A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Boca Raton vs. Winston-Salem for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton 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.

Boca Raton

Boca Raton is a luxurious, posh, and outdoorsy coastal city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a friendly, under-rated, and welcoming city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Boca Raton and Winston-Salem: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Boca Raton or Winston-Salem?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Boca Raton than Winston-Salem. While Winston-Salem is larger than Boca Raton, Boca Raton has more sights and attractions for tourists. Boca Raton is very popular for its museums & sights, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Winston-Salem attracts visitors for its historical sights. Boca Raton is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is popular for its golf courses, outdoor recreational activities, and safe atmosphere. It is also well known for Red Reef Park. Winston-Salem is famous for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

How is Boca Raton different from Winston-Salem?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Boca Raton is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Boca Raton offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. While most visitors focus on the beaches and outdoor activities in the area, there are also a surprising number of museums that you can visit. On a rainy day head to the Boca Raton Museum of Art or the Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum. Sports enthusiasts will like the Sports Immortals Museum and kids will want to check out the Children's Science Explorium.

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.

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

Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton is an experience not to be missed. You'll find a mix of local and international flavors with both casual and upscale dining available. Reservations are recommended, particularly on weekend nights. For the health-conscious, there's also a nice selection of healthy eateries to choose from.

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 Boca Raton or Winston-Salem Better for Nightlife?

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

Boca Raton has plenty to do after the sun goes down. You'll find plenty of upscale wine bars, cocktail bars, and live music venues that will keep you entertained late into the evening.

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 Boca Raton or Winston-Salem Better for Resorts?

Boca Raton is notable for its resorts. However, Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.

Boca Raton is known as a popular and fun resort destination. You'll find many luxury beachside resorts that offer all of the amenities, from access to golf course to family-friendly kids clubs.

Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.

Is Boca Raton or Winston-Salem Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Boca Raton is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Winston-Salem is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Boca Raton has a few good snorkeling spots. Head to the "Aqua Zoo", which is just to the south of Boca Inlet to see stingrays, groupers, and moray eels. Red Reef Park offers excellent snorkeling as well.

Winston-Salem is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Boca Raton or Winston-Salem Better for Beaches?

Boca Raton is renowned for the beach. However, Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Boca Raton. There's a two mile stretch of beautiful sandy beaches that are all monitored by lifeguards. The beaches offer all of the facilities that you might need such as picnic areas, restrooms, and showers. Many beaches are part of park land and some offer nice snorkeling. Some of the most popular beaches in the area include Spanish River Park, Bark Park Dog Beach, Red Reef Beach, and South Beach Park.

Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

Is Boca Raton or Winston-Salem Better for its Old Town?

Winston-Salem is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Boca Raton does not have a historic old town.

Winston-Salem has an old town worth visiting. 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.

Boca Raton does not have a historic old town.

Is Boca Raton or Winston-Salem Better for Hiking?

Boca Raton is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Winston-Salem is not a hiking destination.

Boca Raton is a good destination for hiking. There's a surprising number of nature parks in the area that have hiking trails, nature walks, and beach paths that are fun to explore.

Winston-Salem is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Boca Raton or Winston-Salem?

Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton. It's an upscale area, and you'll find no shortage of luxury shopping around town. Popular areas for shopping include Downtown Boca, Mizner Park, and the Town Center at Boca Raton.

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 Boca Raton or Winston-Salem Better for Families?

Boca Raton 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.

Boca Raton is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It's an upscale area with a family-friendly atmosphere and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Many of the hotels have kids clubs that will keep the young ones entertained. The area also has nature centers, children's museums, and waterparks that will ensure everyone stays entertained.

Winston-Salem is a family-friendly coastal city. 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 Boca Raton or Winston-Salem Better for Couples?

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

Boca Raton is a very popular place to visit for couples. There's an upscale vibe with plenty of nature trails and nice beaches. Many of the hotels offer a touch of luxury that honeymooning couples will appreciate. You can also head to the downtown area for music, events, and museums.

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 Boca Raton or Winston-Salem Better for Students?

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

It's common for students to visit Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University as well as colleges such as Salem College give parts of the city a collegiate vibe.

Boca Raton is not popular with students.

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

Boca Raton is a popular place for its public transit. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Boca Raton has a few public transit options. The Downtowner is a fleet of free, oversized golf cars that shuttle visitors around town, passing by many top sites such as Mizner Park, Red Reef Park, and the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. There's also a public bus system, Palm Tran, that offers service around town.

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 Boca Raton or Winston-Salem a more walkable city?

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

Boca Raton is a somewhat walkable coastal city. There are some communities within the city that are more walkable than others, particularly East Boca Raton, Royal Palm Place, and Mizner Park. There are also many pedestrian and bike paths around town. Even so, you really must have a car to explore the area in depth.

Winston-Salem is generally not a very walkable coastal city. 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 Boca Raton Worth Visiting? and Is Winston-Salem Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Winston-Salem or Boca Raton?

How long in Boca Raton or Winston-Salem?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Boca Raton or Winston-Salem to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Boca Raton than Winston-Salem because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Boca Raton, and 1-2 days is enough time in Winston-Salem.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton.

One day in Boca Raton or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the luxurious destination of Boca Raton. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. 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 friendly 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 Boca Raton or Winston-Salem?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Boca Raton. Most people come for the beaches. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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 Boca Raton or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Boca Raton. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This coastal city 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 Boca Raton or Winston-Salem?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the coastal city of Boca Raton. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Boca Raton or Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Boca Raton. When comparing the sizes of Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton or Winston-Salem in the Summer?

Both Winston-Salem and Boca Raton during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Boca Raton this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the family-friendly experiences.

Boca Raton is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem in the summer. The daily temperature in Boca Raton averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

In Winston-Salem, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Boca Raton. In the summer, Boca Raton often gets more sunshine than Winston-Salem. Boca Raton gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 273 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Boca Raton. Boca Raton usually gets more rain in July than Winston-Salem. Boca Raton gets 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Boca Raton or Winston-Salem in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Boca Raton and Winston-Salem. Many travelers come to Boca Raton for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Winston-Salem in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Boca Raton is much warmer than Winston-Salem. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Boca Raton in October average around 78°F (25°C), and Winston-Salem averages at about 62°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem this time of the year. In Boca Raton, it's very sunny this time of the year. Boca Raton usually receives more sunshine than Winston-Salem during autumn. Boca Raton gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 212 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Boca Raton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Boca Raton usually receives more rain than Winston-Salem. Boca Raton gets 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Boca Raton is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Boca Raton or Winston-Salem in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Boca Raton as well as Winston-Salem. Many visitors come to Boca Raton in the winter for the museums, 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. In January, Boca Raton is generally much warmer than Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Boca Raton average around 65°F (19°C), and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boca Raton this time of the year. In the winter, Boca Raton often gets more sunshine than Winston-Salem. Boca Raton gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 169 hours of full sun.

Boca Raton usually gets less rain in January than Winston-Salem. Boca Raton gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Boca Raton or Winston-Salem in the Spring?

Both Winston-Salem and Boca Raton are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Boca Raton for the beaches during these months.

Boca Raton is a little warmer than Winston-Salem in the spring. The daily temperature in Boca Raton averages around 74°F (23°C) in April, and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Winston-Salem. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boca Raton. Boca Raton usually receives more sunshine than Winston-Salem during spring. Boca Raton gets 300 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 248 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Boca Raton usually receives more rain than Winston-Salem. Boca Raton gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Boca Raton is June to November.

Typical Weather for Winston-Salem and Boca Raton