A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Roanoke vs. Cody, Wyoming for Attractions, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming?

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

Should I visit Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming? 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.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a outdoorsy, laid back, and scenic town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Cody, Wyoming

Cody, Wyoming is a activity-filled, historic, and fascinating town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Roanoke and Cody, Wyoming: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Small town charm
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cody, Wyoming than Roanoke, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cody, Wyoming is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm, while Roanoke is more popular for its hiking. Cody, Wyoming is more touristy than Roanoke and is known for it's Wild West atmosphere and its founder, Buffalo Bill. Also, Cody, Wyoming is famous for the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Roanoke is well known for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

How is Roanoke different from Cody, Wyoming?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming?

Roanoke
Cody, Wyoming

Cody, Wyoming is a great town for its historical sights. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Cody, Wyoming offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are some interesting local museums around town. One of the most popular is the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. There are also several gun museums like the Cody Dug Up Gun Museum and the Cody Firearms Museum. For history, check out the Museum of the Plains Indian or the Cody Heritage Museum.

Roanoke is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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 Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Roanoke
Cody, Wyoming

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

Cody, Wyoming is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Most of the restaurants offer a nod to the Wild West theme. There's a soda saloon, barbecue joints, and old fashioned saloons where you can grab a thick steak or fried green tomatoes. Many have fun decor and a family-friendly vibe that sets the atmosphere.

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 Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming Better for Nightlife?

Roanoke
Cody, Wyoming

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Roanoke and Cody, Wyoming.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Cody, Wyoming. The nightlife scene, like everything else in town, stays true to the Wild West theme. You'll find cowboys and cowgirls on the dance floor and enjoy live music and cold drinks at the local bar.

Is Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming Better for its Old Town?

Roanoke
Cody, Wyoming

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

Cody, Wyoming has an old town worth visiting. The historic downtown is small, just a few blocks along Sheridan Avenue, but it's filled with personality. The buildings have local character and highlight the town's past.

Roanoke does not have a historic old town.


Is Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming Better for Hiking?

Roanoke
Cody, Wyoming

Roanoke is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Cody, Wyoming is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Cody, Wyoming has hiking trails worth exploring. It's not hard to get out of town and enjoy some hiking. Trails take you through the local landscapes and sometimes offer you the opportunity to see local wildlife.

Is the Shopping Better in Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming?

Roanoke
Cody, Wyoming

Cody, Wyoming is a great town for its shopping areas. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Cody, Wyoming. You'll find quirky shops, local vendors, and sporting equipment stores around town. Whether you want to pick up a souvenir or browse the Wild West paraphernalia, shopping is a fun activity in town.

Roanoke is a great destination for 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.

Is Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming Better for Families?

Roanoke
Cody, Wyoming

Cody, Wyoming is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Cody, Wyoming. It's a fun stop off for families who are visiting the national parks in the area. There are diverse activities that will give the kids a break from hiking and nature programs. Make sure you check out the Cody Nite Rodeo, the Old Trail Town, and the horseback riding. For a glimpse at what life was like back in the Wild West, check out a Wild Bunch Gunfighters Show.

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 Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming Better for Couples?

Roanoke
Cody, Wyoming

Roanoke is a very popular place for romance. Also, Cody, Wyoming is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Cody, Wyoming makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. If you don't take yourself too seriously, this is a fun town to shop, dine, and play. There's horseback riding, historical reenactments, and quirky shops. There's also the opportunity to see wildlife and chat with other travelers.

Is Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke
Cody, Wyoming

Roanoke is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cody, Wyoming is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Roanoke is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are several campgrounds in the area as well as great hiking trails.

Cody, Wyoming is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of campgrounds and cheap motels in the area.

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

Roanoke
Cody, Wyoming

Roanoke is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Cody, Wyoming is lacking in good options 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 Cody, Wyoming. There's no real public transit through town.


Is Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming a more walkable city?

Roanoke
Cody, Wyoming

Cody, Wyoming is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Roanoke is not known for its walkability.

Cody, Wyoming is a somewhat walkable town. The historic downtown can be explored on foot, but anything outside of town will require a car.

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 Roanoke Worth Visiting? and Is Cody, Wyoming Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cody, Wyoming or Roanoke?

How long in Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Roanoke and Cody, Wyoming. In our opinion, Cody, Wyoming has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Cody, Wyoming than Roanoke. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Roanoke than Cody, Wyoming 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.


  • How many days in Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming? Ideal Length of Stay
    Roanoke 1-3 
    Cody, Wyoming 1-3

One day in Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Roanoke. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Cody, Wyoming is a small town with plenty to do. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Roanoke. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Cody, Wyoming 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 Cody, Wyoming has to offer.


Five days in Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Roanoke. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Cody, Wyoming 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.

A week in Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the town of Roanoke. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cody, Wyoming. Since Cody, Wyoming 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.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Cody, Wyoming or Roanoke?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Roanoke is $164, while the average daily cost in Cody, Wyoming is $157. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Roanoke and Cody, Wyoming in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Roanoke $96
    Cody, Wyoming $78
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Roanoke $192
    Cody, Wyoming $156
Compare Hotels in Roanoke and Cody, Wyoming

Looking for a hotel in Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Roanoke


Hotels in Cody, Wyoming


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Roanoke Hotel Prices and Cody, Wyoming Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Roanoke $23
    Cody, Wyoming $46

Is it cheaper to fly into Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming?

Prices for flights to both Cody, Wyoming and Roanoke change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Roanoke $48
    Cody, Wyoming $47

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roanoke

For Roanoke, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Roanoke Ebike Food Tour: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Roanoke $35
    Cody, Wyoming $33

Tours and Activities in Roanoke

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Roanoke.

  • 3-Hour E-Bike Sightseeing and Breweries Tour in Roanoke: $109
  • Blue Ridge Parkway – Driving Audio Tour (Roanoke ↔ Afton): $12
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (Roanoke to Afton) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia) Driving Tour with Audio Guide: $9.99
  • Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Audio Driving Tour: $9.99
  • Mountain Bike Tour from The Roanoke Star: $139
  • Roanoke Downtown Food and Cultural Tour: $78
  • Roanoke Holiday Season E-Bike Tour: $92

Tours and Activities in Cody, Wyoming

For Cody, Wyoming, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • All-Inclusive YNP Lower Loop Tour for 55+Seniors P/U in Cody Wy : $189
  • All-Inclusive Yellowstone”The Volcano” *FAMILY FRIENDLY* Tour: $259
  • Cody Trolley Tours - Best of the West Trolley Tour: $34
  • From Cody: Full-Day Yellowstone National Park Tour: $260
  • Guided Lower Loop of Yellowstone Tour from Cody, WY: $269
  • Guided Upper Loop of Yellowstone Tour from Cody, WY: $269
  • Red Canyon Mustang Tour 8am: $89
  • Red Canyon River Trip’s all inclusive Half Day Tour! : $85
  • Red Canyon Wild Mustang Tour 5:00: $89
  • Surfin In The Rockies Duckie Tours!: $40
  • Wild Mustang Half Day Tour - Cody Wyoming - Private: $298
  • Yellowstone Custom Wildlife and Nature Tour: $298

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Roanoke $30
    Cody, Wyoming $18


When comparing the travel costs between Roanoke and Cody, Wyoming, 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 Roanoke Expensive? and Is Cody, Wyoming Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Roanoke or Cody, Wyoming?

Roanoke has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cody, Wyoming. When comparing the sizes of Roanoke and Cody, Wyoming, 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.