Short stop in cent-sible Chicago

Osceola, Iowa, offers travel junkies the best of both worlds. The small town is a picture-perfect slice of Midwestern life, but the big city is just a train ride away. Having an Amtrak station within city limits makes last-minute trips easy, and several customer-appreciation programs allow passengers to maximize every dollar spent.

The California Zephyr pulls into the Osceola depot, and from here it chugs along to Denver, Sacramento, San Francisco and back again, pulling into a dozen cities from San Fransisco’s Pier 39 to Chicago’s iconic Union Station.

Taking an early train to the Windy City is surprisingly fast and affordable. By car, the trip takes over 5 hours. By train? Riders leave Osceola at 7:40 a.m. and arrive in Chi-town around 2:50 p.m. For now, penny pinchers can stop off at Naperville instead to take advantage of current SmartFares pricing and save nearly half off the cost of a ticket at regular price.

Once in the city, avoiding the Loop allows travelers to take in the cultural flare of Chicago’s neighborhoods while saving a small fortune. Historic hotels, like the Hampton Majestic in the theatre district or the Willows in Lincoln Park, gift guests with the authentic feel of each area. Thriftier folk might opt for budget digs in the boonies and settle for getting their inside scoop from one of the volunteer tourguides in the city. Tourists can register for the free service at ChicagoGreeter.com.

Sightseers can spend hours taking in Millenial Park before they know it, or exploring nearby Maggie Daley Park’s curiously themed kiddie features. Ice skating is available at this time of year as well. In McCormick Tribune Plaza, patrons skate for free when they bring their own ice skates. Daily rentals are just $10.

Winter or summer, Lincoln Park Zoo represents one of the most popular stops in Chicago, and entrance is free. Monkeys, penguins and polar bears will be found waiting in warm and cozy observatories, such as the historic Kovler Lion House, built in 1912 and home to some of the rarest big cats in the world.

For those new to the city, the Museum Campus is a must-see, with the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium providing a full day of mysteries to explore, while Willis Tower ­ still widely recognized as the Sears Tower ­ sports a skyline experience unlike any other, called “The Ledge.” From inside a secure glass cube jutting out 4 feet from the side of the 108-story office building, the tallest observatory in the U.S., visitors get a true bird’s eye view spanning 50 miles and five states.

The Chicago CityPASS and the Go Chicago Card help make the costs of top tourist destinations easier on the wallet, but there are plenty of affordable ­ and free ­ places to visit in the city. From the expansive Chicago Cultural Institute and Smart Musuem of Art to Pequod’s Pizza, the city makes it possible for anyone to tap into their interests without spending a fortune.

There’s still time to attend Chicago’s 16th Annual Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest. Guests enjoy 170,000 square feet of exhibition space packed with more than a dozen rides, games and wintry wonderland activities perfect for families through Jan. 8 at Navy Pier. Wristband prices are available online at NavyPier.com.