A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Dallas vs. Roanoke for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Dallas or Roanoke?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dallas and Roanoke can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dallas

Dallas is a chic, active, and upscale city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Dallas travel costs.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a laid back, scenic, and outdoorsy town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, hiking, and shopping. See Roanoke travel costs.

Dallas and Roanoke: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dallas or Roanoke?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dallas than Roanoke, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dallas is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Roanoke is known for its hiking. Roanoke is more touristy than Dallas and is popular for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Dallas is popular for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture. It is also home to the Sixth Floor Museum.

How is Dallas different from Roanoke?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dallas or Roanoke?

Dallas 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.

Dallas offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

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 Dallas or Roanoke? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Dallas has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

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 Dallas or Roanoke Better for Nightlife?

Dallas 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 Dallas has something for everybody. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

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 Dallas or Roanoke Better for Hiking?

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

Dallas is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dallas or Roanoke?

Dallas 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 Dallas. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

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 Dallas or Roanoke Better for Families?

Dallas 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 Dallas. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

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 Dallas or Roanoke Better for Couples?

Both Dallas and Roanoke are great destinations to visit as a couple.

Dallas is a very popular place to visit for couples. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

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 Dallas or Roanoke Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is very good for backpackers. However, Dallas is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Dallas is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there are a couple of hostels around town, this isn't a popular destination for the backpacker crowd.

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

Dallas is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Roanoke is not known for its public transit.

While Dallas offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

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 Dallas or Roanoke a more walkable city?

Dallas and Roanoke both are decent when exploring on foot.

Dallas is generally not very walkable. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

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 Dallas Worth Visiting? and Is Roanoke Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Roanoke or Dallas?

How long in Dallas or Roanoke?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dallas and Roanoke. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dallas than in Roanoke. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dallas, and 1-3 days is enough time in Roanoke.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dallas 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 Dallas.

One day in Dallas or Roanoke?

In Dallas, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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.

A weekend in Dallas or Roanoke?

In Dallas, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Dallas has to offer.

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.

Five days in Dallas or Roanoke?

Dallas 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.

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.

A week in Dallas or Roanoke?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dallas. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dallas. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the scenic 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.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dallas and Roanoke, we can see that Roanoke is more expensive. And not only is Dallas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dallas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dallas 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 Dallas.

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

Which is Bigger, Dallas or Roanoke?

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

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

In the summer, Dallas is a little warmer than Roanoke. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dallas in July average around 88°F (31°C), and Roanoke averages at about 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In the summer, Dallas often gets more sunshine than Roanoke. Dallas gets 337 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 273 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Roanoke. Dallas usually gets less rain in July than Roanoke. Dallas gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dallas or Roanoke in the Autumn?

Both Roanoke and Dallas are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Dallas because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year.

In October, Dallas is generally a little warmer than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 69°F (21°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Roanoke. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. Dallas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke during autumn. Dallas gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 210 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dallas usually receives around the same amount of rain as Roanoke. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dallas or Roanoke in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Roanoke. Dallas is much warmer than Roanoke in the winter. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 46°F (8°C) in January, and Roanoke fluctuates around 38°F (3°C).

In the winter, Dallas often gets more sunshine than Roanoke. Dallas gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun.

Dallas usually gets less rain in January than Roanoke. Dallas gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dallas or Roanoke in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dallas and Roanoke. Many travelers come to Dallas for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Dallas is a little warmer than Roanoke. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dallas in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Roanoke averages at about 59°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Roanoke this time of the year. In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dallas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke during spring. Dallas gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 246 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dallas usually receives more rain than Roanoke. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Dallas