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

Should you visit New Orleans or Virginia Beach?

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 Virginia Beach 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. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and nightlife.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a relaxing, bustling, and fun-filled coastal city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and beaches.

New Orleans and Virginia Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Virginia Beach?

Tourists will generally find more to do in New Orleans. Although New Orleans and Virginia Beach are about the same size, New Orleans has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. New Orleans is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Virginia Beach attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. New Orleans is more touristy than Virginia Beach and is known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also well known for The French Quarter. Virginia Beach is famous for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

The French Quarter

How is New Orleans different from Virginia Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Virginia Beach and New Orleans. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

New Orleans is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its local cuisine and 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.

Virginia Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Is New Orleans or Virginia Beach Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its evening party scene.

New Orleans is a must-see 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Virginia Beach. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

Is New Orleans or Virginia Beach Better for Music?

New Orleans is terrific for its live music scene. However, Virginia Beach is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in New Orleans. 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.

Virginia Beach is not a live music destination.

Is New Orleans or Virginia Beach Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach is a coastal city with good options for its luxury resorts. However, New Orleans is not a resort destination.

Virginia Beach has a handful of resorts to choose from. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

New Orleans is not a resort destination.

Is New Orleans or Virginia Beach Better for Beaches?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Virginia Beach. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is New Orleans or Virginia Beach Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is great for its old town. However, Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Virginia Beach?

New Orleans is adequate for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is New Orleans or Virginia Beach Better for Families?

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

Virginia Beach is a very family-friendly destination. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

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 Virginia Beach Better for Couples?

Both New Orleans and Virginia Beach are nice 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.

Virginia Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.

Is New Orleans or Virginia Beach Better for Students?

Both New Orleans and Virginia Beach are nice destinations for students.

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

Virginia Beach is popular with students. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

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

New Orleans is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its public transit.

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 limited or non-existant in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.

Is New Orleans or Virginia Beach a more walkable city?

New Orleans is a nice place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable place. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

Virginia Beach is generally not very walkable. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

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

Should I spend more time in Virginia Beach or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Virginia Beach?

Both New Orleans and Virginia Beach have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach than in New Orleans. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for New Orleans, and 5-7 days is enough time in Virginia Beach.

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

Couples should spend more time in New Orleans than Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach?

In New Orleans, you'll find nightlife and live music. Visiting the old town is also a must. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife when visiting the bustling coastal city of Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach?

New Orleans is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife when visiting the relaxing destination of Virginia Beach. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in New Orleans or Virginia Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Orleans. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife when visiting the bustling coastal city of Virginia Beach. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in New Orleans or Virginia Beach?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the city of New Orleans. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Virginia Beach. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this coastal city.

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 Virginia Beach, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach.

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 Virginia Beach Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Virginia Beach?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Virginia Beach. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans and Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach?

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 Virginia Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Virginia Beach. Most visitors come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, New Orleans is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in New Orleans in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach during summer. New Orleans gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

Virginia Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New Orleans usually receives around the same amount of rain as Virginia Beach. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Orleans or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Virginia Beach. The autumn months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Additionally, the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.

In October, New Orleans is generally a little warmer than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 69°F (21°C), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In the autumn, New Orleans often gets more sunshine than Virginia Beach. New Orleans gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun.

New Orleans usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Virginia Beach. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Virginia Beach in the Winter?

Both Virginia Beach and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Virginia Beach. New Orleans is much warmer than Virginia Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 51°F (11°C) in January, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

New Orleans usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach during winter. New Orleans gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. In January, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Virginia Beach. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Orleans or Virginia Beach in the Spring?

Both Virginia Beach and New Orleans during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to New Orleans for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, New Orleans is a little warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in New Orleans in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In Virginia Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in New Orleans. In the spring, New Orleans often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach. New Orleans gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 253 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 Virginia Beach. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and New Orleans