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

Should you visit New Orleans or Nantucket?

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 Nantucket 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. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, live music, and food.

Nantucket

Nantucket is a serene, peaceful, and upscale island. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

New Orleans and Nantucket: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Nantucket?

Tourists will generally find more to do in New Orleans. Although New Orleans and Nantucket are both popular with visitors, New Orleans has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. New Orleans is more popular for its nightlife, music, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Nantucket is known for its museums, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. New Orleans is more touristy than Nantucket and is known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also home to The French Quarter. Nantucket is popular for its pristine beaches, upscale atmosphere, and history of whaling.

The French Quarter

How is New Orleans different from Nantucket?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nantucket is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several museums around town that educate visitors on the island's whaling history and maritime past.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both New Orleans and Nantucket both to be amazing destinations.

Many restaurants in New Orleans have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Eat your way through Nantucket, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Upscale eateries where you can look out on the water make dining on this island a true experience. There are raw bars, seafood restaurants, and local cafes with elaborate salads and duck carnitas. Dishes usually use the highest quality fresh ingredients and chefs bring their "A game" with every customer.

Is New Orleans or Nantucket Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is renowned for nightlife. Also, Nantucket is not as popular, but is still a nice island for nightlife and partying.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Nantucket. You'll find a number of bars and a lively singles scene in town. There's also live music and a laid back but active atmosphere in the evening.

Is New Orleans or Nantucket Better for Music?

New Orleans is renowned for live music. However, Nantucket is not a live music destination.

New Orleans is known as a music capital 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.

Nantucket is not a live music destination.

Is New Orleans or Nantucket Better for Resorts?

Nantucket is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, New Orleans is not a resort destination.

In Nantucket, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Luxury resorts and upscale inns offer guests a relaxed setting with oceanfront views and family-friendly activities.

New Orleans is not a resort destination.

Is New Orleans or Nantucket Better for Beaches?

Nantucket is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, New Orleans is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Nantucket attract visitors from all over. You'll find the calmest water at the northern beaches, and cooler water with rougher surf to the south. Many of the beaches are accessible from town, but parking can be limited. There are both public and private beaches, each with beautiful settings and relaxing vibes.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is New Orleans or Nantucket Better for its Old Town?

Both New Orleans and Nantucket have superb historic old towns worth visiting.

New Orleans is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Nantucket. The Historic District is filled with New England charm, cobblestone streets, and upscale boutiques. There are many great restaurants and a lot of historic character.

Is New Orleans or Nantucket Better for Hiking?

Nantucket is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Nantucket. The island is easy to explore on foot, and its covered with hiking trails that follow the serene coastline or take you through forests, bogs, and marshland.

New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Nantucket?

Nantucket 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 Nantucket. The Historic District is filled with boutiques, art galleries, and upscale shops. It's the perfect place to spend an afternoon wandering around and shopping.

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 Nantucket Better for Families?

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

Nantucket is a very family-friendly destination. There's a calm beach that's perfect for kids as well as quaint ice cream shops and plenty of New England charm. The town is also filled with hiking and biking trails.

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 Nantucket Better for Couples?

Nantucket is a world-class destination for romance. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Nantucket is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The New England charm, natural beauty, and relaxing coastal atmosphere make this a perfect romantic destination. There are also many romantic places to stay and great local restaurants.

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 Nantucket Better for Students?

New Orleans is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Nantucket 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.

Nantucket is not popular with students.

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

Nantucket is a island with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its public transit.

Nantucket has some public transit options. There are shuttle buses around the island that operate with greater frequency during the summer months.

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 Nantucket a more walkable city?

Nantucket is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Nantucket is very walkable. The town is very walkable and parking can be challenging, so it's best to leave your car in the ferry parking lot.

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 Nantucket Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nantucket or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Nantucket?

It's fun to spend time in either New Orleans or Nantucket. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Nantucket 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 Nantucket.

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

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

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

One day in New Orleans or Nantucket?

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.

Nantucket is a small town with plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the food. 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 Nantucket?

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.

Nantucket might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This island 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 Nantucket?

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.

Because Nantucket is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Nantucket?

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.

Since Nantucket is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the food. 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 Nantucket, we can see that Nantucket is more expensive. And not only is New Orleans much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to New Orleans would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in New Orleans 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 Nantucket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nantucket than you might in New Orleans.

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 Nantucket Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Nantucket?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Nantucket. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans and Nantucket, 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 Nantucket?

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 Nantucket in the Summer?

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

New Orleans is a little warmer than Nantucket in the summer. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Nantucket fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Nantucket. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Nantucket receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Orleans or Nantucket in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Nantucket. 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 Nantucket because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, New Orleans is much warmer than Nantucket. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New Orleans in October average around 69°F (21°C), and Nantucket averages at about 53°F (12°C).

It's quite rainy in Nantucket. New Orleans usually gets less rain in October than Nantucket. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Nantucket receives 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Nantucket in the Winter?

Both Nantucket 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 Nantucket this time of year.

It's quite cold in Nantucket in the winter. In January, New Orleans is generally much warmer than Nantucket. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 51°F (11°C), and Nantucket fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nantucket. It's quite rainy in New Orleans. In January, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Nantucket. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Nantucket receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Orleans or Nantucket in the Spring?

Both Nantucket 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nantucket for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

New Orleans is much warmer than Nantucket in the spring. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Nantucket fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

Nantucket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually gets more rain in April than Nantucket. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Nantucket receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nantucket and New Orleans