A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Blue Ridge vs. Winston-Salem for Food, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge 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.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a historic, quaint, and charming town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and hiking.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a under-rated, welcoming, and friendly city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Blue Ridge and Winston-Salem: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Blue Ridge than Winston-Salem, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Blue Ridge is better known for its food, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Winston-Salem is more popular for its museums and historical sights. Blue Ridge is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is popular for its beautiful mountain setting, miles of hiking trails, and small town atmosphere. Also, Blue Ridge is famous for Chattahoochee National Forest. Winston-Salem is well known for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

How is Blue Ridge different from Winston-Salem?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Winston-Salem is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Winston-Salem is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Blue Ridge offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While you don't immediately think of museums in the area, there are a couple. The Dahlonega Gold Museum gives information on the gold rush and mining industry in town. In nearby Tennessee, Ducktown Basin Museum is a historic mine site that is open for tours.

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

Blue Ridge is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Blue Ridge is an experience not to be missed. You'll find plenty of small town restaurants serving local dishes like barbecue, trout, and biscuits with gravy. Southern food is popular, but you'll also find plenty of breweries and wineries in the area. Head downtown for an assortment of options that include southern, vegan, and even international flavors.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Winston-Salem. 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 Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Blue Ridge and Winston-Salem.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Blue Ridge. Head downtown for a mix of breweries, bars, and clubs where you'll find live music and a casual meal.

Winston-Salem has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Local breweries are popping up around town. You'll also find active nightlife venues near the colleges and universities.

Is Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem Better for its Old Town?

Winston-Salem is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Blue Ridge does not have a historic old town.

Winston-Salem is a good destination for visiting its 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.

Blue Ridge does not have a historic old town.

Is Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem Better for Hiking?

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

Blue Ridge is a popular spot for hiking. There are miles of hiking trails in the area that take you to waterfalls and viewpoints. The starting point of the Appalachian Trail is also nearby, and another popular trail is the Benton MacKaye Trail. Options range from beginner to expert with everything in between.

Winston-Salem is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem?

Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge. You'll find artisan shops, art galleries, and boutique clothing vendors. Many places are concentrated in the charming downtown area, which is fun to explore for a day or two.

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 Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem Better for Families?

Blue Ridge 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.

Blue Ridge is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who enjoy hiking and playing outdoors will have fun here. There are waterfall hikes, fruit picking farms, and plenty of playgrounds. There's also a scenic railway and lots of places to sample treats.

Winston-Salem is a family-friendly 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 Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem Better for Couples?

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

Blue Ridge is a very popular place to visit for couples. If you're looking for a cozy retreat where you can relax in a cabin, take long walks through nature, and enjoy local food, then this is your place. There are plenty of bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, and rustic cabins with fireplaces and simple pleasures. If you want to escape it all then the mountains are the place to be.

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 Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Blue Ridge is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of campgrounds in the area as well as plenty of hikes that backpackers will enjoy. Nearby you'll also find the start of the famed Appalachian Trail.

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 Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem Better for Students?

Winston-Salem is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Blue Ridge is not popular with students.

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.

Blue Ridge is not popular with students.

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

Winston-Salem is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Blue Ridge. There's no real public transportation system in the area.

Is Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem a more walkable city?

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

Blue Ridge is a somewhat walkable town. While the downtown area is relatively walkable, if you want to hike and get out in nature, you'll need to have a car.

Winston-Salem is generally not a very walkable 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 Blue Ridge Worth Visiting? and Is Winston-Salem Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Winston-Salem or Blue Ridge?

How long in Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Blue Ridge than Winston-Salem because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Blue Ridge, and 1-2 days is enough time in Winston-Salem.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge.

One day in Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem?

Even though Blue Ridge is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the under-rated city of Winston-Salem, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Winston-Salem, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Blue Ridge. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Winston-Salem, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem?

Blue Ridge is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Winston-Salem, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. 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 Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem?

Blue Ridge is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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 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 G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Blue Ridge and Winston-Salem, we can see that Winston-Salem is more expensive. And not only is Blue Ridge much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Blue Ridge would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Blue Ridge 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 Winston-Salem would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Winston-Salem than you might in Blue Ridge.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Blue Ridge Expensive? and Is Winston-Salem Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem?

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 Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Blue Ridge as well as Winston-Salem. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Blue Ridge this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Blue Ridge is generally around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 81°F (27°C), and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Blue Ridge this time of the year. In the summer, Blue Ridge often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem. Blue Ridge gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 273 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Winston-Salem. Blue Ridge receives a lot of rain in the summer. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in July than Winston-Salem. Blue Ridge gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem in the Autumn?

Both Winston-Salem and Blue Ridge are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Blue Ridge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Winston-Salem in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Blue Ridge is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem in the autumn. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Winston-Salem. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem during autumn. Blue Ridge gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 212 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Blue Ridge usually receives around the same amount of rain as Winston-Salem. Blue Ridge gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem in the Winter?

Both Winston-Salem and Blue Ridge during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Blue Ridge in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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. Blue Ridge can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Blue Ridge is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Typically, the winter temperatures in Blue Ridge in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Winston-Salem averages at about 40°F (4°C).

In the winter, Blue Ridge often gets less sunshine than Winston-Salem. Blue Ridge gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 169 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in January than Winston-Salem. Blue Ridge gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Winston-Salem in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Blue Ridge and Winston-Salem. Most visitors come to Blue Ridge for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Blue Ridge is generally around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 62°F (17°C), and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem this time of the year. In Blue Ridge, it's very sunny this time of the year. Blue Ridge usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem during spring. Blue Ridge gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 248 hours of full sun in the spring.

Blue Ridge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Blue Ridge usually receives more rain than Winston-Salem. Blue Ridge gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Winston-Salem and Blue Ridge