amtrak weekend trips from chicago

Amtrak Guide

By train travelers for train travelers, amtrak in chicago: 20 popular train destinations with travel times.

Chicago is a great place to start an Amtrak trip. There are many destinations to choose from all around the country. Here are some of the most popular trips with travel times. Destinations are listed in alphabetical order.

Chicago to Bloomington

Bloomington, Illinois is just over two hours from Chicago via Amtrak train. Multiple trains travel between the cities each day. Choose between the Lincoln Service route or the long-distance Texas Eagle train, which has roomettes and bedrooms.

Chicago to Boston

The Lake Shore Limited train travels between Chicago and Boston daily. It’s an overnight trip with a travel time of about 21.5 hours.

Chicago to Champaign

The location of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign is about a two-hour train ride from Chicago. Choose from the Illini or Saluki Amtrak routes for coach seats, or book tickets on the City of New Orleans route if you prefer a roomette or bedroom .

Chicago to Denver

The California Zephyr travels between Chicago and Denver daily. This is an overnight trip with a travel time around 18 hours.

Chicago to Flagstaff/Grand Canyon

Head to Flagstaff on the Southwest Chief to see the Grand Canyon and other sights. Travel time is almost 32 hours and you’ll spend one night on the train.

Chicago to Indianapolis

The Cardinal train travels between Chicago and Indianapolis three times per week, with Chicago departures on Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday. Trip time is about 5 hours.

Chicago to Kansas City

Kansas City is about seven hours away from Chicago on Amtrak’s Southwest Chief route.

Chicago to Los Angeles

Amtrak travels between Chicago and Los Angeles daily on the Southwest Chief . It’s two nights on the train with a travel time around 43 hours.

Chicago to Michigan

Three trains depart Chicago and go to Michigan: Blue Water , Pere Marquette and Wolverine (which stops in Detroit). Popular destinations in Michigan with Amtrak stations include Ann Arbor, Detroit, East Lansing, Flint, Grand Rapids, Holland and Kalamazoo. Travel time ranges from two to six hours.

Chicago to Milwaukee

Chicago to Milwaukee is a quick 1.5 hour train ride on Amtrak’s Hiawatha train. There are multiple trains each day.

Chicago to Minneapolis

Amtrak’s Empire Builder route travels between Chicago and Minneapolis daily. Travel time is almost eight hours.

Chicago to New Orleans

An overnight 20-hour trip from Chicago, New Orleans is an easy getaway. The City of New Orleans train travels between the two cities and sleeping accommodations are available.

Chicago to New York City

Travel between two of the largest cities in the United States on Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited or Cardinal routes. Trip time is around 20 hours on the Lake Shore Limited and 27 on the Cardinal. To view the beautiful New River Gorge, choose the Cardinal. Otherwise, both routes have sleeping accommodations and require a night on the train.

Chicago to Omaha

Omaha is nine hours away from Chicago via Amtrak’s California Zephyr train. It’s a day trip, but you can book a roomette or bedroom if you want private seating.

Chicago to Portland

Book tickets on the Empire Builder for a journey out to Portland, Oregon. Travel time is about 46 hours with two nights on the train.

Chicago to St. Louis

St. Louis is 5.5 hours away from Chicago on Amtrak. Choose from the Lincoln Service or Texas Eagle trains. The Texas Eagle has roommettes and bedrooms if you prefer privacy.

Chicago to San Francisco

San Francisco does not have an Amtrak train station, but Amtrak provides bus service from Emeryville, California. If you choose San Francisco as your final destination when booking your tickets, the bus transfer is included in your fare. Train travel time on the California Zephyr to Emeryville is about 52 hours and the bus ride is about 30 minutes to San Francisco. It’s a long trip, but the scenery is amazing along the way.

Chicago to Seattle

The Empire Builder train travels between Chicago and Seattle daily. Trip time is about 46 hours with two nights on the train and travel through the Montana Rocky Mountains.

Chicago to South Bend

South Bend and the University of Notre Dame is 1.5 hours away from Chicago via Amtrak train. You can book tickets on the Capitol Limited or Lake Shore Limited routes.

Chicago to Washington D.C.

The Capitol Limited route travels between Chicago and Washington D.C. daily in about 17.5 hours. You can also choose to travel through the New River Gorge via the Cardinal train . Trip time is longer however, about 23.5 hours.

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• Best Amtrak trips from Chicago
• Chicago Amtrak Station Guide

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The best day trips from Chicago for an exciting adventure

Explore small-town breweries, bakeries and artisan shops when you embark on these easy day trips.

Photograph: Shutterstock

Sometimes, you just want a little escape from the city. If a weekend getaway isn't possible but you're still looking for new scenery and an adventure, there are plenty of options for a day trip within a few hours’ drive of Chicago. Spend an afternoon soaking up the rays on beaches along Lake Michigan, go  hiking near Chicago  in a state park or sample a variety of beers and cheeses up north in Wisconsin. The attractions are endless, ranging from amusement parks and Japanese gardens to museums and historic lighthouses.  And the best part? Many of these destinations are also accessible by  Metra . So get to planning with our guide to the best day trips from Chicago.

RECOMMENDED: The most unique day trips from Chicago

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Top day trips from Chicago

1.  milwaukee, wi.

Driving time from Chicago: One and a half hours

Getting to the Cream City requires a painless drive, but if you plan to fully indulge, ditch the car and hop on the BYOB-friendly Amtrak, which will deposit you in the heart of the city in an hour and a half. Start your day with a stack of Johnny cakes and a round of mimosas at Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern . Meander around the Historic Third Ward and hop into home decor shops like The Home Market or fun specialty shops like MOD GEN . Seek refuge and treats at the Milwaukee Public Market , where you’ll find a hodgepodge of the city’s best vendors, including blends from The Spice House , seafood from St. Paul Fish Company , hand-dipped chocolate from Kehr’s Candies and vino from Thief Wine Shop & Bar . Before catching a train home, walk off the day with a trek along to Lakeshore State Park , a unique 22-acre urban oasis that juts out from the

2.  Madison, WI

Driving time from Chicago:  Two and a half hours

Located on an isthmus between two lakes, Madison is a city that’s filled with beautiful sights—in addition to all the cheese and beer you’ve heard so much about. Begin your visit with a scenic tour of the college town on two wheels. You can rent a bike from dozens of BCycle stations , allowing you to make 30-minute trips. The Capital City trail winds around Lake Monona (the smaller of the two lakes) and provides plenty of picturesque stops for an Instagram snapshot of the skyline. Now, onto that cheese and beer: To drink like a local, head for The Malt House , a “craft beer oasis” that dates back to the Civil War era and boasts taps from local brewers like New Glarus and Central Waters. Head for Capitol Square to visit Fromagination , where you’ll find artisanal Wisconsin cheeses and knowledgeable cheesemongers to help you make a decision. Take an evening to visit the Memorial Union   Terrace , a lakefront space on the University of Wisconsin campus where you can enjoy brats, beer and live music during the summer months. 

3.  New Buffalo, MI

Driving time from Chicago:  One and a half hours

A charming beach town in Harbor Country, New Buffalo is popular during the warmest months. Escape the crowded Chicago lakefront and head for the sandy shores of the Mitten State, where the water’s warmer and clearer. Soak up some rays and then stroll down Whittaker Street to peruse cute shops and art galleries. Book a spa treatment at The Harbor Grand Hotel for a re-energizing experience; adventurers can rent a kayak or paddleboard from Third Coast Paddling and go exploring on the Galien River. When you need to refuel, grab a seat on The Stray Dog Bar & Grill’s bustling patio or sink your teeth into a big, juicy burger from Redamak’s . But make sure to save room for unique ice cream flavors, like Mackinac Island Fudge and Jacked Up Tennessee Toffee, at Oink’s Dutch Treat .

4.  South Bend, IN

Driving time from Chicago: One hour and 45 minutes

There’s more to South Bend than Fighting Irish football. Check out the city’s cultured side with an afternoon visit to the History Museum , a stately Victorian mansion that was once home to the family of local industrialist and inventor James Oliver. From there, browse the local bounty at the South Bend Farmers' Market , where you can shop everything from artisan breads and doughnuts to farm-fresh fruits and veggies. When hunger strikes, head to Café Navarre , an upscale dining spot housed in a repurposed '20s-era bank. 

5.  St. Joseph, MI

Golden, sandy beaches and a picturesque shoreline attract visitors to St. Joseph and its twin city Benton Harbor. You can spend an entire day out on the water with a rental from Blue Water Boat Rentals , or walk over to the St. Joseph Lighthouses — guided tours are available. If you’re hungry, you won’t have to wander far for good grub, as Silver Beach Pizza —located inside a century-old train depot—slings dependable tavern-style pies. Oenophiles, hit up a variety of vineyards and tasting rooms on the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail for some fine Midwestern pours.

6.  Lake Geneva, WI

Lake Geneva has long been an accessible weekend destination for wealthy suburban Chicago families. But no matter your budget, a quick retreat to this idyllic vacation town is sure to be a blast. The town rests on Geneva Lake, an 8-square-mile body of water made for summertime fun. First things first: Get out on the water. Rent a kayak or paddleboard from Clear Water Outdoor , or take a wake surfing private lesson at Gage Marine . If you can’t get your sea legs, trek a portion of Lake Geneva’s 21-mile circumference on the Geneva Lake Shore Path and gawk at the century-old mansions that rest on the shore. When you’re hungry, Egg Harbor Café and Simple Cafe , both in the town center, offer delicious, no-fuss diner eats. If you’re feeling spendy, Baker House , a 19-century mansion-turned-hotel, offers a popular Champagne brunch with waterfront views.

7.  Harbor Country, MI

Just across the Indiana border, Michigan’s lakeside “Harbor Country” is only an hour and a half drive from downtown Chicago. Start at the north end, in Sawyer, where you can visit the original taproom of Greenbush Brewing Co. Pair a pour of Star Chicken Shotgun IPA with some barbecue or Cajun fare. Up next, take the Red Arrow Highway down the lakeshore for great shopping, like hunting through the Harbert Antique Mall . Head back inland to the artsy community of Three Oaks to finish your day at Journeyman Distillery . A $15 tour and tasting nets you samples of 12 different spirits made in the converted corset factory. Plan to sit down for a meal at the distillery’s Staymaker restaurant afterward; you’ll need some food before getting back on the road to Chicago.

8.  Fennville, MI

Driving time from Chicago: Two hours and 20 minutes

Many Chicagoans wait until fall to venture up to western Michigan’s fruit belt. But there’s a compelling argument to be made for hitting the area a couple of months earlier, when the countryside is tranquil and stone fruits like peaches and cherries are ripe for picking. The petite town of Fennville is a great base for tasting the region’s sweet bounty in a host of iterations. Start off with a slice or two of the good stuff at local favorite Crane’s Pie Pantry , a bakery, restaurant and winery housed in a 150-year-old barn. From here, a five-minute drive will deliver you to Virtue Cider , founded by former Goose Island brewmaster Greg Hall. Reserve a spot for a guided trail tour that includes a glass of cider. Finally, make your way to Salt of the Earth for wood-fired pizza and seasonal dishes made from scratch with local and sustainable ingredients.

9.  Gurnee, IL

Driving time from Chicago: One hour

Located right off I-94, the village of Gurnee is a shopping and entertaining hub that draws 23 million visitors each year—including plenty of nearby Chicagoans. Start your day with a sweet treat at Gurnee Donuts , where you can grab ube donuts on weekends . Spend some time digesting while you stroll around Gurnee Mills , which hosts more than 160 stores selling everything from sporting goods to home decor. Thrill seekers won’t want to miss Six Flags Great America , where you’ll find high-speed roller coasters and intense drop rides. On a hot day, you’ll want to plunge down the water slides and splash around the wave pool at Hurricane Harbor. If you can resist indulging in funnel cakes or turkey legs at the park, save your appetite for Primo Italian American Cuisine , where the dinner menu features black truffle ravioli and a tomahawk ribeye. Those visiting on a Friday can end the night with live music in The Parlor, Primo’s speakeasy-style lounge.

