A Travel Price Comparison for Virginia Roanoke vs. Williamsburg for Families, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Roanoke or Williamsburg?

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

Should I visit Roanoke or Williamsburg? 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. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a well-preserved, historic, and charming town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Roanoke and Williamsburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Roanoke or Williamsburg?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Williamsburg. Although Roanoke and Williamsburg are popular destinations, Williamsburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Williamsburg is very popular for its museums & sights, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Roanoke attracts visitors for its nightlife and hiking. Williamsburg is more touristy than Roanoke and is popular for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. It is also well known for Colonial Williamsburg. Roanoke is famous for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

How is Roanoke different from Williamsburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

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 Williamsburg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Williamsburg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

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 Williamsburg Better for Nightlife?

Roanoke is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

Roanoke has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Williamsburg doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Is Roanoke or Williamsburg Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Roanoke does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Williamsburg is one of the most recognized in the world. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

Roanoke does not have a historic old town.

Is Roanoke or Williamsburg Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Williamsburg is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Williamsburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Roanoke or Williamsburg?

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

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 Williamsburg Better for Families?

Williamsburg 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, Williamsburg is a very family-friendly destination. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

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 Williamsburg Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Roanoke and Williamsburg make for a superb place to visit.

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.

Williamsburg is a very popular place to visit for couples. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

Is Roanoke or Williamsburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is a good destination for backpackers. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Williamsburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a number of restaurants and bars that cater to the student population, but there's little else that attracts backpackers.

Is Roanoke or Williamsburg Better for Students?

Williamsburg is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Roanoke is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Williamsburg. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

Roanoke is not popular with students.

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

Roanoke and Williamsburg both offer reasonable 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 Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

Is Roanoke or Williamsburg a more walkable city?

Roanoke and Williamsburg are reasonable when it comes to 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.

Williamsburg is generally not very walkable. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Williamsburg or Roanoke?

How long in Roanoke or Williamsburg?

It's fun to spend time in either Roanoke or Williamsburg. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Williamsburg due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Roanoke, and 2-4 days is enough time in Williamsburg.

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

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

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

In Roanoke, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this outdoorsy town offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

In Williamsburg, you'll find museums and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Williamsburg?

Roanoke is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Williamsburg, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Williamsburg has to offer.

Five days in Roanoke or Williamsburg?

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the outdoorsy destination of Roanoke. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Williamsburg is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Williamsburg?

Roanoke is a popular place to visit. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Williamsburg. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Williamsburg. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Roanoke or Williamsburg?

Roanoke has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Roanoke and Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg?

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 Williamsburg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Roanoke as well as Williamsburg. Most visitors come to Roanoke for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the family-friendly experiences.

Roanoke is around the same temperature as Williamsburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Roanoke this time of the year. In the summer, Roanoke often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg. Roanoke gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 279 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Williamsburg. Roanoke receives a lot of rain in the summer. Roanoke usually gets less rain in July than Williamsburg. Roanoke gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Roanoke or Williamsburg in the Autumn?

Both Williamsburg and Roanoke are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Roanoke because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year.

In the autumn, Roanoke is around the same temperature as Williamsburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Roanoke in October average around 60°F (16°C), and Williamsburg averages at about 61°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. Roanoke usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg during autumn. Roanoke gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Williamsburg. Roanoke gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Roanoke or Williamsburg in the Winter?

Both Williamsburg and Roanoke during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Williamsburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Williamsburg. It's quite cold in Roanoke in the winter. In January, Roanoke is generally cooler than Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 38°F (3°C), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).

In the winter, Roanoke often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg. Roanoke gets 165 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 168 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Roanoke or Williamsburg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Roanoke and Williamsburg. Also, many visitors come to Williamsburg in the spring for the natural beauty.

Roanoke is around the same temperature as Williamsburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 59°F (15°C) in April, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Williamsburg this time of the year. In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. Roanoke usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg during spring. Roanoke gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Roanoke usually receives around the same amount of rain as Williamsburg. Roanoke gets 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Williamsburg and Roanoke