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

Should you visit Greensboro 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 Greensboro 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.

Greensboro

Greensboro is a welcoming, under-rated, 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Greensboro and Roanoke: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Greensboro or Roanoke?

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

How is Greensboro different from Roanoke?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Greensboro offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Greensboro Science Center is a highlight for families. Other interesting museums around town include the Elsewhere Modern Art Museum, the Greensboro History Museum, the International Civil Rights Center, and the Weatherspoon Art 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 Greensboro or Roanoke? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Greensboro and Roanoke offer a number of decent restaurants to choose from.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Greensboro. You'll find a good selection of restaurants around town with Mexican, southern, Italian, and Chinese all being popular options.

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 Greensboro or Roanoke Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Greensboro and Roanoke.

Greensboro has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head downtown for the most trendy bars, breweries, and nightclubs.

If you're looking for night time activities Roanoke has a few options to choose from. 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 Greensboro or Roanoke Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Greensboro 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.

Greensboro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Greensboro or Roanoke?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Roanoke and Greensboro.

Greensboro offers some nice shopping areas. There are shopping centers and shopping malls around town as well as some interesting local boutiques.

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 Greensboro or Roanoke Better for Families?

Both Greensboro and Roanoke are good family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Greensboro. Kids will love visiting the Greensboro Science Center, which has hands-on science exhibits and a small zoo. Younger kids will also enjoy a visit to the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum. During the summer months the Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park is a great way to spend a day. Other times of the year, there are indoor play spaces and movie theaters around town.

Roanoke offers lots of family activities. 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 Greensboro or Roanoke Better for Couples?

Roanoke is well known for its romantic activities. However, Greensboro is not particularly known 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.

Greensboro is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The Carolina Theater makes a great date night activity. There is also a diverse selection of restaurants around town and a few parks for a daytime outing.

Is Greensboro or Roanoke Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

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

Greensboro is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of budget hotels nearby but no real hostels.

Is Greensboro or Roanoke Better for Students?

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

It's common for students to visit Greensboro. University of North Carolina at Greensboro attracts students to the city. There are also several smaller colleges in the area.

Roanoke is not popular with students.

Is Greensboro 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 Greensboro and Roanoke.

Public transit is generally limited in Greensboro. There are several bus routes around town, but you really can depend on them to get where you're going. A car is important for making the most of your trip.

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 Greensboro or Roanoke a more walkable city?

Greensboro and Roanoke both are decent when exploring on foot.

Greensboro is generally not very walkable. Most areas aren't walkable, but for the most pedestrian-friendly sections head to College Hill, downtown, or Brice Street.

Roanoke is generally not a very walkable city. 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 Greensboro Worth Visiting? and Is Roanoke Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Roanoke or Greensboro?

How long in Greensboro or Roanoke?

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

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

In Greensboro, 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.

With museums and nightlife around the outdoorsy town of Roanoke, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Greensboro or Roanoke?

In Greensboro, 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 Greensboro has to offer.

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Roanoke, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Greensboro or Roanoke?

Greensboro 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, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Greensboro or Roanoke?

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

Roanoke is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Greensboro 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 Greensboro Expensive? and Is Roanoke Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Greensboro or Roanoke?

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

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

In the summer, Greensboro is around the same temperature as Roanoke. Typically, the summer temperatures in Greensboro in July average around 81°F (27°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 Greensboro. In the summer, Greensboro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. Greensboro gets 273 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 Greensboro. Greensboro usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Roanoke. Greensboro gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Greensboro or Roanoke in the Autumn?

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

In October, Greensboro is generally around the same temperature as Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Greensboro average around 62°F (17°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 Greensboro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Greensboro usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke during autumn. Greensboro gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 210 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Greensboro usually receives less rain than Roanoke. Greensboro 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 Greensboro or Roanoke in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Greensboro as well as Roanoke. Many visitors come to Greensboro in the winter for the museums, 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. Greensboro can get quite cold in the winter. Greensboro is a little warmer than Roanoke in the winter. The daily temperature in Greensboro averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Roanoke fluctuates around 38°F (3°C).

In the winter, Greensboro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. Greensboro gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun.

Greensboro usually gets more rain in January than Roanoke. Greensboro gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Greensboro or Roanoke in the Spring?

Both Roanoke and Greensboro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Greensboro is around the same temperature as Roanoke. Typically, the spring temperatures in Greensboro in April average around 61°F (16°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 Greensboro. Greensboro usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke during spring. Greensboro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 246 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Greensboro usually receives around the same amount of rain as Roanoke. Greensboro gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Greensboro