20 best Amtrak trips from New Orleans

If you want to take a train trip from New Orleans, you’re in luck. Three Amtrak routes can take you across America: City of New Orleans, Crescent and Sunset Limited. You can visit big cities and small towns full of unique things to do while enjoying the scenery along the way.

To get started, here are the 20 best Amtrak trips from New Orleans that don’t require a train transfer or middle-of-the-night travel. Note that the Sunset Limited only operates three days each week, so you’ll need to plan your travel accordingly and select different travel dates if you don’t see the Sunset Limited train option (destinations on this route indicated below).

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Hattiesburg

About 2.5 hours away from New Orleans on Amtrak, Hattiesburg is a day trip option. There several historic districts to explore as well as unique stores, brewpubs, a zoo, military museums and Longleaf Trace, a rails to trails path. After you arrive, you can easily walk to downtown and Town Square Park, which is the location of several of the city’s annual events.

Laurel

Laurel, Mississippi is a charming small town getaway and optional day trip from New Orleans. The “Home Town” HGTV show is filmed here, so be sure to check out the Home Town tour if you’re a fan. You can also explore local restaurants, shops and events in the walkable downtown area next to the train station. Amtrak travel time is three hours.

Lafayette

Known for its Cajun food and music, Lafayette, Louisiana is a family-friendly destination with many festivals and historic sites, including a 19th-century bayou village. Kids and adults will enjoy the swamp tours, and there’s an ArtWalk on the second Saturday of each month. Travel time is 3.5 hours from New Orleans on the Sunset Limited.

Jackson

The capital of Mississippi, Jackson is almost four hours away from New Orleans on Amtrak. There are many museums to visit (including a civil rights and children’s museum), and other top attractions include the Eudora Welty House, Governor’s Mansion (pictured above) and the street art. Spring and fall are great times to visit the city, and be sure to eat some soul food while in town.

Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana is a fun adult getaway with multiple casinos and many festivals to plan a trip around. Consider staying at the Golden Nugget Hotel or L’Auberge Resort (pictured above) — both have lazy rivers that are great for a pool day. Amtrak travel time is about five hours on the Sunset Limited and you can use rideshare or get a taxi to reach your accommodations.

Birmingham

Travel eight hours on Amtrak to Birmingham, Alabama to visit top attractions including the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, McWane Science Center (great for kids), Birmingham Botanical Gardens and the Birmingham Zoo. Vulcan Park is a must-do for the skyline view of the city (pictured above). The train station is conveniently in walking distance of several hotels, including Fairfield Inn & Suites, Elyton Hotel, The Kelly and the John Hand Club.

Memphis

Full of iconic venues and music, Memphis is 8.5 hours away from New Orleans via train. It’s a party every night on Beale Street, and during the day you can visit Graceland, Sun Studio, the National Civil Rights Center and other tourist sites. Don’t miss the city’s famous barbecue and consider a food tour to sample local flavors.

Houston

For big city fun, plan a trip to Houston on the Sunset Limited. Trains arrive near the Theater District and Sesquicentennial Park after a 9.5-hour journey from New Orleans. Top attractions include the Houston Zoo, Space Center, The Galleria and the many museums. You can also plan to attend an Astros baseball game or one of the many Houston events and festivals.

Atlanta

For major sporting events and concerts, along with museums, parks, nightlife and great restaurants, plan a trip to Atlanta. Travel time on Amtrak is about 13 hours and you’ll arrive at night. Top attractions to check out include the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Site, Georgia Aquarium (pictured above) and the World of Coca-Cola. There are also many festivals and tours that can help you experience the city’s unique neighborhoods.

San Antonio

San Antonio is full of things to do for kids and adults. The city is famous for its River Walk and historic Spanish missions, including the Alamo. Other top attractions include Fiesta Texas Six Flags, SeaWorld, Natural Bridge Caverns and the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Amtrak travel time is about 15 hours from New Orleans on the Sunset Limited.

Chicago

Chicago is the last stop on City of New Orleans route and an overnight trip from New Orleans (about 20.5 hours). There are many attractions to visit after you arrive, including historic Wrigley Field, Navy Pier, Willis Tower Skydeck, and the many museums and music venues. In the summer, be sure to check out the boat tours, beaches and festivals. You can also easily transfer to another train in the city — view the best Amtrak trips from Chicago to learn more.

Charlottesville

For a small-town experience in the Virginia mountains, plan to a trip to Charlottesville. Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s plantation home, is one of the top nearby attractions that you can easily reach with a Lyft or Uber ride. You can also visit local wineries, explore the historic main street and pedestrian mall, and go to a game at nearby University of Virginia. Travel time from New Orleans is 24.5 hours.

Alexandria

If you want to visit Washington D.C. attractions but don’t like crowds, travel 27 hours on Amtrak to Alexandria, Virginia. The walkable and historic Old Town is full of restaurants and shops, plus you can easily reach the National Harbor, The Wharf and Georgetown via water taxi (plus the Metro can take you to top sights in D.C.). See all the best things to do and top places to stay in Alexandria to start planning your trip.

Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. is full of museums, monuments, year-round events and restaurants. Consider a sightseeing tour to easily explore the many attractions, and plan your trip in March to view the cherry blossoms. Travel time from New Orleans is 27.5 hours and you’ll arrive at Union Station where you can transfer to the WMATA red line or get a ride with Uber, Lyft or a taxi.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a historic city with a fun waterfront scene. After a 28.5 hour train ride, you can easily connect with Lyft or Uber to reach the Inner Harbor or attraction of your choice, including the National Aquarium, Fort McHenry and Fell’s Point neighborhood. Consider a boat tour for a unique way to see the city, and rail fans should consider visiting the B&O Railroad Museum.

Philadelphia

For an essential American experience, travel almost 30 hours on Amtrak to Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Founding Fathers established the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Other top things to do include eating a cheesesteak, exploring the waterfront and climbing the steps at the art museum, made famous by the Rocky movies. A hop-on-off sightseeing trolley, bikeshare rentals and a variety of tours are great ways to see the sights.

New York City

New York City is the last stop on the Crescent (31.5 hours away from New Orleans) and you’ll arrive at Penn Station‘s new train hall with easy access to the subway, commuter trains, taxis and rideshare service. There are many museums, attractions, restaurants, Broadway shows and shopping destinations to check out while you’re in town. The holiday season is a fun time to visit with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and multiple ice skating rinks.

Tucson

For Southwest culture, food and desert landscapes, head to Tucson on the Sunset Limited. Travel time is about 36 hours and you’ll spend a night on the train. Top places to visit include the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (which has a zoo, gardens and museum exhibits), Saguaro National Park, Mission San Xavier del Bac, Historic Fourth Avenue and the many great restaurants. Check out the event calendar for more activity ideas.

Los Angeles

For an epic train trip, you can travel over 46 hours to reach Los Angeles on the Sunset Limited. Some of the top attractions to check out include the Getty Center, Griffith Observatory, Universal Studios Hollywood and the Santa Monica Pier. City tours are also a great way to see the sights (and maybe a celebrity). Because of the long travel time, consider flying back to New Orleans from one of the area airports.