A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Winston-Salem vs. Virginia Beach for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Virginia Beach?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Virginia Beach? 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.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a fun-filled, relaxing, and bustling coastal city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife and beaches.

Winston-Salem and Virginia Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Winston-Salem or Virginia Beach?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Winston-Salem than Virginia Beach. While Virginia Beach is larger than Winston-Salem, Winston-Salem has more sights and attractions for tourists. Winston-Salem is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Virginia Beach is known for its resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Virginia Beach is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is popular for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe. 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 Virginia Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Winston-Salem is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Winston-Salem is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination 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.

Virginia Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Is Winston-Salem or Virginia Beach Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Winston-Salem and Virginia Beach.

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 Virginia Beach. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

Is Winston-Salem or Virginia Beach Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for its resorts. However, Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.

Virginia Beach has a few great resort options. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.

Is Winston-Salem or Virginia Beach Better for Beaches?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for the beach. However, Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

Virginia Beach is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

Is Winston-Salem or Virginia Beach Better for its Old Town?

Winston-Salem is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Virginia Beach?

Winston-Salem is a nice place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Winston-Salem or Virginia Beach Better for Families?

Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

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 Virginia Beach Better for Couples?

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

Virginia Beach is a good coastal city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.

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 Virginia Beach Better for Students?

Winston-Salem and Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

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

Winston-Salem is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.

Is Winston-Salem or Virginia Beach a more walkable city?

Winston-Salem and Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach is generally not a very walkable city. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

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

Should I spend more time in Virginia Beach or Winston-Salem?

How long in Winston-Salem or Virginia Beach?

Both Winston-Salem and Virginia Beach have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach than in Winston-Salem. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Winston-Salem, and 5-7 days is enough time in Virginia Beach.

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

Couples should spend more time in Virginia Beach than Winston-Salem. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach?

In Winston-Salem, you'll find museums and nightlife. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the bustling destination of Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach?

Winston-Salem is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Virginia Beach. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Winston-Salem or Virginia Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Winston-Salem. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the fun-filled destination of Virginia Beach. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Winston-Salem or Virginia Beach?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Winston-Salem. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week 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.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the coastal city of Virginia Beach. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. 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 Virginia Beach, we can see that Winston-Salem is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach.

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 Virginia Beach Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Winston-Salem. When comparing the sizes of Winston-Salem and Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach?

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 Virginia Beach in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Virginia Beach. Many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Winston-Salem is generally around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 81°F (27°C), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem this time of the year. In the summer, Winston-Salem often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach. Winston-Salem gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Virginia Beach. Winston-Salem receives a lot of rain in the summer. Winston-Salem usually gets less rain in July than Virginia Beach. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?

Both Virginia Beach and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Winston-Salem in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Winston-Salem is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach during autumn. Winston-Salem gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Winston-Salem usually receives around the same amount of rain as Virginia Beach. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Virginia Beach in the Winter?

Both Virginia Beach and Winston-Salem during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Winston-Salem for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the cuisine.

The weather in Virginia Beach can be very cold. Winston-Salem can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Winston-Salem is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Winston-Salem in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 39°F (4°C).

In the winter, Winston-Salem often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach. Winston-Salem gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Virginia Beach. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Virginia Beach in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Virginia Beach. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.

In April, Winston-Salem is generally a little warmer than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 61°F (16°C), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach during spring. Winston-Salem gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Virginia Beach. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Winston-Salem