A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Orlando vs. Winston-Salem for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Orlando or Winston-Salem?

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

Should I visit Orlando 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.

Orlando

Orlando is a active, family-friendly, and entertaining city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Winston-Salem

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

Orlando and Winston-Salem: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Orlando. Although Orlando and Winston-Salem are roughly the same size, Orlando has more sights and attractions for tourists. Orlando is better known for its theatre productions, food, resorts, and shopping, while Winston-Salem is more popular for its museums and historical sights. Orlando is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is popular for being the home of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and many other theme parks and family-friendly activities. Also, Orlando is famous for Disney World, Universal Studios, and the city's many amusement parks. Winston-Salem is well known for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

How is Orlando different from Winston-Salem?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Winston-Salem is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Orlando 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.

Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Orlando or Winston-Salem Better for Theater?

Orlando is a popular place for its shows and theatre. However, Winston-Salem is not a theatre destination.

Orlando offers a number of shows and performances. The city has a number of local theaters that are fun to explore. As home to Disney World and Universal Studios, there are also a number of shows available that are affiliated with the parks.

Winston-Salem is not a theatre destination.

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

Orlando 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 Orlando is an experience not to be missed. There are a diversity of restaurants on the Disney grounds and nearby. You'll also find many restaurants at Universal CityWalk and Disney Springs. Food can be expensive, and the quality can vary dramatically. Many people enjoy going to dinner shows as well. Restaurants can be challenging also, as reservations must be made months in advance.

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 Orlando or Winston-Salem Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Orlando and Winston-Salem.

If you're looking for night time activities Orlando has a few options to choose from. If you need a break from the kids, you'll find some of the best nightlife around Orlando at Disney Springs, Wall Street Plaza and Universal CityWalk.

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.

Is Orlando or Winston-Salem Better for Resorts?

Orlando is renowned for its resorts. However, Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Orlando is a great choice. Disney World is famous for its many iconic resorts. Some of the most popular are the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort. There are also many resorts that aren't affiliated with the major theme parks. These tend to be more affordable, but transportation options to and from the park are limited. You'll also miss out on the perks that come with staying at a theme park resort.

Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.

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

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

Orlando does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Orlando or Winston-Salem?

Orlando 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 Orlando. Shopping is a dream for any Disney enthusiast. There are countless malls and shops, both on and off the Disney grounds, that sell all of the Disney paraphernalia. Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk are the most famous areas. During the evenings, these areas can be very crowded, but during the day they're less popular as most people are at the theme parks.

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 Orlando or Winston-Salem Better for Christmas?

Orlando is renowned for its Christmas activities. However, Winston-Salem does not offer Christmas activities.

Orlando is a fantastic destination at Christmas. Christmas at Disney World is lots of fun. There are decorations and all kinds of seasonal activities around town.

Winston-Salem does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Orlando or Winston-Salem Better for Families?

Orlando is renowned 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.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Orlando is a very family-friendly destination. Known as a theme park capital, here you'll find the iconic Disney World, as well as Universal Studios, SeaWorld and many more. While most people spend their vacation at the Disney or Universal resorts, there is also an endless supply of less mainstream parks and activities in the area.

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.

Is Orlando or Winston-Salem Better for Couples?

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

Orlando is a good city for couples to visit. While most people visit the area with family, there is a niche crowd that enjoys honeymooning or vacationing here as a couple. There are many beautiful restaurants and interesting activities that couples can enjoy together. This is the perfect trip for fun loving couples who don't take themselves to seriously.

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 Orlando or Winston-Salem Better for Students?

For students, both Orlando and Winston-Salem are notable places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Orlando. Most people don't think about education when they think about Orlando, but there are actually a diversity of internships and opportunities for students to learn in a fun setting.

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.

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

Orlando and Winston-Salem both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Orlando. If you're staying at a Disney Property, there is excellent transportation around the complex, but otherwise, a car is essential.

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 Orlando or Winston-Salem a more walkable city?

Winston-Salem is adequate for its walkability. However, Orlando is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

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.

Orlando is not a walkable city. The city is sprawling, so unless you stay on the Disney grounds, it's best to rent a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Orlando Worth Visiting? and Is Winston-Salem Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Orlando or Winston-Salem?

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

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

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

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

One day in Orlando or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and theater when visiting the entertaining destination of Orlando. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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.

In Winston-Salem, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Orlando or Winston-Salem?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Orlando. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend 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.

In Winston-Salem, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Winston-Salem has to offer.

Five days in Orlando or Winston-Salem?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the entertaining destination of Orlando. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Orlando or Winston-Salem?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Orlando. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Winston-Salem. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Winston-Salem. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Orlando or Winston-Salem?

Orlando has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Winston-Salem. When comparing the sizes of Orlando 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 Orlando 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 Orlando or Winston-Salem in the Summer?

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

In July, Orlando is generally around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Orlando average around 82°F (28°C), and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

Winston-Salem gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Orlando. Orlando usually gets more rain in July than Winston-Salem. Orlando gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Orlando and Winston-Salem. The shopping scene are the main draw to Orlando this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the shopping scene.

Orlando is a little warmer than Winston-Salem in the autumn. The daily temperature in Orlando averages around 75°F (24°C) in October, and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Orlando gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Orlando usually receives more rain than Winston-Salem. Orlando gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Orlando as well as Winston-Salem. Many travelers come to Orlando for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and 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. In the winter, Orlando is much warmer than Winston-Salem. Typically, the winter temperatures in Orlando in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Winston-Salem averages at about 40°F (4°C).

Orlando usually gets less rain in January than Winston-Salem. Orlando gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

In April, Orlando is generally a little warmer than Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Orlando average around 72°F (22°C), and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In April, Orlando usually receives less rain than Winston-Salem. Orlando gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Winston-Salem and Orlando