A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Roanoke vs. Park City Utah for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Roanoke or Park City Utah?

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

Should I visit Roanoke or Park City Utah? 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 scenic, outdoorsy, and laid back town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Park City Utah

Park City Utah is a high energy, adventurous, and active town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping.

Roanoke and Park City Utah: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for hiking
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less family-friendly
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights


Is there more to do in Roanoke or Park City Utah?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Park City Utah. Although Roanoke and Park City Utah are popular destinations, Park City Utah has more sights and attractions for tourists. Park City Utah is very popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, resorts, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Roanoke attracts visitors for its museums. Park City Utah is more touristy than Roanoke and is known for the Sundance Film Festival and world-renowned skiing and snowboarding. It is also well known for Deer Valley Resort. Roanoke is famous for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

How is Roanoke different from Park City Utah?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Roanoke or Park City Utah Better for Skiing?

Roanoke
Park City Utah

Park City Utah is renowned for skiing. However, Roanoke is not a skiing destination.

If you're an avid snow skiier, Park City Utah should be on your list. Two ski resorts are nearby, Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resort. Park City Mountain is the largest resort in the United States. There are 7,300 acres that include two different base areas, 41 lifts, and 6 terrain parks. There's ski-in ski-out access from the town's Main Street, and options for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Deer Valley Resort is a ritzy and upscale option that is more glamorous and high class.

Roanoke is not a skiing destination.


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

Roanoke
Park City Utah

Roanoke is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Park City Utah is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

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.

Park City Utah offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums and some nice art galleries in town. There are also museums at Olympic Park.

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

Roanoke
Park City Utah

Park City Utah is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Roanoke is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Park City Utah has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Park City has a wonderful food scene with many award-winning restaurants. Many restaurants offer fine dining experiences and even the more casual options are high priced with high quality dishes. You'll also find many great breakfast restaurants and cafes so you can start your day off with a filling meal.

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 Park City Utah Better for Nightlife?

Roanoke
Park City Utah

Park City Utah is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

Park City Utah is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. After a day on the slopes, you'll return to a vibrant nightlife scene with bars and live music. Most of the action is concentrated around Main Street and it's easy to walk to most venues, even when the weather is cold and snowy.

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 Roanoke or Park City Utah Better for Resorts?

Roanoke
Park City Utah

Park City Utah is a great town for its luxury resorts. However, Roanoke is not a resort destination.

Park City Utah is known as a popular and fun resort destination. You'll find most of the major chains as well as smaller and more personal hotels. Many hotels have hot tubs and pools, and many offer easy access to the ski gondola.

Roanoke is not a resort destination.

Is Roanoke or Park City Utah Better for Hiking?

Roanoke
Park City Utah

If you're looking to go hiking, Roanoke and Park City Utah both have superb trails.

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.

Park City Utah is a popular spot for hiking. If you're visiting during a warmer month, hiking is a great way to experience the area's beauty. There are more than 350 miles of hiking trails that pass through forests, canyons, creeks, and mountain ridges. You'll find options for every skill level and regardless of the hike you choose, it's sure to take your breath away.

Is the Shopping Better in Roanoke or Park City Utah?

Roanoke
Park City Utah

Park City Utah 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 Park City Utah. Wander down the historic Main Street and enjoy shopping at the many quaint vendors and art galleries. There are also outlet malls 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 Park City Utah Better for Families?

Roanoke
Park City Utah

Park City Utah 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, Park City Utah is a very family-friendly destination. There is kid-family skiing, ziplining, and alpine coasters. The free museums at Olympic Park are fun to explore as well and are filled with memorabilia from the 2002 Olympics. Additionally, there are kid-friendly restaurants and playgrounds where the little ones can run around.

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 Park City Utah Better for Couples?

Roanoke
Park City Utah

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

Park City Utah makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, you can enjoy the area's many great restaurants and beautiful hikes. There are romantic hotels as well as sleigh rides and evening walks that will make this an unforgettable destination.

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 Park City Utah Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke
Park City Utah

For backpackers, both Roanoke and Park City Utah are nice places to visit.

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

Park City Utah is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although the town is notoriously expensive, there is a hostel in town that appeals to backpackers.


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

Roanoke
Park City Utah

Park City Utah is a great town for times when you don't have a car. However, Roanoke is not known for its public transit.

The public transit in Park City Utah can get you to most places easily. There are 13 free bus routes as well as seasonal transportation providers.

Public transit is generally 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 Roanoke or Park City Utah a more walkable city?

Roanoke
Park City Utah

Park City Utah is renowned for its ease of walking around. However, Roanoke is not known for its walkability.

Park City Utah is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's a very walkable town and is easy to explore on foot.

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 Park City Utah Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Park City Utah or Roanoke?

How long in Roanoke or Park City Utah?

In either Roanoke or Park City Utah, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Park City Utah than Roanoke because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Roanoke, and 3-5 days is enough time in Park City Utah.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Park City Utah 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 Park City Utah.


  • How many days in Roanoke or Park City Utah? Ideal Length of Stay
    Roanoke 1-3 
    Park City Utah 3-5

One day in Roanoke or Park City Utah?

In Roanoke, you'll find nightlife and shopping. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Park City Utah, you'll find skiing and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town 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 Park City Utah?

Roanoke is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Park City Utah, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Roanoke or Park City Utah?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Roanoke. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Park City Utah 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 Park City Utah has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Roanoke or Park City Utah?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the town of Roanoke. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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's hard to know how much time to spend in Park City Utah. Many people enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting Park City Utah. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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, Park City Utah 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 Park City Utah is $320. 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 Park City Utah in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Roanoke $96
    Park City Utah $202
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Roanoke $192
    Park City Utah $404
Compare Hotels in Roanoke and Park City Utah

Looking for a hotel in Roanoke or Park City Utah? 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 Park City Utah


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 Park City Utah Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Roanoke $23
    Park City Utah $72

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Park City Utah

Also for Park City Utah, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Canyons Village to Salt Lake Airport (SLC) - Departure Transfer: $115
  • Park City Hotels to Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
  • Departure Transfer from Park City Ski Resort to Provo Airport PVU: $33

Is it cheaper to fly into Roanoke or Park City Utah?

Prices for flights to both Park City Utah 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
    Park City Utah $65

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
    Park City Utah $68

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 Park City Utah

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Park City Utah.

  • 2 Hours Off Road Tour in Utah: $175
  • Guided Fly Fishing Experience in Park City: $260
  • Park City Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Privately Guided Snowshoe Experience: $108
  • Urban Art and Historical E-Bike Tour in Park City: $175

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Roanoke $30
    Park City Utah $46


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Roanoke and Park City Utah, we can see that Park City Utah 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 Park City Utah would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Park City Utah 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 Roanoke Expensive? and Is Park City Utah Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Roanoke or Park City Utah?

Roanoke has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Park City Utah. When comparing the sizes of Roanoke and Park City Utah, 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.