Why This New Orleans Mom is Obsessed with the New Amtrak Train to Mobile, AL
Y’all, I just discovered the easiest way to do a Gulf Coast adventure with kids; it’s via the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service and I’m already planning our next three trips.
Recently, I took Sandy (4) and Eloise (2) on their very first train ride, the brand new Amtrak Mardi Gras Service from New Orleans to Mobile. And let me tell you, this might be my new favorite way to travel with the girls. Yes, there were typical toddler moments (because reality), but this experience was so much smoother and more fun than I ever expected.
If you’re a New Orleans parent looking for an easy, affordable adventure that doesn’t involve hours in the car, keep reading. This is a game-changer.
Why Amtrak Mardi Gras Service Train Travel Won The Day
Let’s compare notes for a second. A typical road trip with my two littles usually means:
- Packing the car like we’re moving states
- “Mommyyyy, I have to potty” at the worst possible moments
- Getting everyone buckled and unbuckled a million times
- Driving while simultaneously being a DJ, referee, I Spy champion and snack distributor
- Hunting for parking when we finally arrive
The Amtrak Mardi Gras Service train? We packed our bags, headed over to Union Passenger Terminal (right by the Superdome), walked onto the train, and settled into spacious seats. No car loading, no parking drama, no traffic anxiety. Just… easy.
Sandy was bouncing with excitement about riding a “real train” and Eloise kept shouting “CHOO CHOO!” The adventure started the moment we stepped on board.
The Amtrak Mardi Gras Service Train Experience: Why This Works for Families
Here’s what made this so great for traveling with little ones:
Space to Move: The seats are roomy, way more comfortable than airplane seats, and there’s no middle seat. But the real magic? The girls could get up and walk around. When Eloise started getting wiggly (about 30 minutes in), we took a walk to the café car. When Sandy needed a stretch, we wandered up and down the aisle. No unbuckling car seats, no pulling over, just freedom to move. Pro tip: it is completely worth it to upgrade to the 4 seats facing each other with a table. They could color, snack, play games, have a place for the tablets to rest and more.
The Café Car: This became our favorite part! The café has real food, local coffee that actually tastes good, fresh snacks, and locally sourced options. But beyond the food, it gave us something to do. The girls thought ordering from the café was the coolest thing ever, and those little trips up and down the train kept them entertained. The Mardi Gras line particularly has New Orleans themed food and drinks like hurricanes, jambalaya and Zapp’s Voodoo Gumbo chips.
Built-In Entertainment: Sandy spent huge chunks of time glued to the window, watching the Gulf Coast scenery — water, bridges, coastal towns, birds. She kept up a running commentary like a tiny tour guide. “Mom, look at all that water!” “Is that where the dolphins live?” The changing scenery was genuinely captivating for her. My kids are getting big into photography these days and they had their digital cameras out the whole time, snapping away.
Modern Amenities: Wi-Fi meant I could tap in Disney+ when needed. The bathrooms were clean and accessible and we could all fit in one together, a must for safety, newly potty trained kids and a toddler that hates feeling left out. Everything just worked.
Was it chaos-free? Of course not. They’re 4 and 2. But it was manageable chaos, and honestly, way easier than driving would have been.
Visit Mobile: Our Day of Discovery
Okay, can we talk about how great Mobile is for a family day trip? I’ve always driven through Mobile on the way to the beach and wanted to check it out, but didn’t know what to expect. On this trip, downtown Mobile completely won me over.
Everything is walkable from the train station, which is key when you have little legs and limited patience:
Bienville Square was our first stop, just a 5-minute walk from the station. This gorgeous park was perfect for letting the girls burn off train energy. Huge oak trees providing shade, a beautiful fountain that mesmerized Eloise (she stood there for a solid 10 minutes just watching the water), benches for mom to catch her breath, and safe open space for running and chasing the squirrels. It’s beautifully maintained and felt really welcoming. We spent about 30 minutes here just decompressing and letting the girls play.
History Museum of Mobile was our main destination, and the Colonial Discovery Room was absolutely perfect for the girls. This interactive exhibit lets kids experience early Mobile history hands-on, and I mean HANDS-ON. Sandy got to dress up in replica Colonial clothing (she chose a fancy dress and felt like a princess), try weaving a basket on a frame, and learn to tie sailing knots. Eloise was obsessed with the real African drum, she banged on it for a solid 10 minutes while other kids waited their turn (oops).
The history museum also housed the Visit Mobile welcome center and the staff was incredibly warm and patient with the girls, giving them Amtrak coloring books, Moon Pies made famous in Mobile and Mardi Gras Beads! The museum is air-conditioned, educational, and perfectly designed for kids with short attention spans who need to touch everything. I can’t recommend it enough. We easily spent two hours here, and the girls didn’t want to leave.
Fort Condé was our next adventure. It’s a reconstructed French colonial fort right in downtown Mobile and was SO cool. Sandy was fascinated by the cannons and the fort walls, asking a million questions about who lived there and why they needed a fort. We walked through the rooms, looked at the exhibits, and the girls loved exploring the different levels. It’s the kind of place where history comes alive, especially after they’d just dressed up in Colonial clothing at the museum.
Fair warning: We had hoped to visit the Explorium Children’s Museum too, but it was closed on Sunday. Note to self (and to you!): if you’re planning a Sunday trip, the Explorium won’t be an option.
Lunch on Dauphin Street: After the museum, we strolled down charming Dauphin Street lined with local shops, restaurants, and beautiful historic buildings. Sandy was fascinated by the architecture (she kept asking if it was a castle). We grabbed lunch at a local spot with great food options, though the girls mainly ate ramekins of cheese.
The whole downtown area felt safe, clean, and genuinely family-friendly. We never once needed a car or rideshare. Everything was right there, easy to navigate with kids. I was honestly impressed.
The Other Stops on the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service: Worth Exploring Next Time
The ride was arguably the best part, each town we passed I wanted to stop at. The Mardi Gras Service stops at several Mississippi Gulf Coast towns that look perfect for different adventures:
Bay St. Louis looks adorable and artsy, perfect for a morning beach trip and lunch. I’m picturing Sandy collecting shells while Eloise eats sand (she’s two, it’s inevitable).
Gulfport has the Mississippi Aquarium, which is basically toddler heaven. Fish! Otters! Things that swim! I’m 100% doing this next. There are SO many things to do with kids here.
Biloxi might be a bit more grown-up with the casinos, but there are beaches and apparently an awesome maritime museum. Maybe when the girls are slightly older and less likely to wander off. Or plan an adult girls trip to the coast to escape and unwind.
The Journey Home: Tired and Happy
By the time we boarded the evening train back to New Orleans, both girls were tired in that good, adventure-exhausted way. The golden hour light of the sun setting over the coastal scenery was breathtaking and I found myself gazing out the window in gratitude.
We had a full day of adventure. New experiences, quality time together, exploring a new city, and I wasn’t exhausted from driving or stressed about logistics. Just happy.
The Amtrak Mardi Gras Service train pulled into New Orleans just as the girls were getting sleepy. We put on their jammies for the Causeway ride home, and by bedtime, Sandy was already asking “When can we go on the train again, Mom?”
