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

Should you visit New Orleans or Ocean City?

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 Ocean City 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 vibrant, energetic, and fun-filled 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. Other popular activities here include food, nightlife, and live music. See New Orleans travel costs.

Ocean City

Ocean City is a laid back, active, and energetic city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and beaches. See Ocean City travel costs.

New Orleans and Ocean City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Ocean City?

Visitors will usually find more to do in New Orleans than Ocean City, 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 Ocean City is more popular for its museums and attractions, resorts, and beaches. New Orleans is well known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. Also, New Orleans is famous for The French Quarter. Ocean City is well known for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports.

The French Quarter

How is New Orleans different from Ocean City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ocean City is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Ocean City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people spend their time on the beach, but for the rainy days you can check out the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum or the Art League of Ocean City.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

New Orleans is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Ocean City is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Ocean City. Themed restaurants are popular in the area. You'll also find all-you-can-eat seafood buffets and casual diners with pancakes and waffles. Pizza, burgers, and other fast food options are also abundant.

Is New Orleans or Ocean City Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. Also, Ocean City is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

People head to New Orleans just to party. 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.

Ocean City has a large number of nightlife venues. Happy hours are popular at the bars in the area. You'll also find live music and DJ led parties. Head to the boardwalk, which will overwhelm your senses. There are neon lights, colorful rides, and arcades filled with people and activities.

Is New Orleans or Ocean City Better for Music?

New Orleans is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Ocean City is not a live music destination.

In New Orleans you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. 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.

Ocean City is not a live music destination.

Is New Orleans or Ocean City Better for Resorts?

Ocean City is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, New Orleans is not a resort destination.

In Ocean City, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are many oceanfront resorts with pools and rooms with ocean views. The hotels along the beach tend to be the most expensive, but if you find a place across from the Coastal Highway, it's very challenging to walk to the beach.

New Orleans is not a resort destination.

Is New Orleans or Ocean City Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at Ocean City attract visitors from all over. There are ten miles of sandy beach that are lined with hotels and resorts. A festive boardwalk runs along the coastline and has many rides, arcades, restaurants, and more. The beach offers waves and warm water during the summer months.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is New Orleans or Ocean City Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Ocean City 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.

Ocean City does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Ocean City?

Shoppers can find a variety of respectable stores in both New Orleans and Ocean City.

New Orleans is a good destination for shopping. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

If you're looking to go shopping, Ocean City has some nice offerings. You'll find surf stores and souvenir shops along the three mile boardwalk. There are also many vendors and shopping centers along the Coastal Highway. For something a little more interesting you can head to the Inlet Village.

Is New Orleans or Ocean City Better for Families?

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

Ocean City is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Beyond the family-friendly beach, there's also minigolf, dolphin tours, and themed-restaurants that are perfect for kids. Head to the Jolly Roger amusement park for a thrilling afternoon or spend some time visiting Ripley's Believe It or Not. The boardwalk is lined with activities for both kids and adults. There are also candy shops, ice cream parlors, and pizza joints where you can grab a bite to eat.

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 Ocean City Better for Couples?

Ocean City is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Ocean City makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Hotels line the beach, many with beautiful views and nice pools. You can take long romantic walks along the coastline or head to one of the many seafood restaurants in town.

New Orleans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 New Orleans or Ocean City Better for Students?

New Orleans is a popular place for students. However, Ocean City is not popular with students.

New Orleans is a good city to visit for students. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Ocean City is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both New Orleans and Ocean City.

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 generally limited in Ocean City. There are boardwalk trams as well as shuttle buses, but most people have their own vehicle, and its recommended you have a private car to get around.

Is New Orleans or Ocean City a more walkable city?

New Orleans is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Ocean City is not a good city 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.

Ocean City is generally not a very walkable city. If you stay at an oceanfront hotel or on the ocean block, it's possible to walk to the beach. If you stay further back, you'll have to cross the Coastal Highway, which is eight lanes of busy traffic.

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

Should I spend more time in Ocean City or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Ocean City?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Ocean City than New Orleans. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Ocean City 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 Ocean City 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 Ocean City?

With food and nightlife around the energetic city of New Orleans, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active city of Ocean City. 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 Ocean City?

With nightlife and live music around the destination of New Orleans, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the laid back destination of Ocean City. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This 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 Ocean City?

New Orleans, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fun-filled city of Ocean City. 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 Ocean City?

New Orleans is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ocean City. 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 city.

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

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 Ocean City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Ocean City?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans and Ocean 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 New Orleans or Ocean City?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit New Orleans or Ocean City in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Ocean City. Many travelers come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Ocean City in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, New Orleans is generally a little warmer than Ocean City. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 82°F (28°C), and Ocean City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

It's quite rainy in Ocean City. New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the summer. New Orleans usually gets more rain in July than Ocean City. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Ocean City in the Autumn?

Both Ocean City and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to New Orleans in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, most visitors come to Ocean City for the shopping scene during these months.

New Orleans is a little warmer than Ocean City in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and Ocean City fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In October, New Orleans usually receives less rain than Ocean City. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Orleans or Ocean City in the Winter?

Both Ocean City and New Orleans during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Ocean City can be very cold. In the winter, New Orleans is much warmer than Ocean City. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Orleans in January average around 51°F (11°C), and Ocean City averages at about 35°F (2°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually gets more rain in January than Ocean City. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Ocean City in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Ocean City. The spring months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the activities around the city. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year.

In April, New Orleans is generally much warmer than Ocean City. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 68°F (20°C), and Ocean City fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Ocean City. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ocean City and New Orleans