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

Should you visit Roanoke or Minneapolis?

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

Should I visit Roanoke or Minneapolis? 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.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a diverse, dynamic, and innovative city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Minneapolis travel costs.

Roanoke and Minneapolis: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Roanoke or Minneapolis?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Minneapolis than Roanoke, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Minneapolis is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Roanoke is known for its hiking. Roanoke is popular for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Minneapolis is popular for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people. It is also home to Mall of America.

How is Roanoke different from Minneapolis?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Minneapolis 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.

Minneapolis offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a wide variety of museums that include art, history, science, and local culture. Some of the favorite museums in the city are the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center, the American Swedish Institute, and the Weisman Art Museum.

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 Minneapolis? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Minneapolis is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Roanoke is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Minneapolis has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Dishes in the Midwest are known for being hearty comfort foods, and the food in Minneapolis is no exception. You'll find cheese-stuffed burgers that are known as Juicy Lucys, Tator Tot casseroles, and deep-fried cheese curds. For international food, there's a variety of Scandinavian options around town.

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 Minneapolis Better for Nightlife?

Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis has something for everybody. There are diverse neighborhoods that each have their own personality. You'll find rooftop lounges in Uptown, international venues in Whittier, and trendy bars in the North Loop. But at the heart of the city's nightlife scene is Downtown Minneapolis.

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 Minneapolis Better for Hiking?

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

Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Roanoke or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many people travel to Minneapolis specifically to go shopping. Known for the megamall, Mall of America, this is a shopper's paradise. Mall of America is the largest shopping mall in the country and it even has an aquarium and a theme park within it. In addition to this iconic shopping mall, Minneapolis also has many shopping districts including the Minnehaha Mile.

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 Minneapolis Better for Families?

Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis. Mall of America is at the top of the list for most families, but there's also plenty of kid-friendly museums around town as well as nature centers, parks, and playgrounds. There's the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, the Minnesota Zoo, and Afton Apple Orchard. For museums, kids will love the Minnesota Children's Museum or the Science Museum of Minnesota.

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 Minneapolis Better for Couples?

Roanoke is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Minneapolis 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.

Minneapolis is a good town for couples to visit. There are beautiful parks and outdoor spaces to explore as well as museums and fine dining. Couples will appreciate stopping by the Stone Arch Bridge or wandering through the Lyndale Park Rose Garden.

Is Roanoke or Minneapolis Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Minneapolis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not a popular destination for backpackers, there is at least one hostel in town.

Is Roanoke or Minneapolis Better for Students?

Minneapolis is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Roanoke is not popular with students.

Minneapolis is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a number of colleges and universities in the area including the University of Minnesota. The city is known for its academic and intellectual focus, and students will enjoy being challenged educationally while enjoying a dynamic city.

Roanoke is not popular with students.

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

Minneapolis is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Roanoke is not known for its public transit.

While Minneapolis offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses, light rail, and commuter trains that stop at many of the major entertainment centers around town.

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.

Is Roanoke or Minneapolis a more walkable city?

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

Minneapolis is a somewhat walkable city. There are neighborhoods that are dense enough to be walkable, but the city is still very car-focused.

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 Minneapolis Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Minneapolis or Roanoke?

How long in Roanoke or Minneapolis?

It's fun to spend time in either Roanoke or Minneapolis. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Minneapolis due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Roanoke, and 2-4 days is enough time in Minneapolis.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Minneapolis than Roanoke 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 Minneapolis.

One day in Roanoke or Minneapolis?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the scenic town of Roanoke. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Minneapolis, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Roanoke or Minneapolis?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Roanoke. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Minneapolis, you'll find food and shopping. 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 shopping. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Minneapolis has to offer.

Five days in Roanoke or Minneapolis?

The scenic town of Roanoke offers museums and nightlife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting Roanoke. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Minneapolis. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Minneapolis. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. 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 Minneapolis, we can see that Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Roanoke or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Roanoke. When comparing the sizes of Roanoke and Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis?

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 Minneapolis in the Summer?

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

In July, Roanoke is generally around the same temperature as Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 79°F (26°C), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 76°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Minneapolis this time of the year. In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. Roanoke usually receives less sunshine than Minneapolis during summer. Roanoke gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 357 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 Minneapolis. Roanoke gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Roanoke or Minneapolis in the Autumn?

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

Roanoke is a little warmer than Minneapolis in the autumn. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 60°F (16°C) in October, and Minneapolis fluctuates around 52°F (11°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 Minneapolis. Roanoke gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 178 hours of full sun.

Roanoke usually gets more rain in October than Minneapolis. Roanoke gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Roanoke or Minneapolis in the Winter?

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

The weather in Minneapolis can be very cold. Roanoke can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Roanoke is much warmer than Minneapolis. Typically, the winter temperatures in Roanoke in January average around 38°F (3°C), and Minneapolis averages at about 15°F (-10°C).

Roanoke usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Minneapolis during winter. Roanoke gets 165 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 157 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Minneapolis. Roanoke gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Roanoke or Minneapolis in the Spring?

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

In April, Roanoke is generally much warmer than Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 59°F (15°C), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 49°F (10°C).

In Minneapolis, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Roanoke. In the spring, Roanoke often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Minneapolis. Roanoke gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 244 hours of full sun.

Roanoke usually gets more rain in April than Minneapolis. Roanoke gets 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Minneapolis and Roanoke