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

Should you visit New Bern or Roanoke?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Roanoke? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

New Bern

New Bern is a charming, laid back, and quaint town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See New Bern 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.

New Bern and Roanoke: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Roanoke?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Roanoke than New Bern, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Roanoke is better known for its nightlife and hiking, while New Bern is more popular for its food and small town charm. New Bern is well known for being the birthplace of Pepsi. Roanoke is well known for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Also, Roanoke is famous for the Roanoke Star.

How is New Bern different from Roanoke?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in New Bern or Roanoke?

Both New Bern and Roanoke have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

New Bern is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Many visitors check out the Tryon Palace while they're in town. Other museums include the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Carolina Creations Fine Art & Contemporary Craft Gallery, and the New Bern Academy Museum.

Roanoke offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 New Bern or Roanoke? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

New Bern is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local eateries, bistros, and cafes in town. You can sample southern favorites or something international. Popular dishes include fresh caught fish, crab cakes, and even tacos.

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 New Bern or Roanoke Better for Nightlife?

Roanoke is a popular place for nightlife. However, New Bern is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Roanoke has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

New Bern doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a couple of pubs and breweries around town.

Is New Bern or Roanoke Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is well known for its hiking experiences. However, New Bern 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.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Roanoke?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Roanoke and New Bern.

New Bern is a great destination for shopping. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

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 New Bern or Roanoke Better for Families?

Roanoke is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, New Bern is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Roanoke. 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.

For families, New Bern is not always the best place to visit. Stand up paddle boarding and other outdoor activities are a fun way to experience the area with kids. You could also visit the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Tryon Palace, or one of the parks around town.

Is New Bern or Roanoke Better for Couples?

Roanoke is well known for romance. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Roanoke frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

New Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The town's charm and quaint parks make this a nice weekend getaway. There are outdoor activities and the Tryon Palace which is nice to visit. There are also local restaurants around town.

Is New Bern or Roanoke Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is a popular place for backpackers. However, New Bern is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Roanoke. There are several campgrounds in the area as well as great hiking trails.

New Bern is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not popular with backpackers in part because it's a small town that most people breeze through on their way to the beach.

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

Roanoke is a town with a few options for its public transit. However, New Bern is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is quite limited in New Bern. There's no real public transit in the area.

Is New Bern or Roanoke a more walkable city?

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

New Bern is a somewhat walkable town. The downtown area is walkable and nice to explore on foot.

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 New Bern Worth Visiting? and Is Roanoke Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Roanoke or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Roanoke?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Roanoke than New Bern. 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 New Bern 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 New Bern or Roanoke?

New Bern is a small town with plenty to do. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The town of Roanoke offers nightlife and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in New Bern or Roanoke?

New Bern might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 New Bern has to offer.

Roanoke is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Roanoke, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in New Bern or Roanoke?

New Bern 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.

Roanoke is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in New Bern or Roanoke?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Bern. Since New Bern is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Roanoke is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Roanoke?

Roanoke has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of New Bern 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 New Bern 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 New Bern or Roanoke in the Summer?

Both Roanoke and New Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year.

In July, New Bern is generally around the same temperature as Roanoke. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 80°F (27°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

Roanoke gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. New Bern usually gets more rain in July than Roanoke. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Roanoke in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Roanoke. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to New Bern this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Roanoke for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

New Bern is a little warmer than Roanoke in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 65°F (18°C) in October, and Roanoke fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

In October, New Bern usually receives less rain than Roanoke. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Bern or Roanoke in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Roanoke. Many travelers come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Roanoke in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Roanoke can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, New Bern is much warmer than Roanoke. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Bern in January average around 44°F (7°C), and Roanoke averages at about 38°F (3°C).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. New Bern usually gets more rain in January than Roanoke. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Roanoke in the Spring?

Both Roanoke and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to New Bern in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, New Bern is generally around the same temperature as Roanoke. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 62°F (16°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

In April, New Bern usually receives around the same amount of rain as Roanoke. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Roanoke and New Bern