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

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Hershey?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Hershey? 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.

Hershey

Hershey is a playful, lighthearted, and fun-filled town. Other popular activities here include shopping and museums.

Winston-Salem and Hershey: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Nice resorts
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife


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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Winston-Salem than Hershey, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Winston-Salem is better known for its food, nightlife, and historical sights, while Hershey is more popular for its resorts. Hershey is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is known for being the home of the Hershey's milk chocolate bar. Winston-Salem is well known for it's southern character and quaint college campuses. Also, Winston-Salem is famous for Old Salem.

How is Winston-Salem different from Hershey?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Winston-Salem
Hershey

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

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.

Hershey is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. In addition to Hershey's Chocolate World, there's the Hershey Story Museum, the Hershey Historic Center, and the Pennsylvania State Police Museum. There's also the AACA Museum (a car museum).


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

Winston-Salem
Hershey

Winston-Salem is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Winston-Salem offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Hershey. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining, and many have a very family-friendly atmosphere.

Is Winston-Salem or Hershey Better for Nightlife?

Winston-Salem
Hershey

Winston-Salem is a popular place for nightlife. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

Winston-Salem has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Local breweries are popping up around town. You'll also find active nightlife venues near the colleges and universities.

Hershey doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Head to downtown Harrisburg for the best nightlife. You'll find some bars and casino's in the area.

Is Winston-Salem or Hershey Better for Resorts?

Winston-Salem
Hershey

Hershey is notable for its resorts. However, Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.

Hershey is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a few of resorts affiliated with Hersheypark including a lodge, a hotel, and even camping.

Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.


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

Winston-Salem
Hershey

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

Hershey does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Hershey?

Winston-Salem
Hershey

Both Winston-Salem and Hershey 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 Hershey. You'll find shops, boutiques, and plenty of Hershey apparel that you can pick up in town.

Is Winston-Salem or Hershey Better for Families?

Winston-Salem
Hershey

Hershey is renowned 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.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Hershey is a very family-friendly destination. Hersheypark offers family-friendly resorts and camping. There's also the themed amusement park and even a zoo. When the weather's warm there's a water park and, of course, there's the famous Hershey's Chocolate World.

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 Hershey Better for Couples?

Winston-Salem
Hershey

Hershey is notable for couples. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for romance.

Hershey is a very popular place to visit for couples. If you don't take yourself too seriously, couples can enjoy a fun and active few days exploring the activities in the area.

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 Hershey Better for Students?

Winston-Salem
Hershey

Winston-Salem is a popular place for students. However, Hershey 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.

Hershey is not popular with students.

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

Winston-Salem
Hershey

Both Winston-Salem and Hershey 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 Hershey. While there is a bus system, it's very limited and most visitors do not rely on it.


Is Winston-Salem or Hershey a more walkable city?

Winston-Salem
Hershey

Winston-Salem and Hershey 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.

Hershey is generally not a very walkable city. You really need a car to get to the area's attractions.

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

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

How long in Winston-Salem or Hershey?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Winston-Salem and Hershey. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hershey 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 Hershey.

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

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


  • How many days in Winston-Salem or Hershey? Ideal Length of Stay
    Winston-Salem 1-2 
    Hershey 2-3

One day in Winston-Salem or Hershey?

In Winston-Salem, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the lighthearted destination of Hershey. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Hershey?

In Winston-Salem, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Winston-Salem has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hershey. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Hershey?

Winston-Salem is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the lighthearted destination of Hershey. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town 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 Hershey?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Winston-Salem. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Winston-Salem. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums and shopping around the town of Hershey. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.


Which place is cheaper, Hershey 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 Hershey is $212. 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 Hershey in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Winston-Salem $91
    Hershey $114
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Winston-Salem $182
    Hershey $228
Compare Hotels in Winston-Salem and Hershey

Looking for a hotel in Winston-Salem or Hershey? 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 Hershey


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 and Hershey Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Winston-Salem $23
    Hershey $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hershey

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hershey:

  • Private transfer from MDT airport to Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, Hershey: $150

Is it cheaper to fly into Winston-Salem or Hershey?

Prices for flights to both Hershey 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
    Hershey $61

Typical Food Prices in Hershey

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hershey:


  • Frozen Hot Chocolate
    $4.19
  • Plain and Fancy Farm
    $46
  • Homemade Apple Butter
    $7.98

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Winston-Salem $20
    Hershey $53

Tours and Activities in Winston-Salem

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

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hershey

Here are a few typical costs in Hershey for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Hershey Chocolate World (for 3)
    $75

Tours and Activities in Hershey

Here are a few actual costs in Hershey for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Skip the Line: AACA Museum Admission Ticket: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Winston-Salem $24
    Hershey $27


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


Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Hershey?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hershey. When comparing the sizes of Winston-Salem and Hershey, 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 Hershey?

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 Hershey in the Summer?

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

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hershey this time of the year. In Winston-Salem, it's very sunny this time of the year. Winston-Salem usually receives less sunshine than Hershey during summer. Winston-Salem gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 310 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 Hershey. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Winston-Salem 81°F (27°C) 
    Hershey 77°F (25°C)

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

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

In October, Winston-Salem is generally a little warmer than Hershey. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 62°F (17°C), and Hershey fluctuates around 56°F (13°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 Hershey. Winston-Salem gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 194 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Hershey. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Winston-Salem 62°F (17°C) 
    Hershey 56°F (13°C)

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

Both Hershey 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 Hershey in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

Winston-Salem usually receives more sunshine than Hershey during winter. Winston-Salem gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Hershey. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Winston-Salem 40°F (4°C) 
    Hershey 30°F (-1°C)

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

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

In the spring, Winston-Salem is a little warmer than Hershey. Typically, the spring temperatures in Winston-Salem in April average around 61°F (16°C), and Hershey averages at about 53°F (12°C).

In Hershey, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Winston-Salem. In the spring, Winston-Salem often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hershey. Winston-Salem gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 237 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Hershey. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Winston-Salem 61°F (16°C) 
    Hershey 53°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Hershey and Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem Hershey
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 33°F (0°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 42°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Apr 61°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
May 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 63°F (17°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Oct 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 35°F (2°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)