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

Should you visit Tampa or New Orleans?

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

Should I visit Tampa or New Orleans? 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.

Tampa

Tampa is a low-key, laid-back, and easy-going city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food and beaches.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a energetic, fun-filled, and festive 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. It's also popular because of the food, nightlife, and live music.

Tampa and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or New Orleans?

You'll generally find more things to do in New Orleans than Tampa. New Orleans is bigger than Tampa, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. New Orleans is better known for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Tampa is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches. New Orleans is more touristy than Tampa and is known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. Also, New Orleans is famous for The French Quarter. Tampa is well known for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port.

The French Quarter

How is Tampa different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

New Orleans is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, New Orleans is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Tampa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

Is Tampa or New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

New Orleans has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Is Tampa or New Orleans Better for Music?

New Orleans is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Tampa is not a live music destination.

New Orleans has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. 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.

Tampa is not a live music destination.

Is Tampa or New Orleans Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a decent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, New Orleans is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Tampa. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

New Orleans is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or New Orleans Better for Beaches?

Tampa is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, New Orleans is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Tampa attract visitors from all over. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is Tampa or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Tampa does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Tampa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Tampa or New Orleans?

New Orleans is a decent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

New Orleans has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or New Orleans Better for Families?

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

Tampa is a very family-friendly destination. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

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 Tampa or New Orleans Better for Couples?

New Orleans is a popular place for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

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.

Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

Is Tampa or New Orleans Better for Students?

New Orleans is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Tampa is not popular with students.

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

Tampa is not popular with students.

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

New Orleans is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in options 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 Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

Is Tampa or New Orleans a more walkable city?

New Orleans is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its walkability.

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

Tampa is generally not very walkable. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or New Orleans?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in New Orleans than Tampa. 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 Tampa 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 Tampa or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the low-key city of Tampa. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

In New Orleans, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this festive destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tampa or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the low-key destination of Tampa. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Orleans. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tampa or New Orleans?

The laid-back city of Tampa offers food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

New Orleans is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the destination of New Orleans. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tampa or New Orleans?

Many people enjoy the food when visiting Tampa. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the festive destination of New Orleans. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tampa Expensive? and Is New Orleans Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tampa or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 49% larger than the population of Tampa. When comparing the sizes of Tampa 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 Tampa 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 Tampa or New Orleans in the Summer?

Both New Orleans and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tampa in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

It's quite sunny in New Orleans. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans during summer. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. It's quite rainy in Tampa. In July, Tampa usually receives more rain than New Orleans. Tampa 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 Tampa or New Orleans in the Autumn?

Both New Orleans and Tampa during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tampa for the city's sights and attractions during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Tampa is generally a little warmer than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 75°F (24°C), and New Orleans fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the autumn, Tampa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets less rain in October than New Orleans. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or New Orleans in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and New Orleans. The winter months attract visitors to Tampa because of the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.

Tampa is a little warmer than New Orleans in the winter. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 60°F (15°C) in January, and New Orleans fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than New Orleans during winter. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Tampa usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Tampa 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 Tampa or New Orleans in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tampa as well as New Orleans. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New Orleans for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Tampa is around the same temperature as New Orleans. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tampa in April average around 71°F (22°C), and New Orleans averages at about 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the spring, Tampa often gets more sunshine than New Orleans. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Tampa usually gets less rain in April than New Orleans. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Tampa