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

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Houston?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Houston? 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.

Houston

Houston is a sprawling, southern, and one-of-a-kind city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Winston-Salem and Houston: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Houston than Winston-Salem, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Houston is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Winston-Salem is known for its historical sights. Winston-Salem is popular for it's southern character and quaint college campuses. Houston is popular for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA. It is also home to The Space Center Houston.

How is Winston-Salem different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Houston 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.

Houston offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Head to Houston's Museum District to explore 19 different museums in a walkable area. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Space Center, but other popular museums include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Children's Museum.

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 Houston? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both Winston-Salem and Houston.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Winston-Salem area. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Houston. The city is famous for its Texas barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide diversity of other different ethnic foods. It's a surprisingly diverse city and this is reflected in the restaurant selection around town.

Is Winston-Salem or Houston Better for Nightlife?

Houston is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Houston has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife is at its best on weekends when bars, dance clubs, and concert halls come to life. There are a diversity of venues around town including dance clubs, Honky Tonks, and cocktail bars. Some of the most active nightlife areas are Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, Washington Avenue, and Rice Village.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Winston-Salem. Local breweries are popping up around town. You'll also find active nightlife venues near the colleges and universities.

Is Winston-Salem or Houston Better for Music?

Houston is a popular place for its music scene. However, Winston-Salem is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Houston is active and vibrant. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Winston-Salem is not a live music destination.

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

Winston-Salem is a good destination for its old town. However, Houston 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.

Houston does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Houston?

Both Winston-Salem and Houston 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 Houston. There are a number of upscale malls and shopping centers that have brand names, chain stores, and the occasional local shop where you can pick up items.

Is Winston-Salem or Houston Better for Families?

Houston 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.

Houston is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It is a large city with plenty of things that kids can enjoy including museums, theaters, a zoo, and even the Space Center. The Children's Museum of Houston is perfect for a rainy day. For science loving kids there's the Health Museum and the Museum of Natural Science. Houston also has a Six Flags nearby which the whole family can enjoy.

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 Houston Better for Couples?

Houston is a popular place for couples. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for romance.

Houston is a good city for couples to visit. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

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 Houston Better for Students?

Winston-Salem and Houston 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 Houston. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.

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

Both Winston-Salem and Houston 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 Houston. The system includes buses and a limited light rail. Houston is known as a car-centric city and you really need a car to fully experience it.

Is Winston-Salem or Houston a more walkable city?

Winston-Salem and Houston both are decent 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.

Houston is generally not a very walkable city. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights, but most parts of the city aren't very walkable.

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

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

How long in Winston-Salem or Houston?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Winston-Salem than Houston 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.

One day in Winston-Salem or Houston?

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.

Houston is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 Houston?

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 Houston. 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 Houston?

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 live music and food when visiting the diverse big city of Houston. 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 Houston?

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 food and shopping around the city of Houston. 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 Houston, we can see that Houston 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 Houston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Houston 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 Houston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Houston?

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

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 Houston in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Houston. Most visitors come to Winston-Salem for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Houston because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Winston-Salem is generally around the same temperature as Houston. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 81°F (27°C), and Houston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

Houston receives a lot of rain in the summer. Winston-Salem gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Winston-Salem usually receives less rain than Houston. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Houston. The autumn months attract visitors to Winston-Salem because of the shopping scene. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

Winston-Salem is cooler than Houston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

It's quite rainy in Houston. Winston-Salem usually gets less rain in October than Houston. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Houston and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Winston-Salem this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Houston for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Winston-Salem in the winter. In the winter, Winston-Salem is much colder than Houston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Winston-Salem in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Houston averages at about 52°F (11°C).

In January, Winston-Salem usually receives less rain than Houston. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Houston and Winston-Salem during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Houston in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Winston-Salem is generally cooler than Houston. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 61°F (16°C), and Houston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

Winston-Salem usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Houston. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Houston and Winston-Salem