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

Should you visit New Orleans or Galveston?

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 Galveston 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. 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. Visitors also love the live music, food, and nightlife.

Galveston

Galveston is a historic, charming, and coastal town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and beaches.

New Orleans and Galveston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Galveston?

Tourists will generally find more to do in New Orleans than Galveston. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. New Orleans is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Galveston attracts visitors for its museums, beaches, shopping, and small town charm. New Orleans is more touristy than Galveston and is known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also well known for The French Quarter. Galveston is famous for its long history that is centered around the shipping industry and hurricanes.

The French Quarter

How is New Orleans different from Galveston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Galveston 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 Galveston. With its long history and Victorian homes, there are a number of museums around town. A favorite mansion is the 1892 Bishop's Palace. There's also the Galveston Railroad Museum and the Galveston Arts Center.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

New Orleans is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Galveston is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Galveston area. There's a great mix of seafood and Texas favorites. Seafood-lovers will enjoy the oysters, crab cakes, and po boys while land-lovers will like the brisket, Tex Mex, and Texas chili.

Is New Orleans or Galveston Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Galveston is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its evening party scene.

New Orleans has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Galveston has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a bit of a party town vibe in the evenings. Head to Pleasure Pier for rides and entertainment. The town also has taverns, lounges, and bars that you can check out.

Is New Orleans or Galveston Better for Music?

New Orleans is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Galveston is not a live music destination.

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.

Galveston is not a live music destination.

Is New Orleans or Galveston Better for Beaches?

Galveston is a town with good options for its beaches. However, New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Galveston. There are miles of beaches that spread out from town. Some of the best include Babe's Beach, Stewart Beach, and Crystal Beach. Because of the proximity to the Mississippi River, the water can be a bit murky, but the beaches are still fun.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is New Orleans or Galveston Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is great for its old town. Also, Galveston is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its historic old town charm.

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.

Galveston offers a nice historic old town area. The East End Historic District is filled with historic mansions with beautiful porches. It's possible to take a tour or you could explore independently.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Galveston?

Galveston is a town with good options for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Galveston. There are plenty of places to pick up souvenirs like shell jewelry or t-shirts. There are also more eclectic shops as well as shopping centers and malls.

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 Galveston Better for Families?

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

Galveston is a very family-friendly destination. Head to Pier 21 where you'll find museums, harbor tours, and other kid-friendly activities. The city also offers a number of pirate-themed activities that kids enjoy as well as spooky ghost tours. For a bit of a thrill you can check out the rides at Galveston Pleasure Pier. And, of course, there are the beaches.

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 Galveston Better for Couples?

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

Galveston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The Historic District is the perfect place to enjoy a nice meal and soak up the charm. The area's beaches and parks also offer a bit of romance and there are plenty of outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, or swimming.

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 Galveston Better for Students?

New Orleans is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Galveston is not popular with students.

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

Galveston is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find reasonable public transit in both New Orleans and Galveston.

Public transit is mostly 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 generally limited in Galveston. While there are buses and trolley buses, a car is the best way to get around with the greatest flexibility and convenience.

Is New Orleans or Galveston a more walkable city?

New Orleans and Galveston are nice 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.

Galveston is a somewhat walkable place. There are some walkable areas such as the Historic District.

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

Should I spend more time in Galveston or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Galveston?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both New Orleans and Galveston. 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 Galveston.

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

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

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 historic town of Galveston. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in New Orleans or Galveston?

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 food and shopping when visiting the charming destination of Galveston. This town 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 Galveston?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the vibrant 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 historic town of Galveston 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 Galveston?

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 Galveston. 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 Galveston, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. And not only is Galveston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Galveston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Galveston 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 Galveston.

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 Galveston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Galveston?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Galveston. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans and Galveston, 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 Galveston?

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 Galveston in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Galveston. 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 Galveston for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, New Orleans is around the same temperature as Galveston. Typically, the summer temperatures in New Orleans in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Galveston averages at about 84°F (29°C).

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Galveston. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Galveston receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Orleans or Galveston in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Galveston. 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 Galveston because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, New Orleans is generally around the same temperature as Galveston. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 69°F (21°C), and Galveston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

New Orleans usually gets more rain in October than Galveston. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Galveston in the Winter?

Both Galveston 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 Galveston this time of year.

New Orleans is around the same temperature as Galveston in the winter. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 51°F (11°C) in January, and Galveston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. In January, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Galveston. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Orleans or Galveston in the Spring?

Both Galveston 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 Galveston for the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, New Orleans is around the same temperature as Galveston. Typically, the spring temperatures in New Orleans in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Galveston averages at about 70°F (21°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually gets more rain in April than Galveston. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Galveston and New Orleans