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

Should you visit New Orleans or Anchorage?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between New Orleans and Anchorage can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a vibrant, energetic, and fun-filled 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.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a outdoorsy, scenic, and breathtaking city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

New Orleans and Anchorage: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Anchorage?

Travelers will usually find more to do in New Orleans than Anchorage, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. New Orleans is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Anchorage is known for its museums, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. New Orleans is more touristy than Anchorage and is popular for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also home to The French Quarter. Anchorage is popular for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture.

The French Quarter

How is New Orleans different from Anchorage?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Anchorage is a city with good options for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

Anchorage is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. While most people visit for the outdoor experiences, there are a few museums where you can learn about the local culture and wildlife. Popular museums include the the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

New Orleans is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in New Orleans have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Anchorage has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food is expensive in town, but there are some unique local specialties that you must try. Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and local meats. Favorites include yak meat, king crab, and fresh oysters.

Is New Orleans or Anchorage Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is an unbeatable place for nightlife. However, Anchorage is not a good city for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in New Orleans is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Anchorage. The town's nightlife mostly consists of local bars where you can hang out. Check out Koot's, which is a longstanding favorite.

Is New Orleans or Anchorage Better for Music?

New Orleans is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Anchorage is not a live music destination.

New Orleans is a world class music destination. 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.

Anchorage is not a live music destination.

Is New Orleans or Anchorage Better for its Old Town?

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

New Orleans is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Anchorage does not have a historic old town.

Is New Orleans or Anchorage Better for Hiking?

Anchorage is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. However, New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Around Anchorage visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The town is surrounded by wilderness and it's not hard to escape into nature. You can choose between short walks, long day trips, and multi-day treks, with everything in between available as well. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails near town and several favorites include Byron Glacier Trail, Thunderbird Falls Trail, and Flattop Mountain.

New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Anchorage?

Anchorage 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 Anchorage. There are plenty of local gift shops and boutiques where you can pick up local Alaskan crafts and products. There's no sales tax, but prices can still be a bit steep. But if you're looking for something uniquely local to remember your trip, you don't have to look hard.

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 New Orleans or Anchorage Better for Families?

Anchorage is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Anchorage is a family-friendly city. Kids who appreciate nature will appreciate this unique setting. Everyone will enjoy a glacier cruise, but you can hang out with the locals in Westchester Lagoon, see the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and learn about the area at the Anchorage Museum.

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 New Orleans or Anchorage Better for Couples?

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

Anchorage makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city makes a good base for couples who want to explore the surrounding beauty. The landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for a romantic trip, and the adventure activities will make for an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports that couples can enjoy together and the beauty of the region is breathtaking.

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 New Orleans or Anchorage Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Anchorage is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few good budget places to stay, and backpackers will also have plenty of outdoor wilderness to explore near town. It's important to remember that Alaska is known for its challenging wilderness so, unless you're experienced, you should take a guide.

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 New Orleans or Anchorage Better for Students?

New Orleans is a city with good options for students. However, Anchorage is not popular with students.

New Orleans is a good city to visit for students. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Anchorage is not popular with students.

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

New Orleans is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Anchorage is not a good city 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 Anchorage. There is the People Mover bus system that transports riders around town, but to truly experience the region, you must have a car.

Is New Orleans or Anchorage a more walkable city?

New Orleans is a city with good options for its walkability. However, Anchorage is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

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

Anchorage is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown area is compact so you can wander to the nearby shops and restaurants on foot, but most people visit with the goal of exploring outside of town. For that you need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Anchorage or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Anchorage?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both New Orleans and Anchorage. In our opinion, New Orleans has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in New Orleans than Anchorage. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for New Orleans, and 1-3 days is enough time in Anchorage.

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

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

One day in New Orleans or Anchorage?

You'll find live music and food around the city of New Orleans. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural city of Anchorage. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Most people visit for the hiking. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in New Orleans or Anchorage?

You'll find food and nightlife around the festive destination of New Orleans. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Anchorage. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

Five days in New Orleans or Anchorage?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the energetic city of New Orleans. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The scenic city of Anchorage offers museums and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

A week in New Orleans or Anchorage?

New Orleans is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Anchorage. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people visit for the hiking. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between New Orleans and Anchorage, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. And not only is Anchorage much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Anchorage would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Anchorage 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 Anchorage.

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

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Anchorage?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 86% larger than the population of Anchorage. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans and Anchorage, 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 New Orleans or Anchorage?

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 New Orleans or Anchorage in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Anchorage. The summer months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Anchorage this time of year.

New Orleans is much warmer than Anchorage in the summer. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Anchorage fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Anchorage. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In the summer, New Orleans often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. New Orleans gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the summer. New Orleans usually gets more rain in July than Anchorage. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Anchorage in the Autumn?

Both Anchorage and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Anchorage for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Anchorage. In the autumn, New Orleans is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New Orleans in October average around 69°F (21°C), and Anchorage averages at about 35°F (2°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during autumn. New Orleans gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Anchorage. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Orleans or Anchorage in the Winter?

Both Anchorage and New Orleans during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Anchorage in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Anchorage can get quite cold in the winter. In January, New Orleans is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 51°F (11°C), and Anchorage fluctuates around 15°F (-9°C).

In the winter, New Orleans often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. New Orleans gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually gets more rain in January than Anchorage. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Anchorage in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Anchorage. Many visitors come to New Orleans in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Anchorage for the natural beauty during these months.

Anchorage can be very cold during spring. New Orleans is much warmer than Anchorage in the spring. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Anchorage fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Anchorage this time of the year. In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. New Orleans usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during spring. New Orleans gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun in the spring.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Anchorage. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Anchorage and New Orleans