If you live in a big city, you might find yourself craving the slower pace of small-town life from time to time. But if you don’t have access to a car or don’t want to deal with the hassle of driving and traffic, the journey almost doesn’t seem worth it. Luckily, we’ve found 12 charming destinations that are merely a quick train ride away from major U.S. cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. Whether you book your seat in advance or simply feel spontaneous at the station, these excursions are ideal for getting out of dodge for the day — without even having to make a hotel reservation. 

Lebanon, Tennessee

Distance: 55 minutes from Nashville 

From Riverfront Station in downtown Nashville, it costs less than $6 to hop aboard the WeGo Star commuter rail service to reach the town of Lebanon. Nicknamed “Cedar City” due to the abundance of cedar trees (which reminded early settlers of the famous biblical cedars of Lebanon), Lebanon is known for its pioneering history, which visitors can experience at the reconstructed pioneer village Fiddlers Grove. 

The town is also the birthplace of the popular restaurant and gift store chain Cracker Barrel; the company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered here. Meanwhile, Downtown Lebanon Public Square is home to pottery and antique shops, bookstores, a lively brewery, and the Capitol Theatre, where you can catch a movie, concert, or comedy show.

New Buffalo, Michigan

Distance: 1 hour from Chicago, Illinois

New Buffalo is a hidden gem just 70 miles from downtown Chicago via Amtrak’s Wolverine and Blue Water trains along the south shore of Lake Michigan. While it might be across state lines, this charming Midwestern town takes just about an hour to reach from the Windy City. 

Once there, visitors can take advantage of a dune-backed beach perfect for watersports; a healthy offering of boutiques, mom-and-pop candy shops, and art galleries; a massive casino with 130,000 square feet of slot machines; numerous award-winning breweries; and an official wine-tasting trail. (In fact, the lakefront region surrounding New Buffalo is home to 40% of Michigan’s wine grape production.) Whether you decide to shop, sample reds and whites, or relax on the beach, your day spent in New Buffalo promises to be a memorable retreat.

Edmonds, Washington

Distance: 35 minutes from Seattle

There are three trains that will take you from Seattle to the scenic coastal city of Edmonds in just over half an hour: the Sounder Commuter Train (N Line), the Amtrak Coast Starlight, and the Amtrak Cascades. The historic mill suburb in Snohomish County is located along the Puget Sound, offering views of the Pacific coast and the Olympic Mountains. 

Featuring 5 miles of shoreline, numerous beaches, and waterfront parks such as Marina Beach Park and Brackett’s Landing, Edmonds is a peaceful retreat from the Emerald City. It’s also home to a thriving arts and culture scene — evident from the Edmonds Center for the Arts, the Cascadia Art Museum, and a vibrant shopping and dining district with stationery stores, consignment boutiques, and cozy seafood and sushi restaurants. 

San Juan Capistrano, California

Distance: 1 hour, 15 minutes from Los Angeles, California

San Juan Capistrano is an easy day trip via Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner or Metrolink trains from L.A.’s Union Station. The picturesque city is named for the Mission San Juan Capistrano. One of the most stunning Spanish missions in the state, it was built in 1776 and still celebrates traditions like St. Joseph’s Day (March 19) to mark the annual return of the mission’s famous resident swallows. 

Along the train tracks, you’ll find colorful neighborhood streets within Los Rios Historic District, Mexican pottery shops, whimsical antique stores for all kinds of lawn ornaments, a petting zoo, coffee shops and tea houses, the mouthwatering Heritage Barbecue, and El Adobe de Capistrano — a reportedly haunted Mexican restaurant that has been standing since the city was founded.

Hermann, Missouri

Distance: 1 hour, 45 minutes from St. Louis

The Amtrak Missouri River Runner takes passengers from St. Louis to Kansas City, Missouri, but along the way, you have the option to disembark in downtown Hermann. Settled in 1837 by German immigrants, Hermann is still proud of its European heritage and is known for traditional fare such as red cabbage, bratwurst, potato salad, and Bavarian-style pretzels with beer-cheese dip. Sample it all at Hermann Wurst Haus, Tin Mill Restaurant, and other European-inspired establishments in town. 

Each weekend in October, Hermann rings in Oktoberfest with celebrations highlighting local beverages including wine, beer, and spirits. From distilleries to tasting rooms to wineries, you have plenty of options downtown for barhopping, but if drinking isn’t on the agenda, the town also offers trolley history tours, gift shops and antique stores, and many stunning parks for biking and recreation. Don’t miss the nearby Katy Trail, the longest developed rail-trail in the country at approximately 240 miles long. 

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Distance: 1 hour, 15 minutes from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

The oldest Amish communities in the United States are in Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Learn all about the region’s history and culture by taking the hour-long train ride aboard Amtrak’s Keystone Service Train from Philadelphia to Lancaster. 

