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10 Best Day Trips from Washington D.C. By Train

Exterior of home in Colonial Williamsburg
Published on: October 30, 2021
Last updated: September 24, 2024

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Jenifer Sako

Written by Jenifer Sako

Jen is a Pittsburgh-based writer with a background in hospitality and tourism. Her specialties include sales and marketing technology and travel content. When she isn't on assignment, Jen catches up on her many newsletter subscriptions, watches nocode tutorials, and spends time with her family.

Day trips from Washington D.C. by train are incredibly fun because the U.S. capital city is close to many great destinations.

It’s straightforward and economical to hop on a train and watch the beautiful countryside go by as you travel. You can be in another city or town with lovely restaurants and sightseeing in a few hours.

Spend the day or a night and be back in Washington, D.C., before you know it. Traveling by train from DC is more relaxing than by car or plane.

day trips from Washington D.C. by Train

You’ll feel like you’ve been on a real vacation when you’ve only been gone a few hours. Protect yourself and your plans with SafetyWing travel insurance to make your train trips more relaxing.

With trip insurance, you won’t have to worry about getting derailed if something goes wrong on your trip. All kidding aside, any overnight travel will require the appropriate overnight case.

For those who like a little vintage style with your train travel, we suggest the adorable Urecity Portable Makeup Train Case in red with a combination lock. It has a top tray you can use as a vanity when the case is open, and the mirror is visible. Be glamorous and organized at the same time!

Now you’re insured and have your luggage squared away, let’s get down to brass tracks…heh. Here are the best day trips from Washington D.C. by train you can take with your new fab train case.

Day Trips from Washington, D.C. by Train

1. Philadelphia, PA

Independence Hall in Philadelphia

A day touring Philadelphia is one of the most popular day trips by train from Washington, D.C., and one that’s easy to do and easily tailored to your preferences.

You’ll leave for the City of Brotherly Love on an early train departing the Washington D.C. Amtrak Union Station. In less than a few hours, you’ll pull up at Philly’s 30th Street train station, centrally located among many of America’s important historical sites.

Then you can tour the city via a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour. See the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and iconic history markers.

There are also the ever-captivating museums of Philadelphia, including the new ones of the National Museum of American Jewish History and the National Constitution Center. If time permits, visit the Simeone Foundation Automobile Museum or the Eastern State Penitentiary.

Lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe is included as well as the return ticket to Washington D.C.. Yet Philadelphia is such an exciting city that it’s worth looking into an overnight stay.

Book your roundtrip Amtrak tickets and then add a Double-Decker Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour for the day for the most flexible way to see Philly.

If you loved the hit musical Hamilton, you’ll want to take the Small-Group Hamilton Walking Tour. On this guided tour, you’ll see the places where America’s most famous (and hip) founding fathers lived and worked, especially the ones sung about in the show.

The Club Quarters Hotel is great for couples and is close to Liberty Place and the Suburban Subway station. It has an on-site restaurant and workout facilities too.

See Related: Things to Do in Washington, DC

2. Baltimore, MD

Boats in the harbor in Baltimore's Fells Point

Baltimore, Maryland, easily qualifies as one of our single-day trips from Washington, D.C. This seaport city has a long, storied history. Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner” here. Scott was moved by Fort McHenry’s role as defender of the harbor from British forces.

The British assaulted from the Chesapeake Bay during the Battle of Baltimore, September 13-14, 1814, but the soldiers of Fort McHenry held them off.

At dawn and the end of the siege, the broad striped and brightly starred banner gallantly streamed, having survived a fraught night of bombardment. The fort is now a national monument and shrine to America’s birth – and is only one of many historical sites in Baltimore.

The trip by Amtrak from Union Station to Penn Station in Baltimore is less than an hour. The city’s Fells Point is a historical neighborhood with great restaurants.

Take a walking tour of this charming district and learn about Baltimore’s role in the War of 1812 while stopping at local restaurants to sample the diverse cuisine before you return to Washington, D.C..

Or not. Baltimore tends to come alive at night. For a spooky experience, book the Baltimore Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour to learn about Baltimore’s darker history and its persistent spirits.

A room at the new hotel conveniently located in Fell’s Point is the perfect way to end the day. The Canopy By Hilton Baltimore Harbor Point is highly rated by couples and offers onsite dining and a fitness center.

3. New York City, NY

Bustling Wall Street outside NYSE with flags and a statue
Kyle Kroeger / ViaTravelers

One of the most famous Amtrak day trips from Washington, D.C., is to go to New York City. The trip can easily become an overnighter in the City That Never Sleeps. A train trip can take about three-and-a-half hours on average, and there are more than 20 daily departures.

New York City is brimming with things to do and see. One of the best experiences is the Empire State Building.

It may seem touristy (because it is), but seeing the city from the 86th floor is so exciting that you’ll be wowed, just like all the other tourists! If your budget allows it, I highly recommend the Express ticket, which allows you to jump in line and zoom to the observation platform in the super-speed elevators.

