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

Should you visit Ocean City or Roanoke?

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

Should I visit Ocean City 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.

Ocean City

Ocean City is a energetic, fun-filled, and laid back city. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and food.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a scenic, outdoorsy, and laid back town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, hiking, and shopping.

Ocean City and Roanoke: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ocean City or Roanoke?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ocean City. Although Ocean City and Roanoke are popular destinations, Ocean City has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ocean City is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Roanoke attracts visitors for its museums, hiking, and shopping. Ocean City is more touristy than Roanoke and is popular for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. It is also well known for the Ocean City boardwalk. Roanoke is famous for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

How is Ocean City different from Roanoke?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ocean City or Roanoke?

Roanoke is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Ocean City is not a good city for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Ocean City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people spend their time on the beach, but for the rainy days you can check out the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum or the Art League of Ocean City.

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

Ocean City is a popular place for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Roanoke is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Ocean City is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Themed restaurants are popular in the area. You'll also find all-you-can-eat seafood buffets and casual diners with pancakes and waffles. Pizza, burgers, and other fast food options are also abundant.

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 Ocean City or Roanoke Better for Nightlife?

Ocean City 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 Ocean City has something for everybody. Happy hours are popular at the bars in the area. You'll also find live music and DJ led parties. Head to the boardwalk, which will overwhelm your senses. There are neon lights, colorful rides, and arcades filled with people and activities.

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 Ocean City or Roanoke Better for Resorts?

Ocean City is a great city for its luxury resorts. However, Roanoke is not a resort destination.

Ocean City is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are many oceanfront resorts with pools and rooms with ocean views. The hotels along the beach tend to be the most expensive, but if you find a place across from the Coastal Highway, it's very challenging to walk to the beach.

Roanoke is not a resort destination.

Is Ocean City or Roanoke Better for Beaches?

Ocean City is a great city for the beach. However, Roanoke is not a beach destination.

Ocean City is considered a top beach destination. There are ten miles of sandy beach that are lined with hotels and resorts. A festive boardwalk runs along the coastline and has many rides, arcades, restaurants, and more. The beach offers waves and warm water during the summer months.

Roanoke is not a beach destination.

Is Ocean City or Roanoke Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Ocean City 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.

Ocean City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ocean City or Roanoke?

Roanoke is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Ocean City is not a good city for shopping.

Many visitors go to Roanoke to go 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.

Ocean City is a good destination for shopping. You'll find surf stores and souvenir shops along the three mile boardwalk. There are also many vendors and shopping centers along the Coastal Highway. For something a little more interesting you can head to the Inlet Village.

Is Ocean City or Roanoke Better for Families?

Ocean City 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, Ocean City is a very family-friendly destination. Beyond the family-friendly beach, there's also minigolf, dolphin tours, and themed-restaurants that are perfect for kids. Head to the Jolly Roger amusement park for a thrilling afternoon or spend some time visiting Ripley's Believe It or Not. The boardwalk is lined with activities for both kids and adults. There are also candy shops, ice cream parlors, and pizza joints where you can grab a bite to eat.

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 Ocean City or Roanoke Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ocean City and Roanoke make for a high quality place to visit.

Ocean City is a very popular place to visit for couples. Hotels line the beach, many with beautiful views and nice pools. You can take long romantic walks along the coastline or head to one of the many seafood restaurants in town.

Roanoke makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Is Ocean City or Roanoke Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is a popular place for backpackers. However, Ocean City 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.

Ocean City is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any hostels in the area, but there are some affordable motels if you look beyond the beachfront properties.

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

Both Ocean City and Roanoke offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Ocean City. There are boardwalk trams as well as shuttle buses, but most people have their own vehicle, and its recommended you have a private car to get around.

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 Ocean City or Roanoke a more walkable city?

Ocean City and Roanoke both are reasonable when exploring on foot.

Ocean City is generally not very walkable. If you stay at an oceanfront hotel or on the ocean block, it's possible to walk to the beach. If you stay further back, you'll have to cross the Coastal Highway, which is eight lanes of busy traffic.

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 Ocean City Worth Visiting? and Is Roanoke Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Roanoke or Ocean City?

How long in Ocean City or Roanoke?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Roanoke than Ocean City 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 Ocean City or Roanoke?

In Ocean City, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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 Ocean City or Roanoke?

In Ocean City, you'll find food and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

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 Ocean City or Roanoke?

Ocean City 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 Ocean City has to offer. 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 Ocean City or Roanoke?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ocean City. In Ocean City, you'll find food and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Roanoke?

Roanoke has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City 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 Ocean City 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 Ocean City or Roanoke in the Summer?

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

Ocean City is around the same temperature as Roanoke in the summer. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Roanoke fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite rainy in Roanoke. Ocean City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ocean City usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Roanoke. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Roanoke in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Ocean City is cooler than Roanoke. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ocean City in October average around 58°F (14°C), and Roanoke averages at about 60°F (16°C).

In October, Ocean City usually receives less rain than Roanoke. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ocean City or Roanoke in the Winter?

Both Roanoke and Ocean City during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Ocean City 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. Be prepared for some very cold days in Ocean City. In January, Ocean City is generally much colder than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 35°F (2°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 38°F (3°C).

Ocean City usually gets more rain in January than Roanoke. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Roanoke in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and Roanoke. Many visitors come to Ocean City in the spring for the beaches.

Ocean City is cooler than Roanoke in the spring. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 54°F (12°C) in April, and Roanoke fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

In April, Ocean City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Roanoke. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Ocean City