New Orleans Official Visitors Guide - 2026 Summer/Fall
Road Trips Beyond the City
2026-06-26 13:25:11
(Y')ALL ABOARD!
Ride the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service to New Orleans
The Amtrak Mardi Gras Service is Amtrak's newest route, offering twice-daily departures between New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal and Mobile, Alabama. This scenic coastal journey includes stops in Mississippi's most beautiful Gulf Coast destinations, including Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay Saint Louis, marking the return of passenger rail service to the Gulf Coast after nearly 20 years. Adult coach fares end-to-end start at $15 each way. Once in New Orleans, hop on the streetcar and explore the city!
Ride Amtrak to NOLA!
PLANTATIONS & CIVIL RIGHTS
A Journey Along Great River Road
New Orleans and the surrounding areas are full of wonderful places to learn more about African American history in the United States. As a major port city, New Orleans played a significant role in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.
You can learn more about the enslaved at Whitney Plantation, a 200-acre former sugar plantation turned historic site dedicated to telling the history of slavery in the United States from the perspective of the enslaved Africans, African Americans, and Creoles of Color who built America’s wealth. Whitney’s buildings, exhibits, and memorials all offer first-person narratives of enslaved Africans.
It's important to note that Whitney Plantation is located about 46 miles from downtown New Orleans. And while getting transportation there may be easy, getting back to the city can be challenging. It’s recommended to book through a tour operator or rent a car if you plan to visit.
Diving deeper into Louisiana’s Civil Rights history, the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail is a collection of sites honoring activists who organized for, and dedicated themselves to, change. Learn about the desegregation of New Orleans schools, citywide boycotts, and sit-ins at various historic site markers throughout southeastern Louisiana.
Scan for a Black History Itinerary!
Scan to Explore the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail!
©New-Orleans. View All Articles.