A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Key West vs. New Orleans for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Key West or New Orleans?

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

Should I visit Key West 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.

Key West

Key West is a active, lively, and quaint town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a vibrant, energetic, and fun-filled 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. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and nightlife.

Key West and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Key West or New Orleans?

Travelers will usually find more to do in New Orleans. Although Key West and New Orleans are popular destinations, New Orleans has more sights and attractions for tourists. New Orleans is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Key West attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Key West is famous for its festive nightlife, quirky town center, colorful personality, adrenaline-filled watersports, stunning beaches, turquoise water, and location at the southernmost point of the continental U.S. New Orleans is famous for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also well known for The French Quarter.

The French Quarter

How is Key West different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

New Orleans is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Key West is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Key West is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Head to town for local restaurants with quirky atmospheres. There are many local dishes to sample, be the town is most known for its stone crabs, conch fritters, and Mahi Mahi sandwiches. You'll also find cold drinks and waterfront dining areas.

Is Key West or New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Key West is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

New Orleans is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Key West has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. This area has some of the most lively nightlife in the Florida Keys. There are quirky bars and fun hangouts where you can spend the evening. The party starts at Mallory Square around sunset and many bars stay open well into the early hours. You can also enjoy sunset cruises or pass your time at one of the many tiki bars.

Is Key West or New Orleans Better for Music?

New Orleans is renowned for its live music scene. However, Key West is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone 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.

Key West is not a live music destination.

Is Key West or New Orleans Better for Resorts?

Key West is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, New Orleans is not a resort destination.

In Key West, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are a number of high end resorts around the island, many with recognizable names such as the Hyatt and Hilton. Prices can be high, but these resorts often come with reliable luxury.

New Orleans is not a resort destination.

Is Key West or New Orleans Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key West is a town with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, New Orleans is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Key West. There are a number of dive shops and snorkeling excursions that leave from Key West. Like many tourist areas these days, the coral shows its damage from the crowds, but you'll likely see some barracuda or a Grouper.

New Orleans is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Key West or New Orleans Better for Beaches?

Key West is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, New Orleans is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Key West attract visitors from all over. One of the best beaches in the area is Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. The beach has soft sand and stunning turquoise water. As is typical in the Keys, the water stays shallow for great distances.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is Key West or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the excellent old towns in both Key West and New Orleans.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Key West. The town has the most charming Old Town areas in the Florida Keys. Head to Mallory Square for the sunset street performers and explore the historic streets around Duval Street.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Is the Shopping Better in Key West or New Orleans?

Both Key West and New Orleans are reasonable shopping destinations.

If you're looking to go shopping, Key West has some nice offerings. While it definitely has its share of gimmicky souvenir shops and t-shirt stores, there are still a number of art galleries and local shops around Key West where you can enjoy shopping.

New Orleans has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is Key West or New Orleans Better for Families?

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

Key West is a very family-friendly destination. Families that enjoy snorkeling, aquariums, water sports, and exploring new places will enjoy visiting this part of the Florida Keys. There are many ways to get out on the water from kayaking and snorkeling to glass bottom boat tours and sunset cruises. There are also many kid-friendly beaches in the area. The town can have a party atmosphere, but it's not hard to find a more family-friendly area where everyone can have fun.

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 Key West or New Orleans Better for Couples?

Key West is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Key West makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. From Mallory Square to the beautiful nearby parks, Key West makes a wonderful, romantic destination. Whether it's your honeymoon, an anniversary, or simply a couples' retreat, Key West is a great option. You can sip wine on a sunset cruise or dine at one of the many character-filled restaurants in town. If you are looking for a party, it's not hard to find, but if you want a more laid back holiday, that's also possible.

New Orleans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Key West or New Orleans Better for Students?

Key West 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 Key West. It's a great spring break destination with a quirky personality and many great activities.

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

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

New Orleans is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Key West is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is quite limited in Key West. Public transportation in Key West is limited to a few buses.

Is Key West or New Orleans a more walkable city?

Key West and New Orleans both are nice when exploring on foot.

Key West is a somewhat walkable place. The town is the most walkable part of the Florida Keys. The area around Mallory Square and Duval Street is the most pedestrian friendly.

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable town. 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 Key West Worth Visiting? and Is New Orleans Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Key West?

How long in Key West or New Orleans?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Key West and New Orleans. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Key West than in New Orleans. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Key West, and 2-3 days is enough time in New Orleans.

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

Couples should spend more time in Key West than New Orleans. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Key West that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New Orleans than Key West 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 New Orleans.

One day in Key West or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the bustling town of Key West. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Key West or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the laid-back destination of Key West. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

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 Key West or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the laid-back town of Key West. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. 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 Key West or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint destination of Key West. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this town.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Key West and New Orleans, we can see that Key West is more expensive. And not only is New Orleans much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to New Orleans would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in New Orleans 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 Key West would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key West than you might in New Orleans.

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

Which is Bigger, Key West or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Key West. When comparing the sizes of Key West 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 Key West or New Orleans?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Key West or New Orleans in the Summer?

Both New Orleans and Key West during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Key West in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, 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 July, Key West is generally around the same temperature as New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Key West average around 84°F (29°C), and New Orleans fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Key West. In the summer, Key West often gets more sunshine than New Orleans. Key West gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Key West usually gets less rain in July than New Orleans. Key West gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key West or New Orleans in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Key West and New Orleans. Most visitors come to Key West for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area 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.

Key West is a little warmer than New Orleans in the autumn. The daily temperature in Key West averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and New Orleans fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In Key West, it's very sunny this time of the year. Key West usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans during autumn. Key West gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Key West gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Key West usually receives more rain than New Orleans. Key West gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Key West is June to November.

Should I visit Key West or New Orleans in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Key West as well as New Orleans. The winter months attract visitors to Key West because of 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, Key West is much warmer than New Orleans. Typically, the winter temperatures in Key West in January average around 70°F (21°C), and New Orleans averages at about 51°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key West this time of the year. In the winter, Key West often gets more sunshine than New Orleans. Key West gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Key West usually gets less rain in January than New Orleans. Key West gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key West or New Orleans in the Spring?

Both New Orleans and Key West are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Key West this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New Orleans for the activities around the city.

In April, Key West is generally a little warmer than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Key West average around 77°F (25°C), and New Orleans fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in New Orleans. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key West. Key West usually receives more sunshine than New Orleans during spring. Key West gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In April, Key West usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Key West gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Key West.

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Key West