10.  Grand Rapids, MI

Driving time from Chicago: Three hours

Summer and fall are peak seasons to visit Grand Rapids, but you’d do best to plan ahead and book your visit during ArtPrize , an international art competition in September and October when art is displayed in museums, bars, public parks and hotels. Regardless of when you go, Grand Rapids has you covered on the beer front with dozens of breweries—so be sure to bring a designated driver. First stop: Brewery Vivant for poutine and a German- or Belgian-style beer. A quick 10-minute drive will put you in the middle of downtown, where you should find parking and hoof it a while. Stop at Madcap Coffee for a post-beer pick me up before heading to City Built Brewing for creole bites and a range of beers for every palate. Finally, grab your car and head to Butcher's Union for a dinner complete with prime cuts of beef and pours of whiskey.

11.  Holland, MI

Driving time from Chicago: Two and a half hours

Once a stronghold of Calvinist separatists who arrived here from the Netherlands in the mid-19th century, the town of Holland continues to celebrate its Dutch heritage. To go Dutch for the day, start off with a breakfast of flaky, almond paste-filled bankets and house-roasted coffee at deBoer Bakkerij . Afterward, head across town to Veldheer Tulip Gardens , where five million of the eponymous flowers explode into bloom each spring. When hunger hits, make your way downtown for lunch and a beer at New Holland Brewing , one of the Midwest’s best-loved brewpubs. (Not sure what to sip on? Look for limited-release variations on brewery fave Dragon’s Milk, a bourbon barrel-aged stout, enriched with ingredients like cocoa nibs and peanut butter.) Wrap up your trip with a leisurely stroll around Windmill Island Gardens , a picturesque park centered around a 250-year-old Dutch windmill purchased by Holland residents in the 1960s.

12.  Galena, IL

While this city on the Mississippi River might be best known for its resorts, you don’t need to stay the night to enjoy its mix of historical sites and outdoor activities. Start your day with brunch at Otto’s Place  and  enjoy breakfast burritos with a Bloody Mary or mimosa. Head across the Galena River to Nuts Outdoors and rent an electric bike to ride along the trails and into town. Take a tour of the city’s proudest attraction, the Ulysses S. Grant Home , which was gifted to the 18th president when he returned from fighting in the Civil War. If you want to learn more, you can visit the Galena & U.S. Grant Museum , which also features an offsite working blacksmith shop. That history is also on display at Galena Brewing Company , where you can sip Uly’s Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Stout while listening to live music and feasting on a bison burger or a giant pretzel with beer cheese and house mustard.

13.  New Glarus, WI

Chances are you’ve already heard of New Glarus thanks to the town’s eponymous brewery —which offers self-guided tours Monday through Friday and a lovely beer garden—but there are plenty of reasons to visit “America’s Little Switzerland” other than beer. This charming, walkable town features a variety of tempting shops, hearty restaurants and themed events celebrating the town’s Swiss history and culture like the Heidi Folk Play Festival in June. Be sure to grab a nut horn at the New Glarus Bakery , and get your fondue fix at the Chalet Landhaus restaurant. If you visit between May and October, don’t miss the seasonally-open Swissland mini golf course, featuring Alpine-themed obstacles and friendly goats.

14.  Fair Oaks, IN

Driving time from Chicago : One hour and 15 minutes

Fair Oaks, Indiana is more than just an exit on the long stretch of Indiana’s notoriously uneventful I-65. Under a beaconing silo,  Fair Oaks Farms offers a chance for city dwellers to learn, explore and taste the heartland’s agricultural roots. Eat lunch or dinner at farm-to-table spot  Farmhouse Restaurant or pack your own picnic and explore the grounds. While most educational attractions and activities like storytime and learning how to milk a cow are family friendly , you don’t have to be a kid to get excited about spotting cows, pigs, chickens and other livestock, and all ages will enjoy homemade ice cream and grilled cheese from the Cowfe . Whether you visit this compound on a day trip or weekend getaway—or even as a pitstop for gas and award-winning artisanal cheese on a weekend getaway , check for seasonal offerings such as you-pick apples and workshops like candle making.

Exploring the farm grounds are free and general admission for the Dairy, Pig and Crop adventures are $25 for access to all three.

15.  Rockford, IL

Driving time from Chicago: Two hours

Situated less than 100 miles northwest of Chicago, Rockford is a surprisingly plentiful road trip destination for families. If the kids are in tow, start the day with a visit to the Discovery Center Museum , which boasts more than 300 hands-on exhibits focused on everything from light and art to color and electricity. For a dose of fresh air and nature, wander through the Anderson Japanese Gardens , a breathtaking 12-acre oasis that's filled with winding pathways, koi-filled ponds, and colorful plants. Everyone in the car will find something to love at Prairie Street Brewing Company , where bar food is elevated through dishes like Baja-style shrimp tacos, Cajun mac ‘n cheese and poke bowls. Pick up a few cans of Screw City Light—with notes of fresh-baked bread—to take home and extend your day trip.

16.  Oglesby, IL

It may not be the mighty Colorado, but Oglesby’s Vermillion River offers the best rafting you’re liable to find within a quick jaunt from Chicago. A 9.5-mile run with Vermillion River Rafting will shoot you over 14 rapids, most of them class I and II. After you’ve handed over your paddle, hop in the car and head up the road to Starved Rock Lodge , where you can catch your breath and lunch on casual fare like burgers or a strawberry pecan salad at the Back Door Lounge. When you feel sufficiently refreshed, hit the hiking trails at adjacent Starved Rock State Park to spot dramatic waterfalls and explore cool glacial canyons. Unwind from your nature adventures by grabbing a nostalgic treat at The Rootbeer Stand or check out "farm to foam" at The Lone Buffalo by Tangled Roots Brewing Company in nearby Ottawa. 

17.  Kenosha, WI

Driving time from Chicago: One hour and 15 minutes

About an hour north of Chicago sits this Wisconsin town filled with a plethora of things to do. Within a mile radius of the downtown area are five museums—you can gaze at dinosaur fossils and learn about the link between the prehistoric reptiles and birds at the Dinosaur Discovery Museum , or explore how the Civil War affected people on the western front at the Civil War Museum . During spring to fall, visit the Southport Lighthouse and climb 72 steps to the top for unparalleled views of Kenosha and, on a clear day, the Chicago skyline. If it’s summertime, you must check out the Bristol Renaissance Faire , where you’ll find a recreated 16th century port city populated with fairgoers dressed as knights, maidens and much more. After you’ve worked up an appetite, head over to Frank’s Diner , an almost century-old restaurant set inside an old railway car. And don’t forget to grab some cheeses and New Glarus beers at the famed Mars Cheese Castle on the way home.

18.  Cedarburg, WI

Located just 20 miles north of Milwaukee, Cedarburg is an ideal place to wind down and take things slow. The charming small town is brimming with old-world architecture, friendly Midwesterners and culture galore. If you can, plan your trip around one of the town’s seasonal events, with options including the Wine & Harvest Festival and Oktoberfest —all of which offer ample opportunities to meet local vendors and sample their wares. When you’re not rubbing elbows with the close-knit community at a street fest, make time to walk around the Cedarburg Art Museum , which hosts exhibitions from Wisconsin artists inside a former home that was designed in 1898. If wine bars are more your scene, head to Cedar Creek Winery , where you can sip your way through a $12 wine fight or enjoy a seasonal wine and cheese tasting for $25. On your way out of town, make one last stop at Amy’s Candy Kitchen to grab a hand-crafted caramel apple for the road.

19.  Kankakee County, IL

The Kankakee River has been a treasured area for centuries, occupied by the Illini and Miami tribes in the 17th century. Kankakee River State Park surrounds the river for about 11 miles, totaling to 4,000 acres of protected land. It’s a popular spot for fishing, canoeing, hiking and bicycling. Frank Lloyd Wright fans can visit the B. Harley Bradley House , built in 1900 and billed as the architect’s first Prairie Style home. Bring the kids to Perry Farm Park , which features a children’s museum, nature trails, playground and picnic areas.

20.  Oak Park, IL

Drive time from Chicago:  30 minutes

You can't call yourself a Frank Lloyd Wright fanatic until you've spent the day in Oak Park, where you'll find the famed architect's home and studio as well as a smattering of other Prairie-style abodes he designed. If it's your first time, book a tour through the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust . Now that you've worked up an appetite, grab brunch or dinner at Maya del Sol , where margaritas flow like water and the ceviche is tops. Have time for one last stop? Grab a seat at Kinslahger Brewing Company , a small but mighty taproom pouring lagered brews.

21.  Zion, IL

Zion’s Illinois Beach State Park is one of the  best places for camping outside of Chicago . Outside the 4,160-acre nature haven along the Wisconsin-Illinois border, you’ll find good brews—both coffee and alcohol—and pieces of unique history. Sip coffee from a mug in the quirky collection of mismatched ware at the cozy It’s All Good Coffee in downtown Zion, and a half mile north, tour Shiloh House , a historic 1901-era mansion housing the Zion Historical Society and former residence of Zion’s founder, Dr. John Alexander Dowie. There, learn more about  Dr. Dowie, a Scottish-Australian minister who founded Zion as a planned religious utopia and committed large-scale fraud. 

Head just north of Zion to Winthrop Harbor’s North Point Marina, one of the largest along the Great Lakes. Weather permitting, rent a  kayak or stand-up paddle or stay on land for live music, good views, and craft beers at Harbor Brewing . If you want bragging rights, stand with one foot on either side of the state border at North Point Beach .

22.  Monroe, WI

If your cheese preferences embrace the pungent, you’ll find yourself in good company in charming Monroe, Wisconsin, gateway to a region teeming with cheesemakers specializing in varieties like Swiss and nostril-tingling Limburger. For some context, begin your day at the National Historic Cheesemaking Center , where you’ll get a crash course in south central Wisconsin’s cheesy history. Next, head to the Alp and Dell cheese store to browse more than 100 varieties of cheese, mostly from local producers, and all the wine, beer and sausage you’d want to pair them with. When you’re ready for lunch, make your way to the unapologetically old-school Baumgartner’s Cheese Store & Tavern on Monroe’s pleasant courthouse square and order the infamous specialty: a slab of Limburger on rye crowned with mustard and sliced red onions. For a chaser, stroll around the block to Minhas brewery.

23.  Lemont, IL

The Village of Lemont developed as part of the construction of the canal linking the Illinois River and Lake Michigan, which also led to the discovery and development of the limestone quarries used to supply materials for iconic Illinois buildings like the Chicago Water Tower. Today, you can hop on the Metra and visit the Heritage Quarries Recreation Area , where you can walk, bike or fish along the I&M Canal (just be sure to look out for the many water birds drawn to the area). If you’re hoping for a bit more excitement, visit The Forge: Lemont Quarries . The adventure park features laser tag, a zipline and ropes courses for all ages and skill levels. Afterwards, head to the village’s historic downtown area to visit Pollyanna Brewing Company and try The Full Lemonty, their signature golden ale. You can also find the brewery’s beer on tap at Wooden Paddle , where you can watch your wood-fired pizza and other small plates being prepared before they hit your table.

24.  Long Grove, IL

Driving time from Chicago: 45 minutes

Located 35 miles northwest of Chicago, Long Grove was founded in the 1800s by German farmers, and many of the town’s original homes and buildings are still standing. Try to visit Long Grove during one of its many delicious festivals such as Apple Fest or Strawberry Fest , when local chefs and other vendors flock to the historic downtown area to offer numerous versions of the spotlighted food. Stop by Buffalo Creek Brewing and have a beer in their Bavarian-style taproom or in the Biergarten, which hosts live music and food trucks during the summer. Before you hit the road, swing by Long Grove Confectionery to pick up some peanut brittle or their signature Giant Myrtle, made with roasted pecans or cashews topped with caramel and milk or dark chocolate.

25.  Evanston, IL

Driving time from Chicago: 40 minutes

If you're short on time but craving a day away from the city, hop on the Purple Line and head to Evanston. The sweet college town is located just a few miles north of Chicago, which means you can explore the day away and still be home for dinner. Start the morning at the otherworldly Baha'i House of Worship , an architectural gem located a few miles north in Wilmette. Wander the pristine grounds before stepping inside the functioning temple, one of the oldest of its kind in the world. Up next: Fill up on colorful macarons, cakes and doughnuts at Bennison's Bakery before checking out the outdoor exhibition at the Block Museum of Art and taking a free art walk to see the 16 sculptures placed in public spaces on Northwestern University’s campus. Don't get back on the train without grabbing a brew from Temperance Beer Co. If you have the time, take a $10 brewery tour that includes samples and a souvenir pint glass. 

