Amtrak’s newest train route is the perfect winter adventure!

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According to one new reportAmtrak’s newest train route hit the jackpot.

Passing through some of the Gulf Coast’s most esteemed towns and lesser-known beach towns, travelers are embraced by quintessential Southern hospitality in some of the most underrated white-sand beaches and legendary capitals.

Many of America’s most popular train lines connect some of the coldest cities, especially those that many in the Northeast would call commuter trains.

However, the South offers one of the best railroad adventures America has seen in a while!

Earlier this year, we at Travel Off Path were excited to be among the first to unveil Amtrak Mardi Grasan exciting new journey that takes you from some of the United States’ most cultural destinations to up-and-coming coastal charmers.

Let’s unpack why Amtrak’s newest venture is perfect for a winter getaway:

Mild winters and coasts without an audience

If you’ve been paying attention to Travel Off Path at all, it’s no big news that one of the most unsuspecting of cities has become a tourism powerhouse.

It’s true that Mississippi became famous largely because of Amtrak Mardi Gras route, with stops at not one, not two, not three, but four stops along the underrated coastline.

The “Magnolia State” has stolen tourists from Florida for its winter sun and coastal charm, with beautiful daily temperatures averaging 65 degrees through March.

Even with Mississippi’s new prominence, you won’t find crowded beaches in the winter, even in the most famous resort town of Biloxi, packed with luxury hotels, casinos and gleaming white sand.

Instead, you can stop in some of the South’s most beautiful coastal hideaways, like Pascagoula, the birthplace of Jimmy Buffett, or Bay St. Louis, where you’ll find restored storefronts, live music, and a walkable waterfront that still feels local.

In total, Amtrak stops at these 4 Mississippi stations:

• St. Louis Bay
• Golf harbour
• Biloxi
• Pascagoula

Since it’s off-season, you can also score great deals! Biloxi is famous Golden Nugget hotel costs only $63 in January.

Explore some of America’s most cultural cities

Wherever you start your journey, the end point is Mobile, Alabama’s underrated capital, or New Orleans, Louisiana’s most popular city.

That is, if you don’t fall in love with Mississippi and opt for a longer stay…

For fun and giggles, let’s say you want to walk the full journey. You could say that Mobile and Gulfport are neck-and-neck for the most underrated cities on this route.

However, if you visit Gulfport long enough, you will eventually find your way to the beach.

Although, mobile? That’s not an option.

Located on a vast tidal bay, Mobile offers a different kind of waterfront with freighters and battleships instead of boardwalks and bikinis.

Not to mention that Mobile can throw Mardi Gras history in New Orleans’ face – it’s actually the birthplace of America’s Mardi Gras tradition.

Who would think so?

On the other side of the route, New Orleans can also be your starting point or ending point.

Of course, NOLA is the most sought-after destination of the bunch, so it’s probably easier to fly into New Orleans if you’re not from around these parts.

Famous for its sinfully delicious Cajun cuisine, European flair, and world-class 24/7 entertainment (for better or worse), New Orleans is perhaps America’s most culturally rich city, as there is truly never a dull moment in this melting pot of vibrant communities.

Like Mississippi, winter brings mild weather, so there’s no need to bundle up too much on Bourbon Street or Mobile’s lesser-known Dauphin Street.

For what it’s worth, the following dates are Mardi Gras shenanigans starting in both cities before 2026:

New Orleans: January 6 – February 17
Mobile: January 30 – February 17

And don’t forget to take the time to check out Mobile’s Carnival Museumshowcasing 300 years of Mardi Gras history – it’s fascinating!

The Mardi Gras Route Soars! Can you even get a seat?

With a passenger number of 46,000 passengers, even the best expectations have already been exceeded.

The good news is that Amtrak has added more seats during the NFL season. Unfortunately, the Saints are about as fun to watch as the paint dries from the porch swing.

Who Dee?! Dey no one this year….

But the beaches of coastal Mississippi and New Orleans still shine, and Mobile is still waiting to be explored.

Despite the almost immediate increase, Amtrak do have plenty of seating available for a winter adventure.

Say you’ve packed your beads for Mardi Gras, you can make the 3-hour, 43-minute trip from Mobile to N’Awlins for just $30 one way.

In summary, this is the complete Amtrak Mardi Gras route:

• New Orleans
• St. Louis Bay
• Golf harbour
• Biloxi
• Pascagoula
• Mobile

This is what you can expect on board:

• No middle seats
• Free WiFi
• Spacious legroom
• Adjustable seats
• Café service (both Coach And Company class)

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.