A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Asheville vs. Roanoke for Nightlife, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Asheville or Roanoke?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Asheville and Roanoke. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Asheville

Asheville is a open-minded, eclectic, and outdoorsy mountain town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a laid back, scenic, and outdoorsy town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Asheville and Roanoke: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Roanoke?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Asheville than Roanoke. While Roanoke is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Asheville is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Roanoke is known for its museums & sights. Asheville is popular for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. It is also home to The Biltmore Estate. Roanoke is popular for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

How is Asheville different from Roanoke?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Asheville or Roanoke?

Roanoke is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Roanoke offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Asheville is a popular place for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Roanoke is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Asheville is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

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 Asheville or Roanoke Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its evening party scene. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

The nightlife in Asheville has something for everybody. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

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 Asheville or Roanoke Better for Music?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its music scene. However, Roanoke is not a live music destination.

Asheville has a thriving music scene. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Roanoke is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Roanoke Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Roanoke is not a resort destination.

Asheville has a few great resort options. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

Roanoke is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Roanoke Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is adequate for its historic old town charm. However, Roanoke does not have a historic old town.

The old town area in Asheville is worth visiting. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Roanoke does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Roanoke Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Asheville and Roanoke, and they are superb.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Asheville. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

Many visitors go to Roanoke for the hiking trails. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Roanoke?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its shopping areas. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Asheville. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

Roanoke is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Is Asheville or Roanoke Better for Christmas?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Roanoke does not offer Christmas activities.

Asheville is a very popular destination during Christmas. Head to the Biltmore Estate to see it fully decorated for the Christmas season. It's also worth going to see the winning Gingerbread Houses on display at the Grove Park Inn.

Roanoke does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Roanoke Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is adequate for visiting Christmas markets. However, Roanoke does not offer Christmas markets.

During the holidays, visitors often browse through the Christmas markets in Asheville. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Roanoke does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Roanoke Better for Families?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Asheville. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

Roanoke is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Asheville or Roanoke Better for Couples?

Asheville and Roanoke both superb destinations for a couple.

Couples visit Asheville frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

Roanoke is a great mountain town if you're traveling as 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.

Is Asheville or Roanoke Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a great mountain town for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Asheville. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

Roanoke is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are several campgrounds in the area as well as great hiking trails.

Is Asheville or Roanoke Better for Students?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its student-friendly activities. However, Roanoke is not popular with students.

Asheville is a very popular mountain town for students and younger travelers. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Roanoke is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Asheville and Roanoke.

Public transit is generally limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.

Public transit is mostly 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 Asheville or Roanoke a more walkable city?

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

Asheville is a somewhat walkable mountain town. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

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 Asheville Worth Visiting? and Is Roanoke Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Roanoke or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Roanoke?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Asheville and Roanoke. In our opinion, Asheville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Asheville than Roanoke. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Asheville, and 1-3 days is enough time in Roanoke.

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

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

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

One day in Asheville or Roanoke?

In Asheville, you'll find nightlife and live music. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This mountain town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Roanoke. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Roanoke has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Asheville or Roanoke?

In Asheville, you'll find live music and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Asheville has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the scenic destination of Roanoke. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Roanoke?

Asheville is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the outdoorsy town of Roanoke. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Asheville or Roanoke?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Asheville. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Asheville. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Roanoke is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asheville Expensive? and Is Roanoke Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Roanoke?

Roanoke has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville 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 Asheville or Roanoke?

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 Asheville or Roanoke in the Summer?

Both Roanoke and Asheville during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Roanoke for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Asheville is around the same temperature as Roanoke. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asheville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Roanoke averages at about 79°F (26°C).

In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the summer, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 273 hours of full sun.

Roanoke gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Roanoke. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Roanoke in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Roanoke. Many travelers come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Roanoke in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Asheville is generally a little warmer than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Roanoke this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Roanoke during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 210 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Asheville usually receives less rain than Roanoke. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Asheville or Roanoke in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Roanoke. Many visitors come to Asheville in the winter for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Roanoke for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Roanoke can be very cold during winter. Asheville is much warmer than Roanoke in the winter. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Roanoke fluctuates around 38°F (3°C).

In the winter, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville usually gets more rain in January than Roanoke. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Roanoke in the Spring?

Both Roanoke and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Asheville for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Asheville is a little warmer than Roanoke. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asheville in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Roanoke averages at about 59°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Roanoke. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Roanoke during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 246 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Roanoke. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Asheville