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

Should you visit Wilmington or Winston-Salem?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Winston-Salem, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Wilmington

Wilmington is a welcoming, charming, and historic city. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Wilmington travel costs.

Winston-Salem

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

Wilmington and Winston-Salem: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Wilmington than Winston-Salem. While Winston-Salem is larger than Wilmington, Wilmington has more sights and attractions for tourists. Wilmington is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is popular for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting. Also, Wilmington is famous for the Battleship North Carolina. Winston-Salem is well known for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

How is Wilmington different from Winston-Salem?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Wilmington or Winston-Salem.

Wilmington is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are art, history, and science museums around town. The Battleship North Carolina is a popular destination. Science enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science or the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. For art, head to the Cameron Art Museum or Art in Bloom Gallery.

Winston-Salem offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Wilmington or Winston-Salem? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Wilmington and Winston-Salem offer a number of notable restaurants to choose from.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Wilmington. Head to the waterfront for local seafood restaurants that offer outdoor seating and fresh caught fish. There are also farm-to-table restaurants and local diners with casual food.

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 Wilmington or Winston-Salem Better for Nightlife?

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

If you're looking for night time activities Wilmington has a few options to choose from. Live music is popular around town. There are also bars, lounges and dance clubs. When the weather is warm, many places make use of the outdoor setting, which makes for a relaxed and fun evening.

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 Wilmington or Winston-Salem Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is notable for the beach. However, Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

Wilmington is considered a top beach destination. Nearby you'll find Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They have long stretches of sand and great waves. The water is usually warm enough for swimming between the months of April and October. During these peak months parking can be challenging, but during the quieter times, you shouldn't have trouble.

Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

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

Wilmington and Winston-Salem both have notable historical old towns that attract visitors.

Wilmington is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Winston-Salem?

If you're looking to go shopping, Wilmington and Winston-Salem both offer plenty of notable spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Wilmington. Head downtown for the most interesting local shops. You'll find boutiques and souvenir shops where you can pick up art, accessories, or antiques.

Winston-Salem offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find a mix of larger shopping malls, retail outlets, and shopping centers around town.

Is Wilmington or Winston-Salem Better for Families?

Wilmington 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.

Wilmington is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Near town you'll find several beaches - Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They're all family-friendly and perfect for a day's activity. The city also has the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, the Children's Museum of Wilmington, and the Wilmington Railroad Museum. For a rainy day there are also indoor play areas and entertainment centers.

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 Wilmington or Winston-Salem Better for Couples?

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

Wilmington is a very popular place to visit for couples. The beaches are great for a relaxing day of swimming and sunbathing. In the evening head into town and enjoy one of the local seafood restaurants on the waterfront. You'll also find great shopping and historical sights in the area.

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 Wilmington or Winston-Salem Better for Students?

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

It's common for students to visit Wilmington. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a popular school that brings many students to town.

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

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Wilmington. There are public buses around town, but for practical reasons, you'll want to have your own vehicle.

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 Wilmington or Winston-Salem a more walkable city?

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

Wilmington is a somewhat walkable city. The Historic District is best explored on foot. You can also get around Wrightsville Beach on foot, but traveling between these places requires a car.

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

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

How long in Wilmington or Winston-Salem?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Wilmington or Winston-Salem to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Wilmington than Winston-Salem because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Wilmington, and 1-2 days is enough time in Winston-Salem.

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

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

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

One day in Wilmington or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming destination of Wilmington. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 friendly 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 Wilmington or Winston-Salem?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wilmington. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Wilmington or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic destination of Wilmington. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Wilmington or Winston-Salem?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Wilmington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.

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

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Wilmington. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington or Winston-Salem in the Summer?

Both Winston-Salem and Wilmington during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Wilmington in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Winston-Salem for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Wilmington is generally around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 81°F (27°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 Wilmington. In the summer, Wilmington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem. Wilmington gets 283 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 Wilmington. Wilmington usually gets more rain in July than Winston-Salem. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and Winston-Salem. Most visitors come to Wilmington for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Winston-Salem because of the shopping scene.

Wilmington is a little warmer than Winston-Salem in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 65°F (18°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 Wilmington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wilmington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem during autumn. Wilmington gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 212 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Wilmington usually receives less rain than Winston-Salem. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Wilmington as well as Winston-Salem. The winter months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Winston-Salem this time of year.

It's quite cold in Winston-Salem in the winter. In the winter, Wilmington is much warmer than Winston-Salem. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wilmington in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Winston-Salem averages at about 40°F (4°C).

In the winter, Wilmington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem. Wilmington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 169 hours of full sun.

Wilmington usually gets more rain in January than Winston-Salem. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Winston-Salem and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year.

In April, Wilmington is generally around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 63°F (17°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 Wilmington. Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Winston-Salem during spring. Wilmington gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 248 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Wilmington usually receives less rain than Winston-Salem. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 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 Wilmington