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

Should you visit Sarasota or New Orleans?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Sarasota and New Orleans. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Sarasota

Sarasota is a underrated, relaxing, and entertaining city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and beaches.

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.

Sarasota and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or New Orleans?

Tourists will generally find more to do in New Orleans than Sarasota. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. New Orleans is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Sarasota attracts visitors for its museums, resorts, beaches, and shopping. New Orleans is more touristy than Sarasota 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. Sarasota is famous for its sandy beaches and its fun activities.

The French Quarter

How is Sarasota different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sarasota or New Orleans?

Sarasota 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 Sarasota. There are some decent museums in town such as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, and the Ca' da'Zan. Another highlight is the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Eat your way through New Orleans, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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 many up and coming restaurants in the Sarasota area. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

Is Sarasota or New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Sarasota. You'll find beach clubs, live entertainment such as drum circles, and plenty of bars around town. There are also evening cruises and late night parties.

Is Sarasota or New Orleans Better for Music?

New Orleans is renowned for its live music scene. However, Sarasota 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.

Sarasota is not a live music destination.

Is Sarasota or New Orleans Better for Resorts?

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

Sarasota has a handful of resorts to choose from. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

New Orleans is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or New Orleans Better for Beaches?

Sarasota 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 Sarasota. There's no shortage of beaches in the area where you can spend a relaxing day playing the water and lounging in the sun. Siesta Key, Sarasota Gay Beach, Crescent Beach, and Coquina Beach are some of the favorites.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is Sarasota or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

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

There are many historical things to see in the old town of New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Sarasota does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or New Orleans?

Sarasota 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 Sarasota. Upscale shopping can be found at St. Armand's Circle. There's also Sarasota Square Mall and the Mall at University Town Center. If you want to pick up some local items you can check out Sarasota Farmers Market.

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 Sarasota or New Orleans Better for Families?

Sarasota is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Sarasota is an extremely popular city to visit for families. There's a huge number of hands on activities for kids and families in the area. Many families enjoy a visit to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. There are also botanical gardens, science museums, and outdoor adventure centers. Animal lovers will appreciate a visit to Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. The city also has many performing arts and entertainment options for kids. And make sure you check out the museum dedicated to the Ringling Brothers Circus.

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 Sarasota or New Orleans Better for Couples?

Sarasota and New Orleans both nice destinations for a couple.

Sarasota makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. A night out at St. Armands Circle is a fun way to spend the evening. There are also sunset cruises, nice restaurants, comedy clubs, and more.

New Orleans is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Is Sarasota or New Orleans Better for Students?

New Orleans is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Sarasota 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.

Sarasota is not popular with students.

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

Sarasota and New Orleans both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Sarasota. There's a bus system around town but most visitors depend on their own car for transportation.

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 Sarasota or New Orleans a more walkable city?

New Orleans is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Sarasota 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.

Sarasota is generally not very walkable. While the downtown has some walkable parts, you'll need a car to access most things around town.

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

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or New Orleans?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sarasota and New Orleans. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sarasota than in New Orleans. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Sarasota, and 2-3 days is enough time in New Orleans.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New Orleans than Sarasota 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 Sarasota or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxing city of Sarasota. 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.

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.

A weekend in Sarasota or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the underrated destination of Sarasota. 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.

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.

Five days in Sarasota or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the entertaining city of Sarasota. 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.

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.

A week in Sarasota or New Orleans?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sarasota. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

When comparing the travel costs between Sarasota and New Orleans, we can see that Sarasota 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 Sarasota Expensive? and Is New Orleans Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and New Orleans, 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 Sarasota or New Orleans?

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 Sarasota or New Orleans in the Summer?

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

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans during summer. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun in the summer.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sarasota gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sarasota usually receives more rain than New Orleans. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sarasota or New Orleans in the Autumn?

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

Sarasota is a little warmer than New Orleans in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 76°F (24°C) in October, and New Orleans fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In the autumn, Sarasota often gets around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets less rain in October than New Orleans. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Should I visit Sarasota or New Orleans in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Sarasota is a little warmer than New Orleans. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sarasota in January average around 59°F (15°C), and New Orleans averages at about 51°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than New Orleans during winter. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In January, Sarasota usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sarasota or New Orleans in the Spring?

Both New Orleans and Sarasota during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the beaches. Furthermore, many visitors come to New Orleans in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Sarasota is generally a little warmer than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 73°F (23°C), and New Orleans fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the spring, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than New Orleans. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sarasota usually gets less rain in April than New Orleans. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Sarasota