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

Should you visit New Orleans or Seattle?

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 Seattle 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.

Seattle

Seattle is a bustling, progressive, and cultural city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater.

New Orleans and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Seattle?

Both Seattle and New Orleans have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. New Orleans is better known for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere, while Seattle is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty. New Orleans is more touristy than Seattle and is popular for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. Seattle is well known for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies.

How is New Orleans different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Seattle 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 Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

Is New Orleans or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a city with good options for theatre. However, New Orleans is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

New Orleans is not a theatre destination.

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

New Orleans is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Seattle. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Is New Orleans or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

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.

Seattle has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is New Orleans or Seattle Better for Music?

New Orleans is renowned for its music scene. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for live music.

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.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Seattle has diverse options. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Is New Orleans or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is a city with good options for its beaches. However, New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Seattle. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is New Orleans or Seattle Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is notable for its historic old town charm. However, Seattle 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.

Seattle does not have a historic old town.

Is New Orleans or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle 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 Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Seattle?

Seattle 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 Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

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 Seattle Better for Families?

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

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

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 Seattle Better for Couples?

Both New Orleans and Seattle 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.

Seattle makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is New Orleans or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Seattle is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for backpackers.

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

New Orleans is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a handful of hostels in New Orleans that are good options for backpackers who want to meet other travelers.

Is New Orleans or Seattle Better for Students?

Seattle is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Seattle. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

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

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

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

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

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 Seattle a more walkable city?

Seattle 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.

Seattle is very walkable. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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 Seattle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seattle or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Seattle?

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

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

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

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

One day in New Orleans or Seattle?

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.

Seattle is a bustling city where you can fill many days. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle is a progressive big city where you can fill many days. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Seattle?

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 cultural city of Seattle offers food and shopping. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Seattle?

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 shopping and museums when visiting Seattle. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between New Orleans and Seattle, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. And not only is Seattle much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Seattle would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Seattle 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 Seattle.

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 Seattle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Seattle?

Seattle has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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 Seattle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Seattle. Most visitors come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Seattle because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, New Orleans is generally a little warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 82°F (28°C), and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. 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 Seattle. New Orleans gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the summer. New Orleans usually gets more rain in July than Seattle. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

New Orleans is much warmer than Seattle in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during autumn. New Orleans gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, New Orleans usually receives around the same amount of rain as Seattle. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Orleans or Seattle in the Winter?

Both Seattle and New Orleans during the winter are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Seattle for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In the winter, New Orleans is much warmer than Seattle. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Orleans in January average around 51°F (11°C), and Seattle averages at about 42°F (5°C).

In the winter, New Orleans often gets more sunshine than Seattle. New Orleans gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.

Seattle 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 January as Seattle. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Seattle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Seattle. Many travelers come to New Orleans for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, New Orleans is generally much warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 68°F (20°C), and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seattle this time of the year. In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. New Orleans usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during spring. New Orleans gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 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 Seattle. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seattle and New Orleans