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

Should you visit Durham 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 Durham and Roanoke can help you decide which place is right for you.

Durham

Durham is a diverse, student-filled, and sports oriented city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Durham travel costs.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a scenic, outdoorsy, and laid back town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, hiking, and shopping. See Roanoke travel costs.

Durham and Roanoke: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or Roanoke?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Roanoke than Durham. While Durham is larger than Roanoke, Roanoke has more sights and attractions for tourists. Roanoke is very popular for its hiking, while Durham attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and food. Roanoke is more touristy than Durham and is popular for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is also well known for the Roanoke Star. Durham is famous for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Durham different from Roanoke?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Durham 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.

Durham offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

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 Durham or Roanoke? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Durham is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

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 Durham or Roanoke Better for Nightlife?

Both Durham and Roanoke are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Durham. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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 Durham or Roanoke Better for Hiking?

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

Durham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or Roanoke?

Both Durham and Roanoke are nice shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Durham to go shopping. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Roanoke. 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 Durham or Roanoke Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Durham or Roanoke.

Durham is a family-friendly place to visit. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

Roanoke is a family-friendly city. 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 Durham or Roanoke Better for Couples?

Roanoke is a well-known place for couples. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

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.

Durham is a nice destination for couples. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

Is Durham or Roanoke Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is very good for backpackers. However, Durham 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.

Durham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The student population means there are a number of parties and bars around town, but most backpackers overlook this city.

Is Durham or Roanoke Better for Students?

Durham is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Roanoke is not popular with students.

Durham is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

Roanoke is not popular with students.

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

Both Durham and Roanoke offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

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.

Is Durham or Roanoke a more walkable city?

Durham and Roanoke both are reasonable when exploring on foot.

Durham is generally not very walkable. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

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 Durham Worth Visiting? and Is Roanoke Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Roanoke or Durham?

How long in Durham or Roanoke?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Durham and Roanoke. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

In Durham, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Durham or Roanoke?

In Durham, 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 Durham 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 Durham or Roanoke?

Durham 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 Durham or Roanoke?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Durham. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Durham. 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 Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Durham or Roanoke?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Roanoke. When comparing the sizes of Durham 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 Durham 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 Durham or Roanoke in the Summer?

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

Durham is around the same temperature as Roanoke in the summer. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Roanoke fluctuates around 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 Durham this time of the year. In the summer, Durham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. Durham gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 273 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Roanoke. Durham receives a lot of rain in the summer. Durham usually gets more rain in July than Roanoke. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Roanoke in the Autumn?

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

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

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

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

Should I visit Durham or Roanoke in the Winter?

Both Roanoke and Durham during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Durham 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. It's quite cold in Durham in the winter. In January, Durham is generally a little warmer than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 40°F (5°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 38°F (3°C).

In the winter, Durham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. Durham gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets more rain in January than Roanoke. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Roanoke in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Roanoke.

Durham is around the same temperature as Roanoke in the spring. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Roanoke fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

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

In April, Durham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Roanoke. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Durham