A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Winston-Salem vs. Denali National Park for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Denali National Park?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Denali National Park? 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. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Denali National Park

Denali National Park is a vast, rugged, and spectacular park. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include hiking.

Winston-Salem and Denali National Park: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Nice resorts
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to Denali (Mount McKinley)
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for nightlife


Is there more to do in Winston-Salem or Denali National Park?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Winston-Salem. Although Winston-Salem and Denali National Park are both popular with visitors, Winston-Salem has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Winston-Salem is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Denali National Park is known for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty. Denali National Park is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is popular for its vast wilderness and iconic Alaskan wildlife. Winston-Salem is popular for it's southern character and quaint college campuses. It is also home to Old Salem.

How is Winston-Salem different from Denali National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Denali National Park 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 Denali National Park?

Winston-Salem
Denali National Park

Winston-Salem is very good for its historical sights. However, Denali National Park is not known for its sights and museums.

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.

Denali National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Denali's Museum Collection includes more than 25,000 different items that reflect the region's history, culture, and geology.


Is the Food Better in Winston-Salem or Denali National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Winston-Salem
Denali National Park

Winston-Salem is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Denali National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Winston-Salem has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Denali National Park may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. During the summer months there are restaurants open along Highway 3 as well as the Morino Grill near the Denali Visitor Center.

Is Winston-Salem or Denali National Park Better for Nightlife?

Winston-Salem
Denali National Park

Winston-Salem is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Denali National Park is not known for its evening party scene.

If you're looking for night time activities Winston-Salem has a few options to choose from. Local breweries are popping up around town. You'll also find active nightlife venues near the colleges and universities.

People don't go to Denali National Park for the nightlife. Visitors come to the park to see the nature, not for the nightlife.

Is Winston-Salem or Denali National Park Better for Resorts?

Winston-Salem
Denali National Park

Denali National Park is a popular place for its resorts. However, Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.

Denali National Park has a few great resort options. Most visitors stay nearby the Denali Park Entrance. It has the most affordable hotels and lodges, some of which have a lot of personality. Alternatively, you could stay in the more remote area of Kantishna. These lodges are more expensive and all-inclusive, but they are also far away from most conveniences.

Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.


Is Winston-Salem or Denali National Park Better for its Old Town?

Winston-Salem
Denali National Park

Winston-Salem is very good for its old town. However, Denali National Park does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Winston-Salem. 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.

Denali National Park does not have a historic old town.

Is Winston-Salem or Denali National Park Better for Hiking?

Winston-Salem
Denali National Park

Denali National Park is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Winston-Salem is not a hiking destination.

Denali National Park is a good destination for hiking. If you're looking for a marked trail, there are limited options within the park. Those that do exist are located near the park entrance and are usually just a couple of miles long. Off-trail hiking is what makes for the most memorable experience. Make sure you stop off at the visitor center for information and knowledge before you venture into the wilderness without a trail. For obvious reasons, you should fully understand what this entails before beginning your adventure.

Winston-Salem is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Denali National Park?

Winston-Salem
Denali National Park

Winston-Salem is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Denali National Park is not known for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Winston-Salem. You'll find a mix of larger shopping malls, retail outlets, and shopping centers around town.

Denali National Park has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are several park stores and shops in and near the park where you can pick up gifts, books, and souvenirs.


Is Winston-Salem or Denali National Park Better for Families?

Winston-Salem
Denali National Park

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Winston-Salem or Denali National Park.

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.

Denali National Park is a family-friendly city. Most people visit the park as part of a tour, so it's important to book a tour that is designed with families in mind. This will help ensure the kids stay entertained even during long bus rides.

Is Winston-Salem or Denali National Park Better for Couples?

Winston-Salem
Denali National Park

Denali National Park is notable for couples. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for romance.

Denali National Park is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy outdoor adventures and stunning scenery will find the ultimate romance in this impressive park.

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 Denali National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Winston-Salem
Denali National Park

Denali National Park is renowned for backpackers. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Denali National Park is a very popular park to visit for backpackers. There are millions of acres in the park as well as campgrounds, hostels, and vast backcountry (which requires a permit).

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 Denali National Park Better for Students?

Winston-Salem
Denali National Park

Winston-Salem is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Denali National Park is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University as well as colleges such as Salem College give parts of the city a collegiate vibe.

Denali National Park is not popular with students.

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

Winston-Salem
Denali National Park

Both Winston-Salem and Denali National Park 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 Denali National Park. There are free shuttle buses that leave from the entrance area, but many visitors organize a tour to get around.

Is Winston-Salem or Denali National Park a more walkable city?

Winston-Salem
Denali National Park

Winston-Salem is adequate for its high level of walkability. However, Denali National Park is not known for its ease of walking around.

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.

Denali National Park is not a walkable city. The park is vast and you need some form of transportation to get around, whether it's a private vehicle or a pre-arranged tour.


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

Should I spend more time in Denali National Park or Winston-Salem?