26.  Michigan City, IN

If you’re car-less, this small city is a perfect option for a day trip from Chicago. Hop on the Amtrak at Union Station and you’ll be in Michigan City in just over an hour. Or, take the South Shore Line and you can hop off right at the Indiana Dunes National Park , 15 miles of gorgeous sand dunes on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. Michigan City proper, too, is filled with great things to do. Visit Washington Park where you can picnic on the beach or check out the lions, wolves and other animals from around the world at the Washington Park Zoo . Hungry? Walk over to Shoreline Brewery , a gem of a microbrewery with a rotating selection of beers on tap and tasty pub grub. You can also sample local flavors at Fiddlehead , which serves high-quality comfort food including fried lake perch and grass-fed beef burgers.

27.  Skokie, IL

Driving time from Chicago : 30 minutes 

Head 16 miles north by car or CTA for art, history, and nature in downtown Skokie. The village is lined with locally-owned shops and restaurants, and is home to the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center . Start your day with an everything bagel with lox from Kaufman’s Bagel & Delicatessen and use the free app Otocast for a self-guided route of the area’s murals and sculptures. Mid-tour, grab coffee and a halal savory empanada or SALAMAT! Filipino cookie at Complimentary Coffee . If that wasn’t enough art, head east to the north channel of the Chicago River for the North Shore Sculpture Park , a two-mile walkway with over 60 pieces of public art. Download a self-guided tour or plan to make it to one of free guided tours Saturdays and Sundays, May through October.

28.  Fairbury, IL

Observant Chicago foodies may have noticed a couple of names popping up over and over again in the menu sourcing notes that have become de rigueur in these locavore-obsessed times: Kilgus Farmstead (for dairy) and Slagel Family Farm (for a range of meats). Turns out, our favorite chefs’ favorite suppliers sit just a three-mile hop from each other in the central Illinois town of Fairbury. On an hour-long tour of Kilgus , you’ll get acquainted with the farm’s herd of sweet, doe-eyed Jersey cows, learn the ins and outs of milking, and sample freshly spun soft-serve. Bring a cooler and hit the on-site store for Kilgus dairy and meat as well as goods like eggs and honey from nearby producers. Slagel has teamed up with chefs from notable Chicago restaurants to put on a program of farm dinners throughout the summer and fall. After an interactive tour and a butchering demo, you’ll retire to a picturesque barn for the main event, a family-style, BYOB meal prepared by the guest chef.

29.  Spring Green, WI

Driving time from Chicago: Three and a half hours

Despite boasting a population just shy of 1,700 people, this town west of Madison has a lot going on. Most visitors are here to visit one of two sprawling complexes: Taliesin , the estate and studio of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, or the infinitely weirder House on the Rock , the brainchild of artist Alex Jordan where curious travelers can explore rooms on rooms of infinity mirrors, dollhouses, nostalgic cars, circus ephemera and the world’s largest indoor carousel. When you’ve had your fill of architecture or funky assorted collections, get a taste of traditional Wisconsin hospitality at Arthur’s Supper Club . Theater buffs can take in a show at the American Players Theatre .

30.  Aurora, IL

Driving time from Chicago : 50 minutes 

Aurora made headlines when Wallethub named the small city the happiest place to live in Illinois. Once you make a visit, it’s easy to see why. Easily accessible by Metra, this western Chicago suburb features a walkable downtown with music, festivals, street fairs and ample green space to get your nature fix. Grab your running shoes or bike—or  kayak  if floating is your preferred method of sightseeing—and hit the Fox River Valley Trail, an over 40-mile paved path. Finish the afternoon with coffee or craft beers at Two Brothers Roundhouse , a 1850s-era limestone building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, before heading back downtown for a Broadway show at the Paramount Theater .

31.  Joliet, IL

If there’s a place that embraces its unique and often complicated past, it’s Joliet. History is intertwined in nearly every aspect of this canal and quarry city, from the limestone facades of the castle-like Bishop Hill Winery to its recreational spots, like the  Joliet Iron Works Historic Site , once the second largest steel mill in the United States and now converted into an outdoor park. Names of many local businesses, like Prison City Vintage , even reference the past. Contextualize the city with a visit to the Joliet Area Historical Museum , a collection of over 30,000 artifacts, including memorabilia from the first Dairy Queen in the U.S. and Route 66. After, roam the 1858-constructed Old Joliet Prison , a frequent filming location and must-see for TV and movie buffs. Finish off with classic diner food at the in-theme Joliet Route 66 Diner .

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The 6 Best Train Trips To Take From Chicago

By staff in arts & entertainment on oct 9, 2015 4:00pm.

The Midwest loves its trains, and as the autumn leaves change colors, this might be the most beautiful time of year to take a weekend getaway by train. Take in the countryside views of Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and beyond from a cushioned seat aboard one of these trains bound for some of our favorite cities outside of Chicago. Here are our favorite train trips to take from Chicago—and if your favorite getaway isn't here, let us know in the comments.

Milwaukee : In under two hours on the Amtrak, Chicagoans will find themselves at the train station in the heart of downtown Milwaukee to begin either an eclectic day trip or a weekend getaway to check out the many gems the city has to offer. From bars and great food, to art, bookstores and the river walk, visitors from the Second City will experience a getaway with an cosmopolitan feel while enjoying the city's quintessential Midwestern personality.

Highlights include the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Betty Brinn Children's Museum for excellent exhibits, Woodland Pattern Book Center for readings and a decidedly unique book shop, especially for poetry lovers. For food and drink, the classic German tavern, Von Trier's and the cozy bar with a hipster edge, Hotel Foster will satisfy if you find yourself on the East Side.

While downtown, must-do highlights include the Newsroom bar for great cocktails and beer in a classic, noir pub with a journalism theme. As a bonus, it is located next to Safe-House, just another extension of this best-kept secret gem.

Grab some well above average pub food at Swinging Door Saloon , a place that also has an engaging and casual "locals" energy to it with a friendly staff within a classic space. With every part of the city offering a diverse array of places to see and things to do, it is ideal for a weekend trip so many of its nooks can be fully explored. —Carrie McGath

Kalamazoo : Just over two hours away from Chicago on the Amtrak, writers and artists as well as beer lovers and foodies will be equally content in this charming and bohemian Southwest Michigan city. Do your own brewery hop or schedule one with West Michigan Beer Tours since Kalamazoo is home to over a dozen microbreweries both downtown and in the surrounding area.

For fine art, be sure to go to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts to see a solid and significant permanent collection as well as compelling exhibitions. Also a literary hub that only continues to grow, see all manner of events from readings, to poetry slams and other spoken word performances. The presence of Kazoo Books and the Michigan News Agency just adds to the writer-friendly oasis Kalamazoo is at its core.

For foodies, Food Dance and Rustica are absolute musts. Off the beaten path is Rupert's Brew House a laid-back brewery with free shows, great beer (and housemaid rum!) and a pub dog, Captain Stooby, the brewery's 200 lb. Great Dane. O'Duffy's in the Vine Neighborhood is an authentic, friendly and cozy Irish pub with excellent pub fare and great rotating taps. For the "local watering hole," The Green Top Tavern is not to be missed as the bar with a mixture of beer tourists, hipsters and all other manner of longtime natives of the city. —Carrie McGath

Libertyville If you've only got a little bit of travel time, hope the Metra and get off at the Libertyville stop one weekend. It's a little over an hour of train time, and the train station is a short walk from fantastic places to eat, drink and shop. For finer dining, head to Tavern , or the newest sushi place in the area gaining great accolades, Shakou . If bar food is more your speed, check out Mickey Finn's , a newly relocated brew-pub that's long been a Libertyville favorite, both for its craft beers and its food.

Shopping includes everything from boutique home design stores to specialty shoe shops and Savory Spice shop , a gourmet spice purveyor on par with Evanston's Spice House. You can even catch a movie on the cheap at the old school Liberty Theatre .

Finally, if you could only spend time or money in one place, we recommend that it be Firkin . With amazing, creative entrees, a full bar of fantastic beers and wines, and an incredibly knowledgeable and friendly waitstaff, this tiny treasure will not disappoint. —Marielle Shaw

New Buffalo : Easily accessible via the Amtrak or the South Shore, this quaint resort town is especially a must-visit in the summer months, but is equally beautiful in the fall. Boasting a captivating lakeshore and pleasant beaches, it is a wonderful place to decompress and refuel from life in the big city. Also home to Oink's , once visited by Vice President, Joe Biden, is a wacky and wondrous spot to indulge in the joy of ice cream with huge selection of flavors.

For dining overlooking Lake Michigan, right near the beach, enjoy The Stray Dog pub and restaurant and Jimmy's bar for that local bar feel and an excellent New American menu and a rooftop patio. And of course, you can always try your luck at Four Winds Casino and free shuttles are available to get you there and back. —Carrie McGath

Memphis If there’s a place to slowdown and not be bothered by human drama, it’s on wheels of steel headed toward Memphis, Tennessee. On this ten-and-a-half hour train ride, let the city fade away and immerse yourself in a book, music or the scenery out your window as you slice through the cornfields of southern Illinois and ultimately the countryside of the upper south. Remember to pack some Soul with you too—you’re riding into Memphis, the home of Stax Records! For those who don’t know the label, they introduced the world to Soul greats such as Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes. —Ben Kramer

Grand Rapids, Michigan Here is a city that has culture, great food and lively nightlife. From the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts with cutting-edge exhibitions and film viewings, to Meijer Gardens for public artworks among a beautiful and sprawling park, the opportunity for fine art culture is diverse and appealing.

Stella's burger and whiskey bar has what GQ called the best burger in America in 2012 with the added asset of arcade games, pinball and a great bar in a fun atmosphere. Across the street, continue your pinball game at Pyramid Scheme and stay later for a show, with events almost nightly in a hipster-punk atmosphere. Vault of Midnight is a must-do for comic book lovers, and it is worth crossing the street for a superbly crafted coffee at Madcap . —Carrie McGath

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Niagara Falls Ultimate Getaway Roundtrip from Chicago

$789 - 6 Days

• Chicago >
• Santa Fe >
• Grand Canyon >
• Flagstaff >

Found at the border of New York and Ontario, and comprised of three waterfalls—American Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls—Niagara Falls is one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders on earth. On your six-day Ultimate Getaway Roundtrip rail journey from Chicago, you’ll see why millions of visitors flock to this famous cascade every year. Enjoy unbelievable panoramic views and the twinkling lights of Ontario from the revolving Skylon Tower restaurant and cruise into the basin directly in front of the Falls to experience the hypnotic mist coming off the water. Fun fact: Every 60 seconds, six million cubic feet of water rushes over the Falls. That’s enough water to fill a million bathtubs every minute! During this trip, you’ll also have the chance to visit world-class restaurants and wineries of the region, stroll through the Niagara Falls History Museum or botanical gardens, ride the Skywheel, relax at the spa, and walk across Rainbow Bridge. This is an Ultimate Getaway Roundtrip train vacation you’ll never forget!

Reservations: 1-800-268-7252

For pricing and availability from your Amtrak Station:

Highlights:

• 3 nights' hotel accommodations
• 2 nights on board Amtrak
• Niagara Adventure Pass*
• Skylon Tower Deck Admission
• Dinner at a popular local restaurant
• Roundtrip transfers from train station to hotel between Buffalo, NY and Niagara Falls, ON
• Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago, IL on the Lake Shore Limited®

PERSONALIZE YOUR TRIP:

• Sightseeing city tours
• Dining Options

*Includes admission to the Journey Behind the Falls, Niagara's Fury, White Water Walk and a Hornblower Cruise to the Falls, and a 2-day WEGO bus transportation OR seasonally the Niagara Wonder Pass which includes Admission to the Butterfly Conservatory, Journey Behind the Falls and the Niagara Fury, also includes 2-day WEGO bus transportation

Call us to customize this vacation!

