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

Should you visit Greensboro 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 Greensboro 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.

Greensboro

Greensboro is a welcoming, under-rated, and friendly city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Greensboro travel costs.

Winston-Salem

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

Greensboro and Winston-Salem: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Winston-Salem. Although Greensboro and Winston-Salem are both popular with visitors, Winston-Salem has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Winston-Salem is more touristy than Greensboro and is known for it's southern character and quaint college campuses. It is also home to Old Salem. Greensboro is popular for its interesting museums and diverse restaurants.

How is Greensboro different from Winston-Salem?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Greensboro and Winston-Salem.

Greensboro offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Greensboro Science Center is a highlight for families. Other interesting museums around town include the Elsewhere Modern Art Museum, the Greensboro History Museum, the International Civil Rights Center, and the Weatherspoon Art Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Winston-Salem. 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 Greensboro or Winston-Salem? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Winston-Salem is a good destination for its restaurant scene. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in 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.

Greensboro may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. You'll find a good selection of restaurants around town with Mexican, southern, Italian, and Chinese all being popular options.

Is Greensboro or Winston-Salem Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Greensboro and Winston-Salem.

Greensboro has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head downtown for the most trendy bars, breweries, and nightclubs.

If you're looking for night time activities Winston-Salem has a few options to choose from. Local breweries are popping up around town. You'll also find active nightlife venues near the colleges and universities.

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

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

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.

Greensboro does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Greensboro or Winston-Salem?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Winston-Salem and Greensboro.

Greensboro offers some nice shopping areas. There are shopping centers and shopping malls around town as well as some interesting local boutiques.

Winston-Salem has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find a mix of larger shopping malls, retail outlets, and shopping centers around town.

Is Greensboro or Winston-Salem Better for Families?

Both Greensboro and Winston-Salem are good family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Greensboro. Kids will love visiting the Greensboro Science Center, which has hands-on science exhibits and a small zoo. Younger kids will also enjoy a visit to the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum. During the summer months the Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park is a great way to spend a day. Other times of the year, there are indoor play spaces and movie theaters around town.

Winston-Salem offers lots of family activities. 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 Greensboro or Winston-Salem Better for Couples?

Most people don't think of either Greensboro or Winston-Salem as a couple's destination.

Most people don't think of Greensboro as a couple's destination. The Carolina Theater makes a great date night activity. There is also a diverse selection of restaurants around town and a few parks for a daytime outing.

Winston-Salem is not always the best place to visit for a couple. 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 Greensboro or Winston-Salem Better for Students?

Greensboro and Winston-Salem are good places to visit for students.

Greensboro is popular with students. University of North Carolina at Greensboro attracts students to the city. There are also several smaller colleges in the area.

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.

Is Greensboro 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 Greensboro and Winston-Salem.

Public transit is generally limited in Greensboro. There are several bus routes around town, but you really can depend on them to get where you're going. A car is important for making the most of your trip.

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 Greensboro or Winston-Salem a more walkable city?

Greensboro and Winston-Salem both are decent when exploring on foot.

Greensboro is generally not very walkable. Most areas aren't walkable, but for the most pedestrian-friendly sections head to College Hill, downtown, or Brice Street.

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

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

How long in Greensboro or Winston-Salem?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Greensboro or Winston-Salem to fill your time. In our opinion, Winston-Salem has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Winston-Salem than Greensboro. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Greensboro or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the welcoming destination of Greensboro. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With museums and nightlife around the welcoming 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 Greensboro or Winston-Salem?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Greensboro. 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 Greensboro or Winston-Salem?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Greensboro. This city 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, 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 Greensboro or Winston-Salem?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Greensboro. 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 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.

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

Which is Bigger, Greensboro or Winston-Salem?

Greensboro has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Winston-Salem. When comparing the sizes of Greensboro 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 Greensboro 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 Greensboro or Winston-Salem in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Greensboro is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Typically, the summer temperatures in Greensboro in July average around 81°F (27°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 Greensboro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Greensboro usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem during summer. Greensboro gets 273 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. Greensboro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Greensboro usually receives around the same amount of rain as Winston-Salem. Greensboro gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Greensboro as well as Winston-Salem. Many travelers come to Greensboro for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Winston-Salem in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Greensboro is generally around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Greensboro average around 62°F (17°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 Greensboro this time of the year. In the autumn, Greensboro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem. Greensboro gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 212 hours of full sun.

Greensboro usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Winston-Salem. Greensboro gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Winston-Salem and Greensboro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Greensboro 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. Greensboro can get quite cold in the winter. Greensboro is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem in the winter. The daily temperature in Greensboro averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

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

In January, Greensboro usually receives around the same amount of rain as Winston-Salem. Greensboro gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Winston-Salem and Greensboro during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Greensboro is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Typically, the spring temperatures in Greensboro in April average around 61°F (16°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 Greensboro. In the spring, Greensboro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem. Greensboro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 248 hours of full sun.

Greensboro usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Winston-Salem. Greensboro gets 3.1 inches (80 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 Greensboro