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

Should you visit Roanoke or Detroit?

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

Should I visit Roanoke or Detroit? 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 laid back, scenic, and outdoorsy town. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Roanoke travel costs.

Detroit

Detroit is a overlooked , under-rated, and hardworking city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Detroit travel costs.

Roanoke and Detroit: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Roanoke or Detroit?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Detroit than Roanoke, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Detroit is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Roanoke is known for its hiking. Roanoke is more touristy than Detroit and is known for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Detroit is popular for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry. It is also home to the Henry Ford Experience.

How is Roanoke different from Detroit?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Detroit 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 Detroit?

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Detroit and Roanoke.

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.

Detroit is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Popular museums around town include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Michigan Science Center.

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

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

Detroit is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There's a local flavor to the food with a number of classic dishes that are popular like square pizza, Coney dogs, and corned beef egg rolls.

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 Roanoke or Detroit Better for Nightlife?

Detroit 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 Detroit has something for everybody. It's long history in music still influences the nightlife scene. You'll find bars, clubs, and other activities around town. Greektown and Midtown are both popular neighborhoods during the evening.

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 Roanoke or Detroit Better for Music?

Detroit is renowned for its music scene. However, Roanoke is not a live music destination.

Detroit has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Few cities have such an influential music industry. It's home to Motown and is well known for its soul music, jazz, blues, and rap.

Roanoke is not a live music destination.

Is Roanoke or Detroit Better for Hiking?

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

Detroit is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Roanoke or Detroit?

If you're looking to go shopping, Roanoke and Detroit both offer plenty of good 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.

Detroit is a great destination for shopping. There are several shopping streets like Woodward Avenue. There are also outlet malls, shopping centers, and Eastern Market.

Is Roanoke or Detroit Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Roanoke or Detroit.

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.

Detroit is a family-friendly place to visit. Head to the Detroit Zoo or check out one of the amusement parks in the area. Kids will enjoy a visit to Legoland and there's also the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium. You could also spend some time visiting the unique museums in the area.

Is Roanoke or Detroit Better for Couples?

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

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.

Detroit is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's not a city that usually brings to mind romance, but if you find yourself here for a couple of days, there's a RiverWalk area and some interesting local neighborhoods.

Is Roanoke or Detroit Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Detroit 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.

Detroit is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but this is still an often overlooked city.

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

Roanoke and Detroit both offer decent 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 Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.

Is Roanoke or Detroit a more walkable city?

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

Detroit is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get 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 Roanoke Worth Visiting? and Is Detroit Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Detroit or Roanoke?

How long in Roanoke or Detroit?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Roanoke than Detroit. 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 Detroit 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 Detroit?

In Roanoke, you'll find museums and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.

In Detroit, you'll find shopping and museums. One reason most visitors come is for the 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 Detroit?

In Roanoke, you'll find nightlife and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Roanoke has to offer.

In Detroit, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Detroit has to offer.

Five days in Roanoke or Detroit?

Roanoke is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Detroit 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 Detroit?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Detroit. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Detroit. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. 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 Detroit, we can see that Roanoke is more expensive. And not only is Detroit much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Detroit would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Detroit 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 Detroit.

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

Which is Bigger, Roanoke or Detroit?

Detroit has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Roanoke. When comparing the sizes of Roanoke and Detroit, 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 Detroit?

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 Detroit in the Summer?

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

In July, Roanoke is generally a little warmer than Detroit. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 79°F (26°C), and Detroit fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Detroit this time of the year. In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. Roanoke usually receives less sunshine than Detroit during summer. Roanoke gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 319 hours of full sun in the summer.

Roanoke gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Detroit. Roanoke gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Roanoke or Detroit in the Autumn?

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

Roanoke is a little warmer than Detroit in the autumn. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 60°F (16°C) in October, and Detroit fluctuates around 54°F (12°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 Detroit. Roanoke gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 172 hours of full sun.

Roanoke usually gets more rain in October than Detroit. Roanoke gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Roanoke or Detroit in the Winter?

Both Detroit 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 Detroit because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Detroit can be very cold. Roanoke can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Roanoke is much warmer than Detroit. Typically, the winter temperatures in Roanoke in January average around 38°F (3°C), and Detroit averages at about 25°F (-4°C).

Roanoke usually receives more sunshine than Detroit during winter. Roanoke gets 165 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 120 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Detroit. Roanoke gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Roanoke or Detroit in the Spring?

Both Detroit and Roanoke during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Detroit this time of year.

In April, Roanoke is generally much warmer than Detroit. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 59°F (15°C), and Detroit fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

In Detroit, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Roanoke. In the spring, Roanoke often gets more sunshine than Detroit. Roanoke gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 223 hours of full sun.

Roanoke usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Detroit. Roanoke gets 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.2 inches (80 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Detroit and Roanoke