Other Packages Available:

Disclaimer:

Package prices are per person, double occupancy, tax included. Prices do not include rail from your hometown. Please call for pricing. Package prices are subject to change without notice, and all reservations are based upon availability at the time of booking. Amtrak travel is for Coach accommodations unless otherwise noted. Upgrades to Roomette or Bedroom accommodations on board Amtrak are available. Call for pricing. Other restrictions may apply. Activities referenced in the itinerary during free time are for suggested purposes only and are not included. Seasonal activity (if applicable): During the off-season, some tours may not be available. In this case, a similar tour will be substituted. Passports (if applicable): Passports are required when crossing the Canadian border. Amtrak and Amtrak Vacations are registered service marks of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.

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9 easy must-do weekend trips from Chicago

Chicago is blessed with world-class museums, an amazing food scene, some of the best breweries in the country, and everything else you’d ever want to do. But even the most passionate Chicagoans need to escape the city every now and then. Luckily, there are dozens of superb weekend getaway destinations, all within a few hours’ drive of the Windy City. 

There are miles upon miles of Lake Michigan coastline to explore, there are national and state parks with gorgeous nature, and there are charming cities and towns all over the Great Lakes region where you can find a little bit of quaint comfort. Planning will go a long way to ensure a successful weekend trip. So research where to go, find luggage storage in Chicago if you need to drop the bags off, book lodging, plan where to eat and what to do, and hit the road. 

Here are the best weekend getaways from Chicago: 

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Dubuque, Iowa 

Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, Dubuque is the ideal weekend getaway for history buffs and older tourists. Baseball fans will want to visit the famous “ Field of Dreams ” ballpark, which is now the home of special events hosted by Major League Baseball. 

The town itself has been revitalized somewhat in recent years, with art galleries, breweries, murals, and restaurants opening in downtown Dubuque. Dubuque is heavy on the small-town charm and well worth a visit. 

Distance from Chicago 

It takes just under three hours to reach Dubuque from Chicago. Driving is the only option for transit. 

Our activity recommendations

This historic town is a delightful change from downtown Chicago, with a picturesque old-school Main street with many pre-Civil War buildings, like the Black Horse Inn. There’s also the Febekon Place Elevator, which is a scenic railway that overlooks the city and provides a spectacular aerial view. 

Best season to visit

Summer, fall, and spring are the best times of year to visit Dubuque. 

Holland, Michigan 

Western Michigan has a ton of delightful towns for weekend getaways, and Holland is one of the best family-friendly options. Located less than a mile from the stunning Lake Michigan coastline, Holland is famous for its large Dutch immigrant population and its furniture-making industry. 

Distance from Chicago

You’ll have to drive south and east for about two and a half hours to get to Holland. Driving really is the best way to get there, although Amtrak runs a train as well. 

Explore Holland’s (aptly-named) Dutch heritage by exploring delightfully kitschy attractions like Nelis’ Dutch Village, De Klomp Wooden Shoe, and the Windmill Island Gardens . 

In proper Dutch fashion, Holland (Michigan) celebrates the annual blooming of tulips every springtime. With millions of tulips planted across the area, it’s a gorgeous time of year to visit. Summer is also ideal, with the Lake Michigan shore and beaches only a mile away from town and gorgeous Lake Macatawa providing plenty of outdoor recreation. 

Grand Rapids, Michigan 

While far from the largest city in the country, Grand Rapids has a massive beer scene. Since the industry’s boom in the past two decades, Grand Rapids has quickly become one of the craft beer meccas, drawing thousands of beer nerds to its taprooms and breweries. 

It’s a three-hour drive from Chicago to Grand Rapids, probably less if you miss Friday traffic. Amtrak also runs a service from Union Station directly into downtown Grand Rapids, the train ride is about four hours. 

Beer truly is the main draw for visitors, with companies like Founders, Brewery Vivant, Saugatuck Brewing, and Grand Rapids Brewing all operating popular taprooms. The food isn’t bad at all either, with local favorites Forty Acres Soul Kitchen and Terra GR being high-end dining options.

When you’re not drinking, renting kayaks or bikes to enjoy the riverfront are great ways to stay active. Lake Michigan is less than 30 minutes away by car too.

Summer and fall are perfect for enjoying some time outdoors, especially if you’re looking at kayaking and swimming along the river or Lake Michigan. Winter is also a great time to do a long weekend because you can hit the slopes at the nearby Cannonsburg Ski Resort. Also, the many Grand Rapids breweries are great for a cozy pint to warm up.

Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana

The sandy dunes overlooking Lake Michigan have finally gotten their due and were made into a national park. Indiana Dunes National Park is the closest conservation and recreation area of its kind to Chicago and the perfect weekend getaway (or day trip) for outdoor enthusiasts.  

It’s only about 90 minutes by car (which is the most convenient way to get there) from downtown Chicago. Unless you want to explore the whole area and stay in a cabin, Indiana Dunes National Park is one of the best day trips from Chicago. The South Shore Line will also take you to the Indiana Dunes, but driving is easier and more flexible. 

There are over 15 miles of beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline to explore and enjoy. You can enjoy the beach, go for a swim, hike the trails along the dunes, and even go horseback riding. 

Summer and fall are the best times to go. Visiting during winter is absolutely inadvisable because of lake effect weather. Spring is better, but the weather brings frequent rain that impacts the hiking trails and terrain.

Kohler, Wisconsin 

Located north of Milwaukee along Lake Michigan, Kohler is famous for its resorts and golf courses. The American Club is a bucket-list course for golfers, and there are a number of spas and restaurants that make Kohler a relaxing destination. 

Kohler is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Chicago. A great way to break up the trip is to stop in Milwaukee for lunch.

Our activity recommendations 

The upscale resorts and golf courses are the main draw at Kohler, which makes them frequent weekend getaway destinations for older travelers. The Kohler Waters Spa is the perfect place to unwind, and the American Club boasts one of the best golf courses in the country. 

For weekend getaways based around golf, summer and fall are the best times of year to head up to Kohler. Kohler is also a wonderful destination for spas and resorts during the winter. 

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin 

Of all the weekend getaways from Chicago, this one has to be the most popular. Lake Geneva is Chicago’s equivalent of The Hamptons. Basically, everyone knows someone with a house up there. This makes sense, given it’s only a 90-minute drive from Chicago, just over the Wisconsin border. There are plenty of hotels, like The Abbey and Grand Geneva Resort . Multiple golf courses surround the lake as well. But the main reason to head to Lake Geneva is to appreciate the natural beauty with friends and family. 

Lake Geneva is about as close to Illinois as you get, and it only takes about 90 minutes to get there from Chicago by car, which is the only real way to get there. 

All the best activities in Lake Geneva are based around the water. Renting a boat from one of the marinas is a great way to get the family out on the water. There are multiple public beaches as well. 

During the winter, there is a village of ice castles made by expert sculptors that’s worth checking out. Alpine Valley Ski resort is nearby, which also hosts concerts during the summer. 

Summer is the best time to take a weekend trip to Lake Geneva, but it does get busy during this time of year. During the fall, Lake Geneva gets a boost when the leaves change color, despite it being too cold for boating and swimming. 

Madison, Wisconsin 

Wisconsin’s capital city is one of the most popular weekend getaways from Chicago. All the best Wisconsin culture is represented in Madison, which mostly consists of beer, brats, and Badger Football. The University of Wisconsin’s gorgeous campus is located right in Madison, which gives the city energy when students are on campus. But there’s a nice variety of outdoor activities and culture in the city as well. 

Madison is a three-hour drive from Chicago. There are also bus routes between downtown and Madison that take about three hours and 30 minutes. 

For such a small city, there’s plenty to do in Madison. Snowshoeing in the winter, hiking in the summer, appreciating the leaves in the fall, and drinking all year long. 

Just outside of Madison is the Wisconsin Dells area, which has indoor and outdoor water parks and other outdoor activities. It’s a great excursion from Madison and less than an hour’s drive from the capital. 

Summer and fall are the best times to visit, especially when the leaves change and the University is in full swing.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Chicago’s neighbor to the north is an obvious choice for weekend getaways. There is culture, there’s beer (and plenty of it), there are several pro sports teams, and there’s a lot of character. Milwaukee has all the amenities of a larger city, just without all the inconvenience of getting around a place like Chicago. 

If you’re driving up to Door County or Kohler, it’s well worth it to stop in Milwaukee for lunch. 

There is a train from Union Station that lands you right in downtown Milwaukee. This takes less than two hours and can save you some traffic headaches. The drive up to Beer City only takes about 90 minutes. 

There are a number of amazing museums to visit, including the Milwaukee Art Museum, which is a gorgeous modern building along the lakefront. There’s also the Harley Davidson museum which details the story of how Milwaukee became the largest builder of motorcycles in the world. 

Outside of that, there are world-class breweries, restaurants, and bars. Definitely make sure to try a famous Bloody Mary dressed up Wisconsin-style. 

The Milwaukee lakefront is incredible, and there are frequent festivals and events going on, so summer is an amazing time for a weekend trip. But there is enough culture that visiting Milwaukee is fun year-round. If you’re free during the first few weeks of July, hit up Milwaukee Summerfest , which is the largest music festival in the world. 

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois

As far as outdoor activities go, Chicago is hardly the best city in the world. But the area’s best hiking area is absolutely worth visiting. Starved Rock State Park, with waterfalls and topography (rare in a painfully flat state like Illinois), makes for a perfect weekend getaway for outdoorsy types.  

It’s only a two-hour drive from Chicago, but you’ll want to leave early to beat traffic and have a head start on the other hikers. Leaving yourself a full day to explore the nooks and crannies of this park is the best way to go. 

Essentially, there’s really only one thing to do at Starved Rock, and that’s hiking. With 13 miles of trails winding through glacier-carved canyons and terrain, it’s the best hiking Illinois has to offer. There are gorgeous waterfalls and winding streams to take a dip in if you’re hiking during the sweltering Illinois summer. 

Late spring, summer, and early fall are the best times of year to explore Starved Rock. Winter is basically out of the question. Early spring and late fall are entirely weather-dependent.

It’s hard for locals and transplants to find a place they love more than Chicago because there is a lot to love. But getting out of the city for a weekend getaway is a necessary way to recharge and reset. You’ll be more in tune with nature, you’ll feel a little more relaxed after taking a break from traffic, and you’ll have a new appreciation for the gorgeous region surrounding Chicago. If you’re short on time, you can always opt for a fun day trip from Chicago as well, and if you only have a limited time in the city itself, check out our guide on how to spend 3 days in Chicago to maximize your itinerary.

Planning one of the many fun weekend getaways from Chicago is a great way to find a new appreciation for not only the Midwest but also Chicago. Because you can only stay away from that deep dish for so long… 

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18 Scenic Amtrak Sleeper Train Routes

• Amtrak offers many scenic overnight train trips across the USA, allowing passengers to wake up to new views en route.
• Amtrak's US sleeper trains include roomettes with a bed, bathroom, and shower for a comfortable journey.
• From the Silver Star to the Crescent, discover some of the most scenic Amtrak sleeper train rides, along with average ticket costs and durations.

Riding Amtrak for the first time ? Perfect; it'll be an adventure! Train travel has always been one of the most delightful ways to explore the United States. In particular, Amtrak offers some of the best sleeper train trips in the USA, taking passengers from one bucket list American city to the next, allowing them to wake up to new views and scenery en route.

With its scenic routes, comfortable sleeper cars, and onboard amenities, it’s a great way to unwind and relax. Delight in the view of rolling mountains, rivers, and meadows, accompanied by the mesmerizing round of the train’s wheels rolling over the tracks on the way to iconic US cities, like Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, Washington DC, and many more.

From Midwest trips and Southwest routes to East Coast trains and everywhere else in between, it's time to discover some of the most scenic overnight train trips in the US , provided by Amtrak. Pack the necessities for an Amtrak trip and relax on a scenic sleeper train with Amtrak roomettes that offer all amenities included , such as a comfortable seat, bed, bathroom, shower, and wide-set windows to enjoy the ever-changing views.

