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

Should you visit New Orleans or Lancaster?

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 Lancaster 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.

Lancaster

Lancaster is a scenic, traditional, and picturesque town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

New Orleans and Lancaster: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Lancaster?

You'll generally find more things to do in New Orleans than Lancaster. New Orleans is bigger than Lancaster, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. New Orleans is better known for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Lancaster is more popular for its museums, shopping, and impressive beauty. New Orleans is more touristy than Lancaster 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. Lancaster is well known for its history and long running Amish community.

The French Quarter

How is New Orleans different from Lancaster?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lancaster 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 Lancaster. Filled with history and local culture, there are many educational opportunities in the area where you can learn about Amish traditions. The Amish Village has tours and unique experiences. The town also has James Buchanan's Wheatland, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the National Toy Train Museum, the Ephrata Cloister, and the National Watch & Clock Museum, among many others.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, New Orleans is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Lancaster offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You can sample authentic Pennsylvania Dutch dishes at one of the Amish restaurants in the area. Many places serve food family-style and dishes include chicken pot pie, ham balls, and pork and sauerkraut. Whoopie pies also originated in the area.

Is New Orleans or Lancaster Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. However, Lancaster is not known for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Lancaster specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town, but you'll still find local pubs and cozy bars where you can enjoy a drink in a laid back atmosphere.

Is New Orleans or Lancaster Better for Music?

New Orleans is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Lancaster 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.

Lancaster is not a live music destination.

Is New Orleans or Lancaster Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Lancaster does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to New Orleans to see the historical old town. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Lancaster does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Lancaster?

Lancaster 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 Lancaster. Many visitors pick up hand-crafted Amish items while they're in town. Furniture and Amish quilts are particularly popular. Farmers markets and antique shopping are both unique in the area and there are also art galleries and several outlet stores that you can visit.

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 Lancaster Better for Families?

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

Lancaster is a very family-friendly destination. In you area you'll find farms and petting zoos, amusement parks, and train rides. They can learn about a unique lifestyle at the Amish Experience or soak up the local beauty and farmland in the surrounding countryside.

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 Lancaster Better for Couples?

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

Lancaster makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This region is known for it's local beauty and serene farmland, making it a relaxing and peaceful destination for couples. There are walking trails, outdoor activities, buggy rides, and a variety of dining experiences. You can also stay at a bed and breakfast or local inn.

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 Lancaster Better for Students?

New Orleans is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Lancaster 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.

Lancaster is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both New Orleans and Lancaster.

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 Lancaster. The city has buses and several transportation options, but once you're outside of the urban core, your options are limited.

Is New Orleans or Lancaster a more walkable city?

New Orleans is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Lancaster is not known for its walkability.

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

Lancaster is generally not very walkable. While the city itself has walkable areas, most visitors want to get out and explore the countryside, which requires a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Lancaster or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Lancaster?

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

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

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

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 picturesque town of Lancaster. 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 Lancaster?

You'll find food and nightlife around the fun-filled 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 traditional destination of Lancaster. 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 Lancaster?

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 traditional town of Lancaster offers museums and food. 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 Lancaster?

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

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 Lancaster Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Lancaster?

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

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 Lancaster in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Lancaster. Most visitors come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Lancaster because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, New Orleans is generally a little warmer than Lancaster. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 82°F (28°C), and Lancaster fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lancaster this time of the year. In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. New Orleans usually receives less sunshine than Lancaster during summer. New Orleans gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 310 hours of full sun in the summer.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Lancaster. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Orleans or Lancaster in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Lancaster. The autumn months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lancaster this time of year.

New Orleans is much warmer than Lancaster in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and Lancaster fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In the autumn, New Orleans often gets more sunshine than Lancaster. New Orleans gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 194 hours of full sun.

New Orleans usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Lancaster. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Lancaster in the Winter?

Both Lancaster and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lancaster for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lancaster. In the winter, New Orleans is much warmer than Lancaster. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Orleans in January average around 51°F (11°C), and Lancaster averages at about 30°F (-1°C).

New Orleans usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster during winter. New Orleans gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. In January, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Lancaster. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Orleans or Lancaster in the Spring?

Both Lancaster and New Orleans during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to New Orleans for the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lancaster in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, New Orleans is generally much warmer than Lancaster. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 68°F (20°C), and Lancaster fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

In Lancaster, 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 Lancaster. New Orleans gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 237 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 Lancaster. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lancaster and New Orleans