A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Miami vs. New Orleans for Food, Nightlife, Music, and Families

Should you visit Miami or New Orleans?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Miami and New Orleans can help you decide which place is right for you.

Miami

Miami is a bustling, high energy, and glamorous beach city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, live music, and food.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a fun-filled, festive, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Miami and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Miami or New Orleans?

Both New Orleans and Miami have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Miami is more popular for its resorts, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while New Orleans is known for its historical sights and quaint atmosphere. Miami is popular for its long sandy beaches, glitzy nightlife scene, diverse cultures, and award-winning restaurants. New Orleans is popular for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties.

How is Miami different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Miami and New Orleans can be difficult as they are each amazing in their own way.

Miami has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city's food scene is as diverse as its population. It is a blend of Caribbean, Latin American, and South American flavors and it is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines. There is everything from award-winning restaurants to local dives that offer excellent dishes and experiences. The city is known for its stone crabs, fish sandwiches, Cuban sandwiches, and key lime pie.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, New Orleans is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Is Miami or New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Miami and New Orleans.

Miami has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. From the posh nightlife clubs in South Beach, to the local salsa dancing venues in Little Havana, Miami is a city that thrives with energy. There are many world-renowned clubs that keep the music and drinks flowing through the entire night. There's also a glitzy and glamourous scene where the wealthy like to see and be seen.

New Orleans is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Is Miami or New Orleans Better for Music?

Live music enthusiatsts will find something to enjoy in either Miami or New Orleans.

Miami is a world class music destination. Popular live music venues include Ball and Chain, Cafe La Trova, Flamingo Theater Bar.

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.

Is Miami or New Orleans Better for Resorts?

Miami is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, New Orleans is not a resort destination.

Miami is a world class resort vacation destination. Known for it's luxury, you'll find many resorts in the area. Popular options include The Ritz-Carlton South Beach, Fontainebleau, and Carillon Miami.

New Orleans is not a resort destination.

Is Miami or New Orleans Better for Beaches?

Miami is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Miami is considered to be a world-class beach destination. If you're looking for long sandy beaches, luxury yacht clubs, and fine dining restaurants, the area's beaches have them all. Some of the best beaches in the area include the world-famous South Beach, the North Beach Oceanside Park, Sunny Isles Beach, and Surfside. Many beaches are lined with high rise hotels that offer an urban beach experience.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is Miami or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is well known for its historic old town. However, Miami does not have a historic old town.

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.

Miami does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Miami or New Orleans?

Miami is a world-class destination for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Miami. The city has every high end brand you could want, along with diverse neighborhoods with local finds and unique purchases. You'll find many diverse shopping opportunities that are influenced by the city's cultural scene. You'll also find many souvenir stands and t-shirt shops.

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 Miami or New Orleans Better for Families?

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

Miami is a very family-friendly destination. Because it's so big, you'll find a number of kid-friendly activities in the area. There's the Miami Zoo, various waterparks, the Everglades Alligator Park, Miccosukee Indian Village, and plenty of indoor playgrounds in case the weather doesn't cooperate.

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 Miami or New Orleans Better for Couples?

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

Miami makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For couples who love nightlife, wining and dining, and high end beach clubs, this is the place to be. There are many award-winning restaurants and plenty of glitz and glam that make for a great romantic getaway.

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 Miami or New Orleans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Miami is a beach city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for backpackers.

Miami is a good beach city to visit for backpackers. This city is large enough to have something for everyone, so you'll find several hostels in the area that bring in the backpackers.

New Orleans is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a handful of hostels in New Orleans that are good options for backpackers who want to meet other travelers.

Is Miami or New Orleans Better for Students?

Miami and New Orleans are good places to visit for students.

Miami is popular with students. Spring break in Miami is the stuff of legends.

It's common for students to visit New Orleans. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

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

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

Miami has some public transit options. There's an elevated metrorail as well as buses around the city.

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 Miami or New Orleans a more walkable city?

Miami is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Miami is very walkable. Many parts of city are surprisingly walkable and pedestrian friendly, allowing you to eat out, go shopping, or explore without the need for a car.

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable place. 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 Miami Worth Visiting? and Is New Orleans Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Miami?

How long in Miami or New Orleans?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Miami 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 Miami.

One day in Miami or New Orleans?

Miami is a glamorous beach city where you can fill many days. 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.

In New Orleans, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this fun-filled destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Miami or New Orleans?

Miami is a diverse big city where you can fill many days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This beach city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Orleans. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Miami or New Orleans?

The exciting beach city of Miami offers food and shopping. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the destination of New Orleans. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Miami or New Orleans?

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Miami. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the fun-filled destination of New Orleans. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Miami and New Orleans, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Miami or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Miami. When comparing the sizes of Miami 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 Miami 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 Miami or New Orleans in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Miami as well as New Orleans. Many travelers come to Miami for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to New Orleans in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Miami is around the same temperature as New Orleans in the summer. The daily temperature in Miami averages around 83°F (28°C) in July, and New Orleans fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Miami this time of the year. In the summer, Miami often gets more sunshine than New Orleans. Miami gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Miami receives a lot of rain in the summer. Miami usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as New Orleans. Miami gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Miami or New Orleans in the Autumn?

Both New Orleans and Miami are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Miami in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, most visitors come to New Orleans for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In the autumn, Miami is a little warmer than New Orleans. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Miami in October average around 78°F (26°C), and New Orleans averages at about 69°F (21°C).

It's quite sunny in New Orleans. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Miami. Miami usually receives more sunshine than New Orleans during autumn. Miami gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Miami. In October, Miami usually receives more rain than New Orleans. Miami gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Miami or New Orleans in the Winter?

Both New Orleans and Miami during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Miami for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Miami is generally much warmer than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Miami average around 67°F (20°C), and New Orleans fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Miami. In the winter, Miami often gets more sunshine than New Orleans. Miami gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Miami usually gets less rain in January than New Orleans. Miami gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Miami or New Orleans in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Miami and New Orleans. The spring months attract visitors to Miami because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.

Miami is a little warmer than New Orleans in the spring. The daily temperature in Miami averages around 75°F (24°C) in April, and New Orleans fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In Miami, it's very sunny this time of the year. Miami usually receives more sunshine than New Orleans during spring. Miami gets 300 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun in the spring.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Miami usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Miami gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Miami