A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Key Largo vs. Roanoke for Families, Couples, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Key Largo or Roanoke?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Key Largo and Roanoke can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Key Largo

Key Largo is a family-friendly, beautiful, and relaxed island. As it is a quaint destination, it has a nice vibe. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling and beaches.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a scenic, outdoorsy, and laid back town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Key Largo and Roanoke: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Key Largo or Roanoke?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Roanoke. Although Key Largo and Roanoke are popular destinations, Roanoke has more sights and attractions for tourists. Roanoke is very popular for its museums, nightlife, hiking, and shopping, while Key Largo attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and quaint atmosphere. Key Largo is more touristy than Roanoke and is known for its snorkeling and scuba diving including that around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the artificial reef around the USS Spiegel Grove. Roanoke is famous for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is also well known for the Roanoke Star.

How is Key Largo different from Roanoke?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Key Largo or Roanoke?

Roanoke is a town with good options for its historical sights. However, Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Key Largo and Roanoke can be an enjoyable experience.

Key Largo may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is known for its Key Lime pie and seafood. You'll find a great selection of restaurants that serve seafood dishes and options for the land-loving crew. There are even a few international restaurants to choose from.

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 Key Largo or Roanoke Better for Nightlife?

Roanoke is a town with good options for its evening party scene. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Key Largo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. This area is not known for its nightlife, so you'll need to head further south if partying is your style.

Is Key Largo or Roanoke Better for Resorts?

Key Largo is a great island for its luxury resorts. However, Roanoke is not a resort destination.

Key Largo is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Popular resorts in the area include Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, and Largo Resort.

Roanoke is not a resort destination.

Is Key Largo or Roanoke Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key Largo is a great island for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Roanoke is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Key Largo. Near this island you'll find some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Florida Keys at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There are private tours that head out to the reef for either snorkeling or diving. There are also shipwrecks and other fascinating spots to explore.

Roanoke is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Key Largo or Roanoke Better for Beaches?

Key Largo is a popular place for the beach. However, Roanoke is not a beach destination.

Key Largo is a good option for a beach vacation. Many of the beaches around Key Largo are man-made, but they do offer nice sand and beautiful blue water. The water is turquoise, although not as striking as further south.

Roanoke is not a beach destination.

Is Key Largo or Roanoke Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is great for hiking. However, Key Largo is not a hiking destination.

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.

Key Largo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Key Largo or Roanoke?

Roanoke is a town with good options for its shopping areas. However, Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Key Largo or Roanoke Better for Families?

Key Largo is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Key Largo is a very family-friendly destination. This area has some of the best family-friendly snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There's also several places where your kids can interact with dolphins or experience wildlife. If you want to get out on the water, there's kayaking, sunset cruises, and glass bottom boats, all of which are great for the whole family.

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 Key Largo or Roanoke Better for Couples?

Roanoke is great for couples. Also, Key Largo is not as popular, but is still a nice island for romance.

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.

Key Largo is a nice destination for couples. Most couples head further down the Florida Keys, but for snorkeling and scuba diving, Key Largo is the better option. You'll also find kayaking and sunset cruises that leave from the area.

Is Key Largo or Roanoke Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is a town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for backpackers.

Roanoke is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are several campgrounds in the area as well as great hiking trails.

Key Largo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This area is a bit more affordable than the more southern keys so it appeals to budget travelers and backpackers.

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

Roanoke is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Key Largo. There's no real public transit around the island and you must have a car to get around.

Is Key Largo or Roanoke a more walkable city?

Roanoke is adequate for its ease of walking around. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its walkability.

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

Key Largo is not a walkable island. It is a sprawling area that spreads out along a main highway that is not pedestrian friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Roanoke or Key Largo?

How long in Key Largo or Roanoke?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Key Largo and Roanoke. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Key Largo than in Roanoke. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Key Largo, and 1-3 days is enough time in Roanoke.

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

Couples should spend more time in Roanoke than Key Largo. 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 Key Largo 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 Key Largo or Roanoke?

In Key Largo, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island 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 Key Largo or Roanoke?

In Key Largo, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid back 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 Key Largo or Roanoke?

Key Largo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Key Largo has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the scenic 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 Key Largo or Roanoke?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Key Largo. In Key Largo, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

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 Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Key Largo or Roanoke?

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

Both Roanoke and Key Largo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Key Largo for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Roanoke in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Key Largo is around the same temperature as Roanoke in the summer. The daily temperature in Key Largo averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Roanoke fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Roanoke. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. Key Largo usually receives more sunshine than Roanoke during summer. Key Largo gets 316 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 Key Largo. In July, Key Largo usually receives more rain than Roanoke. Key Largo gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Key Largo or Roanoke in the Autumn?

Both Roanoke and Key Largo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Roanoke for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Key Largo is much warmer than Roanoke. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Key Largo in October average around 78°F (26°C), and Roanoke averages at about 60°F (16°C).

In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Key Largo. In the autumn, Key Largo often gets more sunshine than Roanoke. Key Largo gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 210 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. Key Largo usually gets more rain in October than Roanoke. Key Largo gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key Largo or Roanoke in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Key Largo and Roanoke. Most visitors come to Key Largo for the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Roanoke because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Roanoke can be very cold. In January, Key Largo is generally much warmer than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Key Largo average around 67°F (19°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 38°F (3°C).

In Key Largo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Key Largo usually receives more sunshine than Roanoke during winter. Key Largo gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Key Largo usually receives less rain than Roanoke. Key Largo gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Key Largo or Roanoke in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Key Largo as well as Roanoke. The spring months attract visitors to Key Largo because of the beaches.

Key Largo is much warmer than Roanoke in the spring. The daily temperature in Key Largo averages around 74°F (24°C) in April, and Roanoke fluctuates around 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 Key Largo this time of the year. In the spring, Key Largo often gets more sunshine than Roanoke. Key Largo gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 246 hours of full sun.

Key Largo usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Roanoke. Key Largo gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Key Largo