

[the_traveler]

I agree with Bob. It is a bit longer than you mentioned, but also as a bonus you get to try both a single level train (the Cardinal) and a Superliner train (the CL)!

 

[sky12065]

Hi folks-
I've been lurking here for a few months, but just signed up to post.

My current Amtrak log includes only the Hiawatha, Saluiki and Illini, so I'd like to expand things a bit. I've been wanting to travel on one of the longer-distance trains (i.e. EB, SWC, CZ, etc) for a while to get the flavor of things.

My question is this... I'd like to do a weekend trip (either Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday) trip from Chicago traveling outbound on one day, staying overnight in a given city, and then returning the following day.

I was looking for some suggested destinations. The actual city and train doesn't really matter as long as halfway decent lodging is available within easy walking distance of a given station...or within a relatively cheap cab ride.

Any thoughts/suggestions/etc would be most welcome!

bcoz

If I were planning what your thinking I would seriously consider what you will find at http://www.trainweb.com/depotinn/. I won't get into anything there as I think the page and a few links within it will say it all, but you might want to even consider extending it out from the two day to three leaving CHI on a Friday then returning on a Sunday giving you all day there on Saturday. Let me know your thoughts on it after you've had a chance to check it out and think about it! Anyone elses comments are also welcome especiall if one has been there already!

 

[Everydaymatters]

If I were planning what your thinking I would seriously consider what you will find at http://www.trainweb.com/depotinn/. I won't get into anything there as I think the page and a few links within it will say it all, but you might want to even consider extending it out from the two day to three leaving CHI on a Friday then returning on a Sunday giving you all day there on Saturday. Let me know your thoughts on it after you've had a chance to check it out and think about it! Anyone elses comments are also welcome especiall if one has been there already!

That trainweb site sound like a good plan. I've been interested in overnight trips from Chicago as well, so I'm hoping there will be other ideas. As far as finding a hotel within walking distance, some hotels will pick you up at the station. There was a discussion about that a while back on this forum.

 

[RailFanLNK]

How bout Lincoln NE? There's a Holiday Inn two blocks from the station. You are located in the historic Haymarket area of LNK. LNK is a nice, clean and somewhat lower crime city where you can walk to alot of things in the downtown area.

Al

 

[had8ley]

clean and somewhat lower crime city where you can walk to alot of things in the downtown area.
Al

Now we know why Patrick didn't vote for Lincoln...

 

[GG-1]

clean and somewhat lower crime city where you can walk to alot of things in the downtown area.
Al

Now we know why Patrick didn't vote for Lincoln...

Aloha

You must realize that Patrick might have a hard time breathing air he can't see. :unsure: :lol:

Mahalo

Eric

 

[sky12065]

If I were planning what your thinking I would seriously consider what you will find at http://www.trainweb.com/depotinn/. I won't get into anything there as I think the page and a few links within it will say it all, but you might want to even consider extending it out from the two day to three leaving CHI on a Friday then returning on a Sunday giving you all day there on Saturday. Let me know your thoughts on it after you've had a chance to check it out and think about it! Anyone elses comments are also welcome especiall if one has been there already!

That trainweb site sound like a good plan. I've been interested in overnight trips from Chicago as well, so I'm hoping there will be other ideas. As far as finding a hotel within walking distance, some hotels will pick you up at the station. There was a discussion about that a while back on this forum.

Did you explore far enough to see their future plans? If they come to furition that place may become something else!

 

[Carl Morrison]

Hi folks-
I've been lurking here for a few months, but just signed up to post.

My current Amtrak log includes only the Hiawatha, Saluiki and Illini, so I'd like to expand things a bit. I've been wanting to travel on one of the longer-distance trains (i.e. EB, SWC, CZ, etc) for a while to get the flavor of things.

My question is this... I'd like to do a weekend trip (either Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday) trip from Chicago traveling outbound on one day, staying overnight in a given city, and then returning the following day.

I was looking for some suggested destinations. The actual city and train doesn't really matter as long as halfway decent lodging is available within easy walking distance of a given station...or within a relatively cheap cab ride.

Any thoughts/suggestions/etc would be most welcome!

bcoz

If I were planning what your thinking I would seriously consider what you will find at http://www.trainweb.com/depotinn/. I won't get into anything there as I think the page and a few links within it will say it all, but you might want to even consider extending it out from the two day to three leaving CHI on a Friday then returning on a Sunday giving you all day there on Saturday. Let me know your thoughts on it after you've had a chance to check it out and think about it! Anyone elses comments are also welcome especiall if one has been there already!

I've made the trip to La Plata, Missouri's Depot Inn & Suites about 4 times from the West Coast, but a friend meets me taking the Southwest Chief from Naperville.

The Depot Inn will meet you at the train (about a 1/2 mile away) and take you back to the departing train. Restaurant and Train Overlook are both within walking distance, as is downtown La Plata. I write for TrainWeb.com and my trips to La Plata are posted at: trainweb.org/carl and are integrated into the website trainweb.com/depotinn

I think you'll enjoy the small town and especially the great people at the Depot Inn. If you want to go to Hannibal or Marceline (boyhood home of Walt Disney) you can arrange to rent a car at the Depot Inn as well.

Let me know if you go. [email protected]

 

[Railroad Bill]

You might want to try a variation on the eastern trips already suggested.

Capitol Limited leaving Chicago Friday at 7PM. A nice Saturday ride through the Allegheny Mts southeast of Pittsburgh--Cumberland, Md, Harpers Ferry and into Washington DC by 1PM. We stay overnight in Rockville, Md--ride the Metro into Washington for some sightseeing and dinner in DC.

Sunday morning or early afternoon catch the Northeast Regional train or Acela to NYP. Spend a little time walking around NY City and catch the Lake Shore Limited at 4PM on Sunday for a nice ride up the Hudson River and arrive back into Chicago at 9:30 Monday morning. A bit longer ride than you requested but some great scenery and some nice stops in DC and NY. Three different Amtrak trains and the Metro system.