UPDATE: 2024/03/02 20:58 EST BY LAURALYN BROWN

Even More Exciting Amtrak Sleeper Trains To Enjoy!

Amtrak never ceases to disappoint! One of the best ways to experience and get around North America is by train, and Amtrak provides plenty of sleeper options so that travelers can get the most out of their trip. This list has been updated with 2 additional Amtrak sleeper trains and expanded with average ticket costs and durations!

Travel From Vancouver To San Diego By Train, No Car Needed

Silver star, this train is perfect for a family vacation or a weekend east coast trip.

Amtrak's Silver Star is a part of the Silver Service/Palmetto line but with a few added stops between New York City and Miami, Florida. This is esily one of the best Amtrak sleeper routes and runs every day, giving passengers a spectacular front-row seat to some of the most beautiful views of the East Coast.

The Silver Star travels through 9 total states and makes several stops along the way to Miami and Tampa. This is a popular Amtrak sleeper train for those traveling to Florida from the Northeast, particularly Disney World. This train offers a stop in Orlando and Kissimmee Station, which is about 30 minutes away from the parks!

• Popular Stops of the Silver Star: New York City, Baltimore, Richmond, Raleigh, Jacksonville, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami
• Cost Of Ticket: Average $5-800 per person
• Duration: 28 hours from New York City to Miami

Enjoy a bit of international travel and the beauty of New York State on board the Maple Leaf

This Amtrak sleeper train is rightfully named the Maple Leaf , as it travels between New York State and Toronto, Canada! This 12-and-a-half-hour adventure takes passengers along the Finger Lakes, Hudson River Valley, and the stunning Niagara Falls before arriving in metropolitan Toronto.

This route on the Maple Leaf is one of the numerous Amtrak trips where you don't need a car to get around in this region of North America. Plus, travelers can get a Canadian stamp on their passport.

• Popular Stops of the Maple Leaf: Toronto, Niagara Falls, Syracuse, Albany, New York
• Cost Of Ticket: Average $9-300 per person
• Duration: 12.5 hours from Toronto to New York

Northeast Regional

This train is perfect for a scenic trip along the east coast.

The Northeast Regional Amtrak is among the best sleeper car train trips in the USA on the East Coast, traveling through Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.

Like Amtrak's other sleeper routes, its luxurious sleeper accommodations (on Trains 66, 67, and 65) include the usage of a bedroom overnight, showers, and a free continental breakfast in the morning. This enables travelers to sleep soundly while the train smoothly travels through the night.

Additionally, it offers business seating, Wi-Fi, a quiet car, and a dining car. So, avoid the inconveniences of congested I-95 by opting for Northeast Regional Amtrak service, and have a memorable and comfortable trip.

• Popular Stops of the Northeast Regional: Boston, Providence, New Haven, New York City, Philadelphia, Wilmington, DE, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Richmond, Williamsburg, Norfolk
• Cost Of Ticket: Average $88-128 per person
• Duration: 13.5 hours from Boston to Norfolk

10 Bucket List Towns To Explore By Amtrak Train

Silver meteor, see some of the united states' most scenic landmarks aboard the silver meteor.

Amtrak’s Silver Meteor route is among the most famous long-distance train lines and connects New York City with Miami in around 28 hours. The journey offers glimpses of gorgeous cities like Washington, D.C., Savannah, Philadelphia, and many more, making it one of the best sleeper train trips in the USA.

The route also passes through several charming coastal villages, abundant natural beauty, and famous landmarks, including the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The train has single-level Viewliner cars with comfortable sleeper accommodations, Wi-Fi, and a variety of dining options, making the journey an enjoyable way to see the eastern coast of the United States.

• Popular Stops of the Silver Meteor: New York City, Philadelphia, Wilmington, DE, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Richmond, Charleston, SC, Savannah, Jacksonville, Winter Park, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami
• Cost Of Ticket: Tickets average between $5 and $800 for overnight tickets
• Duration: 28 hours from New York to Miami

This Amtrak train takes passengers from NYC to Canada with incredible views along the way

The Adirondack route between upstate New York, USA, and Montreal, Canada , is one of the most scenic Amtrak routes, captivating passengers with breathtaking views of the Hudson River, gorges, lush forests, and towering hills. Along the way, the train passes through the magnificent Adirondack Mountains, known for their majestic peaks and untamed wilderness.

When the train passes by a section of the former Delaware and Hudson Railway, the journey becomes more nostalgic. The scenic Adirondack route appeals to both nature lovers and train enthusiasts for its incredible natural splendor, premium amenities, tasty food menu, and international travel.

• Stops of the Adirondack: New York, Lake Champlain Region, Montreal
• Cost Of Ticket: Average $50-70 per person
• Duration: 10 hours from Montreal to New York

City Of New Orleans

This is a breathtaking way to experience the american midwest.

Starting from Chicago's thriving electric blues scene, the City of New Orleans train travels through lush farmlands, hilly terrain, and quaint small towns before arriving in New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz.

Passengers can enjoy breathtaking views of the Mississippi River, extensive stretches of rural terrain, and glimpses of famous landmarks along this 900-mile trip, which takes about 19 hours to complete. For travel buffs looking to immerse themselves in the rich heritage of New Orleans and the diverse landscapes of the American Midwest, this Amtrak route offers the best overnight train rides!

• Stops of the City of New Orleans: Chicago, Memphis, New Orleans
• Cost Of Ticket: Average $90-400 per person
• Duration: 19 hours from Chicago to New Orleans

Sunset Limited

This amtrak sleeper train takes travelers on an epic journey through the american southwest.

The Sunset Limited is a magnificent Amtrak train that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, through the vast expanse of the American Southwest, all the way to Los Angeles, California. Passengers will experience the splendor of the Bayou Country, the Mexican border, the southwestern deserts, and the California mountains through the train's windows.

Passengers can select a coach seat or try out a bedroom to enjoy a comfortable journey while sleeping, eating, reading, or just relishing the sights. With captivating Gulf Coast scenery, gorgeous canyons, and incredible desert views, this trip is certainly one of the most scenic Amtrak sleeper car routes in the United States.

• Stops of the Sunset Limited: New Orleans, Houston, San Antonio, Palm Springs, LA
• Cost Of Ticket: Average $79 per person
• Duration: 48 hours from New Orleans to Los Angeles

Experience the captivating beauty of the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains via The Cardinal

The Cardinal is one of the best Amtrak sleeper train routes for travelers who want to get away from their daily routines and take in the scenery. Between New York and Chicago, this train travels 1,146 miles in about 28 hours, passing through a number of small towns and big cities, and offers some of the most stunning views in the United States.

The train gently rolls through the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, horse country, the Shenandoah Valley, the banks of the great Ohio River, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and more, allowing passengers to enjoy a variety of gorgeous landscapes.

• Stops of the Cardinal: New York, Washington, Charlottesville, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Chicago
• Cost Of Ticket: Average $65-200 per person
• Duration: 26.5 hours from New York to Chicago

Coast Starlight

By far the most scenic train route on the west coast.

The Coast Starlight route takes passengers on a scenic journey from Seattle to Portland, Sacramento, and Los Angeles, covering 1,377 miles of breathtaking scenery. The train takes passengers through the snow-covered peaks of the Cascade Range, the lush forests of Oregon, and the stunning Pacific Coast.

The journey is filled with extraordinary views of the Pacific Ocean, towering mountains, and pristine forests. The Coast Starlight is a perfect way to explore the West Coast of the United States, and the route is regarded as one of the most scenic overnight trains in North America .

• Stops of the Coast Starlight: Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, Los Angeles
• Cost Of Ticket: Average $100-900 per person
• Duration: 35 hours from Seattle to Los Angeles

Everything You'll Get In An Amtrak Roomette (& How Much It'll Cost)

California zephyr, this epic journey gives passengers an up-close look at the majestic american west.

The California Zephyr is one of the most popular Amtrak sleeper train routes, and for good reason. This train covers a distance of 2,448 miles between Chicago, Omaha, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Emeryville, San Francisco. It passes through some of the most impressive landscapes in the country, so it's no wonder it's considered one of the most beautiful Amtrak routes .

The journey takes passengers through the Rocky Mountains, the Sierra Nevada range, and the Colorado River. The California Zephyr is an unforgettable experience that allows passengers to explore the beauty of the American West.

• Stops of the California Zephyr: Chicago, Omaha, Denver, Salt Lake City, Emeryville, San Francisco.
• Cost Of Ticket: Average $150-700 per person
• Duration: 51 hours from Chicago to San Francisco

Empire Builder

Enjoy the spectacular scenery of 8 different states aboard the empire builder.

The Empire Builder is a magnificent Amtrak sleeper train that takes passengers on a journey from Chicago to St. Paul or Minneapolis, Spokane, and Seattle or Portland. The train covers 2,206 miles of breathtaking scenery, including the spectacular Glacier National Park, the Mississippi River, and the North Dakota plains.

The journey is filled with phenomenal views of the mountains, rivers, and plains of the American West.

• Stops of the Empire Builder: Chicago, St. Paul or Minneapolis, Spokane, Seattle, or Portland
• Cost Of Ticket: Average $150-600 per person
• Duration: 46 hours from Chicago to Seattle/Portland

Southwest Chief

The mountain landscape views from this train route are completely breathtaking.

The Southwest Chief is a popular Amtrak sleeper train route that takes passengers on a journey from Chicago to Kansas City, Albuquerque, Flagstaff, and Los Angeles. The train covers 2,265 miles of brilliant landscapes, including the rugged mountains of Colorado and the red rock canyons of New Mexico and Arizona.

Speeding along canyon passages that are not much wider than the train itself, passengers will catch breathtaking views that will become unforgettable memories. The Southwest Chief is a great way to explore the beauty of the Southwest United States.

• Stops of the Southwest Chief: Chicago, Kansas City, Albuquerque, Flagstaff, Los Angeles
• Cost Of Ticket: Average $50-150 per person
• Duration: 40 hours from Chicago to Los Angeles

Capitol Limited

See exciting cities and beautiful mountain views on board the capitol limited.

The Capitol Limited is an Amtrak sleeper train route that takes passengers on a journey from Washington, D.C., to Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Chicago. The train passes through the beautiful Allegheny Mountains and the historic cities of Pittsburgh and Cleveland.

The journey is filled with one-of-a-kind vistas of the East Coast of the United States, including the majestic Appalachian Mountains and the picturesque Hudson River Valley.

• Stops of the Capitol Limited: Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Chicago
• Cost Of Ticket: Average $50-400 per person
• Duration: 18 hours from Washington D.C. to Chicago

Lake Shore Limited

Only 19 hours total, travelers can spend the night or take a short day trip on board the lake shore limited.

The Lake Shore Limited is an Amtrak sleeper train route that takes passengers on a journey from New York City or Boston to Albany and Chicago and covers some of the most mesmerizing shorelines in the country.

The train passes through the scenic Hudson River Valley and the rolling hills of upstate New York. The journey is filled with remarkable views of the East Coast of the United States, including the Great Lakes and the Adirondack Mountains.

• Stops of the Lake Shore Limited: New York City, Boston, Albany, Chicago
• Cost Of Ticket: Average $15-90 per person
• Duration: 19 hours from New York City to Chicago

Silver Service Palmetto

This east coast train is a super scenic way to travel to beautiful florida.

The Silver Service Palmetto is an Amtrak sleeper train route that takes passengers on a journey from New York City to Washington, DC, Charleston, Savannah, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, or Miami.

After being welcomed aboard the train, passengers will have the opportunity to take in spectacular views as the train passes through the historic cities of Charleston and Savannah and the beautiful beaches of Florida. The journey is filled with extraordinary views of the East Coast of the United States, including the Atlantic Ocean and the Florida coastline.

• Stops of the Silver Service Palmetto: New York City, Washington DC, Charleston, Savannah, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Miami
• Cost Of Ticket: Average $5-300 per person

10 Fastest High-Speed Trains Around The World

Texas eagle, experience the best of the texas hill country and the american southwest on this scenic amtrak train.

The Texas Eagle is an Amtrak sleeper train route that takes passengers on a journey from Chicago to St. Louis, Dallas, and San Antonio or Los Angeles. The train passes through the towering hills of Arkansas and the wide-open plains of Texas.

