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

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Cincinnati?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Cincinnati? 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 welcoming, friendly, and under-rated city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cincinnati

Cincinnati is a authentic, hard-working, and blue collar city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Winston-Salem and Cincinnati: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will generally find more to do in Winston-Salem than Cincinnati. While Cincinnati is larger than Winston-Salem, Winston-Salem has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Winston-Salem is more popular for its food and historical sights, while Cincinnati is known for its museums. Winston-Salem is popular for it's southern character and quaint college campuses. It is also home to Old Salem. Cincinnati is popular for its breweries and down-to-earth personality.

How is Winston-Salem different from Cincinnati?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati?

Cincinnati 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.

Cincinnati offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. You'll find both traditional and quirky museums around town. For outside-the-box, check out the American Sign Museum or the Behringer-Crawford Museum. Art museums include the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Contemporary Arts Center, and the Taft Museum of Art. Other popular museums include the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal.

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 Cincinnati? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Winston-Salem is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Cincinnati is not a culinary destination.

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.

Cincinnati is not a culinary destination.

Is Winston-Salem or Cincinnati Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Winston-Salem and Cincinnati.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Cincinnati. The nightlife scene is diverse and includes music venues, breweries, and nightclubs. In addition to the city's downtown, you'll find trendy places to hang out in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Breweries are popular in the city, in part because of its German roots.

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

Winston-Salem is a popular place for its old town. However, Cincinnati does not have a historic old town.

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.

Cincinnati does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Cincinnati?

Both Winston-Salem and Cincinnati are good 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 Cincinnati. There are large shopping malls and retail outlets. You'll also find local boutiques in the Montgomery or Mariemont areas.

Is Winston-Salem or Cincinnati Better for Families?

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

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.

Cincinnati is a family-friendly city. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities around town like the Cincinnati Zoo, the Cincinnati Museum Center, Newport Aquarium, and Smale Riverfront Park.

Is Winston-Salem or Cincinnati Better for Couples?

Most people don't think of either Winston-Salem or Cincinnati as a couple's destination.

Winston-Salem is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are restaurants and movie theaters that make for a nice date night. There are also parks and walks that will get you outdoors.

Cincinnati is not the best destination for a couple to visit. If you do find yourself in town for a few days, there are several good restaurants and a number of music venues that can keep the visit fun and entertaining.

Is Winston-Salem or Cincinnati Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cincinnati is a popular place for backpackers. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cincinnati. There are actually a couple of hostels in town for backpackers or students.

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 Cincinnati Better for Students?

Winston-Salem is a popular place for students. However, Cincinnati is not popular with students.

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.

Cincinnati is not popular with students.

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

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

Cincinnati has a few public transit options. There are two bus systems around town - the METRO and TANK bus systems. There's also a streetcar that travels through the downtown.

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 Winston-Salem or Cincinnati a more walkable city?

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

Cincinnati is a very walkable destination. There are several surprisingly walkable areas, particularly downtown and the nearby neighborhoods.

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

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

How long in Winston-Salem or Cincinnati?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Winston-Salem or Cincinnati to fill your time. In our opinion, Cincinnati has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Cincinnati than Winston-Salem. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Winston-Salem or Cincinnati?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the authentic destination of Cincinnati. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Winston-Salem or Cincinnati?

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.

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

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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the hard-working destination of Cincinnati. 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 Cincinnati?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Cincinnati. 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 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.

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

Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Cincinnati?

Cincinnati has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Winston-Salem. When comparing the sizes of Winston-Salem and Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati?

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 Cincinnati in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Cincinnati. The summer months attract visitors to Winston-Salem because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cincinnati this time of year.

In July, Winston-Salem is generally around the same temperature as Cincinnati. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 81°F (27°C), and Cincinnati fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cincinnati this time of the year. In Winston-Salem, it's very sunny this time of the year. Winston-Salem usually receives less sunshine than Cincinnati during summer. Winston-Salem gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Cincinnati receives 298 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 Cincinnati. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Cincinnati receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Cincinnati. The shopping scene are the main draw to Winston-Salem this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Cincinnati for the shopping scene.

Winston-Salem is a little warmer than Cincinnati in the autumn. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Cincinnati fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem this time of the year. In the autumn, Winston-Salem often gets more sunshine than Cincinnati. Winston-Salem gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cincinnati receives 188 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in October than Cincinnati. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Cincinnati receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Cincinnati and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Cincinnati in the winter for the museums and the shopping scene.

Cincinnati can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Winston-Salem. In the winter, Winston-Salem is much warmer than Cincinnati. Typically, the winter temperatures in Winston-Salem in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Cincinnati averages at about 31°F (-0°C).

Winston-Salem usually receives more sunshine than Cincinnati during winter. Winston-Salem gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Cincinnati receives 129 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Cincinnati. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Cincinnati receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Cincinnati and Winston-Salem during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Winston-Salem is generally a little warmer than Cincinnati. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 61°F (16°C), and Cincinnati fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

In Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati. Winston-Salem gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cincinnati receives 215 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Cincinnati and Winston-Salem