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

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Columbus?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Columbus? 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. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Columbus

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

Winston-Salem and Columbus: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Winston-Salem than Columbus. While Columbus is larger than Winston-Salem, Winston-Salem has more sights and attractions for tourists. Winston-Salem is well known for it's southern character and quaint college campuses. Also, Winston-Salem is famous for Old Salem. Columbus is well known for its youthful energy and its growing arts scene.

How is Winston-Salem different from Columbus?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Columbus is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Popular museums around town include the Center of Science and Technology, the Franklin Park Conservatory, the Columbus Museum of Art, and the Ohio History Center.

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

Winston-Salem is a popular place for its restaurants. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Columbus. Hearty and heavy comfort food is the mainstay in this town. There's pizza, casseroles, sausage, and milkshakes around town.

Is Winston-Salem or Columbus Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Winston-Salem and Columbus.

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 Columbus. The live music scene is growing. There are also a growing number of breweries around town.

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

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

Columbus does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Columbus?

Both Winston-Salem and Columbus 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 Columbus. In addition to the standard shopping malls and retail outlets, there are some interesting shops in the Short North Arts District, German Village, and Easton Town Center.

Is Winston-Salem or Columbus Better for Families?

Columbus 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.

Columbus is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a highlight for many families. Right by it is the Zoombezi Bay Waterpark. For hands-on science-based activities check out the Center of Science and Industry. Kids will also love the Legoland Discovery Center or the Anthony-Thomas Candy Factory. There are also many outdoor parks, greenways, and playgrounds to visit.

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 Winston-Salem or Columbus Better for Couples?

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

Columbus is not the best destination for a couple to visit. You'll find restaurants and music venues that make for a nice date night. There are also wine tours and other entertainment options.

Is Winston-Salem or Columbus Better for Students?

Winston-Salem is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Columbus is not popular with students.

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.

Columbus is not popular with students.

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

Both Winston-Salem and Columbus 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 Columbus. While there's a bus system, you'll really want to have a vehicle to get around town efficiently.

Is Winston-Salem or Columbus a more walkable city?

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

Columbus is a somewhat walkable city. The older neighborhoods are the most walkable, but if you want to get around town, you'll need to have 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 Winston-Salem Worth Visiting? and Is Columbus Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Winston-Salem or Columbus?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Winston-Salem or Columbus to fill your time. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Winston-Salem than Columbus. 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 Columbus 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 Columbus.

One day in Winston-Salem or Columbus?

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 authentic destination of Columbus. 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 Columbus?

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 Columbus. 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 Columbus?

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 welcoming destination of Columbus. 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 Columbus?

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 Columbus. 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 Columbus, we can see that Columbus 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 Columbus Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Columbus?

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

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 Winston-Salem or Columbus in the Summer?

Both Columbus and Winston-Salem during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Winston-Salem because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Columbus this time of year.

In the summer, Winston-Salem is around the same temperature as Columbus. Typically, the summer temperatures in Winston-Salem in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Columbus averages at about 77°F (25°C).

In Columbus, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Winston-Salem. In the summer, Winston-Salem often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbus. Winston-Salem gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 254 hours of full sun.

Columbus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Columbus. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Columbus. The shopping scene are the main draw to Winston-Salem this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Columbus for the shopping scene.

In October, Winston-Salem is generally a little warmer than Columbus. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 62°F (17°C), and Columbus fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In Winston-Salem, it's very sunny this time of the year. Winston-Salem usually receives more sunshine than Columbus during autumn. Winston-Salem gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 179 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Columbus. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Columbus. Many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Columbus in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Columbus can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem is much warmer than Columbus in the winter. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Columbus fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

In the winter, Winston-Salem often gets more sunshine than Columbus. Winston-Salem gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 105 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in January than Columbus. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Columbus and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Winston-Salem is a little warmer than Columbus. Typically, the spring temperatures in Winston-Salem in April average around 61°F (16°C), and Columbus averages at about 54°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem usually receives more sunshine than Columbus during spring. Winston-Salem gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 200 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Winston-Salem usually receives around the same amount of rain as Columbus. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Columbus and Winston-Salem