The Big Easy Made Easy

Mark RomigWhen we name a train after a city, you know it must be worth the ride. The City of New Orleans travels through the heart of the country from Chicago through Memphis and onto its namesake destination, The Big Easy. Not coming from the Midwest for your Nola adventure? No problem! You can hop on the Crescent from The Big Apple or take the Sunset Limited, our southern most route, which travels through California mountains, southwest desert and lands you in the heart of the bayou.

With so much to see, do, and eat in one place, we turned to New Orleans expert Mark Romig for advice on a must-do list when visiting The Crescent City. Mark, a native New Orleanian, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC), the city’s official leisure travel promotion agency.

Amtrak: New Orleans is known for its great music venues. Where’s the best place to New Orleans Music Courtesy of Visit New Orleanscatch a live show?
Mark: In New Orleans, there is music everywhere! One of our most active areas for music these days is Frenchman Street. You can walk four blocks and hear everything from Jazz to Funk to Gospel. Many of our restaurants feature live music as well and then there is always the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra or one of our great jazz bands.

Amtrak: You have one day in New Orleans, what’s on your must-do list?
Mark: Be ready to hit the ground running because there is a lot:

  • A tour either on the Mississippi or in the French Quarter
  • Beignets and coffee at Cafe du Mode
  • Shopping in the French Market
  • Selfies in front of St. Louis Cathedral
  • More shopping on Magazine Street
  • A ride on the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar
  • A drink at the Sazerac Bar in the Roosevelt Hotel or the  Carousel in the Monteleone Hotel
  • Dinner anywhere. You can’t get a bad meal here.
  • Dancing on Frenchmen Street
  • Visit the National World War II Museum
  • See the latest exhibits at the Ogden, New Orleans Museum of Art and the Historic New Orleans Collection

New Orleans Food Courtesy of Visit New OrleansAmtrak: For the Amtrak travelers with kids, what are the top family-friendly places to visit?
Mark: We’ve got a whole section of New Orleans Online dedicated to planning your next NOLA family adventure. There are just too many family activities to list!

Amtrak: Amtrak riders have made it loud and clear:  will travel for food. What’s the one New Orleans meal that every visitor should have before heading home?
Mark: Every meal here brings you joy and tickles your senses! If you can get a plate of delicious red beans and rice with sausage, or trout amandine, then do so!  Make sure and try every type, from casual to fine dining and don’t miss breakfast, lunch or dinner!New Orleans courtesy of Visit New Orleans

Amtrak: Finally, it’s almost football season, where’s the best place to watch the Saints play?
Mark: The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, or any bar in New Orleans during game time.

New Orleans is meant to be explored and savored and the best way to do that is to choose what you like best. Which is why we’ve got three different trains, with three different personalities to get you there. Book your ticket and start planning your next great adventure to The Big Easy!