A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Orlando vs. New York City for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Orlando or New York City?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Orlando or New York City? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Orlando

Orlando is a family-friendly, entertaining, and active city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and theater.

New York City

New York City is a energetic, cosmopolitan, and one-of-a-kind city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater.

Orlando and New York City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orlando or New York City?

Travelers will usually find more to do in New York City than Orlando, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. New York City is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Orlando is known for its resorts. Orlando is popular for being the home of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and many other theme parks and family-friendly activities. New York City is popular for its high-reaching skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, world-class theater scene, and endless energy. It is also home to The Statue of Liberty.

How is Orlando different from New York City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Orlando or New York City?

New York City is renowned for its historical sights. However, Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit New York City from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The sights and museums around the city are too numerous to list, but some of the most famous include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. This is a city that is filled with iconic landmarks and you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.

Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Orlando or New York City Better for Theater?

New York City is renowned for theatre. Also, Orlando is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its theatre productions.

The theater and performance venues in New York City draw crowds from around the world. Visiting Broadway is a quintessential NYC experience. Whether you enjoy the theater or simply want to experience something new, seeing a Broadway show is a true bucket list activity.

Orlando offers a number of shows and performances. The city has a number of local theaters that are fun to explore. As home to Disney World and Universal Studios, there are also a number of shows available that are affiliated with the parks.

Is the Food Better in Orlando or New York City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New York City is renowned for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Orlando is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, New York City is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city has a diverse variety of restaurants, with everything from local dives to Michelin star options. There are many neighborhoods that are notable for their ethnic cuisine, particularly Little Italy and Chinatown. Quintessential NYC dishes include NYC pizza, NYC hot dogs, bagels, and Chinese dim sum.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Orlando. There are a diversity of restaurants on the Disney grounds and nearby. You'll also find many restaurants at Universal CityWalk and Disney Springs. Food can be expensive, and the quality can vary dramatically. Many people enjoy going to dinner shows as well. Restaurants can be challenging also, as reservations must be made months in advance.

Is Orlando or New York City Better for Nightlife?

New York City is renowned for nightlife. Also, Orlando is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

New York City is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Known as the city that never sleeps, you can be assured that NYC has some of the best nightlife in the world. There are world class bars and clubs, but also local venues that have a more relaxed atmosphere. Several famous clubs include Paul's Cocktail Lounge, Le Bain, and Avant Gardner.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Orlando. If you need a break from the kids, you'll find some of the best nightlife around Orlando at Disney Springs, Wall Street Plaza and Universal CityWalk.

Is Orlando or New York City Better for Music?

New York City is renowned for live music. However, Orlando is not a live music destination.

New York City is known as a music capital around the world. Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.

Orlando is not a live music destination.

Is Orlando or New York City Better for Resorts?

Orlando is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. However, New York City is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Orlando for its luxury resorts. Disney World is famous for its many iconic resorts. Some of the most popular are the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort. There are also many resorts that aren't affiliated with the major theme parks. These tend to be more affordable, but transportation options to and from the park are limited. You'll also miss out on the perks that come with staying at a theme park resort.

New York City is not a resort destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Orlando or New York City?

New York City is renowned for shopping. Also, Orlando is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in New York City. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Head for Fifth Avenue for high end shopping or check out any of the many street markets for local items. New York is known for its many flea markets where you can find vintage items at a good price. And if you're looking to pick up a souvenir shirt or knick knack, there are plenty of souvenir shops around town as well.

Orlando is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is a dream for any Disney enthusiast. There are countless malls and shops, both on and off the Disney grounds, that sell all of the Disney paraphernalia. Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk are the most famous areas. During the evenings, these areas can be very crowded, but during the day they're less popular as most people are at the theme parks.

Is Orlando or New York City Better for Christmas?

With various activities, both Orlando and New York City are amazing places to visit during Christmas.

With so many activities, Orlando is a top place to visit during Christmas. Christmas at Disney World is lots of fun. There are decorations and all kinds of seasonal activities around town.

New York City is a fantastic destination at Christmas. Christmas in the city is a quintessential experience. From the Christmas tree and ice skating at Rockefeller Center to seeing a live performance of the Nutcracker, everyone enjoys the holidays in New York.

Is Orlando or New York City Better for Christmas Markets?

New York City is great for visiting Christmas markets. However, Orlando does not offer Christmas markets.

New York City has a lively atmosphere around its Christmas markets. There are a number of Christmas markets that pop up around town during the holiday season. Nothing will get you more in the holiday spirit than wandering these unique venues.

