A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America New Orleans vs. Boston for Food, Nightlife, Music, and Old Town

Should you visit New Orleans or Boston?

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 Boston 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. See New Orleans travel costs.

Boston

Boston is a historic, traditional, and classic city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Boston is a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater. See Boston travel costs.

New Orleans and Boston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Boston?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Boston than New Orleans, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Boston is more popular for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while New Orleans is known for its food, nightlife, and music. New Orleans is more touristy than Boston and is popular for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. Boston is popular for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. It is also home to The Freedom Trail.

How is New Orleans different from Boston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Boston 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 Boston?

Boston is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Boston from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

Is New Orleans or Boston Better for Theater?

Boston is an excellent place to visit for theatre. However, New Orleans is not a theatre destination.

Boston attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

New Orleans is not a theatre destination.

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

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

Eat your way through New Orleans, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Boston has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

Is New Orleans or Boston Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Boston has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

Is New Orleans or Boston Better for Music?

New Orleans is an unbeatable place for live music. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its live music scene.

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.

The music scene in Boston is active and vibrant. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Is New Orleans or Boston Better for Beaches?

Boston is a decent place to visit for its beaches. However, New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Boston is a good spot to see the beach. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is New Orleans or Boston Better for its Old Town?

Boston is a world-class destination for its historic old town. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

The historic old town of Boston is revered around the world. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Boston?

Boston 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 Boston. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

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 Boston More Beautiful?

Boston is a city with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, New Orleans is not a destination known for its beauty.

Boston is a gorgeous place to visit. The history, architecture, and world renowned university campuses all give this city its unique beauty.

New Orleans is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is New Orleans or Boston Better for Families?

Boston is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Boston is an extremely popular city to visit for families. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

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 Boston Better for Couples?

Both New Orleans and Boston are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

New Orleans is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Boston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

Is New Orleans or Boston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Boston is a good city to visit for backpackers. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

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 Boston Better for Students?

Boston is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Boston is a very popular city for students. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

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

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

Boston is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Boston can get you around easily. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

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 New Orleans or Boston a more walkable city?

Boston is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Boston. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored on foot.

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 New Orleans Worth Visiting? and Is Boston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boston or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Boston?

In either New Orleans or Boston, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Boston than New Orleans because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for New Orleans, and 3-5 days is enough time in Boston.

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

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

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

One day in New Orleans or Boston?

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of New Orleans. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Boston is a proud city where you can fill many days. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Most people visit for the museums. 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.

A weekend in New Orleans or Boston?

New Orleans is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Boston is a historic big city where you can fill many days. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This 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.

Five days in New Orleans or Boston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Orleans. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Boston is a traditional city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

A week in New Orleans or Boston?

Travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the vibrant destination of New Orleans. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Boston. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people visit for the museums. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between New Orleans and Boston, we can see that Boston 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 New Orleans Expensive? and Is Boston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Boston?

Boston has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans and Boston, 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 Boston?

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 Boston in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Boston. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Boston for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

New Orleans is a little warmer than Boston in the summer. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Boston fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In the summer, New Orleans often gets less sunshine than Boston. New Orleans gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the summer. New Orleans usually gets more rain in July than Boston. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Boston in the Autumn?

Both Boston and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to New Orleans for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Boston in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, New Orleans is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New Orleans in October average around 69°F (21°C), and Boston averages at about 54°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually receives more sunshine than Boston during autumn. New Orleans gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, New Orleans usually receives less rain than Boston. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Orleans or Boston in the Winter?

Both Boston and New Orleans during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to New Orleans in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Boston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Boston can be very cold during winter. In January, New Orleans is generally much warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 51°F (11°C), and Boston fluctuates around 29°F (-2°C).

In the winter, New Orleans often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Boston. New Orleans gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 153 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 Boston. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Boston in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Boston. Most visitors come to New Orleans for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Boston because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

New Orleans is much warmer than Boston in the spring. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Boston fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. New Orleans usually receives more sunshine than Boston during spring. New Orleans gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 225 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 Boston. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Boston and New Orleans