A Travel Price Comparison for North Carolina Asheville vs. Winston-Salem for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Asheville or Winston-Salem?

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 Asheville and Winston-Salem. 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.

Asheville

Asheville is a eclectic, outdoorsy, and progressive mountain town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a welcoming, friendly, and under-rated city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Asheville and Winston-Salem: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Winston-Salem?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Asheville than Winston-Salem. While Winston-Salem is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Asheville is more popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Winston-Salem is known for its museums & sights and historical sights. Asheville is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is known for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. It is also home to The Biltmore Estate. Winston-Salem is popular for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

How is Asheville different from Winston-Salem?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Asheville or Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Winston-Salem offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Old Salem has a nice concentration of museums and gardens. Outside of the old town you'll find several art museums like the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts and the Reynolda House Museum of American Art.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Asheville or Winston-Salem? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Asheville and Winston-Salem can be an enjoyable experience.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Asheville. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

Winston-Salem is becoming an appealing option for foodies. North Carolina barbecue is popular around town. The city is also the birthplace of Krispy Kreme donuts and during the holiday season you should sample the local Moravian Cookies.

Is Asheville or Winston-Salem Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Asheville has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Winston-Salem. Local breweries are popping up around town. You'll also find active nightlife venues near the colleges and universities.

Is Asheville or Winston-Salem Better for Music?

Asheville is notable for its music scene. However, Winston-Salem is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Asheville. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Winston-Salem is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Winston-Salem Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a popular place for its resorts. However, Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.

Asheville has a few great resort options. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Winston-Salem Better for its Old Town?

Winston-Salem is a good destination for its old town. However, Asheville is not particularly known for its historic old town charm.

Many people head to Winston-Salem to see the old town. Nearby Old Salem is filled with historic museums, gardens, and restaurants. A ticket is required for most of the venues, but the atmosphere and architecture are charming.

The old town area in Asheville is worth visiting. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Is Asheville or Winston-Salem Better for Hiking?

Asheville is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Winston-Salem is not a hiking destination.

Asheville is a popular spot for hiking. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

Winston-Salem is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Winston-Salem?

Asheville is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Asheville. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Winston-Salem. You'll find a mix of larger shopping malls, retail outlets, and shopping centers around town.

Is Asheville or Winston-Salem Better for Christmas?

Asheville is notable for its Christmas activities. However, Winston-Salem does not offer Christmas activities.

Asheville is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. Head to the Biltmore Estate to see it fully decorated for the Christmas season. It's also worth going to see the winning Gingerbread Houses on display at the Grove Park Inn.

Winston-Salem does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Winston-Salem Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its Christmas markets. However, Winston-Salem does not offer Christmas markets.

During the holidays, visitors often browse through the Christmas markets in Asheville. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Winston-Salem does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Winston-Salem Better for Families?

Asheville is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Asheville is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

Winston-Salem is a family-friendly mountain town. There are interactive museums like the Kaleideum science museums. There are also outdoor parks and playgrounds, kid-friendly restaurants, and a children's theater.

Is Asheville or Winston-Salem Better for Couples?

Asheville is notable for couples. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for romance.

Asheville is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

Winston-Salem is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are restaurants and movie theaters that make for a nice date night. There are also parks and walks that will get you outdoors.

Is Asheville or Winston-Salem Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is notable for backpackers. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Asheville is a very popular mountain town for backpackers and budget travelers. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

Winston-Salem is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's not on the itinerary for most backpackers.

Is Asheville or Winston-Salem Better for Students?

Asheville is notable for students. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Asheville is a very popular mountain town for students and younger travelers. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Plenty of students visit Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University as well as colleges such as Salem College give parts of the city a collegiate vibe.

Is Asheville or Winston-Salem Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Asheville and Winston-Salem.

Public transit is generally limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.

Public transit is mostly limited in Winston-Salem. There are bus routes, but they are limited in their frequency and convenience, making a car essential for most visitors.

Is Asheville or Winston-Salem a more walkable city?

Asheville is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for its walkability.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable mountain town. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

Winston-Salem is generally not a very walkable mountain town. The downtown area is the most pedestrian-friendly part of town, but most of the city requires a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Asheville Worth Visiting? and Is Winston-Salem Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Winston-Salem or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Winston-Salem?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Asheville or Winston-Salem to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Asheville than Winston-Salem because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Asheville, and 1-2 days is enough time in Winston-Salem.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Asheville than Winston-Salem 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 Asheville.

One day in Asheville or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the eclectic destination of Asheville. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Winston-Salem. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Winston-Salem has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Asheville or Winston-Salem?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Asheville. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the welcoming destination of Winston-Salem. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Winston-Salem?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Asheville. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This mountain town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the welcoming city of Winston-Salem. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Asheville or Winston-Salem?

You'll find live music and food around the mountain town of Asheville. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Winston-Salem is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Asheville and Winston-Salem, we can see that Winston-Salem 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 Asheville Expensive? and Is Winston-Salem Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Winston-Salem, 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 Asheville or Winston-Salem?

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 Asheville or Winston-Salem in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Winston-Salem. The hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Asheville is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asheville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Winston-Salem averages at about 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem during summer. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

Winston-Salem receives a lot of rain in the summer. Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Asheville usually receives more rain than Winston-Salem. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Asheville or Winston-Salem in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Winston-Salem. Many travelers come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Winston-Salem in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Asheville is generally around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In the autumn, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Winston-Salem. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 212 hours of full sun.

Asheville usually gets more rain in October than Winston-Salem. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Winston-Salem in the Winter?

Both Winston-Salem and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Asheville in the winter for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Winston-Salem for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Winston-Salem can be very cold during winter. Asheville is a little warmer than Winston-Salem in the winter. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem during winter. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In January, Asheville usually receives more rain than Winston-Salem. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Asheville or Winston-Salem in the Spring?

Both Winston-Salem and Asheville during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Asheville for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Asheville is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asheville in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Winston-Salem averages at about 61°F (16°C).

In Winston-Salem, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the spring, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 248 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in April than Winston-Salem. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Winston-Salem and Asheville