A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Baltimore vs. Roanoke for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Baltimore or Roanoke?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Baltimore and Roanoke can help you decide which place is right for you.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a historic, vibrant, and diverse city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Roanoke

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

Baltimore and Roanoke: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Baltimore or Roanoke?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Baltimore than Roanoke, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Baltimore is more popular for its museums & sights, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Roanoke is known for its hiking. Baltimore is more touristy than Roanoke and is popular for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. It is also home to the National Aquarium. Roanoke is popular for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

How is Baltimore different from Roanoke?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Baltimore is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Baltimore offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

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.

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

Baltimore is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Roanoke is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Baltimore has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

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 Baltimore or Roanoke Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Baltimore has something for everybody. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

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 Baltimore or Roanoke Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Baltimore is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Baltimore is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Baltimore or Roanoke?

Baltimore is a great city 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 Baltimore. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

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 Baltimore or Roanoke Better for Families?

Baltimore is a great city 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 Baltimore. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

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 Baltimore or Roanoke Better for Couples?

Roanoke is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Roanoke frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Baltimore is a good city for couples to visit. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Baltimore or Roanoke Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Baltimore and Roanoke are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Baltimore is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

It's common for backpackers to visit Roanoke. There are several campgrounds in the area as well as great hiking trails.

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

Baltimore is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Roanoke is not known for its public transit.

The public transit in Baltimore can get you to most places easily. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

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 Baltimore or Roanoke a more walkable city?

Baltimore is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Roanoke is not known for its walkability.

Baltimore is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

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 Baltimore Worth Visiting? and Is Roanoke Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Roanoke or Baltimore?

How long in Baltimore or Roanoke?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Baltimore 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 Baltimore.

One day in Baltimore or Roanoke?

In Baltimore, you'll find nightlife and food. This city 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 Baltimore or Roanoke?

In Baltimore, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Baltimore has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the outdoorsy 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 Baltimore or Roanoke?

Baltimore is a great place to explore. 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 laid back 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 Baltimore or Roanoke?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Baltimore. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Baltimore. 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 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Baltimore and Roanoke, we can see that Baltimore is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Baltimore or Roanoke?

Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Roanoke. When comparing the sizes of Baltimore 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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore or Roanoke in the Summer?

Both Roanoke and Baltimore during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Baltimore for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Roanoke because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Baltimore is around the same temperature as Roanoke. Typically, the summer temperatures in Baltimore in July average around 78°F (25°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 Baltimore. In the summer, Baltimore often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. Baltimore gets 283 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 Baltimore. Baltimore usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Roanoke. Baltimore gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Baltimore or Roanoke in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Baltimore and Roanoke. The autumn months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year.

In October, Baltimore is generally cooler than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Baltimore average around 57°F (14°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Roanoke this time of the year. Baltimore usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke during autumn. Baltimore gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 210 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Baltimore usually receives less rain than Roanoke. Baltimore gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Baltimore or Roanoke in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Baltimore as well as Roanoke. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Baltimore this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Roanoke for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Roanoke. It's quite cold in Baltimore in the winter. Baltimore is much colder than Roanoke in the winter. The daily temperature in Baltimore averages around 32°F (0°C) in January, and Roanoke fluctuates around 38°F (3°C).

In the winter, Baltimore often gets less sunshine than Roanoke. Baltimore gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun.

Baltimore usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Roanoke. Baltimore gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Baltimore or Roanoke in the Spring?

Both Roanoke and Baltimore are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Baltimore for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Baltimore is cooler than Roanoke. Typically, the spring temperatures in Baltimore in April average around 54°F (12°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 Baltimore. Baltimore usually receives less sunshine than Roanoke during spring. Baltimore gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 246 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Baltimore usually receives around the same amount of rain as Roanoke. Baltimore gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Baltimore