A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Fort Lauderdale vs. Roanoke for Couples, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Fort Lauderdale and Roanoke. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is a scenic, bustling, and spirited coastal city. With stunning beauty, Fort Lauderdale attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Fort Lauderdale travel costs.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a outdoorsy, laid back, and scenic town. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Roanoke travel costs.

Fort Lauderdale and Roanoke: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke?

You'll generally find more things to do in Fort Lauderdale than Roanoke. Fort Lauderdale is bigger than Roanoke, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Fort Lauderdale is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Roanoke is more popular for its museums and attractions and hiking. Fort Lauderdale is more touristy than Roanoke and is popular for its canals, beaches, walkable waterfront, and luxury resorts. Also, Fort Lauderdale is famous for The Local Beaches. Roanoke is well known for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

How is Fort Lauderdale different from Roanoke?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke?

Roanoke is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Fort Lauderdale does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Fort Lauderdale does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Fort Lauderdale has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Seafood is the obvious option with popular dishes being fish tacos, sea bass, and scallop risotto. There are many waterfront restaurants or you could head to Las Olas Boulevard, which has many bistros, cafes, and restaurants.

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 Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke Better for Nightlife?

Fort Lauderdale is a great coastal city for its evening party scene. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

The nightlife in Fort Lauderdale has something for everybody. Trendy and upscale partying is the name of the game in this Florida city. Most people head to the beach, Las Olas Blvd, River Front and The New Hard Rock Seminole Hotel Complex for the best bars and clubs. You'll find the most activity around the weekends, but there really is something going on any night of the week.

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 Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke Better for Resorts?

Fort Lauderdale is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Roanoke is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Fort Lauderdale is a great choice. Luxury beachfront resorts are plentiful in the area. Several of the most impressive include the Ritz-Carlton, W Fort Lauderdale, and the Dalmar. Most resorts have a beachfront pool, hot tubs, and depending on the resort, a kid's club.

Roanoke is not a resort destination.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Fort Lauderdale is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Roanoke is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Fort Lauderdale has a few good snorkeling spots. Although the snorkeling doesn't compare to what you'll find further south around the Florida Keys, there are some great places to pull your mask and fins out in the area. Popular snorkeling spots nearby include the Vista Park Reef, Pompano Beach, and Hollywood North Beach Park.

Roanoke is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke Better for Beaches?

Fort Lauderdale is renowned for the beach. However, Roanoke is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Fort Lauderdale. With seven miles of beautiful sandy beaches, a fun boardwalk, and impressive views, the beaches here are among the best in the area. They are surprisingly walkable and, while there can be crowds, there's still a laid-back and relaxing atmosphere.

Roanoke is not a beach destination.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Fort Lauderdale 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.

Fort Lauderdale is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Roanoke and Fort Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale is a great destination for shopping. For interesting local boutiques head to Las Olas Boulevard and for name brand stores you'll want to visit Sawgrass Mills Mall.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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 Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke More Beautiful?

Fort Lauderdale is a great coastal city for its scenery and beauty. However, Roanoke is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Fort Lauderdale attracts visitors from all around. Seven miles of scenic coastline with a boardwalk to explore make this a beautiful Florida beach destination.

Roanoke is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke Better for Families?

Fort Lauderdale is a great coastal 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 Fort Lauderdale. With seven miles of beautiful sandy beaches and a number of kid-oriented activities, the kids will love it here. Fun activities include Bluefoot Pirate Adventures, Butterfly World, and Funderdome. On sunny days there are many outdoor recreation areas and when the weather isn't cooperating, there are hands-on museums.

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 Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke Better for Couples?

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

Fort Lauderdale makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Fine dining, beautiful beaches, and great shopping make for a great romantic getaway. Couples and honeymooners love relaxing at the beaches in Fort Lauderdale. A sunset walk on the beach and a stay at a romantic resort will make for an unforgettable trip.

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 Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is a good destination for backpackers. However, Fort Lauderdale is a coastal city 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.

Fort Lauderdale is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. You'll find few backpackers heading to the high end city.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Fort Lauderdale and Roanoke.

Public transit is generally limited in Fort Lauderdale. Transportation options include a water taxi and the Sun Trolley Hop-on Bus.

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 Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke a more walkable city?

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

Fort Lauderdale is a very walkable destination. It is one of the most walkable Florida communities with a boardwalk and several pedestrian areas that are fun to wander around.

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 Fort Lauderdale Worth Visiting? and Is Roanoke Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Roanoke or Fort Lauderdale?

How long in Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Fort Lauderdale and Roanoke. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Fort Lauderdale than in Roanoke. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Fort Lauderdale, and 1-3 days is enough time in Roanoke.

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

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

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

In Fort Lauderdale, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This coastal city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The laid back destination of Roanoke offers shopping and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke?

In Fort Lauderdale, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

The town of Roanoke offers museums and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke?

Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Roanoke is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Fort Lauderdale. In Fort Lauderdale, you'll find shopping and nightlife. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Roanoke. Hikers are also drawn to this area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.

When comparing the travel costs between Fort Lauderdale and Roanoke, we can see that Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale Expensive? and Is Roanoke Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke?

Fort Lauderdale has a larger population, and is about 87% larger than the population of Roanoke. When comparing the sizes of Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke in the Summer?

Both Roanoke and Fort Lauderdale during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Fort Lauderdale this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Roanoke for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Fort Lauderdale is generally around the same temperature as Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 83°F (28°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Fort Lauderdale. In the summer, Fort Lauderdale often gets more sunshine than Roanoke. Fort Lauderdale gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 273 hours of full sun.

Roanoke gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale usually gets more rain in July than Roanoke. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Fort Lauderdale and Roanoke. Many travelers come to Fort Lauderdale for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Roanoke in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Fort Lauderdale is much warmer than Roanoke in the autumn. The daily temperature in Fort Lauderdale averages around 78°F (26°C) in October, and Roanoke fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Roanoke this time of the year. In Fort Lauderdale, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fort Lauderdale usually receives more sunshine than Roanoke during autumn. Fort Lauderdale gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 210 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Fort Lauderdale gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Fort Lauderdale usually receives more rain than Roanoke. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Fort Lauderdale as well as Roanoke. Many visitors come to Fort Lauderdale in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Roanoke for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Roanoke can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Fort Lauderdale is much warmer than Roanoke. Typically, the winter temperatures in Fort Lauderdale in January average around 67°F (20°C), and Roanoke averages at about 38°F (3°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fort Lauderdale this time of the year. In the winter, Fort Lauderdale often gets more sunshine than Roanoke. Fort Lauderdale gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun.

Fort Lauderdale usually gets less rain in January than Roanoke. Fort Lauderdale gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Roanoke in the Spring?

Both Roanoke and Fort Lauderdale are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Fort Lauderdale for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Fort Lauderdale is generally much warmer than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 75°F (24°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Roanoke. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale usually receives more sunshine than Roanoke during spring. Fort Lauderdale gets 300 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 246 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Fort Lauderdale usually receives around the same amount of rain as Roanoke. Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale