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

Should you visit Nags Head or Winston-Salem?

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

Should I visit Nags Head or Winston-Salem? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Nags Head

Other popular activities here include food.

Winston-Salem

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

Nags Head and Winston-Salem: Pros and Cons

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


Is there more to do in Nags Head or Winston-Salem?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Winston-Salem than Nags Head, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Winston-Salem is more touristy than Nags Head and is popular for it's southern character and quaint college campuses. Also, Winston-Salem is famous for Old Salem. Nags Head is well known for

How is Nags Head different from Winston-Salem?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nags Head
Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Nags Head does not have 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.

Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Nags Head
Winston-Salem

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

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Nags Head. There are a wide variety of seafood restaurants that serve locally caught fish, shrimp, and crabs. Cajon flavors are popular and you'll also find cheese grits at many places.

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.

Is Nags Head or Winston-Salem Better for Nightlife?

Nags Head
Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a popular place for nightlife. However, Nags Head is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Nags Head is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Nags Head or Winston-Salem Better for its Old Town?

Nags Head
Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a popular place for its historic old town. However, Nags Head 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.

Nags Head does not have a historic old town.


Is the Shopping Better in Nags Head or Winston-Salem?

Nags Head
Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a popular place for shopping. However, Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nags Head or Winston-Salem Better for Families?

Nags Head
Winston-Salem

Nags Head 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.

Nags Head is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It makes a wonderful base for the many family-friendly activities in the area. Jockey's Ridge is a fun place to visit with kids. There are also wonderful beaches and many kids enjoying flying kites.

Winston-Salem is a family-friendly . 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 Nags Head or Winston-Salem Better for Couples?

Nags Head
Winston-Salem

Nags Head is a popular place for couples. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for romance.

Nags Head is a good for couples to visit. There are great seafood restaurants and a number of activities in the area that are fun for couples.

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 Nags Head or Winston-Salem Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nags Head
Winston-Salem

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nags Head. This is one of the more affordable places to stay in the Outer Banks, so it appeals to more budget-oriented travelers.

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 Nags Head or Winston-Salem Better for Students?

Nags Head
Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Nags Head 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.

Nags Head is not popular with students.

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

Nags Head
Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Nags Head does not have 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.

Nags Head does not have public transit.


Is Nags Head or Winston-Salem a more walkable city?

Nags Head
Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is adequate for its walkability. However, Nags Head is not a walkable destination.

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.

Nags Head is not a walkable destination.

Should I spend more time in Winston-Salem or Nags Head?

How long in Nags Head or Winston-Salem?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nags Head or Winston-Salem to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nags Head than Winston-Salem because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Nags Head, and 1-2 days is enough time in Winston-Salem.

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

Couples should spend more time in Winston-Salem than Nags Head. 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 Winston-Salem than Nags Head 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 Winston-Salem.


  • How many days in Nags Head or Winston-Salem? Ideal Length of Stay
    Nags Head 4-7 
    Winston-Salem 1-2

One day in Nags Head or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Nags Head. 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 Nags Head or Winston-Salem?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the under-rated 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 Nags Head or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Nags Head. This 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.

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 Nags Head or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the of Nags Head. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.


Which place is cheaper, Winston-Salem or Nags Head?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Nags Head is $149, 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 Nags Head and Winston-Salem in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nags Head $80
    Winston-Salem $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nags Head $160
    Winston-Salem $182
Compare Hotels in Nags Head and Winston-Salem

Looking for a hotel in Nags Head 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 Nags Head


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: Nags Head Hotel Prices and Winston-Salem Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nags Head $40
    Winston-Salem $23

Is it cheaper to fly into Nags Head or Winston-Salem?

Prices for flights to both Winston-Salem and Nags Head 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
    Nags Head $41
    Winston-Salem $42

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nags Head $14
    Winston-Salem $20

Tours and Activities in Nags Head

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nags Head.

  • Outer Banks Audio Driving Tour: $13
  • Wright Brothers Carolina Dunes Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $13
  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $13
  • Wright Brothers Carolina Dunes: Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
  • Outer Banks Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
  • OBX Ghost Tours: $25
  • Manteo Historic Walking Tour: $28
  • Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest Kayak Tour: $49
  • 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD Truck: $57
  • Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe: $59
  • Alligator River Kayak Adventure: $59

Tours and Activities in Winston-Salem

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

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nags Head $12
    Winston-Salem $24


When comparing the travel costs between Nags Head 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 Nags Head Expensive? and Is Winston-Salem Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nags Head or Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Nags Head 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 Nags Head 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 Nags Head or Winston-Salem in the Summer?

Both Winston-Salem and Nags Head during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Nags Head because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Winston-Salem this time of year.

In July, Nags Head is generally around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 78°F (26°C), 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 Nags Head. In the summer, Nags Head often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem. Nags Head gets 274 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 Nags Head. Nags Head usually gets more rain in July than Winston-Salem. Nags Head gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nags Head 78°F (26°C) 
    Winston-Salem 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Nags Head or Winston-Salem in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nags Head and Winston-Salem. Also, many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the shopping scene.

Nags Head is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem this time of the year. In Nags Head, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem during autumn. Nags Head gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 212 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Nags Head usually receives more rain than Winston-Salem. Nags Head gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nags Head 62°F (16°C) 
    Winston-Salem 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit Nags Head or Winston-Salem in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nags Head as well as Winston-Salem. Many travelers come to Nags Head for the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Winston-Salem in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Winston-Salem can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Nags Head. In the winter, Nags Head is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nags Head in January average around 41°F (5°C), and Winston-Salem averages at about 40°F (4°C).

In the winter, Nags Head often gets less sunshine than Winston-Salem. Nags Head gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 169 hours of full sun.

Nags Head receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nags Head usually gets more rain in January than Winston-Salem. Nags Head gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nags Head 41°F (5°C) 
    Winston-Salem 40°F (4°C)

Should I visit Nags Head or Winston-Salem in the Spring?

Both Winston-Salem and Nags Head are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Nags Head is generally around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 59°F (15°C), 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 Nags Head. Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem during spring. Nags Head gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 248 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of rain as Winston-Salem. Nags Head gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nags Head 59°F (15°C) 
    Winston-Salem 61°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Winston-Salem and Nags Head

Nags Head Winston-Salem
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 41°F (5°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 40°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Feb 42°F (6°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 43°F (6°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Mar 50°F (10°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 52°F (11°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Apr 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 61°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
May 67°F (19°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm) 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Jun 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Jul 78°F (26°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 81°F (27°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm)
Aug 78°F (25°C) 5 inches (127 mm) 80°F (26°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Oct 62°F (16°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 53°F (12°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Dec 45°F (7°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)