Amtrak Vacations
Rhythms of Liberty: Philadelphia to New Orleans
11-day rail journey from Philadelphia to New Orleans via Washington and Atlanta
11 daysfrom $1,409
36% rail
Amtrak Vacations
Skyline to Soul: A Journey Through Culture
12-day rail journey from New York to New Orleans through the South
Amtrak Vacations runs this 12-day rail journey from New York City to New Orleans, using the Northeast Regional to Philadelphia and Washington, DC, then the Crescent on to Atlanta and New Orleans, with one night spent onboard an overnight train. The trip opens with two nights in New York, including a Greenwich Village food tour, before a day in Philadelphia taking in Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Washington, DC brings an evening tour of the illuminated National Mall and a day trip to Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria, then the overnight train carries travelers south to two days in Atlanta, covering the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. The final three nights are in New Orleans, with a French Quarter walking tour, a Mississippi River steamboat cruise, and a tour of Oak Alley Plantation. The mix of guided tours and free time suits travelers drawn to history and regional food.
What to know before you look closer
- The 29 listed hotels are accommodation options across price tiers and cities, not a fixed run of consecutive stays; the hotel you actually get depends on the tier and city option you choose.
- Only 1 meal, a dinner, is included across the 12-day trip; other meals are on your own.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: New York
Your Journey Begins in New York City
Arrive in New York City and check into your hotel for a two-night stay. Spend the evening exploring Central Park, Times Square, or enjoying skyline views from the Empire State Building.
- Day 2overnight: New York
New York City
Enjoy a food tour in Greenwich Village today. Sample local specialties, sip craft drinks, and learn about the neighborhood's rich history. Spend the remainder of the day exploring on your own.
- Day 3railovernight: Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Travel by rail to Philadelphia. After checking into your hotel, explore Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, or the city's vibrant museums and public art scene.
- Day 4overnight: Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Board Amtrak® and continue to Washington, DC. This evening, enjoy a guided tour of the National Mall when its monuments are beautifully lit.
- Day 5overnight: Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Take an included day trip to Mount Vernon, George Washington's iconic estate, and stroll through the historic streets of Old Town Alexandria.
- Day 6railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board your overnight train and enjoy a relaxing journey through the heart of the South.
- Day 7overnight: Atlanta
Atlanta
Arrive in Atlanta and check in to your hotel for a two-night stay. Spend the day exploring at your leisure, visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, Sweet Auburn, or try Southern specialties at a local favorite.
- Day 8overnight: Atlanta
Atlanta
A number of interesting sites await you today. Learn about the history of the Civil Rights Movement at National Center for Civil and Human Rights. For a different angle on an American classic, pop by the World of Coca Cola to learn more about a taste as American as apple pie!
- Day 9railovernight: New Orleans
New Orleans
Travel by train to New Orleans. Upon arrival, check into your hotel for a three-night stay and begin soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of this iconic city.
- Day 10overnight: New Orleans
New Orleans
Take a walking tour through the French Quarter and the unique character of New Orleans. Cruise the Mississippi River on an included steamboat experience. Tonight, enjoy a delicious Creole dinner at Tujague's Restaurant, one of the Crescent City's oldest and most classic dining establishments.
- Day 11overnight: New Orleans
New Orleans
Venture outside the city on a tour of Oak Alley Plantation. Walk under its famous oak-lined avenue and learn about Louisiana's plantation history.
- Day 12
Your Journey Ends in New Orleans
Check out of your hotel and continue your travels.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2Take a food tour of Greenwich Village, sampling local specialties and craft drinks while learning the neighborhood's history.
- Day 4Take a guided tour of the National Mall in the evening, when its monuments are lit up.
- Day 6Spend the night onboard an overnight Amtrak train, traveling through the heart of the South.
- Day 10Walk the French Quarter, cruise the Mississippi River on the included steamboat experience, and have a Creole dinner at Tujague's Restaurant.
- Day 11Tour Oak Alley Plantation and walk its famous oak-lined avenue while learning about Louisiana's plantation history.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations: New York to Philadelphia and Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. on the Northeast Regional; Washington, D.C. to Atlanta and Atlanta to New Orleans on the Crescent
- 10 nights' hotel accommodations
- 1 night onboard Amtrak (overnight train)
- 1 meal included (1 dinner)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. One-way Amtrak Coach travel is included: New York to Philadelphia and Philadelphia to Washington, DC on the Northeast Regional, then Washington, DC to Atlanta and Atlanta to New Orleans on the Crescent, including one overnight train night.
- Which trains are used?
- The Northeast Regional between New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC, and the Crescent between Washington, DC, Atlanta, and New Orleans.
- Is there an overnight train?
- Yes. Day 6 is spent overnight onboard Amtrak, traveling through the heart of the South toward Atlanta.
- What hotels are used?
- The package offers 29 accommodation options across tiers and cities, including the WOW InterContinental New York Times Square, Conrad New York Downtown, Waldorf Astoria New York, DoubleTree by Hilton New York Midtown Fifth Ave, DoubleTree by Hilton New York Times Square West, Hilton New York Times Square, The Logan Philadelphia Curio Collection by Hilton, and Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center City.
- How many meals are included?
- One meal, a dinner, is included across the 12-day trip.
- What are the main included highlights?
- A culinary tour of New York City, the Monuments by Moonlight tour, a sightseeing tour of Mount Vernon and Alexandria, an Atlanta CityPASS covering the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and Zoo Atlanta, a choice of 2 Atlanta museum or attraction admissions, a Steamboat Natchez cruise, a sightseeing tour of Oak Alley Plantation, and a dinner at a local restaurant.
