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

Should you visit New Orleans or Dallas?

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 Dallas 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. 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.

Dallas

Dallas is a active, upscale, and chic 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 Dallas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Dallas?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in New Orleans than Dallas. While Dallas is larger than New Orleans, New Orleans has more sights and attractions for tourists. New Orleans is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere, while Dallas attracts visitors for its museums and shopping. New Orleans is more touristy than Dallas and is popular for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also well known for The French Quarter. Dallas is famous for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture.

The French Quarter

How is New Orleans different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dallas is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Dallas. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Dallas has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

Is New Orleans or Dallas Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city 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.

Dallas has a large number of nightlife venues. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

Is New Orleans or Dallas Better for Music?

New Orleans is renowned for its live music scene. However, Dallas 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.

Dallas is not a live music destination.

Is New Orleans or Dallas Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is a well-known place for its old town. However, Dallas 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.

Dallas does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Dallas?

Dallas is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Dallas. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

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 Dallas Better for Families?

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

Dallas is a very family-friendly destination. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

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 Dallas Better for Couples?

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

Dallas makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

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 Dallas Better for Students?

New Orleans is very good for students. However, Dallas is not a good city for its student-friendly activities.

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

Dallas is a decent spot for students. There are a couple of universities and colleges in the area that keep things interesting for students.

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

Dallas 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.

Dallas has some public transit options. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

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 Dallas a more walkable city?

New Orleans is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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

Dallas is generally not a very walkable city. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

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

Should I spend more time in Dallas or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Dallas?

It's fun to spend time in either New Orleans or Dallas. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Dallas due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for New Orleans, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dallas.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New Orleans than Dallas 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 Dallas?

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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the upscale city of Dallas. 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 Dallas?

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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the upscale destination of Dallas. 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 Dallas?

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.

The upscale city of Dallas 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 Dallas?

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 museums and nightlife when visiting Dallas. 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 Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

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

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 Dallas Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Dallas?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans and Dallas, 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 Dallas?

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 Dallas in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Dallas. Many visitors come to New Orleans in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Dallas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, New Orleans is cooler than Dallas. Typically, the summer temperatures in New Orleans in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Dallas averages at about 88°F (31°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. 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 Dallas. New Orleans gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 337 hours of full sun.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the summer. New Orleans usually gets more rain in July than Dallas. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Dallas in the Autumn?

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

In October, New Orleans is generally around the same temperature as Dallas. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 69°F (21°C), and Dallas fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

It's quite sunny in Dallas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually receives more sunshine than Dallas during autumn. New Orleans gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, New Orleans usually receives less rain than Dallas. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Orleans or Dallas in the Winter?

Both Dallas and New Orleans during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dallas this time of year.

New Orleans is a little warmer than Dallas in the winter. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 51°F (11°C) in January, and Dallas fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

In the winter, New Orleans often gets less sunshine than Dallas. New Orleans gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 183 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 Dallas. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Dallas in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Dallas. The activities around the city are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dallas for the activities around the city.

In the spring, New Orleans is around the same temperature as Dallas. Typically, the spring temperatures in New Orleans in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Dallas averages at about 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. New Orleans usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dallas during spring. New Orleans gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 251 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 Dallas. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dallas and New Orleans