Mobile and New Orleans have always held a strong connection. After French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville first mapped the Gulf Coast in 1699, he and his brother, Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, established settlements in both areas, recognizing the importance of Mobile Bay and the Mississippi River for the success of French Louisiana. From then on, ships would ply the coastal waters between these two colonies, sharing trade, culture and traditions.
Those connections are still felt today, with a mutual love of shotgun houses, gumbo and all things Mardi Gras. Of course, there is the age-old debate about which city launched the first Carnival celebration, but the fact remains that both still have much to offer the other.
Now, with the new Amtrak Mardi Gras service linking the two cities for the first time since Hurricane Katrina wiped away sections of track in 2005, Mobilians are heeding the call of “Y’all aboard!” for weekend getaways, day trips and family vacations to the Big Easy without ever cranking their cars. You will board the train along the Mobile River with the sweet notes of the Excelsior Band ringing in your ears, and step off the train in New Orleans, surrounded by the sounds of the French Quarter and all it has to offer.
Amtrak’s Mardi Gras service will run twice-daily departures between the two cities, with stops in four Mississippi coastal communities: Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, Gulfport and Pascagoula. The 145-mile trip takes just under 4 hours — a touch longer than the trip would take by car, but the comfort and ease of the ride make it worth the time. Ticket holders choose coach or business class, but both offer roomy seats and a cafe car featuring local specialties and a full bar.
It’s the perfect way for groups to travel to the Big Easy for the day to share a boozy lunch at Galatoire’s, Antoine’s or Commander’s Palace (as Mobilians are wont to do) without ever having to pick a designated driver. You can arrive in New Orleans at 10:13 a.m., with plenty of time to find your way to your table for oysters en brochette and sazeracs, and return service departs New Orleans at 5:31 p.m.
Families with children will enjoy the trip as well. No seatbelts, easy access to restrooms and the childlike joy of train travel will be felt by all ages. Union Station in New Orleans is walkable to the Superdome and Smoothie King Center for those big games, as well as to the National WWII Museum. The streetcar stop at St. Charles is just a few blocks away, and can be taken all the way to Audubon Park, where all the animals are asking for you at the zoo!
So grab a muffuletta and a glass of bubbly in the cafe car, settle back in your oversized seat and enjoy the picturesque ride to the Big Easy as the Mardi Gras train winds through marsh grass, along the shores of Biloxi Bay and under the cranes of the Port of Mobile!
Mobile Bay Staff Picks: 10 Go-To New Orleans Restaurants
We asked our team of editors and staff to share their favorite food destinations in NOLA, and this list has left us hungry and ready to let the good times roll!
La Petite Grocery
“La Petite Grocery on Magazine Street is my favorite place for brunch. Their Blue Crab Beignets are so good, I’ve always said, ‘Just shove one in my mouth on my deathbed for my last meal.’ And their bloody marys are a meal all by themselves.” – Rachel Mayhall, Circulation Manager
Compère Lapin
“Compère Lapin in the Warehouse District is the place to go for small plates. Their menu is ultra creative, blending lots of different flavors and cuisines, like chef Nina Compton’s Caribbean roots, so I love getting to taste a little bit of everything!” – Abby Parrott, Digital Manager
Paladar 511
“On a sleepy corner in the Bywater, this eatery is like a fusion of the best of upscale Europe with your neighborhood hole-in-the-wall. Unique pizzas, fresh produce, Gulf seafood and standout small plates make this the perfect place to bring a few friends who are willing to pass the dishes around the table and let everyone try.” – Stephen Potts, Assistant Publisher
La Boulangerie
“This little French bakery on Magazine Street in uptown sells the flakiest croissants this side of Paris. When I am in town for breakfast, I order the gigantic almond croissant and a matcha latte, with several baguettes and pain au chocolate in a to-go bag for later. I love to sit outside at a table on the sidewalk when the weather is nice and people-watch. Another tip: my favorite little coffee shop in the Bywater, Satsuma, sells pastry from La Boulangerie with their coffees! Great pastries, two neighborhoods!” – Maggie Lacey, Executive Editor
Sucré
“Sucré is a calm haven from the New Orleans hustle and bustle. The pastel decor is the perfect complement to the treats that are (almost) too pretty to eat. It’s a tough task to choose which macaron or pastry to order, so I usually pick whatever has the most glitter on it. In the summertime, their gelato is a must-have, but no matter when I visit, it’s an unwritten rule that I have to bring home a macaron sampler. And luckily, Sucre has several locations throughout NOLA, so wherever you find yourself in The Big Easy, they’re never too far away!” – Amelia Rose Zimlich, Staff Writer
The Station
“This little coffee shop in MidCity feels so mystical and cozy. They offer this magnificent green tea with floral-scented pearls, so it tastes like you are drinking a flower. Their pastries are incredible; they even make homemade pop tarts! All of their pastries are very creative. And if you don’t mind the heat, they have the cutest outdoor seating.” – Peri Carr, Graphic Artist
Pêche Seafood Grill
“Pêche has a fun, bustling atmosphere — a great spot to meet up with friends on a Friday night. The whole grilled fish is a must-order for the table as well as a side of Brussels sprouts. They are doused in a chili vinegar that I haven’t stopped thinking about since my last visit.” – Abby Parrott, Digital Director
The Chloe
“The Chloe is a must-visit spot in uptown New Orleans! Whether you’re there for brunch, lunch or dinner, dining on the patio beneath the trees is the best experience. This chic boutique hotel is in a beautifully restored mansion full of charm. Bonus points if you make it an overnight stay to hang by the pool, then jump on the train the next morning!” – Frances Hurley, Events Coordinator
Hansen’s Sno-Bliz
“No New Orleans visit is complete without a snowball, and the only place to get them is Hansen’s, which has been serving the shaved ice for over 86 years. They make all their syrups from scratch, and some are super original. Think Anise, Earl Grey or Honey Lavender. But my kids love the simple flavors, like Satsuma, maybe with a coconut cream topper? Sit on the benches out front and watch the world roll by on Tchoupitoulas.” – Maggie Lacey, Executive Editor
Baccahanal
“It’s a backyard party every night at Bacchanal. Build your own cheese plates by shopping the coolers inside, then grab a bottle of wine and get a table in the courtyard where New Orleans jazz musicians play under cafe lights in the Bywater for the most unique evening you’ll ever spend.” – Stephen Potts, Assistant Publisher
