Hey everybody! We returned from our train/cruise trip to and from Florida a few weeks ago (sorry, haven't posted a trip report yet!) and are now happily planning another one. This summer we hope to travel to New Orleans and take a cruise from there. We hope to take our sons this time, ages 20 and 23 and turn them on to Amtrak! We would probably drive to Champaign-Urbana (about a 6 hour drive for us) and leave our car and catch the train there. It just seems to make more sense (time and money-wise) than driving 3+ hours to Galesburg,and then to Chicago, when we could drive a few more hours and catch the train a little further south.
Questions:
Anyone familiar with the CHM station...is there safe (free?) parking there?
Tell me everything about the trip south on the CONO...experiences, scenery, etc. It's a Superliner, right?
Never been to NOL before...would probably plan to arrive a day ahead of the cruise with some time to sight-see...what are the "don't miss" things to see and do?
Thanks!
Cindy
Yes, CONO is Superliner, and when I went in January they had the stupendous CCC. (I'm not a fan) The scenery is OK most of the way, especially coming into New Orleans.
Plan on SEVERAL days ahead in New Orleans if you can. You can't even begin to see the city in only a day. The street cars offer a nice diversion if you like that kind of thing, and remember that Bourbon Street is NOT the only part of the French Quarter! In fact, wander the streets of ALL of the French Quarter, and take in a private or shared "buggy ride". Most of the drivers are pretty outgoing, and informative.
If you like Swamp Buggy Rides, a 30-45 minute drive or shuttle will get you several choices there. Not specifically "New Orleans" per say, but fun nonetheless.
Cafe de Monde Cafe du Monde is worth a walk/trip if you are staying downtown. Superbowl gives tours if that floats your boat, of course they have casinos, and riverboat casinos, and regular riverboat rides. Wax Museum, and other "types" of touristy stuff abound too.
Music is king, and if you like Jazz, then check out the
Preservation Hall Jazz For a grin, you can always check out
he's on Bourbon Street.....hehe
Food is also king, and I fell in love (again) with the
Muffaletta sandwich.
One note, if you stay in a hotel ON Bourbon Street, get the highest floor you can. The hotel I was in, Astor Crown Plaza, actually had ear plugs in the room as part of the amenity package. I was lucky, was on the 14th(?) floor, didn't hear much. Compadres I was with, who stayed 4, 5, 6, DID hear it!
Also, if any of the street "entertainers" grab your attention, and inform you that "they can tell you EXACTLY where you got your shoes at..........." Just 'tell 'em that you bet that you can tell them "you know the last thing they take off B4 they go to bed at night........." ANSWERS BELOW
Or just go with the flow, and give them a buck for the entertainment. :lol:
You got your shoes "ON your feet, ON Bourbon Street, IN New Orleans"
The last thing you take off B4 u go to bed is "you take your feet off the floor"
There are many, many more, sometimes worth the buck..........