Warsaw is jam-packed with things to do (see, well, all the previous pages in this guide). But sometimes you want a change of scenery. One amazing thing about Warsaw is its access to other areas — being the capital, it's a kind of hub for travel to major Polish cities and towns. So when you have a day to spare, head on over to Warszawa Centralna (p.??) and hop on a train! Here are our essential day trips. 

First, we recommend going to Kraków. The charming medieval city is like something out of a storybook, with a gorgeous medieval market square that's lined with restaurants and cafes, a magical castle on a hill (and a fire-breathing dragon!), and architecture that will have you stopping every two seconds to take another picture. Plus, this was the only major city not bombed to rubble during WWII, so much of this architecture is original and old. 
There's tons to see in Kraków but one of the best for a day trip, is the Wieliczka Salt Mine —and we really do mean a day trip. Set aside a whole day for this one. There are multiple tours through these incredible, cavernous mines, and along the way you can see mining tools, saline lakes, magestic chambers and more. This is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience. 
How to get there: From Warsaw's Centralna Station, buy a ticket from PKP Intercity (on their website, intercity.pl or at a ticket window) to Kraków Główny. Train times range from a little over 2 hours to nearly 4 hours depending on the time you go and whether you choose a high-speed train. Prices range: 88 to 260zł per ticket. 

Next, we highly recommend a visit to Łódź — just one hour away by train! This post-industrial city is simply booming, with a lovely main street (ul. Piotrkowska) that's packed with bars, restaurants, and shops. Plus, there are tons of museums, incredible parks, monuments and events all the time - from live music, to arts shows, food festivals and more. Moreover, Łódź is just overflowing with history and culture.
In addition to just wandering the streets, we recommend a trip to Orientarium Zoo, a massive (and massively popular) zoo with tons of animals from Southeast Asia (35 land species and 180 acquatic species) across three levels. Here, you can see elephants, monkeys, sharks and more. You can participate in daily feedings and you can even do an overnight stay in a shark tunnel! An absolute must. 
Another key spot in Łódź is Aquapark Fala — honestly the best waterpark/spa center in the entire country and one of the largest! With 19 water slides (including some incredibly steep ones) and pools for swimming, it's great for thrill-seekers and kids. But it's also great for relaxing. In fact, its wellness center is simply incredible: six Finnish saunas, infrared and steam rooms, sound therapy, a snow grotto... the list goes on. You will come out feeling lika whole new person! 
How to get there: Head to Warszawa Centralna and, using PKP Intercity (website or ticket window), get a ticket to Łódź Fabryczna. The ride times are usually a little over an hour, and the cost hovers around the 50 zł range.