They chugga travelers from point A to point B with celerity and “green” grace, and this Saturday, May 8, marks the 3rd annual National Train Day. The National Railroad Passenger Corporation together with Amtrak wants the country to get all aboard this weekend. So to celebrate the locomotives and galvanize riders, they are pulling out all the stops from celebrities to special getaway packages in more than 50 cities, including Philadelphia, New York, and Washington D.C.
If you’d rather not leave town this weekend, attend the NYC Kick-off event at Penn Station on Friday 12-2pm, where actor Taye Diggs will trigger the 3D “trainscape” installation, comprised of edible artwork and moving model trains. Or consider spending a few days in Philly with a $300 package that includes accommodations at the Holiday Inn Historic District, free admission to the Independence Seaport Museum, and round-trip fare from NYC—look for the historical baseball exhibit at the 30th Street Station when you arrive.
For $440, ride the rails to D.C., where the package includes two nights at Liaison Capitol Hill hotel, round-trip fare plus tax, and admission to the Newseum or National Museum of Crime & Punishment. Check out a culinary demo with Chef Michel Richard at Union Station, and if there’s time, enjoy discounts at the National Aquarium.
For more information about National Train Day events, discounted adventures way off Manhattan, and how to use your Amtrak Rewards to earn triple points on May 8, visit nationaltrainday.com.
Photo: Courtesy of Amtrak
The co-founder and editor-at-large at offMetro, Lauren is a sustainable travel specialist and freelance journalist with frequent bylines in National Geographic, Bicycling Magazine and Shape. Follow Lauren’s adventures at @laurenmati.
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Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
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