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

Should you visit New Orleans or Roanoke?

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 Roanoke 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 festive, vibrant, and energetic 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.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a outdoorsy, laid back, and scenic town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Roanoke travel costs.

New Orleans and Roanoke: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Roanoke?

You'll generally find more things to do in New Orleans than Roanoke. New Orleans is bigger than Roanoke, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. New Orleans is better known for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Roanoke is more popular for its museums and attractions, hiking, and shopping. New Orleans is more touristy than Roanoke 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. Roanoke is well known for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The French Quarter

How is New Orleans different from Roanoke?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Roanoke 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 Roanoke?

Roanoke is a town with good options for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

Roanoke is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several museums and sights around town such as the Living-Coral Reef Aquarium, the Science Museum of Western Virginia, and the Taubman Museum of Art. There's also the Harrison Museum of African American Culture and even the Roanoke Pinball Museum.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

New Orleans is renowned for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Roanoke is not known for its local cuisine and 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.

Roanoke offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are burger joints, pizza restaurants, and plenty of other casual eateries where you can grab a quick meal.

Is New Orleans or Roanoke Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

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 Roanoke. There are local venues in the area that have drinks and often live music. You'll find jazz, country, rock, and bluegrass, particularly along Crooked Road in Franklin County.

Is New Orleans or Roanoke Better for Music?

New Orleans is renowned for its music scene. However, Roanoke 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.

Roanoke is not a live music destination.

Is New Orleans or Roanoke Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Roanoke 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.

Roanoke does not have a historic old town.

Is New Orleans or Roanoke Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Roanoke. The surrounding countryside is filled with mountain hikes. The Blue Ridge Mountains are crossed by trails that take you to waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and through serene forest. McAfee Knob, Sharp Top Mountain, and Roaring Run Trail some of the best hikes in the area.

New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Roanoke?

Roanoke is a town with good options for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Roanoke. Market Street in Downtown Roanoke is lined with local vendors, particularly at the Historic Roanoke City Market. The town also has a mall and several shopping centers.

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 Roanoke Better for Families?

Roanoke is a town with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Roanoke is a family-friendly town. The Blue Ridge Parkway is filled with kid-friendly hiking trails and fun outdoor activities. You can visit the Blue Ridge Institute & Farm Museum or Smith Mountain Lake Farm. There's also Virginia Children's Theater.

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 Roanoke Better for Couples?

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

Roanoke makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Staying at a quaint bed and breakfast, tucked into the beautiful mountain setting is the perfect romantic getaway. Nearby there are vineyards and wine cellars, as well as gardens, hikes, and other outdoor activities.

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 Roanoke Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is a town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for backpackers.

Roanoke is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are several campgrounds in the area as well as great hiking trails.

New Orleans is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a handful of hostels in New Orleans that are good options for backpackers who want to meet other travelers.

Is New Orleans or Roanoke Better for Students?

New Orleans is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Roanoke 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.

Roanoke is not popular with students.

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

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

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 Roanoke. There are buses as well as a free trolley service through the downtown, but you really do need a car to get most places.

Is New Orleans or Roanoke a more walkable city?

New Orleans is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Roanoke is not known 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.

Roanoke is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is the most walkable part of town, with sidewalks and more dense development styles.

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

Should I spend more time in Roanoke or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Roanoke?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both New Orleans and Roanoke. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for New Orleans, and 1-3 days is enough time in Roanoke.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Roanoke than New Orleans 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 Roanoke.

One day in New Orleans or Roanoke?

In New Orleans, you'll find food and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the outdoorsy town of Roanoke. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in New Orleans or Roanoke?

In New Orleans, you'll find nightlife and live music. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 museums when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Roanoke. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This town 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.

Five days in New Orleans or Roanoke?

New Orleans is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The laid back town of Roanoke offers museums and nightlife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

A week in New Orleans or Roanoke?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Orleans. Many people enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting New Orleans. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting Roanoke. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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 Roanoke, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. And not only is Roanoke much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Roanoke would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roanoke 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 Roanoke.

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 Roanoke Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Roanoke?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Roanoke. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans and Roanoke, 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 Roanoke?

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 Roanoke in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Roanoke. Many travelers come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Roanoke in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, New Orleans is generally around the same temperature as Roanoke. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 82°F (28°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Roanoke this time of the year. In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. New Orleans usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke during summer. New Orleans gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

Roanoke receives a lot of rain in the summer. New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Roanoke. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Orleans or Roanoke in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Roanoke. 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 Roanoke for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

New Orleans is a little warmer than Roanoke in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and Roanoke fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In the autumn, New Orleans often gets more sunshine than Roanoke. New Orleans gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 210 hours of full sun.

New Orleans usually gets less rain in October than Roanoke. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Roanoke in the Winter?

Both Roanoke and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Roanoke because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Roanoke can be very cold. In the winter, New Orleans is much warmer than Roanoke. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Orleans in January average around 51°F (11°C), and Roanoke averages at about 38°F (3°C).

New Orleans usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke during winter. New Orleans gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. In January, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Roanoke. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Orleans or Roanoke in the Spring?

Both Roanoke and New Orleans during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the activities around the city.

In April, New Orleans is generally a little warmer than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 68°F (20°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in New Orleans. In the spring, New Orleans often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. New Orleans gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 246 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually gets more rain in April than Roanoke. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Roanoke and New Orleans