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We are planning an American Queen Steamboat trip from Memphis to New Orleans. We plan on taking Amtrak from Chicago - Memphis at the beginning of the River Boat trip and then, returning on Amtrak from New Orleans to Chicago. Does anyone have experience, suggestions or advice for the Amtrak portion connecting to Memphis and then to New Orleans for the return and related hotels? Thanks!
palmland Member # 4344
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Sounds like a great trip. I hope you will give us a report on both the rail and river portions of your trip. Here is a link to a recent topic we had that discussed New Orleans. I'm sure your cruise line can help with connections to/from Amtrak, but we've found Uber worked well in New Orleans. And of course in Memphis, the Peabody hotel is an institution.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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Only thing I can suggest is staying at least one night in each of Memphis and New Orleans. A late train or boat really messes up your plans, and both cities are great for a visit!
Now, this was 10 years ago, but when I arrived at Memphis there were no taxis. Fortunately, where I had to go wasn't far, and it seemed a reasonably safe area with some restaurants and businesses around. Again, that was 10 years ago so take that information with a large dose of salt.
Sounds like you'll have a great trip!
George Harris Member # 2077
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If you are off the southbound CNO, it probably is a relatively safe area due to the time of day as the predatory element has found their prey and is sleeping off the results. Northbound, late evening, do not wander at all. Take a taxi out of Central Station if it is more than directly across the street.
Memphis downtown is built on the river bluff. These are the Chickasaw Bluffs, named for the Chickasaw Indian tribe. Their occupancy is the same as the rationale behind the current city being settled there. It is the only stable location along the River that is habitable for miles in either direction. In fact, it was the only part that was stable period for miles in either direction. Also, being on the bluff the land elevation was sufficient to prevent flooding, a problem for any other place close to the river.
Coming in from the north it should be early morning arriving in Memphis. In the couple of miles just north of the station you will be running along the Bluff, first along the lower part, then climbing and going out of sight of the River. The river will be on the west side, right hand going south. At the first part of this section you will be looking across at Mud Island. (That is worth a visit if you have the time.) As you pass the south end of the island you will be able to see the main river. Look toward the south and you will be seeing multiple bridges across the river that are closely adjacent to each other.
Quick geography lesson: The Mississippi is divided into two main portions, the Upper River,above Cairo IL and the Lower River below that point. The character of these two segments is very different. The Lower River water volume is roughly three times that of the Upper River due to the contribution of the Ohio River. The Lower River channel position is much less stable. The first bridge across the Lower River was built at Memphis for the same reason the city itself was settled. The channel was stable at that point and the elevation was high enough that a long approach was necessary on only one side.
The trio of closely adjacent bridges consist of two railroad bridges and one highway bridge. The northernmost bride is two tracks, opened in about 1915 and owned by Union Pacific. The center bridge is one track, opened in 1892, and owned by BNSF. The southernmost of the three is a four lane highway bridge opened in 1950.
That center bridge was the first bridge across the Lower River, and until 1930 the southernmost bridge across the river anywhere. As originally opened it was planked level with the top of rail so that it could be used by wagons between trains. That operation lasted until the second bridge was opened, as that bridge was built with a roadway cantilevered out from the truss on both sides.
Sightseeing: That I may add more later, but for now I have to go.
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