David KrisoIn a previous article, I spoke openly about my experience as an Amtrak traveler. Specifically, I spoke about the station which largely has been part of my ‘journey’ as an Amtrak traveler. I spoke about Newark Penn Station, and the vivid memories of that terminal which I hold dear to this day. From watching trains pass through, to watching locomotives of then and now, to my college years and beyond, Newark Penn Station has been the center of my Amtrak ‘journey’. However, there is a question which dozens of people ask me time and again. The question is, “Which is your favorite Amtrak station of all?”. All I can say in reply is “Hmmmmm!”. All avid Amtrak travelers have their set list of favorite Amtrak stations. After much thought, it’s time to finally answer the question. Which Amtrak station are my favorites? From top to bottom, here are my top five Amtrak station.
5) South Station (Boston, MA): Boston’s South Station is located on Summer Street on the south end of downtown Boston, nearest to the Seaport District. The Boston Westin Seaport District hotel is conveniently located just two blocks away, in case anyone is in search of the perfect hotel to stay at. Should they wish to visit Boston via train in the near future, they won’t have to walk far. Further, there are an array of restaurants including those of the high end type in close proximity. Boston is also a seasonal cruise port. The Black Falcon Cruise Terminal is a quick 20 minute walk from South Station. Who needs an Uber vehicle? The MBTA’s Silver Line bus originates at South Station, taking riders to Black Falcon Boulevard, where the cruise terminal is located. Based on that, South Station comes in 5th for coming in handy. The exterior facade of South Station is breathtaking. The interior, however, has a modern look which which earns South Station this spot on the list. Unlike its counterparts on the list, South Station is a great terminal. It’s modern interior leaves passengers wondering, “What if the station wasn’t so modern?”. Whether being the “staht” or end of the journey, South Station serves its purpose.
4) Penn Station (New York, NY): Ever since the great Penn Station was torn down circa 1965-66, its subterrain successor proved to be a passenger’s nightmare. As the Pennsylvania Railroad was at the end of its years, so was the grand terminal’s era. In spite of the late great Penn Station, the iconic Madison Square Garden was built in its place. It has been the respected home of the New York Rangers and New York Knicks. In January 2021, the endless nightmare was finally put to rest. Now, the city of New York has a train terminal to be proud of. The new Penn Station and Moynihan Train Hall serves as a testament to the city’s history and passion for train travel. From a massive food court, to a bar with over forty beers on tap, to the spacious Metropolitan Lounge upstairs, Penn Station and Moynihan Train Hall is the place to be. Bridging the gap between the old and the new, it is a city landmark all its own. It’s not just a New Yorker’s kind of station, it’s the Amtrak way of visiting the city of New York.
3) Union Station (Washington, DC): Washington, DC’s Union Station was built in the year 1907 by architect Daniel Burnham. Daniel Burnham’s intent was to build a station with a monument-like resemblance with political power-like personality. Iconic buildings such as U.S. Capitol, the White House, and the Supreme Court inspired its grand scale design. The grandeur of Union Station is so ‘grand’ that if the Washington Monument was laid on its side, it could fit comfortably inside from end to end with room to spare. To this day, Union Station serves as a neighborhood gem. It serves as Amtrak’s east coast hub, serving Amtrak’s Northeast Regional, Acela Express, and long distance routes including the Floridian (Chicago-Miami), Silver Meteor (New York-Miami), and the Crescent (New York-New Orleans). What’s a train station without a plethora of restaurants? The selection of restaurants at Union Station is massive. The array of eateries both upstairs and downstairs, serves hungry passengers of all walks of life. Its Metro subway station is the busiest in the city, connecting visitors to all reaches of the DC area. These characteristics rightfully earn Union Station this spot on the list.
2) Savannah Station (Savannah, GA): Every train station around the United States tells a story. The Amtrak station in Savannah serves as one of the great examples. Savannah Station was completed in 1962, replacing its predecessor Savannah Union Station. Savannah Union Station was demolished to make way for construction of Interstate 16 into downtown Savannah. The current station’s mid-20th Century architecture, should not be looked down upon. The early 1960s was the time when racial segregation was at its height. Amtrak passengers with an eagle’s eye can point out details from that bygone era. Not just Amtrak passengers, but American history buffs are invited to seek out those details. Today, Savannah Station is served by Amtrak’s Palmetto (New York-Savannah), Silver Meteor (New York-Miami), and the Floridian (Chicago-Miami via Tampa). Savannah is a must-visit for haunted story fans and history buffs alike. Ultimately, what could be a better characteristic detail and a more eye-catching feature than the locomotive tile fresco on the station’s front facade. Savannah Station is more than just a passenger station. It is a living postcard.
1) Kingston Station (Kingston, RI): The city of Kingston, RI is home to the University of Rhode Island. Kingston is also the gateway to the charming city of Newport, a twenty minutes drive away. Kingston Station was built in 1875, by the New York, Providence, and Boston Railroad-a precursor to the New Haven Railroad and the Pennsylvania Railroad. In April 1978, the station was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Soon enough, the station fell into disrepair. In 1996, Amtrak took the step forward in modernizing the New Haven-Boston section of the Northeast Corridor by electrifying the line, paving the way for the new Acela Express (Boston-Washington, DC). The station was fully restored and rededicated. The station still serves as a major stop for Amtrak’s Northeast Regional trains. That’s not all. The station also serves as a viewing spot for railroad photographers seeking high-speed run-by shots of the Acela Express. When the Acela Express races through at 150 mph, it’s a more than a moment. It’s a happening! Kingston Station, to this day, serves as a gift to University of Rhode Island students and Salve Regina University students. At Kingston Station, they can be seen on the platform, awaiting their trains’ arrival and long-awaited journeys home. Kingston Station’s awe-inspiring history and role in the surrounding community earns its place as the #1 favorite Amtrak station.
Traveling by train is more than just a means of getting from point A and point B. It’s a long-awaited journey that puts travelers’ minds at ease. Putting travelers’ minds at ease cannot be possible without having a list of favorite train stations. They are favorite train stations because of their modern looks and turn-of-the-century flavor. They can favorites because of their mid-Twentieth Century architecture and Romanesque architecture. They can also be favorites because of 19th Century simplicity style. Regardless of what style or era, Amtrak stations serve their purpose. Ultimately, it is the historic flavor and instrumental role they play in their respective cities. That’s what sets them apart. There are the Amtrak stations that passengers count on because of location. There are the Amtrak stations that tell the story of a city’s ‘monumental’ role in politics and history. Admirably, there are stations that serve as a reminder of the simple life, local lifestyle, and the necessity to our young adult society. Favorite Amtrak stations are more than just where train journeys begin. Favorite train stations are where train journeys leads to.
