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

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Norfolk?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Norfolk? 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.

Norfolk

Norfolk is a authentic, blue collar, and maritime city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Winston-Salem and Norfolk: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will generally find more to do in Winston-Salem than Norfolk. While Norfolk is larger than Winston-Salem, Winston-Salem has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Winston-Salem is well known for it's southern character and quaint college campuses. Also, Winston-Salem is famous for Old Salem. Norfolk is well known for its naval base and military presence.

How is Winston-Salem different from Norfolk?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Norfolk is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting museums in town like the Chrysler Museum, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, and the Norfolk Police and Fire Museum. You should also check out the Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin.

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

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

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 Norfolk. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

Is Winston-Salem or Norfolk Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Norfolk. Downtown is where you'll find the most busy nightlife venues. The city has great breweries, and the live music scene has taken off. There are also lounges, dance clubs, and wine bars to choose from.

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

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

Norfolk does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Norfolk?

Both Winston-Salem and Norfolk 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 Norfolk. There's a mix of shopping malls, local boutiques, farmer's markets, and shopping centers around town.

Is Winston-Salem or Norfolk Better for Families?

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

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.

Norfolk is a family-friendly city. The Norfolk Zoo is always a hit with kids. You should also visit the USS Wisconsin which offers tours, as well as the Douglas MacArthur Memorial Museum.

Is Winston-Salem or Norfolk Better for Couples?

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

Norfolk is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are some nice hotels and several great parks and outdoor activities.

Is Winston-Salem or Norfolk Better for Students?

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

Norfolk is not popular with students.

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

Both Winston-Salem and Norfolk 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 Norfolk. While there are buses, ferries, and even lightrail in the area, you really want to have a car to get around.

Is Winston-Salem or Norfolk a more walkable city?

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

Norfolk is a somewhat walkable city. Downtown is the most walkable part of the city.

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 Norfolk Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Winston-Salem or Norfolk?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Winston-Salem or Norfolk 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.

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

One day in Winston-Salem or Norfolk?

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 blue collar destination of Norfolk. 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 Norfolk?

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 Norfolk. 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 Norfolk?

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 nightlife and food when visiting the maritime destination of Norfolk. 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 Norfolk?

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

Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Norfolk?

Norfolk has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Winston-Salem. When comparing the sizes of Winston-Salem and Norfolk, 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 Norfolk?

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 Norfolk in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Winston-Salem is around the same temperature as Norfolk. Typically, the summer temperatures in Winston-Salem in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Norfolk averages at about 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Norfolk this time of the year. In Winston-Salem, it's very sunny this time of the year. Winston-Salem usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Norfolk during summer. Winston-Salem gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

Norfolk 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 Norfolk. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

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

In October, Winston-Salem is generally around the same temperature as Norfolk. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 62°F (17°C), and Norfolk fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Norfolk. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem this time of the year. In the autumn, Winston-Salem often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Norfolk. Winston-Salem gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk receives 211 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Norfolk. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

Norfolk can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem is around the same temperature as Norfolk in the winter. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Norfolk fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

Winston-Salem usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Norfolk during winter. Winston-Salem gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Winston-Salem usually receives around the same amount of rain as Norfolk. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

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

In the spring, Winston-Salem is a little warmer than Norfolk. Typically, the spring temperatures in Winston-Salem in April average around 61°F (16°C), and Norfolk averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In Norfolk, 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 Norfolk. Winston-Salem gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk receives 253 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in April than Norfolk. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Norfolk and Winston-Salem