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

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Pasadena?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Pasadena? 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 friendly, under-rated, and welcoming city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a quaint, charming, and picturesque city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Winston-Salem and Pasadena: 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
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance


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

Visitors will generally find more to do in Pasadena than Winston-Salem. While Winston-Salem is larger than Pasadena, Pasadena has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Pasadena is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Winston-Salem attracts visitors for its historical sights. Winston-Salem is famous for it's southern character and quaint college campuses. Pasadena is famous for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl. It is also well known for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

How is Winston-Salem different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Winston-Salem
Pasadena

Pasadena 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.

Pasadena offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a good number of museums around town that include kids' museums, art museums, and local museums. Popular museums include the USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Many people also enjoy touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

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 Pasadena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Winston-Salem
Pasadena

Pasadena is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Pasadena is an experience not to be missed. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

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.

Is Winston-Salem or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

Winston-Salem
Pasadena

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

Pasadena has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Much of the nightlife scene is concentrated around Old Pasadena. You'll find clubs, bars, and lounges that begin the evening with Happy Hours and then become more party-focused as the evening progresses.

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 Pasadena Better for its Old Town?

Winston-Salem
Pasadena

Winston-Salem is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Pasadena does not have a historic old town.

Winston-Salem offers a nice historic old town area. 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.

Pasadena does not have a historic old town.


Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Pasadena?

Winston-Salem
Pasadena

Pasadena is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Pasadena. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Winston-Salem. You'll find a mix of larger shopping malls, retail outlets, and shopping centers around town.

Is Winston-Salem or Pasadena Better for Families?

Winston-Salem
Pasadena

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

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.

Pasadena is a family-friendly city. There are a number of kid-friendly museums around town including Kidspace Children's Museum. There are also nature centers, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Is Winston-Salem or Pasadena Better for Couples?

Winston-Salem
Pasadena

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

Pasadena is a good city for couples to visit. It's a charming town with a bit of a European vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. Fine dining and interesting shopping make this a nice weekend destination.

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 Pasadena Better for Students?

Winston-Salem
Pasadena

Winston-Salem is a good destination for students. However, Pasadena is not popular with students.

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.

Pasadena is not popular with students.

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

Winston-Salem
Pasadena

Pasadena is a popular place for its public transit. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Pasadena has a few public transit options. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

Public transit is mostly limited in Winston-Salem. There are bus routes, but they are limited in their frequency and convenience, making a car essential for most visitors.

Is Winston-Salem or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Winston-Salem
Pasadena

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

Pasadena is a somewhat walkable city. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and 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 Pasadena Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Winston-Salem or Pasadena?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Winston-Salem and Pasadena. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Pasadena than in Winston-Salem. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Winston-Salem, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pasadena.

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

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

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


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

One day in Winston-Salem or Pasadena?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the picturesque destination of Pasadena. 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 Pasadena?

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 Pasadena. 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 Pasadena?

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 nightlife and food when visiting the charming destination of Pasadena. 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 Pasadena?

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 food and shopping around the city of Pasadena. 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, Pasadena 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 Pasadena is $62. 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 Pasadena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Winston-Salem $91
    Pasadena $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Winston-Salem $182
    Pasadena $50
Compare Hotels in Winston-Salem and Pasadena

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


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 Pasadena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Winston-Salem $23
    Pasadena $21

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

Prices for flights to both Pasadena 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
    Pasadena $19

Typical Food Prices in Pasadena

Some typical examples of dining costs in Pasadena are as follows:


  • Casual Dinner Out (family of 4)
    $58

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

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

Tours and Activities in Pasadena

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pasadena are as follows:

  • Haunted Walking Tour: $33
  • Old Pasadena Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $49
  • LA: East Side Guided Film Locations Tour: $350

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Winston-Salem $24
    Pasadena -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Winston-Salem and Pasadena, we can see that Winston-Salem is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Winston-Salem would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Winston-Salem than you might in Pasadena.

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 Pasadena Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Pasadena?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Pasadena. When comparing the sizes of Winston-Salem and Pasadena, 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 Pasadena?

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 Pasadena in the Summer?

Both Pasadena and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Winston-Salem for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Pasadena because of the family-friendly experiences.

Winston-Salem is a little warmer than Pasadena in the summer. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite rainy in Winston-Salem. In July, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Winston-Salem 81°F (27°C) 
    Pasadena 73°F (23°C)

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

Both Pasadena and Winston-Salem during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Winston-Salem because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Pasadena this time of year.

In the autumn, Winston-Salem is cooler than Pasadena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Winston-Salem in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Pasadena averages at about 68°F (20°C).

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in October than Pasadena. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Winston-Salem 62°F (17°C) 
    Pasadena 68°F (20°C)

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Pasadena. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Winston-Salem this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pasadena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Winston-Salem in the winter. In January, Winston-Salem is generally much colder than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 40°F (4°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In January, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Winston-Salem 40°F (4°C) 
    Pasadena 56°F (13°C)

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

The spring brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Pasadena.

Winston-Salem is around the same temperature as Pasadena in the spring. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 61°F (16°C) in April, and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in April than Pasadena. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Winston-Salem 61°F (16°C) 
    Pasadena 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem Pasadena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 58°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 59°F (15°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Apr 61°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm)
May 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 65°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 69°F (20°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 74°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 68°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 62°F (16°C) 1.6 inches (42 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm)