10 best stops on the Crescent route

Even though the Crescent isn’t the most scenic Amtrak route, it will take you places. Trains travel over 1,000 miles and stop in culture-packed cities and charming towns from New Orleans to New York City. If you’re considering a trip on this route, here are our favorite places to visit along the way. Train schedules and transportation options were factored in so you don’t have to worry about middle-of-the-night stops or how to get around after you arrive.

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New Orleans

Full of food, music, history and celebrations, New Orleans is a fun place to visit in the spring, fall and winter (avoid summer due to heat and tropical storm risk). Be sure to spend time in the French Quarter and consider visiting in the spring for the New Orleans Jazz Fest or around Halloween (there’s plenty of cemeteries and ghost tours to check out). Rideshare and streetcars are great transportation options during your stay.

Laurel

Laurel, Mississippi is America’s “Hometown” — the HGTV show of the same name is filmed here. After getting off the train, you can walk to the charming small town where you’ll find local shops, restaurants and unique events. Plus, you can go on a tour to see homes featured in the show. Use Airbnb, Vrbo or another vacation rental app or website to find lodging downtown so you can walk to everything. Tip: Many businesses are closed on Sundays, so plan accordingly.

Tuscaloosa

University of Alabama football field — *Photo by Mike C/Flickr.com*

Home of the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa has a walkable downtown with multiple hotels, a riverwalk, amphitheater with concerts from mainstream artists, museums and a must-experience atmosphere during college football games. It’s an easy place to visit from Birmingham (train travel time is about the same as driving), and Hattiesburg, Laurel, Atlanta and New Orleans are all less than six hours away on Amtrak. After you arrive, we recommend using rideshare to get to your final destination, but you can also walk about 30 minutes from the train station to reach downtown.

Atlanta

Nicknamed the “City in the Forest”, Atlanta is full of trees and parks, which are especially beautiful in the spring. Top attractions include the MLK Jr. National Historic Site, Center for Civil Rights, Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola. Plus, there are many great restaurants, music venues, sporting events and neighborhood festivals to check out. Trains arrive in between Buckhead and Midtown Atlanta; it’s easiest to use rideshare after you arrive but MARTA buses and trains are also an option.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville, Virginia is a historic college town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. After getting off the train, you can walk to the beautiful University of Virginia campus or to downtown for a variety of restaurants and shops. Rideshare is a great way to see local attractions and guided day trips can take you to nearby wineries and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Shenandoah National Park is also worth visiting with a rental car (Enterprise has pick up service).

Alexandria

Alexandria, Virginia‘s famous resident was George Washington, and you can experience his colonial life in the well-preserved Old Town historic district. The walkable and charming area is near Washington D.C. and an alternate place to stay for fewer crowds. As a bonus, you can board a water taxi to reach the National Harbor, The Wharf and Georgetown. Plus, the King Street-Old Town Metro Station is an option to reach all the sights in Washington D.C.

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. You’ll exit the train at Union Station where you can transfer to the WMATA red line subway, walk to the National Mall or get a ride with Uber, Lyft or a taxi to reach your final destination.

Baltimore

For history and harbor exploration, plan a trip to Baltimore. After you arrive, request a Lyft or Uber to reach the Inner Harbor or another top attraction, including to the National Aquarium, Fort McHenry and the Fells Point neighborhood. There are also several different boat tours for experiencing the city from the water. When you’re ready to eat, check out the great seafood restaurants for local crab and other dishes.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is the birthplace of America and you can visit the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and other historic sites here. Sightseeing tours are a great way to get around the city and the local bikeshare program is a fun way to explore the waterfront and the Schuylkill River Trail. There are also plenty of cheesesteaks and museums to check out. View all the best things to do in Philadelphia to learn more.

New York City

New York City is the end-of-the-line station for the Crescent. It’s exciting to arrive by train and be in the middle of it all — Times Square and the Empire State Building are a short walk away from Penn Station. Plus, there are many museums, attractions, restaurants, Broadway shows and shopping destinations you can reach by foot, subway or taxi. Consider a trip over the holiday season to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, go ice skating or see the Rockettes perform.