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

Should you visit Roanoke or Providence?

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

Should I visit Roanoke or Providence? 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.

Providence

Providence is a active, friendly, and fascinating city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Providence travel costs.

Roanoke and Providence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Roanoke or Providence?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Roanoke than Providence. While Providence is larger than Roanoke, Roanoke has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Roanoke is very popular for its hiking, while Providence attracts visitors for its food. Roanoke is more touristy than Providence and is known for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is also well known for the Roanoke Star. Providence is famous for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.

How is Roanoke different from Providence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Providence is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several historical museums around town as well as art museums, zoos, a planetarium and natural history museum, and even a children's museum.

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

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

Providence has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The food scene around town has grown and diversified in recent years. You'll find a mix of international and local options and for such a small city, it really has a lot to offer.

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 Providence Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Providence. Comedy clubs, bars, and clubs keep the energy high during the evening hours. It's not hard to find something to do, particularly on weekend nights.

Is Roanoke or Providence Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is a great town for hiking. However, Providence 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.

Providence is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Roanoke or Providence?

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

Providence is a great destination for shopping. Malls, shopping centers, and boutiques all offer a range of shopping experiences around town.

Is Roanoke or Providence Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Roanoke or Providence.

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.

Providence is a family-friendly place to visit. There are opportunities for kids to interact with animals at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, as well as plenty of places for kids to run around like Rocky Point Park or Goddard Memorial State Park. There's also the Providence Children's Museum, go carting, and entertainment centers.

Is Roanoke or Providence Better for Couples?

Roanoke is a great town for couples. Also, Providence 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.

Providence is a nice destination for couples. You can see a show at the Providence Performing Arts Center or visit some of the city's historic buildings and museums. There are also parks and coastal walks as well as many great restaurants.

Is Roanoke or Providence Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

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

Providence is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town for those who want an affordable place to stay.

Is Roanoke or Providence Better for Students?

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

Providence is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There's a college town vibe to this small city because it's home to Brown University, which is a member of the Ivy League.

Roanoke is not popular with students.

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

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

While Providence offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are RIPTA buses that travel 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 Providence a more walkable city?

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

Providence is a very walkable destination. It's a walkable city and it's relatively easy to explore 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 Providence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Providence or Roanoke?

How long in Roanoke or Providence?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Roanoke and Providence. In our opinion, Providence has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Providence than Roanoke. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Roanoke, and 2-3 days is enough time in Providence.

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

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

With museums and nightlife around the laid back town of Roanoke, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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, one day is sufficent for most.

In Providence, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Providence?

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. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

In Providence, 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 Providence has to offer.

Five days in Roanoke or Providence?

Roanoke, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Providence 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 Providence?

Roanoke is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

Which is Bigger, Roanoke or Providence?

Providence has a larger population, and is about 95% larger than the population of Roanoke. When comparing the sizes of Roanoke and Providence, 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 Providence?

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 Providence in the Summer?

Both Providence 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 Providence because of the family-friendly experiences.

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

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

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

Should I visit Roanoke or Providence in the Autumn?

Both Providence 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 shopping scene are the main draw to Providence this time of year.

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

In Providence, 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 Providence. Roanoke gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 211 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Roanoke or Providence in the Winter?

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

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

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

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

Should I visit Roanoke or Providence in the Spring?

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

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

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

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

Typical Weather for Providence and Roanoke