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

Should you visit Wilmington or Roanoke?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Roanoke, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Wilmington

Wilmington is a welcoming, charming, and historic city. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Wilmington travel costs.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a outdoorsy, laid back, and scenic town. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and hiking. See Roanoke travel costs.

Wilmington and Roanoke: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or Roanoke?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Wilmington. Although Wilmington and Roanoke are about the same size, Wilmington has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Wilmington is better known for its food, beaches, and historical sights, while Roanoke is more popular for its hiking. Wilmington is well known for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting. Also, Wilmington is famous for the Battleship North Carolina. Roanoke is well known for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

How is Wilmington different from Roanoke?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Wilmington or Roanoke?

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Wilmington or Roanoke.

Wilmington is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are art, history, and science museums around town. The Battleship North Carolina is a popular destination. Science enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science or the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. For art, head to the Cameron Art Museum or Art in Bloom Gallery.

Roanoke offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Wilmington or Roanoke? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Wilmington is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Head to the waterfront for local seafood restaurants that offer outdoor seating and fresh caught fish. There are also farm-to-table restaurants and local diners with casual food.

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 Wilmington or Roanoke Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Wilmington and Roanoke.

If you're looking for night time activities Wilmington has a few options to choose from. Live music is popular around town. There are also bars, lounges and dance clubs. When the weather is warm, many places make use of the outdoor setting, which makes for a relaxed and fun evening.

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 Wilmington or Roanoke Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is a great city for the beach. However, Roanoke is not a beach destination.

Wilmington is considered a top beach destination. Nearby you'll find Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They have long stretches of sand and great waves. The water is usually warm enough for swimming between the months of April and October. During these peak months parking can be challenging, but during the quieter times, you shouldn't have trouble.

Roanoke is not a beach destination.

Is Wilmington or Roanoke Better for its Old Town?

Wilmington is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Roanoke does not have a historic old town.

Wilmington has an old town worth visiting. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

Roanoke does not have a historic old town.

Is Wilmington or Roanoke Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is great for hiking. However, Wilmington 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.

Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Roanoke?

If you're looking to go shopping, Wilmington and Roanoke both offer plenty of notable spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Wilmington. Head downtown for the most interesting local shops. You'll find boutiques and souvenir shops where you can pick up art, accessories, or antiques.

Roanoke offers some nice shopping areas. 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 Wilmington or Roanoke Better for Families?

Wilmington 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 Wilmington. Near town you'll find several beaches - Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They're all family-friendly and perfect for a day's activity. The city also has the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, the Children's Museum of Wilmington, and the Wilmington Railroad Museum. For a rainy day there are also indoor play areas and entertainment centers.

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 Wilmington or Roanoke Better for Couples?

Wilmington and Roanoke are both very good to visit as a couple.

Wilmington is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The beaches are great for a relaxing day of swimming and sunbathing. In the evening head into town and enjoy one of the local seafood restaurants on the waterfront. You'll also find great shopping and historical sights in the area.

Roanoke is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Is Wilmington or Roanoke Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Wilmington is not a good destination for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Roanoke. There are several campgrounds in the area as well as great hiking trails.

Wilmington is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, the university and great beaches make this a surprisingly fun destination.

Is Wilmington or Roanoke Better for Students?

Wilmington is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Roanoke is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Wilmington. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a popular school that brings many students to town.

Roanoke is not popular with students.

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

Wilmington and Roanoke both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Wilmington. There are public buses around town, but for practical reasons, you'll want to have your own vehicle.

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 Wilmington or Roanoke a more walkable city?

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

Wilmington is a somewhat walkable city. The Historic District is best explored on foot. You can also get around Wrightsville Beach on foot, but traveling between these places requires a car.

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 Wilmington Worth Visiting? and Is Roanoke Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Roanoke or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or Roanoke?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Wilmington and Roanoke. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Wilmington than in Roanoke. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Wilmington, and 1-3 days is enough time in Roanoke.

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

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

One day in Wilmington or Roanoke?

In Wilmington, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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.

A weekend in Wilmington or Roanoke?

In Wilmington, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Wilmington has to offer.

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.

Five days in Wilmington or Roanoke?

Wilmington is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Wilmington has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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.

A week in Wilmington or Roanoke?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wilmington. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Wilmington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wilmington and Roanoke, we can see that Wilmington 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 Wilmington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wilmington 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 Wilmington Expensive? and Is Roanoke Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Roanoke?

Wilmington has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Roanoke. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington 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 Wilmington or Roanoke?

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 Wilmington or Roanoke in the Summer?

Both Roanoke and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Wilmington in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Roanoke for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

It's quite sunny in Roanoke. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. Wilmington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke during summer. Wilmington gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. It's quite rainy in Wilmington. In July, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Roanoke. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Wilmington or Roanoke in the Autumn?

Both Roanoke and Wilmington during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Wilmington for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Roanoke because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Wilmington is a little warmer than Roanoke in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 65°F (18°C) in October, and Roanoke fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wilmington. In the autumn, Wilmington often gets more sunshine than Roanoke. Wilmington gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 210 hours of full sun.

Wilmington usually gets less rain in October than Roanoke. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Roanoke in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and Roanoke. The winter months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year.

It's quite cold in Roanoke in the winter. In the winter, Wilmington is much warmer than Roanoke. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wilmington in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Roanoke averages at about 38°F (3°C).

Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Roanoke during winter. Wilmington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Roanoke. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Wilmington or Roanoke in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Wilmington as well as Roanoke. The beaches are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year.

In April, Wilmington is generally a little warmer than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 63°F (17°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In the spring, Wilmington often gets more sunshine than Roanoke. Wilmington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 246 hours of full sun.

Wilmington usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Roanoke. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Wilmington