A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America New Orleans vs. Winston-Salem for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit New Orleans or Winston-Salem?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between New Orleans and Winston-Salem can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a vibrant, energetic, and fun-filled city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include food, nightlife, and live music.

Winston-Salem

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

New Orleans and Winston-Salem: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Home to the French Quarter
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular with couples


Is there more to do in New Orleans or Winston-Salem?

You'll generally find more things to do in New Orleans than Winston-Salem. New Orleans is bigger than Winston-Salem, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. New Orleans is better known for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Winston-Salem is more popular for its museums and shopping. New Orleans is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is popular for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. Also, New Orleans is famous for The French Quarter. Winston-Salem is well known for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

The French Quarter
The French Quarter

How is New Orleans different from Winston-Salem?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

New Orleans
Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a city with good options for its museums and history. However, New Orleans 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.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.


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

New Orleans
Winston-Salem

New Orleans is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, New Orleans is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

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 New Orleans or Winston-Salem Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans
Winston-Salem

New Orleans is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

New Orleans is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

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 New Orleans or Winston-Salem Better for Music?

New Orleans
Winston-Salem

New Orleans is renowned for its music scene. However, Winston-Salem is not a live music destination.

In New Orleans you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Winston-Salem is not a live music destination.


Is New Orleans or Winston-Salem Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans
Winston-Salem

New Orleans is notable for its historic old town charm. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Winston-Salem?

New Orleans
Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a city with good options for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

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.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is New Orleans or Winston-Salem Better for Families?

New Orleans
Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Winston-Salem is a family-friendly 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.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.


Is New Orleans or Winston-Salem Better for Couples?

New Orleans
Winston-Salem

New Orleans is a popular place for couples. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for romance.

New Orleans is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

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 New Orleans or Winston-Salem Better for Students?

New Orleans
Winston-Salem

Both New Orleans and Winston-Salem are notable destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit New Orleans. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Winston-Salem is popular with students. Wake Forest University as well as colleges such as Salem College give parts of the city a collegiate vibe.

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

New Orleans
Winston-Salem

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both New Orleans and Winston-Salem.

Public transit is mostly limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Public transit is generally 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 New Orleans or Winston-Salem a more walkable city?

New Orleans
Winston-Salem

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

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable city. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

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 New Orleans Worth Visiting? and Is Winston-Salem Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Winston-Salem or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Winston-Salem?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New Orleans 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 New Orleans.


  • How many days in New Orleans or Winston-Salem? Ideal Length of Stay
    New Orleans 2-3 
    Winston-Salem 1-2

One day in New Orleans or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the fun-filled destination of New Orleans. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the under-rated city of Winston-Salem. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in New Orleans or Winston-Salem?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Orleans. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the under-rated destination of Winston-Salem. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.


Five days in New Orleans or Winston-Salem?

Travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the fun-filled destination of New Orleans. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

The friendly city of Winston-Salem offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in New Orleans or Winston-Salem?

You'll find food and nightlife around the city of New Orleans. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Winston-Salem. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Winston-Salem or New Orleans?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in New Orleans is $239, 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 New Orleans and Winston-Salem in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    New Orleans $125
    Winston-Salem $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    New Orleans $250
    Winston-Salem $182
Compare Hotels in New Orleans and Winston-Salem

Looking for a hotel in New Orleans 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 New Orleans


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: New Orleans Hotel Prices and Winston-Salem Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    New Orleans $51
    Winston-Salem $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New Orleans

Some typical examples of transportation costs in New Orleans are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in New Orleans

Also for New Orleans, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Louis Armstrong Airport: $50
  • 1-Way Private Airport Transfer: $50
  • Private Transfer in (Rover RSD) New Orleans MSY/Home/Hotel/Work : $55
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport: $67
  • Private Departure Transfer to Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport MSY: $67
  • Airboat or Pontoon Boat Cruise with Transfers: $68
  • Private Transfer in a Luxury Sedan from Louis Armstrong Airport: $69
  • New Orleans Cruise Port to New Orleans Arrival Private transfer: $74
  • New Orleans to New Orleans L.Armstrong Airport(MSY) - Departure Private Transfer: $74
  • New Orleans Port to New Orleans Airport Departure Transfer: $74
  • New Orleans city to New Orleans Port - Departure Private transfer: $74
  • New Orleans L.Armstrong Airport (MSY) to New Orleans - Arrival Private Transfer : $74

Is it cheaper to fly into New Orleans or Winston-Salem?