Because who wants to waste time standing in line in this fast-paced city? You’ve got places to be! New York City is also home to world-famous museums like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and to the moving 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

If you choose to make it an overnight (which you really should), check out Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square. Its Times Square location makes it convenient to see Broadway shows, investigate the Hell’s Kitchen foodie scene, and be lively downtown.

See Related: Where to Stay Outside of New York City

4. Richmond, VA

Old Main Train Station in Richmond, VA

There are many fantastic trips from Washington D.C. on train tracks taking you to the historical landmarks and sites of Virginia. A train ride to the capital city of Richmond is one of them. Richmond is filled with history, especially Revolutionary War history.

Founding Father Patrick Henry stood in the city’s St. John’s Church when he said, “Give me liberty or give me death,” in 1775, just months before the Revolutionary War broke out.

Besides a rich historical past as one of America’s oldest cities, Richmond is also home to a vibrant foodie and art scene. Get a close-up look at the city’s cuisine with a Church Hill Food Tour.

Learn about Richmond’s oldest neighborhood, Church Hill, with a walking tour that also includes stops at several restaurants. And because a city as old as Richmond is haunted, a Walking Ghost Tour will give you insight into the spirits and souls that can’t find rest.

If you think you can sleep after learning about the spooky history of Richmond, try the Virginia Crossings Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. This highly rated hotel is about 12 miles from downtown Richmond and situated on the Civil War’s Battle of the Yellow Tavern site, where guests enjoy an outdoor swimming pool and golf.

5. Lancaster County, PA

Amish park their buggies under a tree in Lancaster Co, PA

Amtrak trips from Washington, D.C., can take you to some of the most interesting destinations in America. Picturesque Lancaster County, outside of Philadelphia, is known as Pennsylvania Amish Country.

A train trip here from bustling DC means stepping back when life was slower and arguably simpler. A guided tour lets you learn more about the Amish people and their unique lifestyle. Enjoy a peaceful day exploring the farms, schools, and shops of the Amish folks led by a knowledgeable and sensitive guide.

You’ll have time for a visit to a 15-acre farm on your own and for shopping too. Another interesting Amish tour is this one that includes a screening of the film Jacob’s Choice in the Amish Experience Theater.

The movie follows an Amish boy who struggles to live in the Amish way or the modern world. If you’d like to extend your stay in the tranquil quiet of Lancaster County, stay at the excellently rated Home2 Suites by Hilton in Ephrata.

Guests rated it highly due to its cleanliness, friendly service, and scenic location. The property has an indoor pool, in-room coffee makers, and Wi-Fi. You can visit the haunted Eastern State Penitentiary if you want something adventurous.

6. Colonial Williamsburg, VA

Exterior of home in Colonial Williamsburg

Train trips from DC to Colonial Williamsburg mean another big step back in time. Colonial Williamsburg is a museum with living history.

Visitors are immersed in 18th-century exhibits and demonstrations as they learn what life was like in Colonial America and the events that led to the Revolutionary War.

You don’t need a guide to take you through this living museum, but you can purchase a self-guided walking tour with narration. A map is also included.

You’ll need to learn about the ghosts of colonial days, too. Find out more about the restless souls that haunt these grounds with the Ultimate and Bone-Chilling Ghost Tour.

This ghost tour is fun because you follow your guide through the town’s streets well after dark when no one else is around to add to the spook factor.

Our guide stopped at different buildings and told us about their ghostly inhabitants and (speculated) why they were still prowling old Williamsburg. We would crane our necks, cameras in hand, staring at lacy curtains in the upper windows, willing a specter to show so we could take a photo as evidence.

After a day of learning about tending sheep and making candles – which I loved – I had a great time hearing about Colonial Williamsburg’s stranger and more mysterious events. Our Colonial Williamsburg vacation was the only one my family wanted to extend while we were still there. There was that much to do and see!

So I highly recommend making this day trip an overnighter. The Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel is an excellent choice. It’s 350 feet from the Visitor Center and has an outdoor pool. It’s in a great location and is very comfortable.

See Related: Travel Hacking 101

7. Virginia Beach, VA

King Neptune statue in Virginia Beach

Great day trips from DC include beaches like this one and gorgeous Virginia Beach! Three trains run daily between the two cities. A one-way trip can be five hours and twenty minutes.

Take the early train and you can be sunning and surfing all afternoon. Virginia Beach also has a boardwalk that’s three miles long. Find entertainment, charming restaurants, shopping, and plenty of bike rentals. Don’t miss the sculptures, including King Neptune. At 24 feet of bronze, he’s hard to miss. Take a photo for your Instagram!

After your photo op with the sea god, find a beach-side restaurant for dinner and rum cocktails–like the pirates of yore. Virginia Beach is famous for the pirates that used to sail the surrounding seas, looking for ships to plunder. Many are supposedly still there, haunting homes and taverns in town.

