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

Should you visit New Orleans or Norfolk?

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 Norfolk 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 fun-filled, festive, and vibrant 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. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Norfolk

Norfolk is a blue collar, maritime, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

New Orleans and Norfolk: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Norfolk?

Travelers will usually find more to do in New Orleans than Norfolk, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. New Orleans is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Norfolk is known for its museums and shopping. New Orleans is more touristy than Norfolk and is popular for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also home to The French Quarter. Norfolk is popular for its naval base and military presence.

The French Quarter

How is New Orleans different from Norfolk?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Norfolk is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting museums in town like the Chrysler Museum, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, and the Norfolk Police and Fire Museum. You should also check out the Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

New Orleans is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, New Orleans is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Norfolk has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

Is New Orleans or Norfolk Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

New Orleans is a world class 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Norfolk has a few options to choose from. Downtown is where you'll find the most busy nightlife venues. The city has great breweries, and the live music scene has taken off. There are also lounges, dance clubs, and wine bars to choose from.

Is New Orleans or Norfolk Better for Music?

New Orleans is a must-visit destination for live music. However, Norfolk is not a live music destination.

New Orleans is a world class music destination. 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.

Norfolk is not a live music destination.

Is New Orleans or Norfolk Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is a great destination for its historic old town. However, Norfolk does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Norfolk does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Norfolk?

Norfolk 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 Norfolk. There's a mix of shopping malls, local boutiques, farmer's markets, and 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 Norfolk Better for Families?

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

Norfolk is a family-friendly city. The Norfolk Zoo is always a hit with kids. You should also visit the USS Wisconsin which offers tours, as well as the Douglas MacArthur Memorial Museum.

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 Norfolk Better for Couples?

New Orleans is a popular place for romance. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of Norfolk as a couple's destination. There are some nice hotels and several great parks and outdoor activities.

Is New Orleans or Norfolk Better for Students?

New Orleans is a popular place for students. However, Norfolk is not popular with students.

New Orleans is popular with students. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Norfolk is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find decent public transit in both New Orleans and Norfolk.

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 Norfolk. While there are buses, ferries, and even lightrail in the area, you really want to have a car to get around.

Is New Orleans or Norfolk a more walkable city?

New Orleans and Norfolk are good 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.

Norfolk is a somewhat walkable place. Downtown is the most walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Norfolk or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Norfolk?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in New Orleans or Norfolk to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in New Orleans than Norfolk because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for New Orleans, and 1-2 days is enough time in Norfolk.

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

Couples should spend more time in New Orleans than Norfolk. 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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk?

In New Orleans, you'll find food and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the maritime city of Norfolk. 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 Norfolk?

In New Orleans, you'll find nightlife and live music. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that New Orleans has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the maritime destination of Norfolk. 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 Norfolk?

New Orleans is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The maritime city of Norfolk 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 Norfolk?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Orleans. Many people enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting New Orleans. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Norfolk. 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 Norfolk, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. And not only is Norfolk much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Norfolk would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Norfolk 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 Norfolk.

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 Norfolk Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Norfolk?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Norfolk. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans and Norfolk, 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 Norfolk?

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 Norfolk in the Summer?

Both Norfolk and New Orleans during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Norfolk in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

New Orleans is around the same temperature as Norfolk in the summer. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Norfolk fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Norfolk, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in New Orleans. In the summer, New Orleans often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Norfolk. New Orleans gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk receives 279 hours of full sun.

Norfolk 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 around the same amount of rain in July as Norfolk. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Norfolk in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Norfolk. Many visitors come to New Orleans in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, most visitors come to Norfolk for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, New Orleans is a little warmer than Norfolk. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New Orleans in October average around 69°F (21°C), and Norfolk averages at about 62°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Norfolk this time of the year. In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. New Orleans usually receives more sunshine than Norfolk during autumn. New Orleans gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, New Orleans usually receives around the same amount of rain as Norfolk. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Orleans or Norfolk in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Norfolk. Most visitors come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Norfolk because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Norfolk can be very cold. In January, New Orleans is generally much warmer than Norfolk. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 51°F (11°C), and Norfolk fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

In the winter, New Orleans often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Norfolk. New Orleans gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk receives 168 hours of full sun.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the winter. New Orleans usually gets more rain in January than Norfolk. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Norfolk in the Spring?

Both Norfolk and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the activities around the city.

New Orleans is a little warmer than Norfolk in the spring. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Norfolk fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Norfolk. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Norfolk during spring. New Orleans gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. In April, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Norfolk. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Norfolk and New Orleans