The journey is filled with staggering views of the American Southwest, including the rugged terrain of the Texas Hill Country.

• Stops of the Texas Eagle: Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas, San Antonio, Los Angeles
• Cost Of Ticket: Average $20-200 per person
• Duration: 32.5 hours from Chicago to San Antonio

This Amtrak train stores not only passengers but their vehicles as well

The Auto Train is a unique Amtrak sleeper train route that takes passengers from Lorton, Washington DC, to Sanford, Orlando, Florida, with their car in tow.

The journey takes passengers through the picturesque countryside of Washington and North Carolina, and they can enjoy all the amenities included.

• Stops of the Auto Train : Washington DC, Sanford, Orlando, Florida
• Cost Of Ticket: Average $60-230 per person
• Duration: 17.5 hours from Washington DC to Sanford

Travelers will have the time of their lives taking in the Appalachian Mountain views on this train

The Crescent Amtrak train takes passengers on a journey from New York City to Atlanta and New Orleans, passing through the historic cities of Atlanta and Birmingham and the scenic beauty of the Appalachian Mountains.

Delight in the onboard menu, including the Amtrak signature dessert, ample selections for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a wide selection of beers, wines, and spirits. Alternatively, follow some expert advice for one's first Amtrak trip and pack some food to save money.

One thing is for certain; a ride aboard the Crescent is one of the best Amtrak sleeper train trips in the USA not solely for its food and drinks options but also for the stunning mountain views it provifes from NYC to NOLA.

• Stops of the Crescent: New York City, Atlanta, New Orleans
• Cost Of Ticket: Average $130-450 per person
• Duration: 30 hours from New York City to New Orleans

Chicago's iconic 'Bean' sculpture reopens to tourists after nearly a year of construction

One of Chicago's most popular tourist attractions known as "The Bean" reopened to the public Sunday after nearly a year of renovations and construction.

Construction started in August last year, and fencing around the iconic sculpture limited closeup access to visitors. The work on the plaza surrounding the sculpture included new stairs, accessible ramps and a waterproofing system, according to the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

The bean-shaped sculpture by artist Anish Kapoor is formally known as "Cloud Gate" and weighs 110 tons.

It's a busy tourist hub near Michigan Avenue, particularly for selfies with its reflective surface inspired by liquid mercury. Views of skyscrapers and crowds are reflected on the Millenium Park sculpture.

"Visitors can once again have full access to Chicago's iconic Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor," city officials said in a Sunday statement. "Come back and get your #selfie!"

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Secaucus brush fire causes major headache for evening commuters

By Jesse Zanger , Lori Bordonaro

Updated on: June 21, 2024 / 5:15 AM EDT / CBS New York

SECAUCUS, N.J. - A brush fire in Secaucus caused major trouble for NJ Transit commuters at Penn Station on Thursday. 

The fire broke out around Mile Marker 111, near the Alexander Hamilton Service Area, which is not far from the N.J. Turnpike eastern spur near 16/18E. Secaucus Police said the fire was in the marsh area.

Firefighters tackled the brush fire from the Turnpike and nearby NJ Transit tracks, and managed to bring it under control. But the impact on the evening commute lingered. Traffic on the turnpike was at one point reduced to one lane northbound. 

So far there's no word on the cause of the fire, but it comes as our region is  coping with an extended period of sweltering heat . 

At the height of the fire, smoke could be seen rising more than 1,000 feet into the air.

Penn Station delays leave commuters hanging 

NJ Transit service in and out of New York Penn Station was suspended for more than an hour as a result of the fire, as well as overhead wire issues. It has since been restored, but extensive delays lingered, frustrating commuters. 

Amtrak suspended Northeast Corridor service  between New Haven and Philadelphia, but it was restored at 5:30 p.m. Riders were told to expect delays. 

NJ Transit appeared to be running on time Friday morning , while Amtrak had some cancellations. 

Thursday, commuters at New York City's Penn Station were frustrated. It was packed with confused commuters heading into the evening rush hour. They scrambled to find alternative ways home. 

"We are heading home back to New Jersey in Livingston, may have to take the PATH. Frustrating, yeah," commuter Mia Saigal said. 

"Nothing we can do. It's this, or a $500 Uber trip. Figured we'd just wait it out, like everyone else," another commuter said. 

This isn't the first time this week the trains were halted. On Tuesday, overhead wires and a disabled train left commuters stranded. Riders who spoke to CBS New York say they're hoping this isn't any indication of what's ahead this summer.

CBS New York reached out to the Department of Transportation, which regulates Amtrak, for comment but has not yet heard back.

Jesse Zanger is managing editor of CBS New York. Jesse has previously worked for the Fox News Channel and Spectrum News NY1. He covers regional news around the Tri-State Area, with a particular focus on breaking news and extreme weather.

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Heat Wave Stifles Much of Eastern U.S. for 3rd Consecutive Day

The Northeast in particular will swelter until the weekend from the same hot spell that has already baked the Great Lakes region.

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• The Rockaways, N.Y. Solana Pyne/The New York Times
• Manhattan Victor J. Blue for The New York Times
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• Burlington, Vt. Kelly Burgess for The New York Times
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Jacey Fortin and Christina Morales

Here’s what to know about the heat.

The last full day of spring felt more like deep summer throughout much of the eastern half of the United States on Wednesday, with several cities and states taking precautions to keep residents cool as temperatures soared into the upper 90s for a third consecutive day.

The springtime heat, created by a high pressure system way up in the atmosphere, continued to scorch a vast stretch from the lower Midwest to the northern tip of Maine.

High-temperature records for the day were tied across Maine by midafternoon, with 95 degrees reported in Bangor, Houlton and Millinocket, according to National Weather Service officials in Caribou, where a reading of 96 degrees tied the highest temperature ever recorded there.

In Pittsburgh and other parts of western Pennsylvania, thousands of residents faced the double challenge of sweltering heat and lingering power outages from recent storms. Forecasters warned that the heat index, a measure of how it feels, taking into account both temperature and humidity, could be as high as 110 degrees there.

The Northeast could see cooler temperatures this weekend. But forecasters say the heat and humidity will likely move south, bringing high heat indexes to parts of the South and central Plains early in the week.

Here are the details:

More than 78 million people were under extreme heat advisories, watches or warnings, according to the National Weather Service . That is nearly double the population of the state of California.

Unexpected hazards : The heat, which will linger through at least the weekend in part of the region, has already caught some cities off guard. In New York City, the public pools are not open yet, but Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that some pools and beaches in other parts of the state will open early. Amtrak warned of possible delays along its service through the east coast of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine because of heat related-speed restrictions.

Why it’s hot : The meteorological phenomenon driving the high temperatures is sometimes described as a heat dome . Pressure high in the atmosphere acts like a lid on a pot, keeping the heat from dissipating, said Frank Pereira, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s prediction center.

Global warming’s role : In recent years, global warming has been making heat waves hotter , more frequent and longer lasting. Last year was the warmest on record , and global temperatures have continued breaking monthly records this year, too. The Weather Service has warned that this heat wave could be the longest one some places have experienced in decades.

Summer warning signs : Heat waves in mid-June are not unprecedented, but the duration of this one suggests that summer could be particularly brutal. And while the temperatures may soon ebb in a few places — including the northern reaches of New England — most people in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions can expect higher-than-usual temperatures at least through the end of this month, Mr. Pereira said.

Kevin Williams

Reporting from Ohio

For some in Cincinnati, escaping the heat is not an easy option.

Some in the Cincinnati area had no choice but to spend much of the day in the scorching heat.

On Wednesday morning, William Daugherty, 60, a safety manager for an engineering company, and his crew were installing an underground pipeline in Middletown, Ohio, to bring more water to a local steel mill from a nearby river.

To combat the heat, he soaked his head with a cold towel, and then wrapped it around his neck. The workers in the ditch, where the air was still, were especially feeling the heat. So Mr. Daugherty set up a shade tent with a blower that had a five-gallon bucket of ice behind it to blow cool air. His crew took plenty of water breaks, he said, and ate several electrolyte Popsicles.

As the heat index — a measure of how it feels, taking into account both temperature and humidity — reached as high as 100 in southwestern Ohio, some residents had to scramble to find alternate places for relief. The Cincinnati Public Library has 40 branches that are doubling as cooling centers this week, but they were closed for the Juneteenth holiday.

In Hamilton, Ohio, air-conditioners were humming at the New Life Mission, which provides those in need with food, social services and, on days like Wednesday, a cool place to escape the heat. A team of volunteers served meals of pork chops, rice and cold drinks to over 100 people who came in.

Chris Adkins, 48, who is unemployed and lives in a tent by the Great Miami River, relished being able to sit in the cool dining room of New Life on Wednesday.

“For me, the heat is worse than cold,” Mr. Adkins said. “You can always build a fire when it’s cold.”

“A lot of places don’t want us around, and it gets very hot in a tent,” he added.

Heat index forecast for Wednesday

Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration • The New York Times

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Rhianwen Watkins

The intense heat in New Hampshire sent crowds to Wallis Sands State Beach, where Ryan Dennehy, who works at the entry gate, said more people seemed to come on Wednesday than on the Fourth of July. The 500-car parking lot, he said, was full for a chunk of the day. “We actually had to put a sign out that said we can’t take anyone who doesn’t have a reservation because it was just that packed,” Dennehy said.

Robert Chiarito

In Chicago, some brave the outdoors despite sweltering temperatures.

Scorching temperatures continued to bake Chicago on Wednesday, but that didn’t stop some from spending the day outside.

About 300 cyclists organized by the Streets Calling Bike Club rode through downtown to celebrate Juneteenth. Missy Shields, a 30-year-old tech worker who said this was the first year her company recognized the holiday, drank a lot of fluids for the ride.

“You really need your electrolytes today,” Ms. Shields said.

Despite the stifling temperatures, several cooling centers in the city were closed for the Juneteenth holiday, leaving just one open. The Chicago Public Library, whose branches normally provide relief from the heat for some, was also closed.

But several park district pools and field houses were open, according to Mary May, a spokeswoman for Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications. Ms. May added that if the National Weather Service issues an excessive heat warning, the city’s emergency response plan would be activated, forcing the opening of more cooling centers.

As midday temperatures approached 90 degrees, Patricio Cornejo led a group of about 20 tourists on a walking tour of the financial district.

In an effort to stay cool, the group, native Spanish speakers from Spain, Latin America and Mexico, took more water breaks and spent more time inside the lobbies of buildings like the Rookery Building.

Mr. Cornejo, who carried an umbrella for shade, said Wednesday’s tour had not been as hot as others he had led this week. “It’s not so bad but the guests are still complaining,” he said. “We just need to take more breaks.”

Still, several spots in the city appeared emptier than usual, including Rosetta Italian, a popular restaurant in Chicago’s Loop, and Daley Plaza, which typically buzzes with workers on their lunch break.

Jaxx Allen, a 37-year-old paralegal, did not mind sitting outside in the empty plaza.

“After surviving our winters, we live for the summer here,” he said.

kevin williams

Some residents found themselves scrambling to find alternate places to find cooling relief in one of Ohio’s largest cities. In Hamilton County, Ohio, the Cincinnati Public Library has 40 branches spread across the county that are also doubling as cooling centers this week. But the libraries are closed for the Juneteenth holiday.

High heat isn’t the only weather news today: Tropical Storm Alberto formed in the Gulf of Mexico this morning, and is likely to make landfall along the northeastern Mexican coastline early Thursday; weather is complicating the fight against a 23,000-acre wildfire in Southern New Mexico; and dozens have died amid intense heat during this year’s hajj pilgrimage.

And in Pocatello, Idaho, the temperature dropped to a record low of 31 degrees this morning.

High-temperature records for the day were tied across Maine by midafternoon, with 95 degrees reported in Bangor, Houlton and Millinocket, according to National Weather Service officials in Caribou — where a reading of 96 degrees matched the all-time record high for the city.

Sydney Cromwell

Maine now has 69 cooling centers that will be open across the state today and tomorrow, up from 58 this morning.

Nadja Popovich and Adam Pearce

You’re not imagining it. Summers are getting hotter.

