CHICAGO to NEW ORLEANS ROUND TRIP

05mayAll Day11CHICAGO to NEW ORLEANS ROUND TRIPTimed to coincide with the annual New Orleans Heritage & Jazz Festival Event Organized ByDeep River Rail LLC

Event Details

Join private cars BERLIN and BLUE RIDGE CLUB (ex 1950 Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad blunt end sleeper lounge observation) for this once-in-a-lifetime seven-day scenic excursion from Chicago to New Orleans and return. Our trip is timed to coincide with the annual New Orleans Heritage & Jazz Festival. Our journey on the City of New Orleans takes you 900 miles through the heart of our nation’s musical heritage — from Chicago with its world-class Chicago Symphony Orchestra and still vibrant electric blues scene, to Beale Street in Memphis. Then, travel the history-laden musical crossroads of Mississippi to New Orleans — the birthplace of jazz. You’ll be riding in the shadows of giants of American music like Louis Armstrong, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and Elvis Presley. Come ride with us and celebrate the route of the City of New Orleans, made famous by the Arlo Guthrie song. Only 8 rooms are being sold, so this will be an exclusive trip limited to only 16 passengers.

Day 1  Thursday, May 5, 2022

6:30 PM (Approx):   Amtrak train #59 with our private railcars Blue Ridge Club (800224) and Berlin (800255) are prepared to move from Amtrak’s 14th St. coach yard, to Chicago Union Station, 225 S. Canal St. Chicago, IL 60606

7:05 PM: (Approx):  Guests should already be at the beautiful and bustling Chicago Union Station, 225 S. Canal St. Chicago, IL 60606, where they can wait in the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge. Our onboard service manager will text our guests when our train arrives at the station. The Service Manager will meet our guests at the Metropolitan Lounge, then escort them and their luggage directly to our private cars, which should be located at the end of today’s Chicago, IL departing Amtrak Train #59, City of New Orleans. Upon boarding, after a review of the guest’s accommodations, amenities, and safety instructions, we invite all to enjoy a bon voyage toast of champagne or sparkling juice in the Blue Ridge Club lounge. 

8:05PM:  Depart:  Chicago on Amtrak Train #59, the City of New Orleans.

Evening:  Premium beverage and snack service continue in our lounge until 11 pm local time. And when you feel “it’s time”, retire to your private accommodation. Our first-class onboard staff transform the comfortable day room to its restful nighttime configuration.  

Night:  Occupy railcars overnight en-route.  Goodnight!

Day 2  Friday, May 6, 2022

6:30 AM:  Wake-up coffee available in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.

7:00-9:30 AM: (approx): Breakfast served on board, en-route in the Blue Ridge Club lounge. 

Morning:  Extra large windows in the Blue Ridge Club lounge enable you to drink in views of the passing scenery.

Noon-1:00 PM: (approx): Lunch served on board, en-route in the Blue Ridge Club lounge. 3:00 PM: (approx)

3:32 PM: Arrive: New Orleans.   At New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal 1001 Loyola Avenue New Orleans, LA 70133. Upon our arrival, Blue Ridge Club (800224) and Berlin (800255) will be cut off our arriving train. Our rail cars will be parked here until we depart from New Orleans on Tuesday, May 3, 2022.  

Opened in 1954 to consolidate the city’s passenger rail operations in one central facility, the station features a series of colorful murals depicting the history of Louisiana from the age of exploration through the mid-20th century. Photo by Infrogmation.

5:00 PM:  (approx): Dinner served on board in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.  Optional dinner on your own.

Evening:  Premium beverage and snack service continue in our lounge from 7:00 pm until 11:00 pm local time.

Night:  Occupy railcars overnight in the station.

Day 3 Saturday, May 7, 2022

6:30 AM:  Wake-up coffee available in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.

7:00-9:30 AM: (approx): Breakfast served on board, in the Blue Ridge Club lounge. 

Morning:  Free time to attend the New Orleans Heritage Jazz Festival 504-410-4100 www.nojazzfest.com, or explore New Orleans.

