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

Should you visit New Orleans or Charlotte?

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 Charlotte 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 festive, vibrant, and energetic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the food, nightlife, and live music.

Charlotte

Charlotte is a up-and-coming, growing, and evolving city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

New Orleans and Charlotte: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Charlotte?

Visitors will generally find more to do in New Orleans than Charlotte. While Charlotte is larger than New Orleans, New Orleans has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. New Orleans is better known for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere, while Charlotte is more popular for its museums and shopping. New Orleans is more touristy than Charlotte and is known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. Also, New Orleans is famous for The French Quarter. Charlotte is well known for its banking industry and growing Uptown area.

The French Quarter

How is New Orleans different from Charlotte?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Charlotte is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Mint Museum is a popular place to visit, as is the Gantt Center for African American Arts. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and sports enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

New Orleans is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

New Orleans has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Charlotte offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food scene continues to grow and change around town. You'll find the latest trendy restaurant changes regularly, but dishes often include upscale southern faire or classic American. There are also many international restaurants, particularly Mexican, Thai, and Chinese.

Is New Orleans or Charlotte Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlotte. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.

Is New Orleans or Charlotte Better for Music?

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

New Orleans has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. 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.

Charlotte is not a live music destination.

Is New Orleans or Charlotte Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is great for its historic old town charm. However, Charlotte 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.

Charlotte does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Charlotte?

Charlotte 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 Charlotte. Shopping malls such as SouthPark Mall or Carolina Place offer all of the standard retailers. Concord Mills is another favorite mall in the area. Aside from the malls, there is no shortage of shopping centers around town.

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 Charlotte Better for Families?

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

Charlotte is a family-friendly city. There are a number of museums for kids, with one of the best being Discovery Place. It has many hands-on science based exhibits that kids will love. Another unique experience is a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Carowinds Amusement Park is also in the area as are many great parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.

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 Charlotte Better for Couples?

Both New Orleans and Charlotte are notable 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.

Charlotte makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are a number of date night activities around town, particularly Uptown. You can see a show or concert at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or hit up one of the trendy bars or restaurants. There are also sporting events and other festivals that are fun to experience.

Is New Orleans or Charlotte Better for Students?

Both New Orleans and Charlotte are notable destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit New Orleans. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Charlotte is popular with students. There are a number of smaller colleges in town, but the biggest university is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

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

Charlotte 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.

Charlotte has some public transit options. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

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 Charlotte a more walkable city?

New Orleans and Charlotte are notable when it comes to walkability.

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

Charlotte is a somewhat walkable place. The Uptown area is the most walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Charlotte or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Charlotte?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both New Orleans and Charlotte. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for New Orleans, and 1-3 days is enough time in Charlotte.

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

Couples should spend more time in New Orleans than Charlotte. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in New Orleans 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 Charlotte 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 New Orleans or Charlotte?

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 nightlife and food when visiting the up-and-coming city of Charlotte. 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 Charlotte?

You'll find food and nightlife around the energetic 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 food and shopping when visiting the growing destination of Charlotte. 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 Charlotte?

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 evolving city of Charlotte 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.

A week in New Orleans or Charlotte?

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 museums and nightlife when visiting Charlotte. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Charlotte, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. And not only is Charlotte much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Charlotte would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charlotte 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 Charlotte.

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 Charlotte Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Charlotte?

Charlotte has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans and Charlotte, 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 Charlotte?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit New Orleans or Charlotte in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Charlotte. Many visitors come to New Orleans in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Charlotte for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, New Orleans is generally around the same temperature as Charlotte. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 82°F (28°C), and Charlotte fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlotte this time of the year. In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. New Orleans usually receives less sunshine than Charlotte during summer. New Orleans gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Charlotte receives 289 hours of full sun in the summer.

Charlotte receives a lot of rain in the summer. New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Charlotte. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Orleans or Charlotte in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Charlotte. Most visitors come to New Orleans for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Charlotte because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

New Orleans is a little warmer than Charlotte in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and Charlotte fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In the autumn, New Orleans often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlotte. New Orleans gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlotte receives 223 hours of full sun.

New Orleans usually gets more rain in October than Charlotte. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Charlotte in the Winter?

Both Charlotte and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Charlotte this time of year.

In the winter, New Orleans is much warmer than Charlotte. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Orleans in January average around 51°F (11°C), and Charlotte averages at about 42°F (6°C).

New Orleans usually receives less sunshine than Charlotte during winter. New Orleans gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Charlotte receives 173 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. In January, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Charlotte. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Orleans or Charlotte in the Spring?

Both Charlotte and New Orleans during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Charlotte for the activities around the city.

In April, New Orleans is generally a little warmer than Charlotte. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 68°F (20°C), and Charlotte fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In Charlotte, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in New Orleans. In the spring, New Orleans often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlotte. New Orleans gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlotte receives 273 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually gets more rain in April than Charlotte. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Charlotte and New Orleans