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

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Columbia?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Columbia? 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 nightlife, food, and shopping.

Columbia

Columbia is a welcoming, suburban, and friendly city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Winston-Salem and Columbia: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Winston-Salem than Columbia, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Winston-Salem is more touristy than Columbia and is known for it's southern character and quaint college campuses. It is also home to Old Salem. Columbia is popular for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Winston-Salem different from Columbia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Winston-Salem or Columbia.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Winston-Salem. 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.

Columbia is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

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

Winston-Salem is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Columbia is not a good city for its restaurants.

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.

Columbia may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Is Winston-Salem or Columbia Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Columbia. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

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

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

Columbia does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Columbia?

Both Winston-Salem and Columbia 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 Columbia. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

Is Winston-Salem or Columbia Better for Families?

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

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.

Columbia is a family-friendly city. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

Is Winston-Salem or Columbia Better for Couples?

Most people don't think of either Winston-Salem or Columbia 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.

Columbia is not the best destination for a couple to visit. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Winston-Salem or Columbia Better for Students?

Winston-Salem and Columbia are both good destinations for students and younger travelers.

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.

Plenty of students visit Columbia. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

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

Both Winston-Salem and Columbia offer decent 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 Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

Is Winston-Salem or Columbia a more walkable city?

Winston-Salem is a moderate city for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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.

Columbia is not a very walkable city. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

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

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

How long in Winston-Salem or Columbia?

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

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

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

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

One day in Winston-Salem or Columbia?

The city of Winston-Salem offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the welcoming destination of Columbia. 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 Columbia?

Winston-Salem is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Winston-Salem, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Winston-Salem is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the suburban destination of Columbia. 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 Columbia?

Winston-Salem is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Columbia. 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 Columbia, we can see that Winston-Salem is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia 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 Winston-Salem would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Winston-Salem than you might in Columbia.

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 Columbia Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Columbia?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Columbia. When comparing the sizes of Winston-Salem and Columbia, 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 Columbia?

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 Columbia in the Summer?

Both Columbia and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Winston-Salem because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Columbia this time of year.

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

It's quite sunny in Columbia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia during summer. Winston-Salem gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbia. It's quite rainy in Winston-Salem. In July, Winston-Salem usually receives around the same amount of rain as Columbia. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Columbia and Winston-Salem during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Winston-Salem this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Columbia for the shopping scene.

Winston-Salem is around the same temperature as Columbia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Winston-Salem. In the autumn, Winston-Salem often gets less sunshine than Columbia. Winston-Salem gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun.

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

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Columbia. Many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Columbia in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Winston-Salem. In the winter, Winston-Salem is much colder than Columbia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Winston-Salem in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Columbia averages at about 45°F (7°C).

Winston-Salem usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia during winter. Winston-Salem gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Winston-Salem usually receives less rain than Columbia. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Columbia.

In April, Winston-Salem is generally around the same temperature as Columbia. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 61°F (16°C), and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem this time of the year. In the spring, Winston-Salem often gets less sunshine than Columbia. Winston-Salem gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in April than Columbia. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Columbia and Winston-Salem