Prices for flights to both Winston-Salem and New Orleans 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
    New Orleans $45
    Winston-Salem $42

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New Orleans

For New Orleans, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cajun and Creole Cooking Class with Meal: $38
  • Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans: $55
  • Evening Jazz Boat Cruise with Optional Dinner: $55
  • Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option: $55
  • French Quarter Food Tour: Signature Flavors of New Orleans: $59
  • The Premier New Orleans Food Tour: $77
  • Taste Of New Orleans Food Tour and Experience: $80
  • French Quarter Food Tour with a Local: $80
  • Private New Orleans Food Tour of the French Quarter : $85
  • New Orleans' Lower Garden Food Tour: $89
  • French Quarter Food Tour with Tastings: $89
  • Cooking Class & Cocktail Walking Tour: $106

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    New Orleans $55
    Winston-Salem $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in New Orleans

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New Orleans's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Zoo & Aquarium Tickets (2)
    $75
  • Riverboat Cruise
    $70
  • French Quarter City Tour
    $100

Tours and Activities in New Orleans

For New Orleans, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Self-Guided Walking Tour French Quarter In New Orleans: $6.75
  • Struttin' Down Royal Street Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Struttin' Down Royal Street: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Stories of Faith and Courage: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in New Orleans in 6 Languages: $9.00
  • Secret Historical Garden District Audio Tour: $9.99
  • New Orleans Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in New Orleans by 3Quest Challenge: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • New Orleans, LA: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
  • Murder Mystery Detective Experience New Orleans, LA: $15
  • Seven Three Distilling Tour and Tasting: $15

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
    New Orleans $60
    Winston-Salem $24

Sample the Local Flavors in New Orleans

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New Orleans:

  • Hop on, Hop off Craft Brewery Bus Tour in New Orleans: $10
  • Haunted Pub Crawl In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $13
  • Discovering the Flavors of Louisiana: Rum & Gin Distillery Tour: $14
  • Guided Distillery Tour & Rum Tasting: $15
  • Private New Orleans Seafood Bar Crawl: $15
  • Guided Rum Distillery Tour and Tasting: $15
  • Spooky Ghost and Haunted Pub Crawl Tour: $17
  • New Orleans Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of The Irish Channel: $25
  • Ghost Tour and Haunted Pub Crawl Party: $25
  • New Orleans Bar Crawl: $28
  • New Orleans Spooky Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Haunted Pub Crawl: $30


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


Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Winston-Salem?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Winston-Salem. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans or Winston-Salem in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Winston-Salem. Many travelers come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Winston-Salem in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, New Orleans is generally around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 82°F (28°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 New Orleans this time of the year. In the summer, New Orleans often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem. New Orleans gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 273 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Winston-Salem. New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the summer. New Orleans usually gets more rain in July than Winston-Salem. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    New Orleans 82°F (28°C) 
    Winston-Salem 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit New Orleans or Winston-Salem in the Autumn?

Both Winston-Salem and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to New Orleans in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, most visitors come to Winston-Salem for the shopping scene during these months.

New Orleans is a little warmer than Winston-Salem in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 69°F (21°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 New Orleans. New Orleans usually receives more sunshine than Winston-Salem during autumn. New Orleans gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 212 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, New Orleans usually receives around the same amount of rain as Winston-Salem. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    New Orleans 69°F (21°C) 
    Winston-Salem 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit New Orleans or Winston-Salem in the Winter?

Both Winston-Salem and New Orleans during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Winston-Salem because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Winston-Salem can be very cold. In the winter, New Orleans is much warmer than Winston-Salem. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Orleans in January average around 51°F (11°C), and Winston-Salem averages at about 40°F (4°C).

In the winter, New Orleans often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem. New Orleans gets 158 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 New Orleans. New Orleans usually gets more rain in January than Winston-Salem. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    New Orleans 51°F (11°C) 
    Winston-Salem 40°F (4°C)

Should I visit New Orleans or Winston-Salem in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Winston-Salem. The spring months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the activities around the city.

In April, New Orleans is generally a little warmer than Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 68°F (20°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 New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. New Orleans usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem during spring. New Orleans gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 248 hours of full sun in the spring.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Winston-Salem. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    New Orleans 68°F (20°C) 
    Winston-Salem 61°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Winston-Salem and New Orleans

New Orleans Winston-Salem
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 51°F (11°C) 5.2 inches (131 mm) 40°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Feb 54°F (12°C) 5.8 inches (147 mm) 43°F (6°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Mar 62°F (16°C) 5 inches (126 mm) 52°F (11°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Apr 68°F (20°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm) 61°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
May 75°F (24°C) 4.3 inches (110 mm) 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Jun 80°F (27°C) 5.9 inches (151 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.9 inches (149 mm) 81°F (27°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 6.2 inches (157 mm) 80°F (26°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm)
Sep 78°F (26°C) 5.5 inches (140 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Oct 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Nov 61°F (16°C) 4.8 inches (122 mm) 53°F (12°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Dec 55°F (13°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)