Comparison · Atlanta vs New Orleans · United States
Atlanta vs New Orleans
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: AtlChampion, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Choose Atlanta for Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil rights history; choose New Orleans for Jazz, Mardi Gras and free sights. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 683 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 683 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Atlanta
- April–May and October–November
- Best time for New Orleans
- February–April and October–November
Side by side
| Atlanta | New Orleans | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Martin Luther King Jr., Civil rights history and Georgia Aquarium | Jazz, Mardi Gras and French Quarter |
| Best time to visit | April–May and October–November | February–April and October–November |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $200–$350 | $220–$350 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | July, 33°C (91°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 12°C (54°F) | January, 17°C (63°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 5 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | ATL | MSY |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Atlanta for…
Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil rights history. Atlanta is the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. and the city that reshaped itself for the 1996 Olympics, and both stories are easy to trace: King's birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church and his tomb line Auburn Avenue, while Centennial Olympic Park anchors…
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Choose New Orleans for…
Jazz, Mardi Gras and free sights. New Orleans sits in a bend of the Mississippi, and its oldest districts, the French Quarter and the Faubourg Marigny, hug the river within walking distance of each other. Most visitors stay in the Quarter or the neighbouring Warehouse District, walk…
Top sights compared
| # | Atlanta | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia Aquarium | Jackson Square |
| 2 | Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park | St. Louis Cathedral |
| 3 | National Center for Civil and Human Rights | The Cabildo |
| 4 | World of Coca-Cola | Café du Monde and the French Market |
| 5 | BeltLine Eastside Trail | Bourbon Street |
Food compared
| Atlanta | New Orleans |
|---|---|
| Lemon pepper wings | Beignets |
| Fried chicken and the meat-and-three | Gumbo |
| The Varsity chili dog | Jambalaya |
| Shrimp and grits | Po'boy |
Which is cheaper?
Atlanta and New Orleans cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $200–$350 in Atlanta and $220–$350 in New Orleans (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Atlanta on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Atlanta and New Orleans are about 683 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Atlanta and 4 in New Orleans.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Atlanta or New Orleans cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $200–$350 in Atlanta and $220–$350 in New Orleans (estimates).
+Is Atlanta or New Orleans better for a first trip?
Pick Atlanta for Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil rights history, or New Orleans for Jazz, Mardi Gras and free sights.
+How far is Atlanta from New Orleans?
About 683 km in a straight line.