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

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Austin?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Austin? 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.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a under-rated, welcoming, and friendly city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Austin

Austin is a eccentric, unconventional, and lively city. With a variety of activities, it's a big city. This is a very beautiful destination, too. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Winston-Salem and Austin: Pros and Cons

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

You'll generally find more things to do in Austin than Winston-Salem. Austin is bigger than Winston-Salem, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Austin is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, music, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Winston-Salem is more popular for its historical sights. Austin is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is known for its live music scene, excellent Texas barbecue, authentic Mexican food, and vibrant student population. Also, Austin is famous for The Texas Capital. Winston-Salem is well known for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

How is Winston-Salem different from Austin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Austin is notable 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.

Austin offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Austin has a number of great museums and sights including the Blanton Museum of Art, the Mexic-Arte Museum, and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. There's also a huge supply of local art galleries. Perhaps the most notable landmark in town is the beautiful Texas Capital Building

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

Austin 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, Austin is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It is credited with being the original food truck city and you'll find many diverse food truck options around town. There is also amazing Mexican food, world renowned Texas barbecue, and many modern restaurants that reflect the city's culinary influence.

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 Winston-Salem or Austin Better for Nightlife?

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

Austin is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. It's nightlife is centered around its thriving live music scene. Head for Sixth Street for some of the most popular bars and clubs. There are also many music festivals and outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months. Popular bars and clubs around town include the White Horse, the Rose Room, and Antone's Nightclub.

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 Winston-Salem or Austin Better for Music?

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

In Austin you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Music is what gives this city its character. There are many live music venues, concerts, and music festivals to experience. Austin has influenced many music genres such as rock, blues, jazz, hip hop, punk, and country.

Winston-Salem is not a live music destination.

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

Winston-Salem is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Austin does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Winston-Salem to see the historical 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.

Austin does not have a historic old town.

Is Winston-Salem or Austin Better for Hiking?

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

Hiking is a fun activity while in Austin. Head just outside of town to explore a few great hiking spots right near town.

Winston-Salem is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Austin?

Both Winston-Salem and Austin are notable shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Winston-Salem to go shopping. You'll find a mix of larger shopping malls, retail outlets, and shopping centers around town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Austin. There are a number of local boutiques around town where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Winston-Salem or Austin Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Winston-Salem or Austin.

Winston-Salem is a family-friendly place to visit. There are interactive museums like the Kaleideum science museums. There are also outdoor parks and playgrounds, kid-friendly restaurants, and a children's theater.

Austin is a family-friendly city. The city is a popular destination for young travelers, but there are also some family-friendly activities like Barton Springs, Zilker Park, and several natural swimming holes. There's a number of nice parks around town that are great for kids of all ages.

Is Winston-Salem or Austin Better for Couples?

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

Austin is a good city for couples to visit. Young couples will enjoy the city for its lively nightlife, fun music scene, and youthful vibe. There are also many outdoor areas where you can hike or explore. The restaurant scene is among the best as well.

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 Winston-Salem or Austin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Austin is notable for backpackers. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Austin is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Although the city is relatively small, it does see a disproportionate number of backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in town as well.

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 Winston-Salem or Austin Better for Students?

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

Austin is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a huge university, the University of Texas at Austin, and it is a young city with tons for international students. There is a great nightlife scene and plenty for students to see and do.

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

Both Winston-Salem and Austin offer respectable public transit options.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Austin. There are city buses and a very limited lightrail system, but you really need a car to explore the city.

Is Winston-Salem or Austin a more walkable city?

Winston-Salem and Austin both are respectable when exploring on foot.

Winston-Salem is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is the most pedestrian-friendly part of town, but most of the city requires a car.

Austin is generally not a very walkable city. The city, like most southern cities, isn't very walkable and it's important to have a car to get around. There are some downtown areas that are pedestrian-friendly.

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

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

How long in Winston-Salem or Austin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Winston-Salem and Austin. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Austin than in Winston-Salem. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Winston-Salem, and 2-3 days is enough time in Austin.

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

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

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

One day in Winston-Salem or Austin?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Winston-Salem. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the lively destination of Austin. 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.

A weekend in Winston-Salem or Austin?

Winston-Salem is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Winston-Salem or Austin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Winston-Salem. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the entrepreneurial destination of Austin. 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.

A week in Winston-Salem or Austin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated destination of Winston-Salem. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Winston-Salem and Austin, 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 Winston-Salem Expensive? and Is Austin Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Austin?

Austin has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Winston-Salem. When comparing the sizes of Winston-Salem and Austin, 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 Winston-Salem or Austin?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Austin in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Austin. Many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Austin in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Winston-Salem is cooler than Austin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Winston-Salem in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Austin averages at about 87°F (30°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Austin this time of the year. In Winston-Salem, it's very sunny this time of the year. Winston-Salem usually receives less sunshine than Austin during summer. Winston-Salem gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 318 hours of full sun in the summer.

Winston-Salem gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Austin. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Austin. Many visitors come to Winston-Salem in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Austin for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Winston-Salem is generally cooler than Austin. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 62°F (17°C), and Austin fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Austin. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem this time of the year. In the autumn, Winston-Salem often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Austin. Winston-Salem gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 214 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Austin. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Austin receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Austin and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Winston-Salem for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Austin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Winston-Salem can be very cold during winter. Winston-Salem is much colder than Austin in the winter. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Austin fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Winston-Salem usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Austin during winter. Winston-Salem gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 163 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Austin. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Austin and Winston-Salem during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Austin this time of year.

In the spring, Winston-Salem is cooler than Austin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Winston-Salem in April average around 61°F (16°C), and Austin averages at about 71°F (22°C).

In Austin, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Winston-Salem. In the spring, Winston-Salem often gets more sunshine than Austin. Winston-Salem gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 209 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets less rain in April than Austin. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Austin receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Austin and Winston-Salem