Extremely hot summers, the kind that were virtually unheard of decades ago, have become increasingly common.

The graphic above, based on an analysis from researchers at Columbia University, shows how, in recent decades, local summer temperatures across the Northern Hemisphere have shifted conspicuously toward higher heat.

Not every summer is hotter today; some areas still see average or colder than average seasons from June through August. But the distribution of summer temperatures has shifted so that many more places endure hot summers more often than they did in the past. And the most drastic change has occurred at the hottest extreme.

Less than 1 percent of summers in the middle of the 20th century were extremely hot for their location, according to the analysis, compared with more than a quarter of summers over the last decade.

This summer is again expected to be hotter than average across much of the United States, and in other parts of the world , too.

Globally, each of the past 12 months has been the warmest on record for that month. And 2023 was the hottest year since modern record-keeping began in the mid-1800s.

“Extreme heat is one of the most direct ways in which we are experiencing the impacts of global warming,” said Deepti Singh, who leads the Climate Extremes Lab at Washington State University.

And it’s also one of the clearest signals of how the burning of fossil fuels and other human activities are changing the planet’s climate, she added.

Dana G. Smith

Here’s how heat affects the brain.

In July 2016, a heat wave hit Boston, with daytime temperatures averaging 92 degrees for five days in a row. Some local university students who were staying in town for the summer got lucky and were living in dorms with central air-conditioning. Other students, not so much — they were stuck in older dorms without A.C.

Jose Guillermo Cedeño Laurent, a Harvard researcher at the time, decided to take advantage of this natural experiment to see how heat, and especially heat at night, affected the young adults’ cognitive performance . He had 44 students perform math and self-control tests five days before the temperature rose, every day during the heat wave, and two days after.

“Many of us think that we are immune to heat,” said Dr. Cedeño, now an assistant professor of environmental and occupational health and justice at Rutgers University. “So something that I wanted to test was whether that was really true.”

It turns out even young, healthy college students are affected by high temperatures. During the hottest days, the students in the un-air-conditioned dorms, where nighttime temperatures averaged 79 degrees, performed significantly worse on the tests they took every morning than the students with A.C., whose rooms stayed a pleasant 71 degrees.

A heat wave is once again blanketing the Northeast, South and Midwest . High temperatures can have an alarming effect on our bodies , raising the risk for heart attacks, heatstroke and death, particularly among older adults and people with chronic diseases . But heat also takes a toll on our brains, impairing cognition and making us irritable, impulsive and aggressive.

How heat hurts our cognition

Numerous studies in lab settings have produced similar results to Dr. Cedeño’s research, with scores on cognitive tests falling as scientists raised the temperature in the room. One investigation found that just a four-degree increase — which participants described as still feeling comfortable — led to a 10 percent average drop in performance across tests of memory, reaction time and executive functioning.

This can have real consequences. R. Jisung Park, an environmental and labor economist at the University of Pennsylvania, looked at high school standardized test scores and found that they fell 0.2 percent for every degree above 72 Fahrenheit. That might not sound like a lot, but it can add up for students taking an exam in an un-air-conditioned room during a 90-degree heat wave.

In another study , Dr. Park found that the more hotter-than-average days there were during the school year, the worse students did on a standardized test — especially when the thermometer climbed above 80 degrees. He thinks that may be because greater exposure to heat was affecting students’ learning throughout the year.

The effect was “more pronounced for lower income and racial minority students,” Dr. Park said, possibly because they were less likely to have air-conditioning, both at school and at home.

Why heat makes us aggressive

Researchers first discovered the link between heat and aggression by looking at crime data , finding that there are more murders, assaults and episodes of domestic violence on hot days. The connection applies to nonviolent acts, too: When temperatures rise, people are more likely to engage in hate speech online and honk their horns in traffic .

Lab studies back this up. In one 2019 experiment , people acted more spitefully toward others while playing a specially designed video game in a hot room than in a cool one.

So-called reactive aggression tends to be especially sensitive to heat, most likely because people tend to interpret others’ actions as more hostile on hot days, prompting them to respond in kind.

Kimberly Meidenbauer, an assistant professor of psychology at Washington State University, thinks this increase in reactive aggression may be related to heat’s effect on cognition, particularly the dip in self control . “Your tendency to act without thinking, or not be able to stop yourself from acting a certain way, these things also appear to be affected by heat,” she said.

What’s happening in the brain

Researchers don’t know why heat affects our cognition and emotions, but there are a couple of theories.

One is that the brain’s resources are being diverted to keep you cool, leaving less energy for everything else. “If you’re allocating all of the blood and all the glucose to parts of your brain that are focused on thermoregulation, it seems like it’s very plausible that you just wouldn’t have enough left for some of these kind of higher cognitive functions,” Dr. Meidenbauer said.

You could also be distracted and irritable because of how hot and miserable you feel. It turns out that’s actually one of the brain’s coping responses. If you can’t get cool, your brain will “make you feel even more uncomfortable so that finding the thing you need to survive will become all consuming,” explained Shaun Morrison, a professor of neurological surgery at Oregon Health and Science University.

Heat’s effect on sleep could play a role, too. In the Boston study, the hotter it got, the more students’ sleep was disrupted — and the worse they performed on the tests.

The best way to offset these effects is to cool yourself off , as soon as possible. If you don’t have access to air-conditioning, fans can help, and be sure to stay hydrated. It might sound obvious, but what matters most for your brain, mood and cognition is how hot your body is, not the temperature outside.

Feels like summer, but it’s not (officially). Astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere begins at 4:51 p.m. Eastern tomorrow.

Michael Corkery

Crews rush to restore power in Pittsburgh as temperatures soar.

Thousands of people in the greater Pittsburgh area were without power on Wednesday as the city was set to experience some of the hottest conditions in the United States.

With heat indexes forecast to reach 110 degrees in western Pennsylvania, utility crews from across the state and nearby Ohio and West Virginia scrambled to restore electrical lines that had been toppled by a series of damaging wind and rain storms earlier in the week.

At one point, more than 85,000 people were without power in the area. By Wednesday morning, the reported outages were reduced to about 6,700, according to Duquesne Light Company, which supplies electricity to the region.

In a statement, Duquesne urged customers without power to “consider alternate arrangements to stay cool and safe” and to “avoid opening refrigerator and freezer doors,” adding that food will stay frozen for up to 48 hours if the door remains closed. ​

Pittsburgh has opened several cooling centers across the city, and there are more than a dozen other sites in the suburbs. Allegheny County, which includes the Pittsburgh area, is staffing its public pools with additional lifeguards to allow the guards to take more breaks from the heat, said Abigail Gardner, a county spokeswoman.

“We want to make sure they are staying safe as well,” she said.

Even as repair crews continued to make progress restoring power in the area on Wednesday, Duquesne warned of possible delays and additional outages. “With the potential for more storms and heat-related issues this week, the estimated time of restoration could move into next week,” the company said.

Maine takes precautions for the heat, including changes to a Juneteenth event.

In Lewiston, Maine, organizers of a Juneteenth celebration on Wednesday made changes to prepare for the heat, including moving events indoors, shortening a parade and providing extra water, as precautions were enacted all over the state amid soaring temperatures.

It’s been a few years since Maine has experienced a heat wave this extreme, according to Vanessa Corson, the Maine Emergency Management Agency’s public information officer.

In 2022, the state had a particularly wet summer, which followed a drought the year before. “It’s been this roller coaster every summer, where we’re not sure what to expect,” Ms. Corson said.

Around the state, cooling centers are opening in libraries, town halls, civic centers, Y.M.C.A.s, fire departments and other public buildings to give people a chance to escape the heat.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Maine Emergency Management Agency website listed 69 cooling centers with plans to open at various times Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Rural areas of the state are of particular concern, Ms. Corson said, because the distance some people will have to drive to find a cooling center may deter them. In those cases, she said, people are encouraged to find any air-conditioned building nearby.

In Lewiston, Maine Inside Out, an arts-based nonprofit, hosts an annual Juneteenth festival that includes a parade, art and theater activities and an afternoon block party.

Noah Bragg, one of the co-directors of Maine Inside Out, said the event always employs a safety team, but this year its focus has turned to the heat.

During a walk-through of the event on Tuesday, Bragg said coordinators made the decision to move several scheduled events indoors. They also shortened the parade’s route so participants don’t have to spend as much time walking in the heat.

“We can continue parading in the park where there’s shade rather than the street where there isn’t,” Mr. Bragg said.

He also said the Juneteenth event will have extra water, cooling tents and kiddie pools available, and organizers are publicizing the location and hours of nearby cooling centers.

Mr. Bragg said he wasn’t sure whether the heat would affect turnout to the festival, but he hopes “people make the best choices for themselves.”

Last year’s Juneteenth event was on a rainy day, he said, so coordinators were hoping for better weather this year.

“I hoped we’d have a nice, sunny day,” he said. “We got what we were hoping for, to kind of an extreme.”

Ray Duckler

John Chisholm, chief of the Concord Fire Department, said the Fire Department saw increased calls from seniors asking for help on Tuesday. He added that the current heat wave appears to be unique in its ferocity and aggressiveness.

Michael Clair, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, says Concord-area residents should expect more of the same Thursday. In fact, Clair warned, things might heat up a bit.

While temperatures were expected to exceed 90 degrees for the fourth consecutive day in Chicago, several cooling centers were closed for the Juneteenth holiday on Wednesday, leaving just one open. The Chicago Public Library, whose branches normally provide relief from the heat for some, was also closed.

But several park district pools and field houses were open, according to Mary May, a spokeswoman for Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications. Ms. May added that if the National Weather Service issues an excessive heat warning the city’s emergency response plan would be activated, forcing the opening of more cooling centers.

Christina Morales

Amtrak’s Downeaster service — which runs through the east coast of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine — may have delays as long as an hour for the remainder of the week because of heat-related speed restrictions.

Pittsburgh and parts of western Pennsylvania are facing the double challenge of scorching heat and widespread power outages. More than 8,400 people were without electricity as of Wednesday morning, as forecasters warned of heat indexes reaching up to 110 degrees. The outages were the result of damaging storms earlier this week.

Across Maine, cooling centers are starting to open in libraries, town halls, civic centers, Y.M.C.A.s, fire departments and other public buildings to give people a chance to escape the heat.

In Lewiston, Maine, changes were made to a Juneteenth celebration because of the heat wave. A parade’s route will be shortened, and several parts of the celebration will now take place indoors, according to a coordinator for the event.

The temperature is forecast to hit 96 degrees today in Caribou, Maine, located near the northern tip of the state. That would tie the record there for any day, not just the record for June 19.

The all-time record high at Caribou is 96F. That last occurred Jun 19, 2020 as well as in 1944 and 1977. We are forecasting 96F at Caribou this afternoon. — NWS Caribou (@NWSCaribou) June 19, 2024

Alyce McFadden

Most New York City pools are still closed as temperatures soar.

Outdoor public pools in New York City won’t open until June 27, leaving residents with fewer options to find refuge from this week’s heat wave.

The city’s 53 public outdoor pools are popular destinations in the summer. The pools, which are dotted across all five boroughs and are free to use, were visited more than one million times in 2022, according to city data . But this week, with temperatures expected to climb into the 90s, New Yorkers will have to seek out other destinations to cool off.

Mayor Eric Adams announced on Tuesday that the city would devote $1 billion to improving the city’s network of public pools over the next five years, though the new funding won’t help sweltering residents this year. Eventually, it will cover the costs of building two new indoor pools and renovating existing facilities.

“New York City’s pools and beaches are incredible places for New Yorkers to come together, learn to swim and beat the heat — and as climate change makes heat waves like this week’s more common and more severe, the need for pools has never been greater,” said Mr. Adams in a statement on Tuesday.

Like cities across the country, New York also faces an ongoing lifeguard shortage . Last year, pools opened when the city had around half the 1,000 lifeguards they usually have on hand, prompting parks officials to close sections of some pools . Now, the city says it is in better shape after it agreed to raise lifeguard wages for the second time in two years, this time to $22 per hour. The city will also offer a $1,000 retention bonus to lifeguards who worked last year and who agree to remain on duty through this year’s peak season.