Orlando does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Orlando or New York City Better for Families?

Orlando is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, New York City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Orlando is very family-friendly. Known as a theme park capital, here you'll find the iconic Disney World, as well as Universal Studios, SeaWorld and many more. While most people spend their vacation at the Disney or Universal resorts, there is also an endless supply of less mainstream parks and activities in the area.

New York City is a very kid-friendly city. The city has many activities for kids of all ages including world class museums, beautifully designed playgrounds, and theater shows designed just for young ones. There are many kid-friendly restaurants as well and older kids will enjoy visiting the iconic landmarks in this world-class city.

Is Orlando or New York City Better for Couples?

New York City is renowned for romance. Also, Orlando is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

New York City makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. From a beautiful carriage ride through Central Park, to a romantic river cruise at night, there is an endless list of unique activities that couples can enjoy in the city. Whether you're interested in theater, the arts, music, or nightlife, this city has it all.

Orlando makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While most people visit the area with family, there is a niche crowd that enjoys honeymooning or vacationing here as a couple. There are many beautiful restaurants and interesting activities that couples can enjoy together. This is the perfect trip for fun loving couples who don't take themselves to seriously.

Is Orlando or New York City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

New York City is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Orlando is not a good destination for backpackers.

New York City is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It isn't a particularly budget-friendly destination, but it does get its share of backpackers, so you'll find a nice list of hostels and affordable hangouts that are perfect for the backpacker crowd. This is probably one of the most popular cities for backpackers in the entire United States.

Orlando is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not exactly a backpacker destination, but there are a surprising number of cheap motels that aren't affiliated with the major parks.

Is Orlando or New York City Better for Students?

New York City is renowned for its student-friendly activities. Also, Orlando is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Many students frequent New York City. The city has a diverse population, and international students will feel right at home here exploring the city. There are also plenty of major universities including NYU, Columbia University, and Cornell University.

Orlando is a good city to visit for students. Most people don't think about education when they think about Orlando, but there are actually a diversity of internships and opportunities for students to learn in a fun setting.

Is Orlando or New York City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

New York City is renowned for times when you don't have a car. However, Orlando is not a good destination for its public transit.

New York City has a great public transit system. The city has one of the largest subway systems in the world. There's also an elaborate bus system, ferry system, and yellow taxis all around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Orlando. If you're staying at a Disney Property, there is excellent transportation around the complex, but otherwise, a car is essential.

Is Orlando or New York City a more walkable city?

New York City is renowned for its walkability. However, Orlando is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

New York City is a very easy city to get around on foot. The majority of the neighborhoods in Manhattan are very walkable and easy to explore on foot. Most people prefer not to drive here as it can be overwhelming and chaotic.

Orlando is not a walkable city. The city is sprawling, so unless you stay on the Disney grounds, it's best to rent a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Orlando Worth Visiting? and Is New York City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New York City or Orlando?

How long in Orlando or New York City?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New York City than Orlando 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 York City.

One day in Orlando or New York City?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and theater when visiting the active destination of Orlando. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Because New York City is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Orlando or New York City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Orlando. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Because New York City is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Orlando or New York City?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the family-friendly destination of Orlando. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

New York City is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that New York City has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Orlando or New York City?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Orlando. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New York City. Because New York City is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Orlando and New York City, we can see that New York City 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 Orlando Expensive? and Is New York City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Orlando or New York City?

New York City has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Orlando. When comparing the sizes of Orlando and New York City, 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 Orlando or New York City?

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 Orlando or New York City in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Orlando and New York City. Most visitors come to Orlando for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to New York City because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Orlando is a little warmer than New York City in the summer. The daily temperature in Orlando averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and New York City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

New York City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Orlando gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Orlando usually receives more rain than New York City. Orlando gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Orlando or New York City in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Orlando is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Orlando in October average around 75°F (24°C), and New York City averages at about 57°F (14°C).

Orlando receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Orlando usually gets more rain in October than New York City. Orlando gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orlando or New York City in the Winter?

Both New York City and Orlando are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Orlando this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New York City for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in New York City. In January, Orlando is generally much warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Orlando average around 59°F (15°C), and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).

In January, Orlando usually receives less rain than New York City. Orlando gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Orlando or New York City in the Spring?

Both New York City and Orlando during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to New York City in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Orlando is much warmer than New York City in the spring. The daily temperature in Orlando averages around 72°F (22°C) in April, and New York City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Orlando usually gets less rain in April than New York City. Orlando gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for New York City and Orlando