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

Should you visit West Palm Beach or New Orleans?

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

Should I visit West Palm Beach 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.

West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is a fun-filled, diverse, and vibrant beach area. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See West Palm Beach travel costs.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a festive, vibrant, and energetic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, live music, and food. See New Orleans travel costs.

West Palm Beach and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in West Palm Beach or New Orleans?

Travelers will usually find more to do in New Orleans than West Palm Beach, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. New Orleans is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while West Palm Beach is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. New Orleans is more touristy than West Palm Beach and is known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also home to The French Quarter. West Palm Beach is popular for its nice resorts, a lively boardwalk, great seafood, and fun watersports.

The French Quarter

How is West Palm Beach different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in West Palm Beach or New Orleans? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New Orleans is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. However, West Palm Beach 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in West Palm Beach. Oceanfront restaurants usually have a great view and offer local and fresh seafood. There are also many local restaurants concentrated around Clematis Street and CityPlace districts.

Is West Palm Beach or New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is very popular for nightlife. Also, West Palm Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice beach area for nightlife and partying.

New Orleans is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

West Palm Beach offers plenty to do in the evening. With rooftop bars and clubs, oceanfront venues, and plenty of nightlife options downtown, this city rivals most places when it comes to nightlife. The nightlife scene is particularly active during spring break, when university students head to town.

Is West Palm Beach or New Orleans Better for Music?

New Orleans is very popular for live music. However, West Palm Beach is not a live music destination.

New Orleans is known as a music capital 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.

West Palm Beach is not a live music destination.

Is West Palm Beach or New Orleans Better for Resorts?

West Palm Beach is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, New Orleans is not a resort destination.

West Palm Beach is a world class resort vacation destination. All of the major names are present including the Hilton, Marriott, and Four Seasons.

New Orleans is not a resort destination.

Is West Palm Beach or New Orleans Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

West Palm Beach is an excellent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, New Orleans is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

West Palm Beach is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. Check out Phil Foster Park in Rivera Beach. It's a man-made reef that is surprisingly clear.

New Orleans is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is West Palm Beach or New Orleans Better for Beaches?

West Palm Beach is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, New Orleans is not a beach destination.

West Palm Beach is considered to be a world-class beach destination. From bustling beaches with a boardwalk to quieter, more relaxing beaches surrounded by parkland, there are are number of options in the area.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is West Palm Beach or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is a great city for its historic old town. However, West Palm Beach 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.

West Palm Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in West Palm Beach or New Orleans?

New Orleans is adequate for shopping. However, West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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

West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is West Palm Beach or New Orleans Better for Families?

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

West Palm Beach is a very family-friendly destination. Animal lovers will appreciate the zoos and aquariums in the area. Check out McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary, Manatee Lagoon, the Palm Beach Zoo, and the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium.

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 West Palm Beach or New Orleans Better for Couples?

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

West Palm Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy kayaking, dining out, or simply relaxing on the beach. It's fun to spend a day exploring the botanical gardens and an evening wandering around Clematis Street.

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 West Palm Beach or New Orleans Better for Students?

New Orleans is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, West Palm Beach 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.

West Palm Beach is not popular with students.

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

West Palm Beach is a beach area with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its public transit.

West Palm Beach has some public transit options. There's a downtown trolley, a commuter trail line (connecting West Palm Beach, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale), and a bus system with about 30 lines.

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 West Palm Beach or New Orleans a more walkable city?

West Palm Beach and New Orleans are good when it comes to walkability.

West Palm Beach is somewhat walkable. West Palm Beach has a surprisingly walkable area and it's possible to explore the downtown area on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or West Palm Beach?

How long in West Palm Beach or New Orleans?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both West Palm Beach and New Orleans. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in West Palm Beach than in New Orleans. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for West Palm Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in New Orleans.

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

Couples should spend more time in West Palm Beach than New Orleans. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the diverse beach area of West Palm Beach. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the beaches. 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 festive destination of New Orleans offers live music and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in West Palm Beach or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the diverse destination of West Palm Beach. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This beach area offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

The city of New Orleans offers food and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in West Palm Beach or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the vibrant beach area of West Palm Beach. 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.

New Orleans is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in West Palm Beach or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the destination of West Palm Beach. 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. Most people visit for the beaches. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this beach area.

Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting New Orleans. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between West Palm Beach and New Orleans, we can see that West Palm Beach is more expensive. And not only is New Orleans much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to New Orleans would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in New Orleans 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 West Palm Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in West Palm Beach than you might in New Orleans.

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

Which is Bigger, West Palm Beach or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of West Palm Beach. When comparing the sizes of West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach or New Orleans in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both West Palm Beach and New Orleans. Many visitors come to West Palm Beach in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

West Palm Beach is around the same temperature as New Orleans in the summer. The daily temperature in West Palm Beach averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, 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 West Palm Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. West Palm Beach usually receives more sunshine than New Orleans during summer. West Palm Beach gets 316 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. West Palm Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, West Palm Beach usually receives more rain than New Orleans. West Palm Beach gets 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit West Palm Beach or New Orleans in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to West Palm Beach as well as New Orleans. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, West Palm Beach is a little warmer than New Orleans. Typically, the autumn temperatures in West Palm Beach in October average around 78°F (25°C), and New Orleans averages at about 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 West Palm Beach this time of the year. In the autumn, West Palm Beach often gets more sunshine than New Orleans. West Palm Beach gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun.

West Palm Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. West Palm Beach usually gets more rain in October than New Orleans. West Palm Beach gets 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in West Palm Beach is June to November.

Should I visit West Palm Beach or New Orleans in the Winter?

Both New Orleans and West Palm Beach are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to West Palm Beach because of the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.

In January, West Palm Beach is generally much warmer than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in West Palm Beach average around 65°F (19°C), and New Orleans fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach usually receives more sunshine than New Orleans during winter. West Palm Beach gets 243 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, West Palm Beach usually receives less rain than New Orleans. West Palm Beach gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit West Palm Beach or New Orleans in the Spring?

Both New Orleans and West Palm Beach during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches are the main draw to West Palm Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New Orleans for the activities around the city.

West Palm Beach is a little warmer than New Orleans in the spring. The daily temperature in West Palm Beach averages around 74°F (23°C) in April, 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 West Palm Beach. In the spring, West Palm Beach often gets more sunshine than New Orleans. West Palm Beach gets 300 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. West Palm Beach usually gets less rain in April than New Orleans. West Palm Beach gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in West Palm Beach.

Typical Weather for New Orleans and West Palm Beach