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

Should you visit Washington or Winston-Salem?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Washington and Winston-Salem can help you decide which place is right for you.

Washington

Washington is a international, diverse, and active city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Winston-Salem

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

Washington and Winston-Salem: Pros and Cons

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

You'll generally find more things to do in Washington than Winston-Salem. Washington is bigger than Winston-Salem, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Washington is better known for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, hiking, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Winston-Salem is more popular for its historical sights. Washington is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is popular for its reputation as the capital of the United States, but it's also known for its many monuments, memorials, and museums. Also, Washington is famous for The Washington Monument and the White House. Winston-Salem is well known for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

How is Washington different from Winston-Salem?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Washington is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Washington on the map. The city has world class museums that are often free. The Smithsonian Museums are arguably some of the most impressive museums in the United States. The city also has a large collection of monuments that are dedicated to past presidents or historical events. Many are best experienced at night when the sun sets and the lights come on.

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.

Is Washington or Winston-Salem Better for Theater?

Washington is notable for its shows and theatre. However, Winston-Salem is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Washington. Theater is popular in the city. From major theaters like the Kennedy Center and Ford's Theater, to lesser known smaller venues, there are options for everyone.

Winston-Salem is not a theatre destination.

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

Washington 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, Washington is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. This city is among the most diverse in the country, so you can find restaurants from almost any cuisine here. It's worth exploring and stepping out of your comfort zone. There are popular neighborhoods for Ethiopian, Korean, Thai, Japanese, and Chinese food, among many others.

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 Washington or Winston-Salem Better for Nightlife?

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

Washington has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Many visitors head straight to the museums and the National Mall, and don't realize what a livable and fun city this is. Some of the best nightlife is found in Dupont Circle, U Street, and even Arlington, VA. The city's young population ensures that there's never a dull moment.

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 Washington or Winston-Salem Better for Music?

Washington is a popular place for its music scene. However, Winston-Salem is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Washington is active and vibrant. Notable live music venues include the 9:30 Club, the Anthem, and Union Stage.

Winston-Salem is not a live music destination.

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

Winston-Salem is very good for its historic old town. However, Washington 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.

Washington does not have a historic old town.

Is Washington or Winston-Salem Better for Hiking?

Washington is a moderate city for the nearby hiking options. However, Winston-Salem is not a hiking destination.

Hiking is a fun activity while in Washington. Just outside of Washington DC you'll find plenty of places to go hiking. There's also an elaborate bike and walking trail system in the city. To enjoy a bit of nature, head to Teddy Roosevelt Island.

Winston-Salem is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Washington or Winston-Salem?

Washington 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 Washington. Head to Georgetown and Dupont Circle for some of the city's best local shopping. There are name brand chains mixed in with local boutiques. You'll also find plenty of souvenir shops in the more touristy areas if you're looking to pick up some trinkets.

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 Washington or Winston-Salem Better for Christmas?

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

Washington is a fantastic destination at Christmas. With it's beautiful lights and holiday shows, Christmas is beautiful in the capital of the United States.

Winston-Salem does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Washington or Winston-Salem Better for Families?

Washington 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.

Washington is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It is a fun and educational destination where kids can explore world class museums and try unique foods from all around the world. The city has nationally recognized landmarks, monuments, and memorials and it's also home to some of the best (free) museums in the United States including the world class Smithsonian Institutions. Many schools visit Washington DC as a field trip, particularly during the Spring months, so you'll kids groups in colorful t-shirts running around the National Mall.

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 Washington or Winston-Salem Better for Couples?

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

Washington is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city lights up at night, so couples will enjoy wandering by the monuments in the evening or taking in a dinner and show. During the Spring months you'll find couples wandering through the Cherry Blossoms or along the waterfront.

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 Washington or Winston-Salem Better for Students?

Washington is renowned for students. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Washington. International students come from around the world to study, learn, intern, and work in the capital of the United States. There are many internships available through the federal government as well as NGOs and nonprofits.

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

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

Washington is renowned for its public transit. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Washington has a great public transit system. The metro system and the bus system are reliable and efficient ways to explore the city.

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 Washington or Winston-Salem a more walkable city?

Washington is renowned for its ease of walking around. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Washington on foot. Many neighborhoods around the city are easy to explore on foot. Most tourists spend a lot of time in the Mall area, which is very pedestrian friendly.

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

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

How long in Washington or Winston-Salem?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Washington or Winston-Salem to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Washington than Winston-Salem because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Washington, and 1-2 days is enough time in Winston-Salem.

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

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

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

One day in Washington or Winston-Salem?

Washington is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the under-rated 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 Washington or Winston-Salem?

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

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 Washington or Winston-Salem?

Washington is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city 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.

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 Washington or Winston-Salem?

Washington is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Washington or Winston-Salem?

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

Both Winston-Salem and Washington during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Washington for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Winston-Salem because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Washington is generally around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Washington average around 79°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 Washington. In the summer, Washington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem. Washington gets 278 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. Washington usually gets less rain in July than Winston-Salem. Washington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Washington and Winston-Salem. The autumn months attract visitors to Washington because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Winston-Salem this time of year.

Washington is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem in the autumn. The daily temperature in Washington averages around 60°F (15°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. Washington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem during autumn. Washington gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 212 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Washington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Winston-Salem. Washington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Washington as well as Winston-Salem. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Washington this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Winston-Salem. It's quite cold in Washington in the winter. In the winter, Washington is much colder than Winston-Salem. Typically, the winter temperatures in Washington in January average around 35°F (1°C), and Winston-Salem averages at about 40°F (4°C).

In the winter, Washington often gets less sunshine than Winston-Salem. Washington gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 169 hours of full sun.

Washington usually gets less rain in January than Winston-Salem. Washington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Winston-Salem and Washington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Washington for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Washington is generally cooler than Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Washington average around 56°F (14°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 Washington. Washington usually receives less sunshine than Winston-Salem during spring. Washington gets 228 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 248 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Washington usually receives less rain than Winston-Salem. Washington gets 2.8 inches (72 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 Washington