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

Should you visit Cherokee or Winston-Salem?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cherokee or Winston-Salem, 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.

Cherokee

Cherokee is a fascinating, cultural, and genuine town. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a under-rated, welcoming, and friendly city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Cherokee and Winston-Salem: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers


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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cherokee than Winston-Salem, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cherokee is better known for its hiking, while Winston-Salem is more popular for its nightlife and historical sights. Cherokee is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is known for its cultural experiences and nearby hiking trails. Also, Cherokee is famous for Oconaluftee Indian Village. Winston-Salem is well known for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

How is Cherokee different from Winston-Salem?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cherokee
Winston-Salem

Both Cherokee and Winston-Salem have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Cherokee is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Many of the museums educate visitors on the Native American culture. Oconaluftee Indian Village, the Museum of the Cherokee People, and the Mountain Farm Museum each offer a unique and interesting perspective.

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.


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

Cherokee
Winston-Salem

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Cherokee and Winston-Salem can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

Cherokee offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are casual sandwich shops as well as several places that offer traditional Cherokee foods such as fry bread.

Winston-Salem has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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 Cherokee or Winston-Salem Better for Nightlife?

Cherokee
Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a nice place to visit for nightlife. However, Cherokee is a mediocre town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Winston-Salem. Local breweries are popping up around town. You'll also find active nightlife venues near the colleges and universities.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Cherokee. The town is generally quiet but you can head to Harrah's Cherokee Casino for drinks and entertainment.

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

Cherokee
Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Cherokee does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Winston-Salem to see the historical 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.

Cherokee does not have a historic old town.


Is Cherokee or Winston-Salem Better for Hiking?

Cherokee
Winston-Salem

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

Cherokee is a popular spot for hiking. There are many trails in the area that pass through forests, wander by waterfalls, and take you to spectacular viewpoints. The fall foliage is particularly nice during the autumn months.

Winston-Salem is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cherokee or Winston-Salem?

Cherokee
Winston-Salem

Both Cherokee and Winston-Salem are notable shopping destinations.

Cherokee is a great destination for shopping. There are craft shops and artisan vendors in the downtown area. It's fun to wander around for a few hours.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Winston-Salem. You'll find a mix of larger shopping malls, retail outlets, and shopping centers around town.

Is Cherokee or Winston-Salem Better for Families?

Cherokee
Winston-Salem

Cherokee 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.

Cherokee is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It's proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park make this a fun destination for families. There are countless outdoor adventure activities. The town is also filled with Cherokee history and culture, so it offers educational experiences as well.

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 Cherokee or Winston-Salem Better for Couples?

Cherokee
Winston-Salem

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

Cherokee is a very popular place to visit for couples. Nearby there are many outdoor activities and adventure experiences. Couples who enjoy nature and exploring will appreciate a stay here.

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 Cherokee or Winston-Salem Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cherokee
Winston-Salem

Cherokee is a popular place for backpackers. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cherokee. There are several great campgrounds in the area as well as plenty of hiking opportunities.

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 Cherokee or Winston-Salem Better for Students?

Cherokee
Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a nice place to visit for students. However, Cherokee is not popular with students.

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

Cherokee is not popular with students.


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

Cherokee
Winston-Salem

Both Cherokee and Winston-Salem offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Cherokee. There are some bus and shuttle routes, but a private vehicle is important if you want to make the most of your visit.

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 Cherokee or Winston-Salem a more walkable city?

Cherokee
Winston-Salem

Cherokee and Winston-Salem both are respectable when exploring on foot.

Cherokee is generally not very walkable. If you want to explore the area, you'll need a car to reach most places.

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 Cherokee Worth Visiting? and Is Winston-Salem Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Cherokee or Winston-Salem?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cherokee or Winston-Salem to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cherokee than Winston-Salem because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Cherokee, and 1-2 days is enough time in Winston-Salem.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cherokee 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 Cherokee.


  • How many days in Cherokee or Winston-Salem? Ideal Length of Stay
    Cherokee 2-4 
    Winston-Salem 1-2

One day in Cherokee or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the fascinating destination of Cherokee. 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.

The city of Winston-Salem offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.


A weekend in Cherokee or Winston-Salem?

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

Winston-Salem is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Winston-Salem, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Cherokee or Winston-Salem?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Cherokee. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This 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.

Winston-Salem is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Cherokee or Winston-Salem?

You'll find museums and food around the town of Cherokee. 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 great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.


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.


Which place is cheaper, Winston-Salem or Cherokee?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cherokee is $174, while the average daily cost in Winston-Salem is $150. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cherokee and Winston-Salem in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cherokee $158
    Winston-Salem $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cherokee $316
    Winston-Salem $182
Compare Hotels in Cherokee and Winston-Salem

Looking for a hotel in Cherokee or Winston-Salem? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Cherokee


Hotels in Winston-Salem


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cherokee Hotel Prices and Winston-Salem Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cherokee -
    Winston-Salem $23

Is it cheaper to fly into Cherokee or Winston-Salem?

Prices for flights to both Winston-Salem and Cherokee change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cherokee $16
    Winston-Salem $42

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cherokee -
    Winston-Salem $20

Tours and Activities in Winston-Salem

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Winston-Salem are as follows:

  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Winston-Salem by Wacky Walks: $10
  • Carolina History & Haunts Winston-Salem Historical Ghost Tour: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cherokee -
    Winston-Salem $24


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


Which is Bigger, Cherokee or Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Cherokee. When comparing the sizes of Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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 Cherokee or Winston-Salem in the Summer?

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

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

It's quite sunny in Winston-Salem. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cherokee. Cherokee usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem during summer. Cherokee gets 294 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. It's quite rainy in Cherokee. In July, Cherokee usually receives around the same amount of rain as Winston-Salem. Cherokee gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cherokee 81°F (27°C) 
    Winston-Salem 81°F (27°C)

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

Both Winston-Salem and Cherokee during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cherokee for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Winston-Salem because of the shopping scene.

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

In Winston-Salem, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cherokee. In the autumn, Cherokee often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem. Cherokee gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 212 hours of full sun.

Cherokee usually gets less rain in October than Winston-Salem. Cherokee gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cherokee 63°F (17°C) 
    Winston-Salem 62°F (17°C)

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cherokee and Winston-Salem. The winter months attract visitors to Cherokee because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Winston-Salem this time of year.

It's quite cold in Winston-Salem in the winter. The weather in Cherokee can be very cold. In the winter, Cherokee is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cherokee in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Winston-Salem averages at about 40°F (4°C).

Cherokee usually receives less sunshine than Winston-Salem during winter. Cherokee gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

Cherokee gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Cherokee usually receives more rain than Winston-Salem. Cherokee gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cherokee 40°F (5°C) 
    Winston-Salem 40°F (4°C)

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

The spring brings many poeple to Cherokee as well as Winston-Salem.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cherokee this time of the year. In the spring, Cherokee often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem. Cherokee gets 263 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 248 hours of full sun.

Cherokee usually gets more rain in April than Winston-Salem. Cherokee gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cherokee 62°F (17°C) 
    Winston-Salem 61°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Winston-Salem and Cherokee

Cherokee Winston-Salem
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 40°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Feb 44°F (7°C) 4.7 inches (120 mm) 43°F (6°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm) 52°F (11°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Apr 62°F (17°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 61°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
May 70°F (21°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Jun 78°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 81°F (27°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm)
Aug 80°F (27°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 80°F (26°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm)
Sep 74°F (24°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Oct 63°F (17°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 53°F (12°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)