How long in Winston-Salem or Denali National Park?

It's fun to spend time in either Winston-Salem or Denali National Park. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Denali National Park due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Winston-Salem, and 2-4 days is enough time in Denali National Park.

Families should spend more time in Winston-Salem than Denali National Park. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Winston-Salem than Denali National Park 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 Winston-Salem.


  • How many days in Winston-Salem or Denali National Park? Ideal Length of Stay
    Winston-Salem 1-2 
    Denali National Park 2-4

One day in Winston-Salem or Denali National Park?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Winston-Salem. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Winston-Salem has to offer.

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the spectacular destination of Denali National Park. 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 Denali National Park?

Winston-Salem is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Denali National Park. 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 Denali National Park?

Many people visit Winston-Salem for five days. You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Winston-Salem. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the rugged destination of Denali National Park. This park 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 Denali National Park?

The welcoming destination of Winston-Salem offers nightlife and food. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find around the beautiful park of Denali National Park. 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.


Which place is cheaper, Denali National Park or Winston-Salem?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Winston-Salem is $150, while the average daily cost in Denali National Park is $218. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Winston-Salem and Denali National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Winston-Salem $91
    Denali National Park $116
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Winston-Salem $182
    Denali National Park $232
Compare Hotels in Winston-Salem and Denali National Park

Looking for a hotel in Winston-Salem or Denali National Park? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Winston-Salem


Hotels in Denali National Park


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Winston-Salem Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Winston-Salem $23
    Denali National Park $76

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denali National Park

Also for Denali National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Shuttle Transfer: Anchorage ↔ Denali National Park: $150

Is it cheaper to fly into Winston-Salem or Denali National Park?

Prices for flights to both Denali National Park and Winston-Salem change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Winston-Salem $42
    Denali National Park $57

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Winston-Salem $20
    Denali National Park $30

Tours and Activities in Winston-Salem

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Winston-Salem are as follows:

  • Carolina History & Haunts Winston-Salem Historical Ghost Tour: $26
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Winston-Salem by Wacky Walks: $10

Tours and Activities in Denali National Park

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Denali National Park.

  • 2.5-Hour Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure Tour: $79
  • Midnight Sun ATV Adventure 2.5 Hour Tour: $79
  • Denali ATV Trailblazer 3.5 Hour Tour : $114
  • 3 Hour Naturalist Walking Tour in Denali National Park: $119
  • Denali National Park Walking Tour: $125
  • Wilds of Alaska Classic ATV Adventure: $140
  • Classic ATV Adventure with Back Country Dining: $150
  • Alaskan Back Country Side by Side ATV Adventure with Meal: $150
  • Denali Park Zipline Adventure: $165
  • 5-Hour Mountain Hiking Tour in Denali: $169
  • Half-Day Sled Dog Experience: $175
  • 4 Hour Off-Trail Hiking Tour in Denali: $199

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Winston-Salem $24
    Denali National Park $12


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



When is the best time to visit Winston-Salem or Denali National Park?

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 Denali National Park in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Denali National Park. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Winston-Salem this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Denali National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Winston-Salem is generally much warmer than Denali National Park. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 81°F (27°C), and Denali National Park fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

Winston-Salem receives a lot of rain in the summer. Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in July than Denali National Park. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Winston-Salem 81°F (27°C) 
    Denali National Park 60°F (15°C)

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Denali National Park in the Autumn?

Both Denali National Park and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Denali National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Denali National Park can get quite cold in the autumn. Winston-Salem is much warmer than Denali National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Denali National Park fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).

In October, Winston-Salem usually receives around the same amount of rain as Denali National Park. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Winston-Salem 62°F (17°C) 
    Denali National Park 32°F (0°C)

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Denali National Park in the Winter?

Both Denali National Park and Winston-Salem during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Winston-Salem in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Denali National Park for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Denali National Park can be very cold during winter. Winston-Salem can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Winston-Salem is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Winston-Salem in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Denali National Park averages at about 11°F (-12°C).

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in January than Denali National Park. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Winston-Salem 40°F (4°C) 
    Denali National Park 11°F (-12°C)

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Denali National Park in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Denali National Park. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Denali National Park because of the natural beauty.

The weather in Denali National Park can be very cold. In April, Winston-Salem is generally much warmer than Denali National Park. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 61°F (16°C), and Denali National Park fluctuates around 34°F (1°C).

In April, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Denali National Park. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Winston-Salem 61°F (16°C) 
    Denali National Park 34°F (1°C)

Typical Weather for Denali National Park and Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem Denali National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 11°F (-12°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 16°F (-9°C) 1.4 inches (37 mm)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 23°F (-5°C) 1.5 inches (37 mm)
Apr 61°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 34°F (1°C) 1.6 inches (41 mm)
May 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 46°F (8°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 60°F (15°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 56°F (14°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 47°F (9°C) 4.2 inches (108 mm)
Oct 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 32°F (0°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 18°F (-8°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 13°F (-11°C) 1.9 inches (49 mm)