First Train Ride , TripAdvice

[lamboruns]

I am planning a trip to Houston from Arkansas for late Feb. I decided I wanted an adventure (as I will be traveling alone 28 male). I am taking the Texas Eagle from Little Rock on friday night 2339 arriving in Chicago 1352 saturday. I will see the sites of chicago for a few hours and then board the City of New ORleans at 2000 and arriving in NOL 1532 on sunday. I will see the site of NOLA (never been!) and of couse hit bourbon st . I will get a room and then take the Sunset Limited from NOL to Houston monday at noon arriving at around 2100.

I will Return to Little Rock via a 59$ Southwest airline fare.

I thought this to be an economical way for me to visit two cities (Chicago and NOLA) that i have never been to before.

Questions: WHat are the must see's in Chicago on my 6 hour layover? Good places to eat and see etc..

Is this too long of a trip for a newbie?

What are must bring alongs?

Where is a good place to stay in NOLA thats close to Amtrak station and Bourbon st.

And just thoughts in general....

Thanks

 

[roomette]

The river boat Architecture tour is a great inexpensive way to see the city! Don't know if it runs in February.

 

[RailFanLNK]

I doubt there will be any Riverboat tours in Feburary, if so, the poster will be freezing his/her **** off! :lol:

1. Giordano's Pizza on W. Jackson literally 3 blocks from CUS.

2. The Magnificent Mile less than a mile from CUS.

3. Sears (Willis) Tower across the street from CUS, lots of security though. Very close

resemblence to an airport.

4. John Hancock Tower. Further away but cheaper! Better views in my opinion.

5. Do you like Blues music/history? Blues Heaven at 2120 S. Michigan Ave, you must call

ahead for a tour. Cheap...like $10 or so.

6. Garretts Popcorn, get some for the trip home!

7. Don't know if they will be up and running but a Segway Tour would be fun!

This is my advice on Chicago.

 

[lamboruns]

Also I saw that i could get a roomette from Chi to Nola for 94$ is this a great value? or should I go couch and maybe luck into a better deal?

 

[Pastor Dave]

$94 sounds like a pretty good deal.

 

[Ispolkom]

I doubt there will be any Riverboat tours in Feburary, if so, the poster will be freezing his/her **** off! :lol:

1. Giordano's Pizza on W. Jackson literally 3 blocks from CUS.

2. The Magnificent Mile less than a mile from CUS.

3. Sears (Willis) Tower across the street from CUS, lots of security though. Very close

resemblence to an airport.

4. John Hancock Tower. Further away but cheaper! Better views in my opinion.

5. Do you like Blues music/history? Blues Heaven at 2120 S. Michigan Ave, you must call

ahead for a tour. Cheap...like $10 or so.

6. Garretts Popcorn, get some for the trip home!

7. Don't know if they will be up and running but a Segway Tour would be fun!

This is my advice on Chicago.

On the same block as Giordano's is Luke's, which serves excellent Italian beefs and Chicago-style hot dogs, two other Chicago culinary triumphs. As far as culture goes, the Chicago Art Institute (Impressionist collection) and the Field Museum of Natural History (Sue, the largest T-rex specimen) are well worth visits.

But Garretts. Oh yeah. Got to get a bag of Mix at Garretts.

In New Orleans, on a recent trip we were blown away by food at Napoleon's House (yes, it's that old) and Mother's. The World War II museum is also well-worth a visit.

Oh, and you're not going to get cheaper than $94 for a Chicago-New Orleans roomette. I'd buy it now.

 

[AlanB]

Oh, and you're not going to get cheaper than $94 for a Chicago-New Orleans roomette. I'd buy it now.

Agreed, $94 is the low bucket fare for that run. The price will never go lower; but it will almost likely go higher if you wait too long.

I would jump on that, as you'll get 3 free meals, a place to lay down and sleep for the night, and perhaps most important you'll gain access to the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago to wait for the train. This will give you a place to leave your luggage for free, other than a tip to the redcap, while you explore Chicago.

 

[lamboruns]

I missed the low bucket fare.. it shot up to 153 when i logged back on. As a student on a budget (this is a budget short vacay for me) I will sleep coach. If an cheap upgrade is availible I will get it when i board (if i dislike coach, traveling coach from LRK to CHI)

I am bringing a hidden stash of nightcap booze so i should sleep great where ever!

