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

Should you visit Gainesville or Roanoke?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Roanoke, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Gainesville

Gainesville is a high energy, active, and vibrant city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Gainesville travel costs.

Roanoke

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

Gainesville and Roanoke: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gainesville or Roanoke?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Roanoke than Gainesville. While Gainesville is larger than Roanoke, Roanoke has more sights and attractions for tourists. Roanoke is better known for its hiking, while Gainesville is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, and nightlife. Roanoke is more touristy than Gainesville and is popular for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Also, Roanoke is famous for the Roanoke Star. Gainesville is well known for being the home of the University of Florida

How is Gainesville different from Roanoke?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Gainesville 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.

Gainesville offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a surprising number of museums around town such as the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, and the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention. Also fascinating is the Historic Haile Homestead, the Butterfly Rainforest, and the city's planetarium.

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 Gainesville or Roanoke? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Gainesville is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Casual eateries are popular around town, particularly with the student population. There are grills, diners, and bistros that serve local dishes at affordable prices.

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 Gainesville or Roanoke Better for Nightlife?

Gainesville 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 Gainesville has something for everybody. The nightlife centers around the student population. The two main party areas are Midtown and Downtown. Midtown is between Northwest 17th Street and Northwest 18th Street and it's convenient for students who live on campus. The area has a great stretch of bars and clubs. The Downtown area has many of the city's top clubs, and it's popular with upperclassmen and students who live off campus.

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 Gainesville or Roanoke Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Gainesville 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.

Gainesville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Gainesville or Roanoke?

Both Gainesville and Roanoke are notable shopping destinations.

Gainesville is a great destination for shopping. You'll find all of the standard shopping options around town such as malls, shopping centers, and retail outlets. Two popular areas are the Neighborhoods at Butler and Celebration Pointe.

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 Gainesville or Roanoke Better for Families?

Gainesville and Roanoke are both notable destinations for the whole family.

Gainesville is a family-friendly place to visit. You'll find outdoor activities, nature parks, and a couple of museums that will appeal to all ages. Highlights for families include A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center, the Adventure Outpost, and Alfred A. Ring Park.

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 Gainesville or Roanoke Better for Couples?

Roanoke is notable for romance. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Gainesville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy wine tasting and fine dining or enjoying the city's many outdoor activities. Go on a picnic or explore one of the museums in Downtown Gainesville.

Is Gainesville or Roanoke Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Gainesville is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Roanoke. There are several campgrounds in the area as well as great hiking trails.

Gainesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the list for many travelers, but there are some cheap motels where budget travelers can stay.

Is Gainesville or Roanoke Better for Students?

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

Gainesville is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. As the location of the University of Florida, you'll find many students around town. This keeps the energy high with plenty of evening activities and affordable entertainment options.

Roanoke is not popular with students.

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

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

While Gainesville offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a decent bus system that's free to students and employees of the university.

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 Gainesville or Roanoke a more walkable city?

Gainesville is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Roanoke is not known for its walkability.

Gainesville is a somewhat walkable city. Biking is actually a popular way to get around town and some areas are pedestrian-friendly.

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 Gainesville Worth Visiting? and Is Roanoke Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Roanoke or Gainesville?

How long in Gainesville or Roanoke?

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

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

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

One day in Gainesville or Roanoke?

In Gainesville, 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the laid back town of Roanoke. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Gainesville or Roanoke?

In Gainesville, 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 Gainesville has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the scenic destination of Roanoke. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Gainesville or Roanoke?

Gainesville 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.

The laid back town of Roanoke offers museums and nightlife. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Gainesville or Roanoke?

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

Many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting Roanoke. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Roanoke?

Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Roanoke. When comparing the sizes of Gainesville 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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville or Roanoke in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Roanoke. Many visitors come to Gainesville in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Roanoke for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Gainesville is generally around the same temperature as Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 81°F (27°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite rainy in Roanoke. Gainesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gainesville usually gets more rain in July than Roanoke. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gainesville or Roanoke in the Autumn?

Both Roanoke and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Gainesville for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Roanoke because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Gainesville is a little warmer than Roanoke in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Roanoke fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

In October, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Roanoke. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.

Should I visit Gainesville or Roanoke in the Winter?

Both Roanoke and Gainesville during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Gainesville because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year.

It's quite cold in Roanoke in the winter. In the winter, Gainesville is much warmer than Roanoke. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gainesville in January average around 54°F (12°C), and Roanoke averages at about 38°F (3°C).

Gainesville usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Roanoke. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gainesville or Roanoke in the Spring?

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

In April, Gainesville is generally a little warmer than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 69°F (20°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

In April, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Roanoke. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Gainesville