For a memorable way to spend the afternoon, head to the famous Lancaster Central Market — the oldest farmers market in America, established in 1730 — to sample Amish-made jams, pretzels (with hand-churned butter), pickles, pastries, and other traditional foods. Be sure to also visit a historic Amish homestead, catch a show at the historic Fulton Theatre, or learn about the history of medicine and early American hospitals at the Lancaster Medical Heritage Museum. 

Oregon City, Oregon

Distance: 25 minutes from Portland

There’s much to discover in downtown Portland, but if you’re looking for small-town vibes, a short train ride aboard the Amtrak Cascades from Portland Union Station will take you to the woodsy town of Oregon City. On the edge of town you’ll find the iconic Willamette Falls, the second-largest waterfall by volume in the United States. 

Oregon City has played an important role in American history, too. It was the initial capital of the Oregon Territory from 1848 to 1851, it was the first U.S. city incorporated west of the Rocky Mountains, and it served as the official terminus for over 400,000 pioneers traveling the 2,000-mile Oregon Trail. Visitors can learn more about the town’s past at the local history museum and the Museum of the Oregon Territory, try local grub at a special corner for food trucks and craft beer, and ride the historic outdoor Oregon City Municipal Elevator up a cliff to the McLoughlin Promenade for panoramic valley and river views. 

Red Wing, Minnesota

Distance: 1 hour from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota

Red Wing, Minnesota, is best known for its iconic pottery and the boot brand that bears the same name. The town is only a short train ride from the Twin Cities aboard Amtrak’s Empire Builder or Borealis trains. Nestled along the Mississippi River, Red Wing is a great place to unwind in nature with many bike paths, nature trails, and public parks with water access and picnic pavilions. 

The world’s largest boot is located at the Red Wing Shoe Company Museum, and the Pottery Museum of Red Wing features thousands of the town’s most famous pots. Red Wing also has a wide offering of festivals and events in summer, such as the Plein Air Art Festival in June, the Prairie Island Traditional Powwow in July, and River City Days in August.

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Distance: 1 hour, 10 minutes from Washington, D.C.

Hop aboard Amtrak’s Northeast Regional or Carolinian train for a 70-minute journey from the nation’s capital to historic Fredericksburg, Virginia — one of the most pivotal battleground sites of the American Civil War. 

History buffs can visit the National Military Park for a deeper dive into the events of the Civil War and head to the Washington Heritage Museums to see landmarks that held significance to the nation’s first president. The site includes George Washington’s mother’s home, a tavern built by his brother, and a replica of his childhood home. After you’re done taking in all the history, end the day sampling bourbon at the A. Smith Bowman Distillery and enjoying a hearty meal before you head back to D.C. 

Gloucester, Massachusetts

Distance: 1 hour, 10 minutes from Boston, Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Newburyport/Rockport line provides easy access to many of the state’s appealing coastal communities. If you’re looking to escape Boston and get a fresh breath of salty Atlantic air, Gloucester is a cozy hamlet to let worries wander away. 

The town is home to America’s oldest seaport and oldest working art colony, maritime and history museums, seafood shacks by the dozens, lighthouses, and art galleries. Have a picnic on the beach before walking to Eastern Point Lighthouse, take a whale-watching tour before warming up with a hot bowl of clam chowder, attend an exhibition at the North Shore Arts Association, or wander the grounds of a real-life castle. 

Cold Spring, New York

Distance: 1 hour, 30 minutes from New York, New York

The Hudson River Valley is a popular retreat for New Yorkers, and just a 90-minute train ride aboard Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Harlem or Hudson line is the ticket to unwinding from the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. 

The bucolic town of Cold Spring, New York, is home to a slew of antique shops, al fresco restaurants serving farm-to-table fare, cozy coffeehouses, and nature trails along babbling brooks and streams. In fall, the foliage is a fiery mix of red, orange, and yellow — making it a popular destination for leaf peepers — but the beauty of the Hudson Valley is magical no matter what season. 

Auburn, California

Distance: 1 hour, 5 minutes from Sacramento

From Sacramento Valley Station, passengers can embark on a journey to the charming gold rush town of Auburn, California. The trip aboard the Amtrak Capitol Corridor train costs less than $25. Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Auburn’s historic downtown features well-preserved buildings from the 1800s, including an early firehouse and post office, as well as numerous craft breweries, like Moonraker Brewing Co., Knee Deep Brewing Co., and Crooked Lane Brewing Company. The town is also home to regional wineries, which you can experience along the Placer Wine Trail. 

Nature lovers can head just outside of town to enjoy the Auburn State Recreation Area for fishing, hiking, camping, and white-water rafting. Visitors can also walk right under the towering Foresthill Bridge, which towers 730 feet above the American River’s North Fork as the tallest bridge in California.