You roll into Union Station around 9:30 AM if you’re on time, or closer to noon if you’re not. Either way, the station’s soaring Great Hall, with its marble floors and vaulted ceiling, makes you feel like you’ve arrived somewhere important. Walk outside, and the crisp Lake Michigan air hits you—a sharp, clean contrast to the subway-heavy air of New York.
Tip: Walk straight to Lou Mitchell’s for breakfast. It’s a five-minute walk west and serves the best pancakes in the city. The wait is worth it.
Amtrak Cardinal Schedule - Infoupdate.org
Chicago rewards you for taking the slow route. The neighborhoods—from the Art Deco glory of the Loop to the leafy quiet of Lincoln Park—feel more accessible when you’ve arrived by train. You haven’t just changed cities; you’ve transitioned through the landscape, and your body knows it.
A Short Cultural Side Note
David Bowie once called trains “the most romantic way to travel,” and he wasn’t wrong. The Lake Shore Limited has been referenced in novels, films, and songs as a symbol of movement and possibility. When you ride it, you’re joining a quiet club of travelers who prefer the journey over the destination.
Fun fact: The route passes through Erie, Pennsylvania, which is home to the largest grape-growing region east of the Rockies. In autumn, the vineyards are visible from the tracks.
