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

Should you visit Roanoke or Monterey?

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

Should I visit Roanoke or Monterey? 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 hiking, shopping, and museums. See Roanoke travel costs.

Monterey

Monterey is a nature-oriented, laid back, and relaxing city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Monterey travel costs.

Roanoke and Monterey: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Roanoke or Monterey?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Monterey. Although Roanoke and Monterey are popular destinations, Monterey has more sights and attractions for tourists. Monterey is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Roanoke attracts visitors for its hiking. Monterey is more touristy than Roanoke and is known for its rugged coastline, diverse marine life, and excellent seafood. It is also well known for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Roanoke is famous for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

How is Roanoke different from Monterey?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Monterey 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.

Monterey offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a not-to-be-missed destination in town. You can also visit the Monterey State Historic Park or the Monterey Museum of Art.

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 Monterey? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Monterey has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Seafood and local produce are what make the food special. There are many great restaurants to you can choose from that will let you enjoy the classic seafood dishes like clam chowder or oysters, as well as fresh artichokes and local wine.

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 Monterey Better for Nightlife?

Monterey 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 Monterey has something for everybody. There's a buzzing atmosphere at night with bars, breweries, and casual eateries all coming to life. Some of the best venues are found at the Old Fisherman's Wharf and along Alvarado Street.

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 Monterey Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Monterey is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Roanoke is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Monterey has a few good snorkeling spots. Scuba diving offers an unforgettable experience. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary gives you the unique experience of seeing sea lions, otters, kelp forests, crabs, and more.

Roanoke is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Roanoke or Monterey Better for Beaches?

Monterey is a popular place for the beach. However, Roanoke is not a beach destination.

Monterey is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches highlight the laid by California vibe with sunbathers and beachgoers soaking up the atmosphere. There are both inlets and sandy beaches where you can see sea lions or explore the tidal pools.

Roanoke is not a beach destination.

Is Roanoke or Monterey Better for Hiking?

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

Monterey is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Roanoke or Monterey?

Monterey is a great city 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 Monterey. You'll find both local vendors and tourist shops around town. Cannery Row is a popular destination, as is Old Fisherman's Wharf and the Old Farmer's Market.

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 Monterey Better for Families?

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

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Monterey is a very family-friendly destination. Monterey Bay Aquarium is a highlight for kids and adults alike. There's also the Monterey Zoo as well as lighthearted activities like a mirror maze. MY Museum is an interactive museum that's perfect for younger kids. There are also whale watching trips and nearby beaches.

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 Monterey Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Roanoke and Monterey make for a superb place to visit.

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.

Monterey is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many romantic inns in town as well as quaint restaurants and fun activities. There are also spas, wine bars, and plenty of shopping for couples to enjoy as well.

Is Roanoke or Monterey Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Roanoke and Monterey are nice places to visit.

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

Monterey is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's a hostel in town as well as fun activities that will appeal to backpackers.

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

Roanoke and Monterey 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 Monterey. There is a bus system through the area.

Is Roanoke or Monterey a more walkable city?

Monterey is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Roanoke is not known for its walkability.

Monterey is a very walkable destination. If you stay near the town center, it's very walkable and easy to get around on foot.

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 Monterey Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Monterey or Roanoke?

How long in Roanoke or Monterey?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Monterey 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 Monterey.

One day in Roanoke or Monterey?

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 Monterey, you'll find shopping and museums. 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 Monterey?

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 Monterey, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 Monterey has to offer.

Five days in Roanoke or Monterey?

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.

Monterey 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 Monterey?

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 Monterey. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Monterey. 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 comparing the travel costs between Roanoke and Monterey, we can see that Monterey is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Roanoke or Monterey?

Roanoke has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Monterey. When comparing the sizes of Roanoke and Monterey, 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 Monterey?

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 Monterey in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Roanoke and Monterey. Most visitors come to Roanoke for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Monterey because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

Roanoke is much warmer than Monterey in the summer. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Monterey fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Roanoke gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Monterey. Roanoke gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Roanoke or Monterey in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Roanoke as well as Monterey. The autumn months attract visitors to Roanoke because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Monterey this time of year.

In the autumn, Roanoke is around the same temperature as Monterey. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Roanoke in October average around 60°F (16°C), and Monterey averages at about 62°F (17°C).

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

Should I visit Roanoke or Monterey in the Winter?

Both Monterey and Roanoke are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Monterey for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Roanoke in the winter. In January, Roanoke is generally much colder than Monterey. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 38°F (3°C), and Monterey fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Monterey. Roanoke gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Roanoke or Monterey in the Spring?

Both Monterey and Roanoke during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Monterey in the spring for the beaches.

Roanoke is a little warmer than Monterey in the spring. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 59°F (15°C) in April, and Monterey fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Roanoke usually gets more rain in April than Monterey. Roanoke gets 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Monterey and Roanoke