A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Louis vs. Roanoke for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Saint Louis or Roanoke?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint Louis and Roanoke. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint Louis

Saint Louis is a fascinating, under rated, and unexpected city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Saint Louis travel costs.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a outdoorsy, laid back, and scenic town. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Roanoke travel costs.

Saint Louis and Roanoke: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Roanoke?

Both Roanoke and Saint Louis have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Saint Louis is better known for its museums and attractions, food, and shopping, while Roanoke is more popular for its hiking. Saint Louis is well known for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West. Roanoke is well known for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

How is Saint Louis different from Roanoke?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Roanoke and Saint Louis. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Louis or Roanoke?

Saint Louis is renowned for its historical sights. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Saint Louis has many famous sights for visitors. There are a surprising number of museums around town. For art museums you should visit the Contemporary Art Museum, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. For history, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, and the Lewis & Clark Museum and Boathouse are all interesting. There are also science, educational, and children's museums. And of course, there's the iconic Gateway Arch.

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 Saint Louis or Roanoke? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Saint Louis is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are some local dishes that originated here. Toasted ravioli had its start in St. Louis. There's also a St. Louis style pizza. Diners, cafes, and sandwiches are all part of the food scene and be prepared for cheese, meaty, and satisfying.

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 Saint Louis or Roanoke Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Saint Louis and Roanoke.

Saint Louis has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Visitors often hang out in the downtown area, particularly around Washington Avenue, for the nightlife scene. Live music is popular, especially the blues, and there are many local venues worth checking out.

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.

Is Saint Louis or Roanoke Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Roanoke?

Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

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 Saint Louis or Roanoke Better for Families?

Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis. There's a surprising number of activities for kids around town. There's the St. Louis Zoo and the City Museum with many hands-on exhibits for kids. There's also the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary and several farms with animals and nature. Forest Park is an impressive urban park as well.

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 Saint Louis or Roanoke Better for Couples?

Roanoke is well known for romance. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Roanoke frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Saint Louis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.

Is Saint Louis or Roanoke Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is a good destination for backpackers. However, Saint Louis is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Saint Louis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of affordable motels around town but no real hostels.

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

Saint Louis is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Roanoke is not known for its public transit.

The public transit in Saint Louis can get you to most places easily. There's a light rail system as well as 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 Saint Louis or Roanoke a more walkable city?

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

Saint Louis is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable, like the downtown area and the sections around the Gateway Arch.

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 Saint Louis Worth Visiting? and Is Roanoke Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Roanoke or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Roanoke?

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

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

One day in Saint Louis or Roanoke?

In Saint Louis, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the outdoorsy 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.

A weekend in Saint Louis or Roanoke?

In Saint Louis, 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 museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint Louis has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the scenic 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.

Five days in Saint Louis or Roanoke?

Saint Louis 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.

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.

A week in Saint Louis or Roanoke?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Louis. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint Louis. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint Louis and Roanoke, we can see that Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis Expensive? and Is Roanoke Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Roanoke?

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

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Roanoke in the Summer?

Both Roanoke and Saint Louis during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Louis this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Roanoke for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Louis is generally around the same temperature as Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 81°F (27°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Louis. In the summer, Saint Louis often gets more sunshine than Roanoke. Saint Louis gets 309 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 273 hours of full sun.

Roanoke gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Louis usually gets less rain in July than Roanoke. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Roanoke in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Roanoke. Many travelers come to Saint Louis for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Roanoke in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Saint Louis is around the same temperature as Roanoke in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 60°F (16°C) in October, and Roanoke fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Roanoke this time of the year. In Saint Louis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke during autumn. Saint Louis gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 210 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Louis usually receives less rain than Roanoke. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Roanoke in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Roanoke. Many visitors come to Saint Louis in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Roanoke for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Roanoke can be very cold during winter. Saint Louis can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint Louis is much colder than Roanoke. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Louis in January average around 31°F (-1°C), and Roanoke averages at about 38°F (3°C).

In the winter, Saint Louis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. Saint Louis gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets less rain in January than Roanoke. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Roanoke in the Spring?

Both Roanoke and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Saint Louis is generally around the same temperature as Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 58°F (15°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Roanoke. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke during spring. Saint Louis gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 246 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Saint Louis. In April, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Roanoke. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Saint Louis