Find out more about their past (and current) reigns of terror with an after-dark Haunted Walking Ghost Tour. Hear stories about pirates, witches, and other ne’er-do-wells that have spooked Virginia Beach for centuries.

Maybe you’ll get photo evidence of the ghosts of Blackbeard and his murderous band! This is a fun ghost tour for all ages. If you decide you need a weekend at the beach – and it’s my professional opinion that you do – you need a fabulous beachside hotel.

The Coastal Hotel & Suites Virginia Beach is adjacent to the famous boardwalk and offers huge suites with daily continental breakfast included. It’s highly rated due to its excellent location and private balconies overlooking the ocean.

8. Gettysburg National Park, PA

A monument in Gettysburg National Park

One of the most important day trips from Washington D.C. by train is this one to see the site of the Battle of Gettysburg waged in 1863 during the American Civil War.

The battlefield is now a national park in Gettysburg, PA, and it provides a fascinating and sobering view of the war’s bloodiest clash, which famously inspired President Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address.”

To get here by train, take one of the two trains departing from Union Station Marc Washington Station. You’ll arrive at Frederick Marc station in Maryland after an hour and forty-minute trip. Then, you’ll need to take a taxi from Frederick to the battlefield.

Once at the park, you can choose between exploring on your own or taking one of the many incredible tours available. These tours are designed to give you a deeper and clearer understanding of the park and the events that make up the Battle of Gettysburg.

One of them is a 2-Hour Licensed Battlefield Guided Carriage Tour. With a maximum of 10 people allowed, you’ll appreciate the small group format.

You’ll explore the park by horse-drawn carriage with a licensed guide. You’ll get a unique perspective and lesser-known facts at the same time.

Away from the battlefields is Downtown Gettysburg, where many of the town’s residents live and work. The 1863 Historic Downtown Walking Tour takes you back to the middle of the Civil War.

Gain the perspective of the townspeople who bore witness to this terrible time in American history on this highly interesting walk. The Hampton Inn Gettysburg is an excellent hotel near the park and the American Civil War Museum.

A daily buffet breakfast is available, as well as an indoor pool and fitness center. Guests also loved the comfortable beds.

See Related: Delta Airlines Review

9. The Old Town and Waterfront of Alexandria, VA

Alexandria VA

Day trips by train from Washington, D.C., don’t have to take you far. Alexandria, VA, is minutes away but has the feel of another world. This river-front city has history and charm, particularly its preserved 18th- and 19th-century homes.

It also has amazing restaurants. Explore the rich history and delicious cuisine with an Old Town Boutique Food Tour. This is a three-hour walking tour of the city’s beautiful Old Town, where you’ll get a deeper insight into its part in the Revolutionary War and the Civil Rights Movement.

You’ll also have stops at several of the neighborhood’s best restaurants to sample their varied and interesting menus. If you’re really into Alexandria’s American Revolution and Civil War history, you can’t miss the American Revolution and Civil War Guided Tour.

This fascinating tour allows you to follow the steps of founding fathers Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, as well as the Civil War Confederate General Robert E. Lee, throughout Old Town, and learn more about their perspectives and philosophies.

Your guide is a former TV writer and presidential speechwriter who will share lesser-known facts about these complex men and more. You can easily make this day trip a weekend with a stay at the Courtyard Alexandria Old Town/Southwest.

It’s just a 10-minute Uber to Old Town and a free shuttle to and from the Metro. Guests love the location, onsite dining, and the quiet property.

10. Charles City, VA

The James River in Virginia

Virginia’s quaint cities and towns are perfect for day trips from Washington D.C. by train, and Charles City is no exception. This historic town is between Williamsburg and Richmond on the scenic Virginia Capital Trail. Depart Union Station to Petersburg, VA, via Amtrak. You must take a taxi or Uber from Petersburg to Charles City.

The trip shouldn’t cost over $200 and should take less than four hours. Their most interesting and picturesque attraction is the James River.

It’s known as The River Where America Began, and you can see it along the Virginia Capital Bike Trail. The best way to visit this historically relevant and beautiful area is on a Scenic James River Bike Tour.

Get a guided tour through 400 years of history along a 14-mile leisurely-paced bike ride. On the ride, you’ll learn about the Algonquin people, who lived in the area before the Europeans arrived, and the African slaves forced to work in the cotton and tobacco fields.

You will also get a lesson on river conservation before concluding your tour with a wine tasting at Upper Shirley Vineyard. The tour includes a stop at the historic Westover Parish Church, founded in 1613.

The area is dotted with historic homes and plantations offering tours and lectures on Virginia’s complicated past. With so much history and natural beauty, Charles City would make a good getaway. In nearby Hopewell, the Stay-Over Suites offers spacious guest rooms with air-conditioning, WiFi, and free parking. Guests love the service and location, and many become repeat visitors.

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