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

Should you visit New Orleans or Phoenix?

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 Phoenix 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.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a sprawling, desert, and laid back city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking.

New Orleans and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Phoenix?

Visitors will generally find more to do in New Orleans than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than New Orleans, New Orleans has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. New Orleans is better known for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Phoenix is more popular for its museums, hiking, and shopping. New Orleans is more touristy than Phoenix 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. Phoenix is well known for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

The French Quarter

How is New Orleans different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

New Orleans is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is New Orleans or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in New Orleans is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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 Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is New Orleans or Phoenix Better for Music?

New Orleans is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is not a live music destination.

Is New Orleans or Phoenix Better for its Old Town?

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

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.

Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

Is New Orleans or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a city with good options for its hiking trails. However, New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Phoenix. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Phoenix?

Phoenix 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 Phoenix. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets 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 Phoenix Better for Families?

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

Phoenix is a family-friendly city. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

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 Phoenix Better for Couples?

Both New Orleans and Phoenix are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

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.

Phoenix makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is New Orleans or Phoenix Better for Students?

New Orleans is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

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

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 Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is New Orleans or Phoenix a more walkable city?

New Orleans is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both New Orleans and Phoenix. In our opinion, New Orleans has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in New Orleans than Phoenix. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for New Orleans, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

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

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

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 desert city of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

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 laid back destination of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

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 desert city of Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix. 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 comparing the travel costs between New Orleans and Phoenix, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Phoenix?

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

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Phoenix. The summer months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

It's very hot in Phoenix this time of the year. In July, New Orleans is generally cooler than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 82°F (28°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. New Orleans usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. New Orleans gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 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 Phoenix. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Orleans or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Phoenix. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

New Orleans is cooler than Phoenix in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In the autumn, New Orleans often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. New Orleans gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

New Orleans usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Phoenix in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, New Orleans is cooler than Phoenix. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Orleans in January average around 51°F (11°C), and Phoenix averages at about 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. New Orleans usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. New Orleans gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. In January, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Phoenix. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Orleans or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and New Orleans during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to New Orleans in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, New Orleans is generally cooler than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 68°F (20°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in New Orleans. In the spring, New Orleans often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. New Orleans gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 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 Phoenix. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and New Orleans