A Travel Price Comparison for Virginia Charlottesville vs. Roanoke for Hiking, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville 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.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a southern, proud, and traditional university town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a laid back, scenic, and outdoorsy town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Charlottesville and Roanoke: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Roanoke?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Roanoke. Although Charlottesville and Roanoke are both popular with visitors, Roanoke has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Roanoke is more popular for its hiking and shopping, while Charlottesville is known for its historical sights, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Roanoke is more touristy than Charlottesville and is known for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is also home to the Roanoke Star. Charlottesville is popular for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Charlottesville different from Roanoke?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Charlottesville and Roanoke.

Charlottesville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Roanoke. 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 Charlottesville or Roanoke? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Charlottesville and Roanoke.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Charlottesville. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Roanoke may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. There are burger joints, pizza restaurants, and plenty of other casual eateries where you can grab a quick meal.

Is Charlottesville or Roanoke Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find good options in both Charlottesville and Roanoke.

If you're looking for night time activities Charlottesville has a few options to choose from. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

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 Charlottesville or Roanoke Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Roanoke does not have a historic old town.

Charlottesville has an old town worth visiting. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Roanoke does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlottesville or Roanoke Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is a great town for hiking. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for the nearby hiking options.

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.

Charlottesville is a good destination for hiking. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlottesville or Roanoke?

Roanoke is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlottesville or Roanoke Better for Christmas?

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

Charlottesville is a very popular destination during Christmas. From Christmas lights on campus to a festive atmosphere at the Monticello, the town is beautiful for Christmas.

Roanoke does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Charlottesville or Roanoke Better for Families?

Both Charlottesville and Roanoke are good family-friendly destinations.

Charlottesville offers lots of family activities. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

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 Charlottesville or Roanoke Better for Couples?

Roanoke is a great town for its romantic activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for couples.

Roanoke is a great 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.

Charlottesville is a good university town for couples to visit. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is Charlottesville or Roanoke Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Charlottesville is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Roanoke. There are several campgrounds in the area as well as great hiking trails.

Charlottesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is camping an hiking in the area that is a good option for backpackers.

Is Charlottesville or Roanoke Better for Students?

Charlottesville is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Roanoke is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Charlottesville. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Roanoke is not popular with students.

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

Charlottesville and Roanoke both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

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 Charlottesville or Roanoke a more walkable city?

Charlottesville and Roanoke are decent when it comes to walkability.

Charlottesville is generally not a very walkable university town. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

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 Charlottesville Worth Visiting? and Is Roanoke Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Roanoke or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Roanoke?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Roanoke than Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville or Roanoke?

Charlottesville is a small town with plenty to do. This university town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The laid back destination of Roanoke offers shopping and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Charlottesville or Roanoke?

Charlottesville might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Charlottesville has to offer.

The town of Roanoke offers museums and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Charlottesville or Roanoke?

Charlottesville 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.

Roanoke is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Charlottesville or Roanoke?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charlottesville. Since Charlottesville is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Roanoke. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Charlottesville and Roanoke, we can see that Roanoke 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 Charlottesville Expensive? and Is Roanoke Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Roanoke?

Roanoke has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville or Roanoke in the Summer?

Both Roanoke and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Roanoke for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Charlottesville is around the same temperature as Roanoke. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charlottesville in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Roanoke averages at about 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Roanoke. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. Charlottesville usually receives more sunshine than Roanoke during summer. Charlottesville gets 305 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. It's quite rainy in Charlottesville. In July, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Roanoke. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Roanoke in the Autumn?

Both Roanoke and Charlottesville during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Roanoke in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Charlottesville is generally around the same temperature as Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 59°F (15°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. In the autumn, Charlottesville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. Charlottesville gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 210 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Roanoke. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Roanoke in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Roanoke. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Roanoke for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Roanoke can be very cold during winter. Charlottesville can get quite cold in the winter. Charlottesville is cooler than Roanoke in the winter. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 36°F (2°C) in January, and Roanoke fluctuates around 38°F (3°C).

Charlottesville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke during winter. Charlottesville gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Roanoke. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Roanoke in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Roanoke. Most visitors come to Charlottesville for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Charlottesville is around the same temperature as Roanoke. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charlottesville in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Roanoke averages at about 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In the spring, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Roanoke. Charlottesville gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 246 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Roanoke. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Charlottesville