 

[Misty.]

If you like cheese popcorn, I'd be more inclined to recommend Nuts on Clark, upstairs in the food court of CUS. A note though if you go there - they only accept cash.

 

[Bob Dylan]

:hi: Nice trip, the trains are superliners so coach wont be that bad, take a light blanket, a travel pillow, if you are a light sleeper perhaps ear plugs and a sleep mask.

Very comfortable reclining seats, similar to first class airline without the armrest, plenty of room downstairs in the luggage rack, overhead and below your seat for you luggage/stuff. $94 was Outstanding for a sleeper, snag it if it shows up before you go, check daily, dont print your tickets till time to leave!

The diner on the Eagle and the City are CCCs (Cross Country Cafe), pretty good food, breakfast and luch are bargains, dinner can be pricey! Take plenty of snackks/water etc, can even take a cooler, the cafe car sells pricey snacks/drinks etc.

CHI-visit the Sears Tower (Willis Tower now, two blocks across the River towards the Lake from Union Station, theres an upstairs food court, Gold Coast Dogs are pretty good, other stuff is Mall quality! Lots of great places around as others said but the weather probably will be cold, Chicago can get VERY Cold when the wind blows in the winter!

New Orleans, the Algiers Ferry is free, roundtrip, you can buy a day pass for the trolleys (there are three) and busses, a real bargain, walking around the French Quarter is also fun, Cafe du Monde is famous,the Bourbon Street joints are basically overpriced/touristy,loud suckert spots, go where the locals and those in the know go to eat/drink/music etc. Google up hotels, info, lots of good stuff our there on new Orleans, we can provide answers if you ask, Ive been there five times in the past year, plenty of locals also (jay hadley is an info gold mine, others too on New Orleans, lots of Chicago info also!) Im envious and Ive been hundreds of times on the Eagle and about 50 on the City! Jim

 

[lamboruns]

Thanks for the great info!!! I travel extremely light (one military backpack)

I was planning on taking my own grub : sandwiches, canned food, water...When i was in iraq we would get campbells chunky soup..drain the juice and eat like a casserole. This is a good option especially with the fully loaded line (lots more protien).

reading the trip reports on this site was the inspiration for this trip, thanks guys!

 

[Dovecote]

I missed the low bucket fare.. it shot up to 153 when i logged back on. As a student on a budget (this is a budget short vacay for me) I will sleep coach. If an cheap upgrade is availible I will get it when i board (if i dislike coach, traveling coach from LRK to CHI)

I am bringing a hidden stash of nightcap booze so i should sleep great where ever!

Check the AmSnag website frequently for the possibility of getting the low bucket $94 roomette price. Someone canceling their trip could cause the roomette price to go back to the low bucket. As a matter of fact when I checked the AmSnag website at 10:35 AM the $94 roomette price was available of 2/19 and 2/26. If the price is available, quickly call Amtrak and ask them to add the roomette to your existing reserevation.

 

[had8ley]

I missed the low bucket fare.. it shot up to 153 when i logged back on. As a student on a budget (this is a budget short vacay for me) I will sleep coach. If an cheap upgrade is availible I will get it when i board (if i dislike coach, traveling coach from LRK to CHI)

I am bringing a hidden stash of nightcap booze so i should sleep great where ever!

Check the AmSnag website frequently for the possibility of getting the low bucket $94 roomette price. Someone canceling their trip could cause the roomette price to go back to the low bucket. As a matter of fact when I checked the AmSnag website at 10:35 AM the $94 roomette price was available of 2/19 and 2/26. If the price is available, quickly call Amtrak and ask them to add the roomette to your existing reserevation.

Great advice and an item many first timers miss out of not knowing.

