From New Orleans, the stops arrive in this order: Bay Saint Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, Pascagoula and Mobile. Starting in Mobile? Read the list in reverse.
Can I take the Mardi Gras Service from New Orleans and explore a stop by bicycle?
Yes, with a qualifying folding bicycle and a plan built around the live train schedule. The fun is that these are not five versions of the same ride. One stop is an easygoing art town, another puts an aquarium near the waterfront, and Mobile can fill a day with architecture and history.
Five stops, five different kinds of day
If you want a gentle introduction, Bay Saint Louis is the natural first choice. Gulfport adds a working harbor and the Mississippi Aquarium. Biloxi feels busier and more urban, with the lighthouse, seafood history and a long beach corridor. Pascagoula is quieter and proudly local. Mobile is the biggest day, with a riverfront, museums and historic neighborhoods.
| Destination | Why go | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Bay Saint Louis | Old Town galleries, coffee and an easy beach spin. | Beach traffic, wind, limited shade and an optional bridge extension. |
| Gulfport | Harbor views, Jones Park, downtown murals and the Mississippi Aquarium. | Busy intersections and highway approaches between downtown and the shore. |
| Biloxi | The lighthouse, beach, seafood history and a livelier waterfront. | Casino entrances, driveways and multi-lane traffic call for confident riding. |
| Pascagoula | Local murals, the Round Island Lighthouse and a quieter waterfront outing. | Rail crossings, industrial traffic and gaps in bicycle facilities. |
| Mobile | Mardi Gras history, GulfQuest, downtown architecture and historic districts. | It is the most ambitious urban ride, so keep the return route simple. |
Make the train the spine of the day
Start with Amtrak's current route page and live timetable, then choose a ride you can shorten. Set a turnaround time before you leave the station. Heat, a museum visit, a headwind or a sudden Gulf Coast shower can use up a comfortable margin quickly.
For an easy first outing
Choose Bay Saint Louis. The depot, Old Town and beach make a satisfying loop without trying to cover an entire city.
For indoor and outdoor time
Gulfport pairs a waterfront ride with the Mississippi Aquarium, useful when everyone in the group does not want to pedal all day.
For the fullest history day
Mobile rewards extra time. Pick one museum or historic-district extension instead of racing through every landmark.
Need the folding bike?
BuZz NOLA rents Brompton A Line folding bikes for Amtrak trips departing from New Orleans. Pickup and return are at 223 Dauphine Street.
The folding-bike rule in plain English
Amtrak's current national FAQ permits a true folding bicycle under 34 by 15 by 48 inches in place of one carry-on item. Fold it before boarding and store it where the crew directs. Space, equipment conditions and crew instructions still apply. Read the complete RideTHISbike guide.
