A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Roanoke vs. Kamloops for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Roanoke or Kamloops?

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

Should I visit Roanoke or Kamloops? 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.

Kamloops

Kamloops is a laid-back, outdoorsy, and nature-filled city. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping. See Kamloops travel costs.

Roanoke and Kamloops: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Roanoke or Kamloops?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Kamloops than Roanoke. While Roanoke is larger than Kamloops, Kamloops has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Kamloops is more popular for its skiing and food, while Roanoke is known for its museums and attractions and hiking. Roanoke is more touristy than Kamloops and is known for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Kamloops is popular for its hiking trails, bike paths, and golf courses. It is also home to Sun Peaks Resort.

How is Roanoke different from Kamloops?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Roanoke or Kamloops Better for Skiing?

Kamloops is a great city for skiing. However, Roanoke is not a skiing destination.

Kamloops draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. There's a long ski season that runs from mid-November to mid-April. The region has two major ski resorts - Sun Peaks Resorts and Harper Mountain.

Roanoke is not a skiing destination.

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

Roanoke is a town with good options for its museums and history. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Kamloops offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that highlight the local culture and the region's heritage.

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

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

Kamloops is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find restaurants that range from casual to fine dining. There are also international options like Jamaican, Indian, or Chinese.

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 Kamloops Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Kamloops. You'll find pubs, bars, breweries and night clubs around town that range in personality and style.

Is Roanoke or Kamloops Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

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.

Kamloops offers some nice hiking trails. The area is filled with hiking trails that pass through grasslands, desert landscapes, and pine forests. There is something for every skill level.

Is the Shopping Better in Roanoke or Kamloops?

If you're looking to go shopping, Roanoke and Kamloops 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.

Kamloops is a great destination for shopping. Downtown you'll find local boutiques and eclectic shops. You could also head to Aberdeen Mall for all of the major brands and recognizable stores.

Is Roanoke or Kamloops Better for Families?

Kamloops is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Kamloops. There are great parks and outdoor spaces for kids as well as the Deep Creek Tool Museum, Westsyde Centennial Park and Petting Zoo, and Hells Gate Air Tram. You can also take a ride on the Kettle Valley Railway Steam Engine. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to either Kamloops Wildlife Park or Kangaroo Creek Farm.

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 Roanoke or Kamloops Better for Couples?

Roanoke is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Kamloops is a good town for couples to visit. The area is filled with great hikes and nice parks. There are also great restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Roanoke or Kamloops Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is a town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for backpackers.

Roanoke is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are several campgrounds in the area as well as great hiking trails.

Kamloops is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's often overlooked by backpackers, but there is a hostel in town.

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

Roanoke and Kamloops 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 Kamloops. There is a bus system through the city.

Is Roanoke or Kamloops a more walkable city?

Roanoke and Kamloops are decent 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.

Kamloops is generally not very walkable. The downtown is the most walkable part of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Kamloops or Roanoke?

How long in Roanoke or Kamloops?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Roanoke or Kamloops to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Roanoke than Kamloops because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Roanoke, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kamloops.

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

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

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.

In Kamloops, you'll find skiing and nightlife. 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 Kamloops?

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.

In Kamloops, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Kamloops has to offer.

Five days in Roanoke or Kamloops?

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.

Kamloops 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 Kamloops?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kamloops. Many people enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting Kamloops. 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 Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Roanoke or Kamloops?

Roanoke has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Kamloops. When comparing the sizes of Roanoke and Kamloops, 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 Kamloops?

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 Kamloops in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Roanoke and Kamloops. Many visitors come to Roanoke in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kamloops for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Roanoke is generally a little warmer than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 79°F (26°C), and Kamloops fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Roanoke gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Roanoke gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Roanoke or Kamloops in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Roanoke as well as Kamloops. Most visitors come to Roanoke for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Kamloops because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Roanoke is a little warmer than Kamloops in the autumn. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 60°F (16°C) in October, and Kamloops fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Roanoke usually gets more rain in October than Kamloops. Roanoke gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Roanoke or Kamloops in the Winter?

Both Kamloops and Roanoke are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Roanoke because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kamloops this time of year.

It's quite cold in Kamloops in the winter. The weather in Roanoke can be very cold. In the winter, Roanoke is much warmer than Kamloops. Typically, the winter temperatures in Roanoke in January average around 38°F (3°C), and Kamloops averages at about -3°C (27°F).

In January, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Roanoke gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Roanoke or Kamloops in the Spring?

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

In April, Roanoke is generally a little warmer than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 59°F (15°C), and Kamloops fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Roanoke usually gets more rain in April than Kamloops. Roanoke gets 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kamloops and Roanoke