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

Should you visit Columbia or Roanoke?

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

Should I visit Columbia or Roanoke? 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.

Columbia

Columbia is a welcoming, suburban, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Roanoke

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

Columbia and Roanoke: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbia or Roanoke?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Roanoke than Columbia. While Columbia is larger than Roanoke, Roanoke has more sights and attractions for tourists. Roanoke is more touristy than Columbia and is popular for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is also home to the Roanoke Star. Columbia is popular for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Columbia different from Roanoke?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Columbia and Roanoke.

Columbia offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

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 Columbia or Roanoke? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at decent restaurants in both Columbia and Roanoke.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Columbia. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

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 Columbia or Roanoke Better for Nightlife?

Both Columbia and Roanoke are good when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Columbia. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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 Columbia or Roanoke Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Columbia is not a hiking destination.

Roanoke is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Columbia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbia or Roanoke?

Both Columbia and Roanoke are good shopping destinations.

Columbia offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

Roanoke has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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 Columbia or Roanoke Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Columbia or Roanoke.

Columbia is a family-friendly place to visit. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

Roanoke is a family-friendly city. 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 Columbia or Roanoke Better for Couples?

Roanoke is a well-known place for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Roanoke is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Columbia is not always the best place to visit for a couple. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Columbia or Roanoke Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is a popular place for backpackers. However, Columbia is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Columbia is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not an expensive place to visit, there is little in the area to attract backpackers.

Is Columbia or Roanoke Better for Students?

Columbia is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Roanoke is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Columbia. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

Roanoke is not popular with students.

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

Both Columbia and Roanoke offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

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 Columbia or Roanoke a more walkable city?

Roanoke is a moderate town for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Roanoke is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is the most walkable part of town, with sidewalks and more dense development styles.

Columbia is not a very walkable city. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

For even more information, also check out Is Columbia Worth Visiting? and Is Roanoke Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Roanoke or Columbia?

How long in Columbia or Roanoke?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Columbia and Roanoke. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Roanoke than in Columbia. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Columbia, and 1-3 days is enough time in Roanoke.

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

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

In Columbia, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The town of Roanoke offers nightlife and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Columbia or Roanoke?

In Columbia, you'll find nightlife 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 Columbia has to offer.

Roanoke is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Roanoke, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbia or Roanoke?

Columbia 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 popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Columbia or Roanoke?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Columbia. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Columbia. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Roanoke is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia and Roanoke, we can see that Roanoke is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia 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 Columbia.

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

Which is Bigger, Columbia or Roanoke?

Columbia has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Roanoke. When comparing the sizes of Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia or Roanoke in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Roanoke. The summer months attract visitors to Columbia because of the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In the summer, Columbia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. Columbia gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 273 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Roanoke. Columbia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Columbia usually gets more rain in July than Roanoke. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Roanoke in the Autumn?

Both Roanoke and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Columbia this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Roanoke for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

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

It's quite sunny in Roanoke. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Roanoke during autumn. Columbia gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 210 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Columbia usually receives less rain than Roanoke. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Columbia or Roanoke in the Winter?

Both Roanoke and Columbia during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Columbia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Roanoke in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Roanoke can get quite cold in the winter. Columbia is much warmer than Roanoke in the winter. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 45°F (7°C) in January, and Roanoke fluctuates around 38°F (3°C).

In the winter, Columbia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. Columbia gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun.

Columbia usually gets more rain in January than Roanoke. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Roanoke in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Roanoke.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Roanoke this time of the year. In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Roanoke during spring. Columbia gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 246 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Columbia usually receives less rain than Roanoke. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Columbia