A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Canberra vs. New Orleans for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Canberra or New Orleans?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Canberra or New Orleans? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Canberra

Canberra is a under-rated, cultural, and diverse city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a energetic, fun-filled, and festive city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and nightlife.

Canberra and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Canberra or New Orleans?

Tourists will generally find more to do in New Orleans than Canberra. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. New Orleans is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere, while Canberra attracts visitors for its museums, hiking, and shopping. New Orleans is more touristy than Canberra and is known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also well known for The French Quarter. Canberra is famous for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves.

The French Quarter

How is Canberra different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between New Orleans and Canberra. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Canberra or New Orleans?

Canberra is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Canberra. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Canberra or New Orleans? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New Orleans is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, New Orleans is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

Dining out in Canberra is an experience not to be missed. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

Is Canberra or New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

New Orleans is a must-see party destination. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

Canberra has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Is Canberra or New Orleans Better for Music?

New Orleans is terrific for its live music scene. However, Canberra is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in New Orleans. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Canberra is not a live music destination.

Is Canberra or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Canberra does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Canberra does not have a historic old town.

Is Canberra or New Orleans Better for Hiking?

Canberra is a city with good options for its hiking trails. However, New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Canberra. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Canberra or New Orleans?

Canberra is a city with good options for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Canberra. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is Canberra or New Orleans Better for Families?

Canberra is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Canberra is a very family-friendly destination. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is Canberra or New Orleans Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Canberra and New Orleans make for a nice place to visit.

Canberra makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

New Orleans is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

Is Canberra or New Orleans Better for Students?

Canberra is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Canberra. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

New Orleans is popular with students. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Is Canberra or New Orleans Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Canberra is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its public transit.

Canberra has some public transit options. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Public transit is generally limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Is Canberra or New Orleans a more walkable city?

Canberra and New Orleans are nice when it comes to walkability.

Canberra is a somewhat walkable place. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable city. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

For even more information, also check out Is Canberra Worth Visiting? and Is New Orleans Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Canberra?

How long in Canberra or New Orleans?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Canberra and New Orleans. In our opinion, Canberra has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Canberra than New Orleans. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Canberra than New Orleans. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Canberra, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Canberra than New Orleans if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Canberra.

One day in Canberra or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Canberra. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The city of New Orleans offers nightlife and live music. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Canberra or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the diverse destination of Canberra. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

New Orleans is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in New Orleans, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Canberra or New Orleans?

The cultural city of Canberra offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

New Orleans is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Canberra or New Orleans?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Canberra. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

New Orleans is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in Australia, The Best Eco Tours in Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Canberra and New Orleans, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. And not only is Canberra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Canberra is in Pacific and New Orleans is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Canberra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Canberra and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans than you might in Canberra.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Canberra Expensive? and Is New Orleans Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Canberra or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 48% larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Canberra and New Orleans, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Canberra or New Orleans?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Canberra is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but New Orleans has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Canberra or New Orleans in the Summer?

Both New Orleans and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Canberra in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In January, Canberra is generally cooler than New Orleansin July. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 20°C (68°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In January, Canberra usually receives less rain than New Orleansin July. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Canberra or New Orleans in the Autumn?

Both New Orleans and Canberra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Canberra for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Canberra is cooler than New Orleans in the autumn. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and New Orleans fluctuates around 69°F (21°C)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Canberra. Canberra usually gets more rain in April than New Orleansin October. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Canberra or New Orleans in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and New Orleans. The winter months attract visitors to Canberra because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.

In the winter, Canberra is around the same temperature as New Orleans. Typically, the winter temperatures in Canberra in July average around 11°C (52°F), and New Orleans averages at about 51°F (11°C)in January.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Canberra usually receives less rain than New Orleansin January. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Canberra or New Orleans in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Canberra as well as New Orleans. The activities around the city are the main draw to Canberra this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New Orleans for the activities around the city.

In October, Canberra is generally cooler than New Orleansin April. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 15°C (60°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Canberra usually gets less rain in October than New Orleansin April. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Canberra