Indoor swimming pools are open year-round, though there are far fewer of them in the city and most New Yorkers must pay an annual membership fee to use them. Adults 65 and older qualify for a discounted rate, and people 24 and younger can swim for free.

On Tuesday, New Yorkers were already suffering from elevated temperatures as the heat index in parts of the city surpassed 90 degrees. With pools closed, families sought out fountains and shade in parks. Governor Kathy Hochul said admission and parking at New York State Parks would be free on Wednesday and Thursday.

Praise Mkandawire, 28, watched her three children jump through sprinklers and play with water toys at a park in Harlem. Her family recently moved to New York from North Carolina and are used to the heat.

“At least here there’s splash pads close by, so we’re taking advantage,” she said.

Though it might feel as if summer is already in full swing, New York’s outdoor pools aren’t opening any later than they have in recent years. They opened on June 29 last year, and June 28 in 2022.

The increased funding announced Tuesday isn’t set to change when pools open, but Councilman Shekar Krishnan proposed legislation this year that would both open the pools earlier in the year and keep them open longer each day.

“On the most sweltering days in New York City, like what we’re experiencing this week, New Yorkers escape to our public pools and beaches to cool off,” Mr. Krishnan, whose district is in Queens, said in a statement. “But pools are useless, and beaches are dangerous, if they are closed and unstaffed.”

Currently, outdoor pools are set to open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, with an hour for cleaning starting at 3 p.m. Mr. Krishnan’s proposal would require that they open at 8 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Camille Baker contributed reporting.

Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York announced free admissions for state parks Wednesday and Thursday. Several pools and beaches in the state will also open early on Wednesday to help residents get relief from the heat.

The United States is facing hotter heat waves, but one of the worst was in 1936.

By the time cool air from Canada’s Hudson Bay arrived to relieve the baking Upper Midwest in July 1936, the United States had sweat through a torrid heat spell that stretched to New York.

“North Winds Halt Hot Wave,” blared an exultant headline on the front page of The Chicago Daily Tribune on July 15, 1936.

The heat wave, which pushed temperatures to 100 degrees in Illinois and 120 degrees as far north as North Dakota , left some 5,000 people dead.

In New York, a high of 106 degrees was recorded in Central Park. Desperate for relief, people slept on roofs and fire escapes and flocked to public pools, which stayed open until midnight. New York City recorded 21 drownings as adults and children who didn’t know how to swim but were desperate to cool off jumped into the water.

The Dust Bowl, the drought in the Great Plains that was partially caused by agriculture practices, appeared to supercharge the heat wave. Its duration made it especially challenging: Temperatures hit 100 degrees for 12 straight days in Springfield, Ill., according to the National Weather Service.

Altered farming methods and better cooling technology may have staved off repeats of the 1936 heat wave since then. But the United States has had longer and more frequent heat waves in recent decades as the planet warms, according to government data.

In the summer of 2023, a ferocious, sustained heat wave settled over the Southwest. Phoenix logged temperatures of at least 110 degrees for 31 straight days, from June to July, smashing an 18-day modern record the city had set in 1974. Maricopa County, which surrounds Phoenix, reported 404 heat-related deaths in July.

The global air temperature likely was the hottest in modern times, scientists said.

This year, it seems, the United States may be in for another blistering summer.

An early-season heat wave has arrived in the Northeast and Midwest. In Chicago , the temperature hit a record-breaking 97 degrees on Monday. In New York, a high of 96 was forecast for Friday.

The period could be most punishing for a region stretching along the Ohio River and continuing into upstate New York and New England. Among the cities in the cross hairs were Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

This heat wave could be similar to one in June 1994 that roasted Pittsburgh. That year, the temperature in the city reached 95 degrees for six straight days, a stretch of highs that could be matched or eclipsed this week, according to the local National Weather Service office .

Over the last three decades, concerns have grown about the dangers of extreme heat in urban areas.

In July 1995, a severe heat wave enveloped Chicago, hitting the city’s senior population especially hard. Neighborhoods lost power, hospitals filled up and, one day, the temperature reached a sticky 106 degrees. Morgues filled, and the death toll was later estimated at 739.

Because many of the people who died were older residents living alone, the heat wave served as a “turning point” in how many people think about heat waves, said Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability.

“The social and economic structure of society has a big impact on who dies,” she said.

Another factor influencing the human costs of heat waves: the novelty of extreme heat in regions not used to them.

Three years ago, typically mild Portland, Ore., was caught off-guard when the temperature climbed to 116 degrees. Researchers said that the heat was almost certainly energized by global warming and that there was 0.1 percent chance of such an event in any given year in the region.

One day, the high temperature at Portland International Airport was about 40 degrees warmer than normal. Although the heat wave only lasted a few days, it still had a devastating effect in the Pacific Northwest, where some do not have air-conditioning.

The medical examiner in Multnomah County, which includes Portland, attributed 69 deaths to the record-breaking temperatures. Before 2021, deaths from heat in the county were rare, with none recorded in 2016 or 2018, according to the medical examiner.

Most of the people who died in 2021 lacked air-conditioning, the medical examiner reported.

Portland’s unusual weather fulfilled old predictions that climate change would ultimately intensify heat waves in places where extreme heat was unfamiliar, climate experts said.

The 1936 heat wave may loom large in the history of U.S. heat waves. But J. Marshall Shepherd, the director of the University of Georgia’s atmospheric sciences program, said it should not be held up as an argument against evidence that climate change is now driving more extreme weather.

“Grass grows naturally, too,” he said, comparing grass to heat waves. “But when we fertilize our lawns, it grows differently.”

The Northeast looks especially hot later today. This morning’s forecast maps show heat indexes climbing above 100 degrees in parts of upstate New York, Vermont and Maine.

Meteorologists at the Weather Prediction Center ended their early-morning forecast post with a glimmer of relief: “Conditions are expected to improve over New England this weekend.”

How to stay cool indoors during the heat wave.

Summer officially starts on Thursday, and this season is predicted to be hotter than normal — a heat wave across the country this week is expected to affect millions of Americans. In New York, the temperature is forecast to reach 96 degrees by Friday. On Monday, Chicago hit a record-breaking 97 degrees.

More than just uncomfortable, the heat can be dangerous and at worst deadly, and it’s only becoming more of a threat with climate change causing rising temperatures. Prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in excessive heat can cause heatstroke, according to the Mayo Clinic .

Starting Tuesday, cooling centers — indoor, air-conditioned spaces for public use — will be open during the day in New York. The city’s fire department is also turning some fire hydrants into water sprinklers. If you’re staying at home, here’s what you can do to stay as cool as possible indoors, whether you have an AC or not.

What’s the ideal temperature for your home?

While you should do what feels most comfortable for you, Carrier, an air-conditioner manufacturer, suggests on its website that 72 degrees is the generally accepted “comfortable indoor temperature for many people.” It continues, “It strikes a good balance between comfort and energy efficiency, making it a popular choice for residential settings.”

If you’re away from your home, set your thermostat for higher than usual to save energy and to prevent your AC unit from potentially busting. At night, because heat can disrupt sleep, 60 to 67 degrees is recommended by the Cleveland Clinic .

How do you keep your furry friends safe?

It depends on the animal, and its size and type, but pets are generally less tolerant of higher temperatures than humans.

Dogs, the most common pet in the country, tend to overheat when the temperature is between 81 and 85 degrees, according to the American Kennel Club. “An ideal temperature doesn’t exist for all dogs, since their normal body temperature will vary according to size,” the organization states on its website. It also suggests installing a temperature alarm that can notify your phone if your AC fails and you’re not at home to notice.

How do you maintain your AC?

If your AC is broken, it might be too late to find a repairman to fix it in time for the heat wave, but going forward, experts recommend servicing your AC unit once a year. A technician will typically check for and diagnose issues with the system, clean it and change out the filter.

Depending on your unit, you may be able to change your filter yourself. Carrier suggests inspecting your filter every two to three months, and certain factors might affect how often you’ll need to change it. (For example, if you have a pet, you may need to replace the filter more frequently because of its shedding.) You can look for an online guide on how to change the filter — whether it is for a window unit, floor-mounted or other. Just make sure to turn your system off first.

What can you do if you don’t have an AC?

You can close your blinds or cover your windows to minimize your exposure to direct sunlight. Stick-on solar film , which can be bought online or at home-improvement stores, is also an option. This can deflect infrared heat that would otherwise come in through your windows.

While fans don’t cool the air, the breeze they create can have a cooling effect. Wirecutter has a guide to room fans in varying sizes. Make sure your ceiling fans are running counterclockwise, so that air is pushed downward. If you’re able to obtain it in time, Wirecutter also suggests this portable AC .

What are some things to avoid indoors?

Steer clear of using appliances that generate heat, such as an oven, clothes dryer, iron or blow dryer. New York Times Cooking has a list of “ No-Cook Recipes for a Heat Wave ” so you can prep a meal without turning on your stove top.

Try to avoid dark fabrics for curtains, upholstery or clothing, as they can absorb heat more easily. You can also turn off lights — having too many on close together can heat the surrounding air.

Avoid thick covers and blankets. Percale sheets tend to be more breathable, and Wirecutter has a guide for bedsheets for hot sleepers.

Can I report my landlord if my apartment is unreasonably hot?

While some cities, like Dallas , have air-conditioning requirements for rental apartments, New York City does not. (Landlords in New York are legally obligated to provide heat and hot water.) But if you live in an apartment that had an AC when you moved in, landlords are responsible for maintaining it and replacing it if it’s broken.

If they refuse to fix it or are unresponsive, you have options. Ronda Kaysen, a real estate reporter and former “Ask Real Estate” columnist, suggests paying to replace the AC unit yourself if you can then negotiate your rent, asking for the same amount for the upcoming year. You could also take your landlord to court, but that could be more time-consuming and expensive than paying to fix it yourself.

Isabella Grullón Paz and Camille Baker

A short guide to understanding heat domes.

Hearing a “heat dome” is in the forecast might spur feelings of dread. But how does a heat dome actually work?

Here’s what to know about the weather phenomenon.

What is a heat dome?

A heat dome is a high pressure system way up in the atmosphere that helps create and encase heat, kind of like a lid on a pot that holds in steam.

Heat domes “on the order of 1,000 miles across” can form under high pressure weather systems, said Hosmay Lopez, an oceanographer and expert on extreme heat and climate change with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They become anchored in place, building up heat, sometimes for weeks at a time.

The term “heat wave” describes a rise in temperature in the weather pattern, and the term “heat dome” refers to a high pressure system that traps heat. The terms are often used interchangeably.

How do heat domes form?

When a high pressure system moves into an area, it pushes warm air toward the ground. With the sinking air acting like a cap, the warm air can’t easily escape, and it continues to heat up the more it is compressed.

“You can actually repeat this process on a small scale,” said Greg Carbin, forecast operations chief at the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center. “When you’re inflating a flat tire, as the air goes in and the pressure builds, the molecules move faster, they are closer together, and they heat up.”

This high atmospheric pressure is linked to the configuration of the jet streams, bands of speedy winds that form high in the atmosphere in areas where cold air and hot air meet. The jet streams tend to be narrow, wavy corridors of air that move west to east and migrate north to south. Sometimes jet streams can expand, becoming slower, or even stagnant, and heavier.

Can heat domes happen anywhere?

Yes, they can, but areas that are farther from water, have flatter topography and are south of where jet streams migrate in the summer are more prone to oppressive heat domes. In the United States, that area is the Central Plains.

The heat domes that have covered the Pacific Northwest in recent years still baffle meteorologists, Mr. Carbin said, because the mountainous topography of the region is the opposite of what is usually conducive to heat domes.

Heat domes are associated with climate change. In the 1970s, there was one heat wave for every cold wave. As climate change accelerates, “that ratio is more than two to one, and for some places, it’s three to one,” Dr. Lopez said.

Are heat domes dangerous?

Yes. Heat stress is the most common cause of weather-related deaths, according to the World Health Organization. Because heat domes are associated with stagnating air, they can also lead to reduced air quality, dryness and a greater chance of fire. “Those stains are very detrimental for human health, especially for the elderly and people with preconditions like cardiopulmonary illnesses,” Dr. Lopez said.

Read about staying safe in a heat wave here .