The Southern states of United States of America like Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama converge into a scenic rail route combining six unique cities: New Orleans, Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Pascagoula, Biloxi, and Mobile, a journey with panoramic views, Southern towns, local history, diverse cultures, and beautiful shores.
One of the best ways to experience this unique Southern trail is by hopping aboard the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service, a four-hour journey with stops that capture Southern beauty and charm like no other. Moreover, with roomy business as well as coach class seats, refreshments in the Café Car and picturesque views of Gulf Coast landscapes, this journey makes for a memorable trip.
New Orleans, Louisiana
The western end of the Mardi Gras Service train starts in New Orleans, Louisiana, a city world-famous for jazz, vibrant culture, and Mardi Gras celebrations. Amtrak trains arrive at and depart from Union Passenger Terminal, located a short walk from Caesars Superdome and with easy access to city bus and streetcar lines. Take the Rampart-Loyola streetcar into the city for classic New Orleans fun, including seasonal Mardi Gras parades, year-round French Quarter charm, MICHELIN-recognized dining in Marigny, live music on Frenchman Street, and more.
Bay St. Louis and Gulfport, Mississippi
From New Orleans, the Mardi Gras Service continues to Coastal Mississippi. In Bay St. Louis, the Old Town neighbourhood’s galleries, antique stores and lively community events lend an artistic touch to your adventures. Be sure to spend some time exploring the Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum at the corner of Main and Toulme streets, as the late Moseley is considered one of the USA’s great folk artists. Just a short train ride or drive away, Gulfport is home to family attractions like the state-of-the-art Mississippi Aquarium and the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, Mississippi’s oldest children’s museum. Be sure to spend time lounging on the beach: enjoy peace on the quiet shores of Bay St. Louis and savour freshly caught Gulf seafood at beachfront restaurants in Gulfport.
Pascagoula and Biloxi, Mississippi
Continue your journey along Coastal Mississippi to reach the cities of Biloxi and Pascagoula. Waterfront casino resorts such as Biloxi’s Beau Rivage and Hard Rock Hotel offer fun and relaxation just steps from the shore. Explore the work of Mississippi potter George Ohr at the Frank Gehry-designed Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, then catch a Biloxi Shuckers baseball game at Keesler Federal Park. Pascagoula’s Amtrak station is just steps from waterfront Lighthouse Park, the trailhead for the Pascagoula Historic Bike Trail. Rent a bicycle for a round-trip route through time, stopping to see curiosities such as Mississippi’s oldest standing building and the childhood home of singer Jimmy Buffett. For a fun detour, take a short drive to Ocean Springs to explore its walkable downtown. This friendly district is packed with decadent dining options and lined with storied oak trees.
Mobile, Alabama
At the eastern end of the Mardi Gras Service, Mobile, Alabama, is home to the USA’s original Mardi Gras celebrations. Join the parades and events during Carnival season or enjoy a taste of the festivities any time of year at the Mobile Carnival Museum. Find even more history in Africatown, where the Africatown Heritage House’s award-winning Clotilde: The Exhibition tells the story of the neighbourhood’s earliest Black residents. When the sun goes down, head to Dauphin Street. This stretch of downtown Mobile is home to local bars, restaurants, and live-music venues that keep the fun going well into the night.
Here are four reasons to take a scenic train ride through southern USA
