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Riding on the "City of New Orleans"

© Lynne A. Williams

Travelers throughout the world know New Orleans as the home of the quintessential party, Mardi Gras. However, New Orleans is such a vibrant city that no matter when you visit you will have an experience that you will always remember.

We chose to visit New Orleans in early May, post-Mardi Gras and before the serious heat settles upon the city. Leaving from Boston, we took the Lake Shore Limited to Chicago, and then boarded Amtrak’s City of New Orleans.

The City of New Orleans is a double-decker Superliner, with multi-level sleeper accommodations and a Sightseer Lounge with great views. And, the food – well, the food was pretty incredible. The menu was Cajun, the preparation and presentation was excellent, and the dining car personnel were among the most sociable that I have encountered on Amtrak. Maybe it was the New Orleans ambience. In the dining car we met a very interesting young woman from the Bahamas, who was attending college in New Orleans, and was on her way to visit friends up north. As she was from a place so different from our Maine home, we had extensive discussions about our impressions of New Orleans and the differences between our hometowns. We met this young woman at our first meal onboard, and had such a good time with her that we ate all of our meals together.

As is usual on the Superliner, there were Lounge Car movies in the evening, as well as complimentary snacks and games during the daytime. Every time I take it, I remember again that the City of New Orleans is one of the most enjoyable Amtrak lines.

The Lounge Car is a wonderful venue for viewing the scenery as the train plugs along. And, the scenery along this route is incredible, particularly when the train traverses Lake Pontchartrain. It is almost as if the train was riding upon the water.

If you have read my previous kudos to various train stations, don’t assume the same for the New Orleans train station. Amtrak comes into a station that is quite similar to a rundown bus terminal, with a significant lack of ambience, but which is only a short taxi ride away from the French Quarter and other interesting New Orleans neighborhoods. We stayed at the Historic Radisson, on Canal Street in the downtown area, and within walking distance of the French Quarter. The Radisson is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is very child friendly and affordable. Upon check-in, each child is given a packet of games and puzzles and made to feel quite welcome.