A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Roanoke vs. Martha's Vineyard for Couples, Food, Hiking, and Attractions

Should you visit Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard?

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

Should I visit Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard? 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 scenic, outdoorsy, and laid back town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking. See Roanoke travel costs.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a coastal, peaceful, and affluent island. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches. See Martha's Vineyard travel costs.

Roanoke and Martha's Vineyard: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Martha's Vineyard. Although Roanoke and Martha's Vineyard are popular destinations, Martha's Vineyard has more sights and attractions for tourists. Martha's Vineyard is very popular for its food, resorts, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Roanoke attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and hiking. Martha's Vineyard is more touristy than Roanoke and is known for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. It is also well known for the Aquinnah Cliffs. Roanoke is famous for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

How is Roanoke different from Martha's Vineyard?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Roanoke is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its sights and museums.

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.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Is the Food Better in Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Martha's Vineyard is a great island for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Roanoke is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Martha's Vineyard has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

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 Martha's Vineyard Better for Nightlife?

Roanoke is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Roanoke is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Martha's Vineyard is a great choice. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

Roanoke is not a resort destination.

Is Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard is a great island for the beach. However, Roanoke is not a beach destination.

Martha's Vineyard is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Roanoke is not a beach destination.

Is Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is a great town for hiking. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Roanoke for the hiking trails. 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.

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for hiking. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Is the Shopping Better in Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard?

Martha's Vineyard is a great island for its shopping areas. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Martha's Vineyard. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

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 Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard More Beautiful?

Martha's Vineyard is a great island for its scenery and beauty. However, Roanoke is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors from all around. The rugged coastline and rolling hills give this area a natural beauty.

Roanoke is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard.

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.

Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly place to visit. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Is Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is renowned for couples. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Martha's Vineyard makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

Roanoke is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Is Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for backpackers.

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

Martha's Vineyard is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Budget options are limited, making this an inconvenient destination for backpackers.

Is Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Roanoke and Martha's Vineyard both offer reasonable 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 Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Is Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard a more walkable city?

Martha's Vineyard is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Roanoke is not known for its walkability.

Martha's Vineyard is a somewhat walkable island. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

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 Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Martha's Vineyard or Roanoke?

How long in Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Roanoke than Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard?

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Roanoke, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

Martha's Vineyard is a small town with plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island 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 Martha's Vineyard?

With shopping and museums around the scenic town of Roanoke, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Martha's Vineyard 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. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Martha's Vineyard has to offer.

Five days in Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard?

Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the scenic destination of Roanoke. Hikers are also drawn to this area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Martha's Vineyard is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Martha's Vineyard?

Roanoke is a popular choice for travelers. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Martha's Vineyard. Since Martha's Vineyard is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Martha's Vineyard, we can see that Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Martha's Vineyard 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 Roanoke Expensive? and Is Martha's Vineyard Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard?

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 Martha's Vineyard in the Summer?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Roanoke are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Roanoke for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Martha's Vineyard because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Roanoke is a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the summer. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Martha's Vineyard. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. Roanoke usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard during summer. Roanoke gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Roanoke. In July, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Martha's Vineyard. Roanoke gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard in the Autumn?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Roanoke during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Roanoke because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year.

In the autumn, Roanoke is a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Roanoke in October average around 60°F (16°C), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 53°F (12°C).

In Martha's Vineyard, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Roanoke. In the autumn, Roanoke often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard. Roanoke gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 211 hours of full sun.

Roanoke usually gets more rain in October than Martha's Vineyard. Roanoke gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Roanoke and Martha's Vineyard. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Martha's Vineyard. It's quite cold in Roanoke in the winter. In January, Roanoke is generally much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 38°F (3°C), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

Roanoke usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard during winter. Roanoke gets 165 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Roanoke usually receives less rain than Martha's Vineyard. Roanoke gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Roanoke or Martha's Vineyard in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Roanoke as well as Martha's Vineyard. Also, many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Roanoke is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the spring. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 59°F (15°C) in April, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Martha's Vineyard. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Roanoke this time of the year. In the spring, Roanoke often gets more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard. Roanoke gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 225 hours of full sun.

Roanoke usually gets less rain in April than Martha's Vineyard. Roanoke gets 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Martha's Vineyard and Roanoke