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

Should you visit New Orleans or Richmond?

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 Richmond 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 vibrant, energetic, and fun-filled 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. Other popular activities here include food, nightlife, and live music.

Richmond

Richmond is a historical, growing, and friendly city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

New Orleans and Richmond: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Richmond?

You'll generally find more things to do in New Orleans than Richmond. New Orleans is bigger than Richmond, 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 Richmond is more popular for its museums and shopping. New Orleans is more touristy than Richmond and is popular for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. Also, New Orleans is famous for The French Quarter. Richmond is well known for its cultural and historical sights.

The French Quarter

How is New Orleans different from Richmond?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Richmond 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 Richmond. The city has a long history which you can learn about at one of the many museums. There's the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and the Black History Museum. There are also landmarks and historical homes.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

New Orleans is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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 plenty of up and coming restaurants around Richmond. The food scene has been growing around town, and there are food halls and local restaurants that serve diverse and interesting dishes. You'll find Indian, Asian, and European restaurants in addition to local classics.

Is New Orleans or Richmond Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

People head to New Orleans just to party. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Richmond. You'll find diverse bars and clubs around town. Pubs are usually laid back with a relaxed atmosphere. You'll also find live music that includes bluegrass, country, and jazz.

Is New Orleans or Richmond Better for Music?

New Orleans is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Richmond is not a live music destination.

In New Orleans you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. 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.

Richmond is not a live music destination.

Is New Orleans or Richmond Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is notable for its historic old town charm. However, Richmond does not have a historic old town.

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.

Richmond does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Richmond?

Richmond 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 Richmond. You'll find shopping malls and shopping centers around town, but there are also eclectic shopping streets and boutique outlets.

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 Richmond Better for Families?

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

Richmond is a family-friendly city. The Children's Museum of Richmond offers hands-on exhibits that will keep young ones entertained. Another fun option is the Science Museum of Virginia. The city also has parks and outdoor places to explore as well as playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants.

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 Richmond Better for Couples?

Both New Orleans and Richmond 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.

Richmond makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Kayaking or tubing on the James River is a great activity for couples. There are also museums and many restaurants that are perfect for a date night.

Is New Orleans or Richmond Better for Students?

Both New Orleans and Richmond are notable destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit New Orleans. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Richmond is popular with students. There are a couple of colleges and universities in town such as Virginia Commonwealth University.

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

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

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 Richmond. There are buses around town, but the availability and reliability is limited.

Is New Orleans or Richmond a more walkable city?

New Orleans and Richmond are notable 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.

Richmond is a somewhat walkable place. There are some walkable neighborhoods such as the Fan and Museum District, but most people prefer to get around by car.

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

Should I spend more time in Richmond or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Richmond?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in New Orleans or Richmond to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in New Orleans than Richmond 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 Richmond.

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

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

The city of New Orleans offers nightlife and live music. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Richmond. 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 Richmond?

New Orleans is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in New Orleans, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the growing destination of Richmond. 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 Richmond?

New Orleans is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The friendly city of Richmond 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 Richmond?

New Orleans is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

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

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 Richmond Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Richmond?

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

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 Richmond in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Richmond. Many visitors come to New Orleans in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Richmond for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, New Orleans is generally around the same temperature as Richmond. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 82°F (28°C), and Richmond fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Richmond. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In the summer, New Orleans often gets less sunshine than Richmond. New Orleans gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Richmond receives 305 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Richmond. New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the summer. New Orleans usually gets more rain in July than Richmond. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Richmond in the Autumn?

Both Richmond and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Richmond because of the shopping scene.

New Orleans is a little warmer than Richmond in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and Richmond fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Richmond. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually receives more sunshine than Richmond during autumn. New Orleans gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Richmond receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, New Orleans usually receives less rain than Richmond. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Orleans or Richmond in the Winter?

Both Richmond and New Orleans during the winter are popular places to visit. 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 Richmond this time of year.

It's quite cold in Richmond in the winter. In the winter, New Orleans is much warmer than Richmond. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Orleans in January average around 51°F (11°C), and Richmond averages at about 36°F (2°C).

In the winter, New Orleans often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Richmond. New Orleans gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Richmond receives 169 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually gets more rain in January than Richmond. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Richmond in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Richmond. The activities around the city are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.

In April, New Orleans is generally a little warmer than Richmond. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 68°F (20°C), and Richmond fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Richmond this time of the year. In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. New Orleans usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Richmond during spring. New Orleans gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Richmond receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Richmond. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Richmond and New Orleans