A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Roanoke vs. Moncton for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Roanoke or Moncton?

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

Should I visit Roanoke or Moncton? 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.

Moncton

Moncton is a cultural, quaint, and compact city. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See Moncton travel costs.

Roanoke and Moncton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Roanoke or Moncton?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Roanoke. Although Roanoke and Moncton are about the same size, Roanoke has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Roanoke is very popular for its nightlife and hiking, while Moncton attracts visitors for its food. Roanoke is more touristy than Moncton and is known for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is also well known for the Roanoke Star. Moncton is famous for its unique sense of place and its cultural activities.

How is Roanoke different from Moncton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Moncton 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.

Moncton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city has a zoo at Magnetic Hill as well as several great museums and historic sites like Fort Beauséjour and the Acadian Museum.

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

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

Moncton is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find a range of casual eateries around town as well as wine tasting and a few upscales places. Poutine is the local favorite, but you can also try fried seafood or a local stew.

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 Moncton Better for Nightlife?

Roanoke is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Moncton is not a good destination 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 Moncton specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Many of the local bars and clubs are geared toward a slightly younger crowd.

Is Roanoke or Moncton Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is great for hiking. However, Moncton is not a hiking destination.

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.

Moncton is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Roanoke or Moncton?

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

Moncton is a great destination for shopping. There's a mix of independent shops and larger big box stores. Some of the largest shopping areas include Mapleton Plaza and Wheeler Park Power Centre.

Is Roanoke or Moncton Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Roanoke or Moncton.

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.

Moncton is a family-friendly place to visit. It's a family-friendly town with indoor play spaces and outdoor parks. Highlights for families include a visit to Magnetic Hill Zoo and a stop at Butterfly World and the Boardwalk.

Is Roanoke or Moncton Better for Couples?

Roanoke is great for couples. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Roanoke is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

Moncton is a nice destination for couples. There are some great date night ideas like wine tasting at Magnetic Hill Winery or seeing a show at the theater.

Is Roanoke or Moncton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Moncton is not a good destination for backpackers.

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

Moncton is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there is a hostel in town, this is little more than a stopover for most backpackers.

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

Roanoke and Moncton 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 Moncton. There is a bus system but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Roanoke or Moncton a more walkable city?

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

Moncton is a somewhat walkable city. It's relatively compact and dense enough to get around on foot in many parts.

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 Moncton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Moncton or Roanoke?

How long in Roanoke or Moncton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Roanoke or Moncton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Roanoke than Moncton 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 Moncton.

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

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

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 Moncton, you'll find museums and food. 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 Moncton?

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 Moncton, you'll find food 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 Moncton has to offer.

Five days in Roanoke or Moncton?

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.

Moncton 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 Moncton?

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 Moncton. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Moncton. 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 Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Roanoke or Moncton?

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

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 Moncton in the Summer?

Both Moncton 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 Moncton because of the family-friendly experiences.

Roanoke is a little warmer than Moncton in the summer. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Moncton fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Moncton. It's quite rainy in Roanoke. In July, Roanoke usually receives around the same amount of rain as Moncton. Roanoke gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Roanoke or Moncton in the Autumn?

Both Moncton 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. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Moncton this time of year.

In the autumn, Roanoke is much warmer than Moncton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Roanoke in October average around 60°F (16°C), and Moncton averages at about 8°C (46°F).

Moncton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Roanoke usually gets less rain in October than Moncton. Roanoke gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Roanoke or Moncton in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Roanoke and Moncton. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Moncton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Moncton. It's quite cold in Roanoke in the winter. In January, Roanoke is generally much warmer than Moncton. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 38°F (3°C), and Moncton fluctuates around -8°C (17°F).

Moncton receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Roanoke usually receives less rain than Moncton. Roanoke gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Roanoke or Moncton in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Roanoke as well as Moncton.

Moncton can get quite cold in the spring. Roanoke is much warmer than Moncton in the spring. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 59°F (15°C) in April, and Moncton fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

It's quite rainy in Moncton. Roanoke usually gets less rain in April than Moncton. Roanoke gets 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Moncton and Roanoke