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

Should you visit Roanoke or Cleveland?

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

Should I visit Roanoke or Cleveland? 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.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a outdoorsy, laid back, and scenic town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Roanoke travel costs.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a authentic, under-rated, and diverse city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music. See Cleveland travel costs.

Roanoke and Cleveland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Roanoke or Cleveland?

Both Cleveland and Roanoke have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Roanoke is better known for its hiking, while Cleveland is more popular for its museums and attractions and music. Roanoke is more touristy than Cleveland and is known for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Cleveland is well known for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Roanoke different from Cleveland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cleveland 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.

Cleveland offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are diverse museums around town such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa), and the Great Lakes Science Center. Music lovers will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

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 Roanoke or Cleveland? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at respectable restaurants in both Roanoke and Cleveland.

Roanoke may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. There are burger joints, pizza restaurants, and plenty of other casual eateries where you can grab a quick meal.

Cleveland offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Casual dining with comfort food is the way most residents prefer to eat. There are local foods that have made a name for themselves such as gourmet hot dogs and deli sandwiches. The food is also influenced by the city's German, Irish, Polish, and Italian roots. Pierogis, bratwurst, and chicken paprikash are all common.

Is Roanoke or Cleveland Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Roanoke and Cleveland.

If you're looking for night time activities Roanoke has a few options to choose from. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Cleveland. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Is Roanoke or Cleveland Better for Music?

Cleveland is a great city for its music scene. However, Roanoke is not a live music destination.

Cleveland has a thriving music scene. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it has long been a destination for music enthusiasts. There are many independent music venues and it's the perfect place to catch a show.

Roanoke is not a live music destination.

Is Roanoke or Cleveland Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Cleveland 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.

Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Roanoke or Cleveland?

If you're looking to go shopping, Roanoke and Cleveland both offer plenty of notable spots.

Roanoke has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Cleveland is a great destination for shopping. Large shopping malls offer plenty of selection. There's also West Side Market, which is the oldest public market in the city. Other interesting shopping areas include Little Italy and the Cleveland Flea.

Is Roanoke or Cleveland Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Roanoke or Cleveland.

Roanoke offers lots of family activities. 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.

Cleveland is a family-friendly place to visit. Kid-friendly activities in the area include the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There's also the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as well as the smaller Akron Zoo.

Is Roanoke or Cleveland Better for Couples?

Roanoke is a very popular place for romance. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of Cleveland as a couple's destination. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

Is Roanoke or Cleveland Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for backpackers.

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

Cleveland is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There's little in the area that attracts the backpacker crowd.

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

Roanoke and Cleveland both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

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 generally limited in Cleveland. There are bus, trolley, and train lines through the city, but a car is the most efficient way to get around.

Is Roanoke or Cleveland a more walkable city?

Roanoke and Cleveland are respectable when it comes to walkability.

Roanoke is generally not a very walkable town. The downtown area is the most walkable part of town, with sidewalks and more dense development styles.

Cleveland is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are more walkable than others (Downtown, Ohio City and Buckeye - Shaker), most visitors need a car to easily access everything they wish to do.

For even more information, also check out Is Roanoke Worth Visiting? and Is Cleveland Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cleveland or Roanoke?

How long in Roanoke or Cleveland?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Roanoke and Cleveland. In our opinion, Roanoke has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Roanoke than Cleveland. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Roanoke. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Roanoke has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Cleveland, you'll find nightlife and live music. 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.

A weekend in Roanoke or Cleveland?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the scenic destination of Roanoke. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Cleveland, you'll find live music 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 Cleveland has to offer.

Five days in Roanoke or Cleveland?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the laid back town of Roanoke. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Cleveland 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.

A week in Roanoke or Cleveland?

Roanoke is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Roanoke or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Roanoke. When comparing the sizes of Roanoke and Cleveland, 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 Roanoke or Cleveland?

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 Roanoke or Cleveland in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Roanoke and Cleveland. Many travelers come to Roanoke for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Cleveland in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Roanoke is around the same temperature as Cleveland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Roanoke in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Cleveland averages at about 75°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cleveland this time of the year. In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. Roanoke usually receives less sunshine than Cleveland during summer. Roanoke gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 307 hours of full sun in the summer.

Cleveland receives a lot of rain in the summer. Roanoke gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Roanoke usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cleveland. Roanoke gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 4 inches (101 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Roanoke or Cleveland in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Roanoke as well as Cleveland. Many visitors come to Roanoke in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Cleveland for the shopping scene and the music scene during these months.

In October, Roanoke is generally a little warmer than Cleveland. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 60°F (16°C), and Cleveland fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Roanoke this time of the year. In the autumn, Roanoke often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Roanoke gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 165 hours of full sun.

Roanoke usually gets more rain in October than Cleveland. Roanoke gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Roanoke or Cleveland in the Winter?

Both Cleveland and Roanoke are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Roanoke for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cleveland because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Cleveland can be very cold. Roanoke can be very cold during winter. Roanoke is much warmer than Cleveland in the winter. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 38°F (3°C) in January, and Cleveland fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

Roanoke usually receives more sunshine than Cleveland during winter. Roanoke gets 165 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 95 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Roanoke gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Roanoke or Cleveland in the Spring?

Both Cleveland and Roanoke during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Roanoke is a little warmer than Cleveland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Roanoke in April average around 59°F (15°C), and Cleveland averages at about 51°F (10°C).

In Cleveland, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Roanoke. In the spring, Roanoke often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Roanoke gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 213 hours of full sun.

Roanoke usually gets more rain in April than Cleveland. Roanoke gets 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cleveland and Roanoke