A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Roanoke vs. Juneau for Hiking, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Roanoke or Juneau?

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

Should I visit Roanoke or Juneau? 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 laid back, scenic, and outdoorsy town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, hiking, and shopping.

Juneau

Juneau is a historic, scenic, and breathtaking city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Roanoke and Juneau: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Roanoke or Juneau?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Juneau. Although Roanoke and Juneau are both popular with visitors, Juneau has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Juneau is more popular for its museums, food, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Roanoke is known for its nightlife. Juneau is more touristy than Roanoke and is popular for its wildlife, natural beauty, and Gold Rush in 1880. It is also home to the Mendenhall Glacier. Roanoke is popular for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

How is Roanoke different from Juneau?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Juneau 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 Juneau?

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

Juneau offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many museums focus on the history in the area, including the Gold Rush and the mining industry. You can visit several historic mines as well as the Last Chance Mining Museum. Other museums around town include the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, the Walter Soboleff Building, and the Alaska State 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 Juneau? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Juneau is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Roanoke is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Juneau has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The seafood is superb and visitors will regret if they miss out on the salmon, halibut, and crab. There are many local restaurants and local chefs serving up the freshest caught fish. For the best seafood, head to the waterfront, and if you're looking for something other than seafood, the downtown is where you'll want to be.

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 Juneau Better for Nightlife?

Roanoke is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Juneau is not a good city for its evening party scene.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Juneau. There are a couple of bars and breweries, but most people relax in the evening.

Is Roanoke or Juneau Better for Hiking?

Juneau is renowned for hiking. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the nearby hiking options.

People visit Juneau specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. You'll find more than 250 miles of hiking trails in the area, and this really is the best way to experience Alaska. The area is known for its wildlife, but there are also glacier hikes, meadows, mountains, and more. In downtown Juneau there's the Perseverance Trail, the Granite Creek Trail, and the Mount Roberts Trail. From the Mendenhall Visitor Center there's the East Glacier Loop Trail, the West Glacier Trail, and the Nugget Falls Trail. There are also trails on Douglas Island and many options just outside of town.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Roanoke or Juneau?

Juneau is a great city 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 Juneau. There's a mix of contemporary art and traditional artisan crafts. You'll find gift shops and art galleries around, particularly downtown and in the Mendenhall Valley business district. Visitors often enjoy buying art, wood carvings, jewelry, pottery, quilts, or dolls.

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 Juneau Better for Families?

Juneau is a great city 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 Juneau. Its is filled with adventure that the whole family will enjoy. There's whale watching, dog sled tours, helicopter rides, hiking, and the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway. This bucket-list destination will have an impact on kids and adults alike.

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 Juneau Better for Couples?

Juneau is renowned for couples. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Juneau makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who enjoy exploring and adventuring will be in awe of this destination. Glacier trekking, superb gardens, and romantic helicopter rides will leave you feeling like a contestant on "The Bachelor". There are also opportunities for romantic evenings out and cozy hotels where you can stay in.

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.

Is Roanoke or Juneau Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Juneau is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Juneau. It's a popular destination with budget hotels and even a hostel or two.

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

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

Roanoke and Juneau both offer decent public transit to get you 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Juneau. You can only reach Juneau by boat or plane and there are three bus routes through town.

Is Roanoke or Juneau a more walkable city?

Juneau is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Roanoke is not known for its walkability.

Juneau is a very walkable destination. The downtown is very walkable and many places can be reached within a reasonable walk.

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 Juneau Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Juneau or Roanoke?

How long in Roanoke or Juneau?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Roanoke and Juneau. In our opinion, Juneau has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Juneau than Roanoke. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Roanoke, and 2-3 days is enough time in Juneau.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Juneau than Roanoke 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 Juneau.

One day in Roanoke or Juneau?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Roanoke. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Juneau, you'll find museums and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Roanoke or Juneau?

Roanoke is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Juneau, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Juneau has to offer.

Five days in Roanoke or Juneau?

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. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Juneau is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Juneau?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Roanoke. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Juneau. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Juneau. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

When comparing the travel costs between Roanoke and Juneau, 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 Juneau Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Roanoke or Juneau?

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

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 Roanoke or Juneau in the Summer?

Both Juneau and Roanoke during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Roanoke because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Juneau this time of year.

In July, Roanoke is generally much warmer than Juneau. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 79°F (26°C), and Juneau fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Roanoke. In the summer, Roanoke often gets more sunshine than Juneau. Roanoke gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Juneau receives 179 hours of full sun.

Juneau gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. Roanoke usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Juneau. Roanoke gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Roanoke or Juneau in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Roanoke and Juneau. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Juneau for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Roanoke is much warmer than Juneau in the autumn. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 60°F (16°C) in October, and Juneau fluctuates around 42°F (6°C).

In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. Roanoke usually receives more sunshine than Juneau during autumn. Roanoke gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Juneau receives 69 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Juneau receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Roanoke usually receives less rain than Juneau. Roanoke gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 7.8 inches (199 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Roanoke or Juneau in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Roanoke as well as Juneau. Many travelers come to Roanoke for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Juneau in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Juneau can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Roanoke. In the winter, Roanoke is much warmer than Juneau. Typically, the winter temperatures in Roanoke in January average around 38°F (3°C), and Juneau averages at about 24°F (-4°C).

In the winter, Roanoke often gets more sunshine than Juneau. Roanoke gets 165 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Juneau receives 87 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Juneau. Roanoke usually gets less rain in January than Juneau. Roanoke gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Roanoke or Juneau in the Spring?

Both Juneau and Roanoke are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Juneau for the natural beauty during these months.

Juneau can be very cold during spring. In April, Roanoke is generally much warmer than Juneau. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 59°F (15°C), and Juneau fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. Roanoke usually receives more sunshine than Juneau during spring. Roanoke gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Juneau receives 185 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Juneau. Roanoke gets 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Juneau and Roanoke