A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America New Orleans vs. Hilton Head Island for Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit New Orleans or Hilton Head Island?

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 Hilton Head Island 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 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. See New Orleans travel costs.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a resort-filled, family-friendly, and relaxing coastal town. Hilton Head Island is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping. See Hilton Head Island travel costs.

New Orleans and Hilton Head Island: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Hilton Head Island?

Visitors will usually find more to do in New Orleans than Hilton Head Island, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. New Orleans is better known for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Hilton Head Island is more popular for its resorts, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty. New Orleans is more touristy than Hilton Head Island 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. Hilton Head Island is well known for its long sandy beaches, many golf courses, popular tennis camps, and accessible bike trails.

The French Quarter

How is New Orleans different from Hilton Head Island?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New Orleans is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

New Orleans has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Hilton Head Island makes for a great culinary experience. The island has many famous restaurants but reservations during the summer are a must. Restaurants can get very crowded during peak times. For some of the best restaurants head to Shelter Cove or Harbour Town. Popular local dishes include fried seafood and oysters.

Is New Orleans or Hilton Head Island Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is terrific for its evening party scene. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Hilton Head Island. There are a few sports bars and comedy clubs, but nightlife isn't really a thing in Hilton Head. This is very much a family destination that shuts down with the sunset.

Is New Orleans or Hilton Head Island Better for Music?

New Orleans is terrific for its music scene. However, Hilton Head Island 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.

Hilton Head Island is not a live music destination.

Is New Orleans or Hilton Head Island Better for Resorts?

Hilton Head Island is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, New Orleans is not a resort destination.

In Hilton Head Island, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of weekly condo rentals, which usually include a pool and outdoor space. Tennis and golf are also popular on the island so many resorts have facilities for each.

New Orleans is not a resort destination.

Is New Orleans or Hilton Head Island Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at Hilton Head Island attract visitors from all over. The island has nice beaches that are popular with families. They are great for swimming during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. While some beaches may get a bit crowded during peak holidays, they're usually pretty relaxed and less crowded than many nearby beaches.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is New Orleans or Hilton Head Island Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Hilton Head Island does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Hilton Head Island does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Hilton Head Island?

Hilton Head Island is a coastal town with good options for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Hilton Head Island. The area has upscale shopping with designer names and local venues. Popular shopping areas include Shelter Cove Town Center and Harbor Town.

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 Hilton Head Island More Beautiful?

Hilton Head Island is a coastal town with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, New Orleans is not a destination known for its beauty.

Hilton Head Island is a gorgeous place to visit. The island has many beautiful waterways that are best explored by boat or kayak. The beaches are also beautiful and striking.

New Orleans is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is New Orleans or Hilton Head Island Better for Families?

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

Hilton Head Island is an extremely popular coastal town to visit for families. This area is a popular family-friendly beach destination with a number of summer events for the whole family, peaceful beaches, and family-friendly restaurants throughout. Older kids will enjoy cycling around the island's many bike trails or attending a popular tennis camp.

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 Hilton Head Island Better for Couples?

Both New Orleans and Hilton Head Island 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.

Hilton Head Island makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While the area is most popular with families, it is a fun place to explore as a couple because of the many high end restaurants and the beautiful setting. Couples can rent bikes to explore or play a friendly game of tennis.

Is New Orleans or Hilton Head Island Better for Students?

New Orleans is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Hilton Head Island is not popular with students.

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

Hilton Head Island is not popular with students.

Is New Orleans or Hilton Head Island 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, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good 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 Hilton Head Island. You must have a car to get most places on the island, unless you bike. Rush hour during summer months can have intense traffic.

Is New Orleans or Hilton Head Island a more walkable city?

New Orleans is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good 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.

Hilton Head Island is generally not very walkable. You really need a car to get around, but for those who are motivated, there is a great network of bike trails. It's mostly used for recreational purposes though.

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

Should I spend more time in Hilton Head Island or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Hilton Head Island?

Both New Orleans and Hilton Head Island have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island.

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

Couples should spend more time in New Orleans than Hilton Head Island. 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 Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the festive destination of New Orleans. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the family-friendly coastal town of Hilton Head Island. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Hilton Head Island?

New Orleans is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the fun-filled city of New Orleans. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that New Orleans has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and food when visiting the beautiful destination of Hilton Head Island. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This coastal town 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 Hilton Head Island?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting New Orleans. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the resort-filled coastal town of Hilton Head Island. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Hilton Head Island?

New Orleans is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and food when visiting the destination of Hilton Head Island. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this coastal town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Hilton Head Island?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hilton Head Island. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans and Hilton Head Island, 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 Hilton Head Island?

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 Hilton Head Island in the Summer?

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

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

It's quite sunny in Hilton Head Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hilton Head Island during summer. New Orleans gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Hilton Head Island receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilton Head Island. It's quite rainy in New Orleans. In July, New Orleans usually receives less rain than Hilton Head Island. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Orleans or Hilton Head Island in the Autumn?

Both Hilton Head Island and New Orleans during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to New Orleans for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Hilton Head Island because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

New Orleans is around the same temperature as Hilton Head Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Hilton Head Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in New Orleans. In the autumn, New Orleans often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hilton Head Island. New Orleans gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilton Head Island receives 223 hours of full sun.

New Orleans usually gets more rain in October than Hilton Head Island. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Hilton Head Island in the Winter?

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

In the winter, New Orleans is a little warmer than Hilton Head Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Orleans in January average around 51°F (11°C), and Hilton Head Island averages at about 48°F (9°C).

New Orleans usually receives less sunshine than Hilton Head Island during winter. New Orleans gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Hilton Head Island receives 176 hours of full sun in the winter.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Hilton Head Island. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Orleans or Hilton Head Island in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Hilton Head Island. The activities around the city are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Hilton Head Island for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, New Orleans is generally around the same temperature as Hilton Head Island. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 68°F (20°C), and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hilton Head Island. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In the spring, New Orleans often gets less sunshine than Hilton Head Island. New Orleans gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilton Head Island receives 275 hours of full sun.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the spring. New Orleans usually gets more rain in April than Hilton Head Island. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hilton Head Island and New Orleans