The Best Train Routes to the South

Trains are just as important to Southern culture as sweet tea and barbecue—think of all those country songs about hearing that lonesome whistle blow. Traveling by train in the South allows you to soak up the slower pace of the region, and visit small towns that would be difficult to reach via plane.

It’s the perfect time to visit the South via rail. Brightline, a new train company in Florida, has launched. Amtrak, after a long hiatus of decades, will soon reconnect its route between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans, Louisiana. There are several other high-speed railway projects in the pipeline.

These are the best seven train routes in the South.

Amtrak Cardinal

• From: Cincinnati, Ohio – Washington, D.C.

Amtrak’s Cardinal route Three days a weeks, the Northeast connects Chicago with New York. The curves are also followed. America’s oldest riversIt passes through small towns.

On this route you will pass through Maysville in Kentucky. It is a town that has a long history of bourbon. Distillers shipped their product via the Ohio River. Enjoy the spirits produced by the third oldest distillery in the state. Old Pogue.

Prince, West Virginia is also considered to be one of the gateway cities of New River Gorge National Park and PreserveThe Appalachian Mountains are home to more than 70,000 acres of pristine scenery. You can visit the Thomas Jefferson founded University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. Edgar Allan Poe’s dorm room You can also read about the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection.

Amtrak Carolinian

• From: Rocky Mount to Charlotte, North Carolina

Amtrak has two lines that serve the Piedmont region of North Carolina. This is the area between the Atlantic Ocean (the coast) and the Appalachian Mountains. There’s also the CarolinianStarts in New York and ends at the Piedmont, which originates in Raleigh—both end in Charlotte and run daily. They’re both a great option to see a lot of cities in the state within a short time.

Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and has many museums that cover arts, history, and culture. It also boasts several James Beard nominated restaurants. Explore the International Civil Rights Center & Museum The Woolworth’s counter in Greensboro was the scene of a long-running sit-in. Charlotte, home of the high-octane Nascar Hall of Fame. If you like beer, the two trains can also be used for a “ale trailEnjoy craft beer while you hop between destinations on the “”.

Amtrak City New Orleans

• From: Memphis, Tennessee to New Orleans Louisiana

You can also find out more about the following: City of New Orleans This is the best way to explore some of America’s most significant music destinations. It follows the same undulating routes along the Mississippi that river cruises do and passes by rural towns with a deep connection to America’s musical heritage. There are daily trains from Chicago but I would recommend beginning your journey at the Home of the Blues.

Spend the night at the Central Station Hotel located above Memphis Central Station to get the most out of your trip. Beale Street, legendary music venues such as B.B. King’s Blues Club and the Tin Roof are all within walking distance. King’s Blues Club, and the Tin Roof. Then, you’ll enjoy a leisurely ride through the iconic rural landscapes of Mississippi Delta. 

You can see the brick depot at Greenwood in Mississippi. immortalized in a Little Richard song Robert Johnson’s gravestones are three. The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum Jackson, Mississippi has a museum that is dedicated to the American Civil Rights Movement, between 1945 and 1970. Finish your journey at New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal. It’s a short ride from Frenchmen Street jazz clubs.

Amtrak Silver Meteor/Palmetto

• From: Washington, D.C. – Jacksonville, Florida

If you are looking for classic Southern cities, then the Silver Meteor/Palmetto Can’t be beaten. It takes around 14 hours to run from New York City southwards of the Mason-Dixon Line.

The journey begins at historic Union Station in D.C., and a few hours later in Richmond, Virginia, you can disembark to see the world’s largest collection of Fabergé eggs at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Enjoy the fun of Shockoe Bottom, Carytown and other neighborhoods. 

This route goes through Charleston, South CarolinaI recommend wandering through the historic streets of downtown. I would recommend wandering the historic Charleston City MarketFind locally-made items, such as sweetgrass woven baskets. 

Historic homes in Savannah, Georgia are popular, such as the former residences and Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low. Jacksonville, Florida will be your last stop. Enjoy a beach day that you’ve earned.

Amtrak Sunset Limited

• From: Beaumont, Texas and El Paso, Texas

The Texas route is no exception. The Sunset Limited It takes a full day to cross the country between New Orleans and Los Angeles.

The journey begins in the former Texas oil boomtown of Beaumont, located near the Louisiana border—every spring, the city puts on its own Mardi Gras festivities. Fill up on Vietnamese and barbecue food in Houston. After San Antonio you will have a chance to see the Alamo as well as the Pearl District. This is an area of shopping and restaurants located in the former Lone Star Beer brewery.

This route’s most spectacular part is the stretch that passes through West Texas, with its vast deserts and huge skies. The train does not pass through MarfaYou can explore the quirky town of Alpine, or rent a vehicle to hike through. Big Bend National Park. El Paso has some of the state’s best Tex-Mex.

Brightline

• From: West Palm Beach, Florida to Miami

The following is a list of the most recent and relevant articles. Brightline When it was first launched in 2018, the system created a buzz. The system, which runs from Miami to Orlando with plans to extend to Tampa in the future, provided an alternative to Florida Turnpike’s jammed-packed roads.

You’ll see stunning Florida coasts, as well as the old US-41, which runs through Pompano Beach. Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood. You’ll be in Miami’s historic Overtown district, just minutes from the downtown museums and restaurants. 

Perks for Brightline travelers include a free carry-on bag and Wi-Fi—it’s become especially popular among those going to sporting events or traveling between airports. 

SunRail

• From: DeLand, Florida – Poinciana (Florida)

Brightline is not the only option available to Florida visitors. SunRail This line, which connects DeLand in north Florida to the Orlando metropolitan area in the south, has been operating since 2014.

SunRail’s passengers tend to be commuters, or regional travelers. As a result, the experience onboard is relatively minimal. The entire journey is about two hours long. Be sure to check out the manatees in the waters before you board your DeLand train. Blue Springs State Park.

Down south, you can find old Florida charm in Winter Park—if you’re adventurous, the canals here are a perfect place to kayak. You can get off at Poinciana which is about 20 miles away. Walt Disney World Resort.