 

[had8ley]

If you miss a low bucket room (and it's even worth a higher bucket for the three free meals and a hot cot and shower room) you can always spend a lot of time in the sightseer lounge or sometimes they use a Cross Country Cafe as the lounge. One word to the wise; when you back into NOUPT (New Orleans Union Passenger terminal) grab a cab at the front dor ASAP. It is NOT a place to hang around especially if the riff raff spot you as a tourist. There really is no other way to get away from the station unless you walk and want to see your name in the morning paper as having been mugged or worse yet. You must do Cafe Du Monde for beignets (French donuts) and cafe au lait (strong coffee tempered with scalded milk)~ you'll remember the powdered sugar all over you for some time to come.You'll also see the River front and Jackson Square while munching on your goodies. Try and ride the St. Charles street car (you can walk to it from the Cafe and see the French Quarters as you go) as you will see a lot of New Orleans history for a cheap fare. Also, the riverfront street car passes some interesting sights. Have a great trip but as we say in South Louisiana, "Don't take any fish heads." You seem old enough to take care of yourself. BTW, it has been heard lately that Priceline, name your own price, is selling three star rooms near The French Quarters for under $50~ might want to give it a shot; don't try for a two star hotel as some of them have room occupants other than you (varmits) :hi:

 

[lamboruns]

If you miss a low bucket room (and it's even worth a higher bucket for the three free meals and a hot cot and shower room) you can always spend a lot of time in the sightseer lounge or sometimes they use a Cross Country Cafe as the lounge. One word to the wise; when you back into NOUPT (New Orleans Union Passenger terminal) grab a cab at the front dor ASAP. It is NOT a place to hang around especially if the riff raff spot you as a tourist. There really is no other way to get away from the station unless you walk and want to see your name in the morning paper as having been mugged or worse yet. You must do Cafe Du Monde for beignets (French donuts) and cafe au lait (strong coffee tempered with scalded milk)~ you'll remember the powdered sugar all over you for some time to come.You'll also see the River front and Jackson Square while munching on your goodies. Try and ride the St. Charles street car (you can walk to it from the Cafe and see the French Quarters as you go) as you will see a lot of New Orleans history for a cheap fare. Also, the riverfront street car passes some interesting sights. Have a great trip but as we say in South Louisiana, "Don't take any fish heads." You seem old enough to take care of yourself. BTW, it has been heard lately that Priceline, name your own price, is selling three star rooms near The French Quarters for under $50~ might want to give it a shot; don't try for a two star hotel as some of them have room occupants other than you (varmits) :hi:

Thanks for the NOLA advice, will travel light with my army backpack with a good folding knife ( I am from arkansas!) and an 6 cell maglight ( a must)

getting into the station around 3pm I think. I usually use Hotwire.com to book rooms, but will most def check priceline. Will it help that I am staying on a sunday night? isnt that typically a slow Hotel night or am i mistaken??

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

I do say lamboruns is catching on FAST as he already realizes the best track between LTR and HOU is a circle through Chicago and New Orleans :lol:

 

[lamboruns]

Haha I really just wanted to see Chicago and party in NO!

 

[lamboruns]

Itinerary update: Going to take Southwest Airlines from NOL to HOS..fare is ten dollars more (49$!!) but i can spend 7 more hours sight seeing in NOL and still get to Houston 1.5 hours earlier.

I think this gives me more sight seeing bank for my buck.

 

[the_traveler]

will travel light with my army backpack with a good folding knife ( I am from arkansas!)

If you are going to fly back, unless you check your bag, I very muck doubt that TSA will allow you to carry a folding knife on board the plane!

 

[lamboruns]

Ahead of ya....(USPS Flat rate box!)

 

[abcnews]

I would recommend the original Pizzeria Uno in Chicago from the 1950s. It's very good, and the real deal. It's about a mile north of the station - close to Michigan Ave.

 

[caravanman]

Hi,

As a foreign tourist, it is interesting to me that the public carry "good folding knives" on the trains.. Is there a maximum size permitted? Do you have to be a certain age, or can teenagers carry those items? Is there any difference with

carrying a fixed, non folding knife?

Ed

 

[GG-1]

Aloha

Southwest checks bags, N/C

 

[lamboruns]

caravan...I have no idea. I am sure it varies from town to town and state to state...Mine has a belt clip and i keep it clipped inside me jeans when I travel.

Im not exactly one to follow the rule of law line by line. I think protecting myself and those around me is more Important. imho

 

[caravanman]

Hi,

As you can imagine, most tourists like to avoid trouble.. I am just concerned that I may be the only person aboard a Amtrak train without a concealed knife? I would like to go with the flow, so is it recommended that everyone brings a knife to protect themselves?

Ed