Orlando to Galesburg train

Orlando is the Theme Park Capital of the World, thanks to the high density of thrilling parks like Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, Gatorland and more. It's no wonder we rated Orlando the #1 travel destination for families. Family vacation or not, if the highlight of your trip is picking out a wand at Ollivanders in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter or finally meeting Elsa in the Magic Kingdom, you know we won't judge.

Winter Park and Thornton Park – not more theme parks, we promise – are trendy neighborhoods where you can experience some of Orlando's world-class shopping, dining, and craft beer. You can also immerse yourself in some of Florida's unique wildlife at Orlando Wetlands Park, or the more central Lake Eola Park downtown. Orlando enjoys an average of 233 days of sunshine a year, so even though it's one of the cheapest cities to visit over Spring Break, you'll soak up that sweet, sweet sun almost any time of year.

Craving the ocean? Head a few hours outside Orlando for some of Florida's gorgeous beaches like New Smyrna Beach, Cocoa Beach, and the Canaveral National Seashore. Two large airports, as well as many bus and train companies with service in the area, mean that traveling from Orlando to other sunny Florida destinations and beyond is a breeze.

Galesburg is best known as the birthplace of writer and poet Carl Sandburg, with the Carl Sandburg State Historic Site erected in his honor. If you love the look of Carl’s boyhood cottage, you can stay in a historic home of your own – several, including the Great House of Galesburg, have been converted into charming bed-and-breakfasts across town.

Galesburg is also known for its historic involvement in the local railroad system, notably connecting Illinois’ largest (at the time) cities, Chicago and Quincy. In fact, the Galesburg Railroad Museum functions solely to preserve and share the history of the railroad industry in Galesburg and Western Illinois. The city even holds an annual festival, the Galesburg Railroad Days, complete with rides, live music, and open-air markets to celebrate the city’s railroad roots. And it’s not just literal railroads– Galesburg was originally founded by abolitionists and became a critical stop to freedom in the Underground Railroad.

Galesburg remains a major railway hub, acting as one of the stops for some of Amtrak’s most popular lines. The Carl Sandburg, Illinois Zephyr, and Southwest Chief all operate daily to connect Galesburg west to Chicago. Meanwhile, the California Zephyr reaches all the way to Los Angeles. Galesburg also has two main bus stations for Greyhound and Burlington Trailways. These carriers provide coverage to Denver, St. Louis, and Moline, which has the closest airport to Galesburg, Quad Cities Airport.