A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Hilton Head Island vs. Roanoke for Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island and Roanoke can help you decide which place is right for you.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a relaxing, peaceful, and beautiful coastal town. Hilton Head Island offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches. See Hilton Head Island travel costs.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a scenic, outdoorsy, and laid back town. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Roanoke travel costs.

Hilton Head Island and Roanoke: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hilton Head Island or Roanoke?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Roanoke. Although Hilton Head Island and Roanoke are popular destinations, Roanoke has more sights and attractions for tourists. Roanoke is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and hiking, while Hilton Head Island attracts visitors for its food, resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Hilton Head Island is more touristy than Roanoke and is known for its long sandy beaches, many golf courses, popular tennis camps, and accessible bike trails. Roanoke is famous for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is also well known for the Roanoke Star.

How is Hilton Head Island different from Roanoke?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hilton Head Island or Roanoke?

Roanoke is very good for its museums and history. However, Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Roanoke. 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.

Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Hilton Head Island or Roanoke? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hilton Head Island is a great coastal town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Roanoke is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Hilton Head Island has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The island has many famous restaurants but reservations during the summer are a must. Restaurants can get very crowded during peak times. For some of the best restaurants head to Shelter Cove or Harbour Town. Popular local dishes include fried seafood and oysters.

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 Hilton Head Island or Roanoke Better for Nightlife?

Roanoke is very good for its evening party scene. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Hilton Head Island. There are a few sports bars and comedy clubs, but nightlife isn't really a thing in Hilton Head. This is very much a family destination that shuts down with the sunset.

Is Hilton Head Island or Roanoke Better for Resorts?

Hilton Head Island is a great coastal town for its luxury resorts. However, Roanoke is not a resort destination.

Hilton Head Island is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of weekly condo rentals, which usually include a pool and outdoor space. Tennis and golf are also popular on the island so many resorts have facilities for each.

Roanoke is not a resort destination.

Is Hilton Head Island or Roanoke Better for Beaches?

Hilton Head Island is a great coastal town for the beach. However, Roanoke is not a beach destination.

Hilton Head Island is considered a top beach destination. The island has nice beaches that are popular with families. They are great for swimming during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. While some beaches may get a bit crowded during peak holidays, they're usually pretty relaxed and less crowded than many nearby beaches.

Roanoke is not a beach destination.

Is Hilton Head Island or Roanoke Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Hilton Head Island is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Hilton Head Island is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hilton Head Island or Roanoke?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Hilton Head Island and Roanoke.

Hilton Head Island has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The area has upscale shopping with designer names and local venues. Popular shopping areas include Shelter Cove Town Center and Harbor Town.

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 Hilton Head Island or Roanoke More Beautiful?

Hilton Head Island is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Roanoke is not a destination known for its beauty.

Hilton Head Island offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The island has many beautiful waterways that are best explored by boat or kayak. The beaches are also beautiful and striking.

Roanoke is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Hilton Head Island or Roanoke Better for Families?

Hilton Head Island 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, Hilton Head Island is a very family-friendly destination. This area is a popular family-friendly beach destination with a number of summer events for the whole family, peaceful beaches, and family-friendly restaurants throughout. Older kids will enjoy cycling around the island's many bike trails or attending a popular tennis camp.

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 Hilton Head Island or Roanoke Better for Couples?

Roanoke is a very popular place for couples. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Hilton Head Island is a nice destination for couples. While the area is most popular with families, it is a fun place to explore as a couple because of the many high end restaurants and the beautiful setting. Couples can rent bikes to explore or play a friendly game of tennis.

Is Hilton Head Island or Roanoke Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for backpackers.

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

Hilton Head Island is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. This is a family-focused beach destination with almost no backpackers around.

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

Roanoke is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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 limited or non-existant in Hilton Head Island. You must have a car to get most places on the island, unless you bike. Rush hour during summer months can have intense traffic.

Is Hilton Head Island or Roanoke a more walkable city?

Hilton Head Island and Roanoke are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Hilton Head Island is generally not a very walkable coastal town. You really need a car to get around, but for those who are motivated, there is a great network of bike trails. It's mostly used for recreational purposes though.

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 Hilton Head Island Worth Visiting? and Is Roanoke Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Roanoke or Hilton Head Island?

How long in Hilton Head Island or Roanoke?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hilton Head Island and Roanoke. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hilton Head Island than in Roanoke. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Hilton Head Island, and 1-3 days is enough time in Roanoke.

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

Couples should spend more time in Roanoke than Hilton Head Island. 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 Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island or Roanoke?

In Hilton Head Island, you'll find food and shopping. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid back destination of Roanoke. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Hilton Head Island or Roanoke?

In Hilton Head Island, you'll find shopping and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Roanoke is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the scenic town of Roanoke. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Roanoke has to offer.

Five days in Hilton Head Island or Roanoke?

Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting Roanoke. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Hilton Head Island or Roanoke?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hilton Head Island. In Hilton Head Island, you'll find shopping and food. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Roanoke is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska.

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

Which is Bigger, Hilton Head Island or Roanoke?

Roanoke has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Hilton Head Island. When comparing the sizes of Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island or Roanoke?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Roanoke in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilton Head Island and Roanoke. Most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Roanoke because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Hilton Head Island is around the same temperature as Roanoke in the summer. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Roanoke fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Roanoke this time of the year. In Hilton Head Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hilton Head Island usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke during summer. Hilton Head Island gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

Roanoke receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hilton Head Island gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hilton Head Island usually receives more rain than Roanoke. Hilton Head Island gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Roanoke in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hilton Head Island as well as Roanoke. The autumn months attract visitors to Hilton Head Island because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year.

In the autumn, Hilton Head Island is a little warmer than Roanoke. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hilton Head Island in October average around 68°F (20°C), and Roanoke averages at about 60°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hilton Head Island this time of the year. In the autumn, Hilton Head Island often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. Hilton Head Island gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 210 hours of full sun.

Hilton Head Island usually gets less rain in October than Roanoke. Hilton Head Island gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Roanoke in the Winter?

Both Roanoke and Hilton Head Island are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Hilton Head Island 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. In January, Hilton Head Island is generally much warmer than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Hilton Head Island average around 48°F (9°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 38°F (3°C).

Hilton Head Island usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke during winter. Hilton Head Island gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Hilton Head Island usually receives around the same amount of rain as Roanoke. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Roanoke in the Spring?

Both Roanoke and Hilton Head Island during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Hilton Head Island for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Hilton Head Island is a little warmer than Roanoke in the spring. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 67°F (19°C) in April, and Roanoke fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hilton Head Island. In the spring, Hilton Head Island often gets more sunshine than Roanoke. Hilton Head Island gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 246 hours of full sun.

Hilton Head Island usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Roanoke. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Hilton Head Island