Lunch:  Lunch is on your own at one of the many fine New Orleans restaurants.

Afternoon:  More free time to attend the New Orleans Heritage Jazz Festival, or explore New Orleans.

Dinner:  Dinner is on your own at one of the many fine New Orleans restaurants.

Evening:  Premium beverage and snack service continue in our lounge from 7:00 pm until 11:00 pm local time.

Night:  Occupy railcars overnight in the station.

Day 4 Sunday, May 8, 2022

6:30 AM:  Wake-up coffee available in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.

7:00-9:30 AM: (approx): Breakfast served on board, in the Blue Ridge Club lounge. 

Morning:  Free time to attend the New Orleans Heritage Jazz Festival, or explore New Orleans.

Lunch:  Lunch is on your own at one of the many fine New Orleans restaurants.

Afternoon:  More free time to attend the New Orleans Heritage Jazz Festival, or explore New Orleans.

6:00 PM:  (approx): Dinner served on board in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.  Optional dinner on your own. 

Evening:  Premium beverage and snack service continue in our lounge from 7:00 pm until 11:00 pm local time.

Night:  Occupy railcars overnight in the station.

Day 5 Monday, May 9, 2022

6:30 AM:  Wake-up coffee available in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.

7:00-9:30 AM: (approx): Breakfast served on board, in the Blue Ridge Club lounge. 

Morning:  Free time to attend the National WW2 Museum
 www.nationalww2museum.org 9 am-5 pm, 945 Magazine Street New Orleans, LA 70130 ($36.50/adult), or explore New Orleans.

Lunch:  Lunch is on your own at one of the many fine New Orleans restaurants.

Afternoon:  More free time at the National WW2 Museum or explore New Orleans.

6:00 PM:  (approx): Dinner served on board in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.  Optional dinner on your own. 

Evening:  Premium beverage and snack service continue in our lounge from 7:00 pm until 11:00 pm local time.

Night:  Occupy railcars overnight in the station.

Day 6 Tuesday, May 10, 2022

6:30 AM:  Wake-up coffee available in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.

7:00-9:30 AM: (approx): Breakfast served on board, in the Blue Ridge Club lounge. 

Morning:  Free time to explore New Orleans, prepare for our return trip, or rest.

12:45 PM:  One hour before departure. All passengers should be on board.

12:45 PM – 1:45 PM: (approx):  Lunch is served on board in the Blue Ridge Club lounge. 

1:45 PM:  Depart: New Orleans, LA, on Amtrak #58 the “City of New Orleans”.  

Afternoon:  Premium beverage and snack service continue in the Blue Ridge Club lounge. 

6:00 – 7:00 PM: (approx): Dinner served on board, en-route in the Blue Ridge Club lounge. 

Evening:  Premium beverage and snack service continue in our lounge until 11 pm local time. And when you feel “it’s time”, retire to your private accommodation. Goodnight! 

Night:  Occupy railcars overnight en-route.

Day 7 Wednesday, May 11, 2022

6:30 AM:  Wake-up coffee available in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.

7:00-8:30 AM: (approx): Breakfast served on board, in the Blue Ridge Club lounge. 

8:30 AM:  Passengers to have Luggage Ready for Off Loading.

9:00 AM: Arrive: Chicago Union Station, 225 S. Canal St. Chicago, IL 60606. As our Amtrak train thunders into the cavernous confines of Chicago Union Station, the squeal of the brakes and the whooosssshhh of the air signal the end of this rail odyssey. Upon arrival at Chicago Union Station, our onboard staff will assist passengers and their overnight luggage detrain to pre-arranged ground transportation or hotel transfers.  This marks the end of onboard services. 

Time

may 5 (Thursday) - 11 (Wednesday)(GMT-05:00)

Location

(CHI) Chicago Union Station

225 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606

Amtrak Stations

(CHI) Chicago Union Station

Address:
225 South Canal Street
Chicago, IL 60606

Website: https://www.amtrak.com/stations/chi

(NOL) New Orleans

Address:
1001 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70113

Website: https://www.amtrak.com/stations/nol