Is Winston-Salem worth visiting?
Yes, you'll find numerous reasons to visit Winston-Salem, and it's a city that everyone should see. We had an amazing time here. We first visited in 2011 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with its beautiful college campuses and its historic areas.
Whether you're a traveling as a family or on a weekend getaway, this city has a lot to offer. Any local will tell you what makes it special is the amazing museums and attractions and fantastic food.
Winston-Salem is a medium-sized city in central North Carolina. It's home to Wake Forest University and Salem College. It's filled with a southern personality and a inviting atmosphere and visitors will enjoy a stop at the traditional Old Salem.
6 Reasons to Visit Winston-Salem
1. Museums and Attractions
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.
2. Food
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.
3. Nightlife
Local breweries are popping up around town. You'll also find active nightlife venues near the colleges and universities.
4. Historical Sights
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.
5. Shopping
You'll find a mix of larger shopping malls, retail outlets, and shopping centers around town.
6. Authenticity
Winston-Salem has an authentic vibe where you can experience local culture, cuisine, and activities without the large tourist crowds of other popular destinations.
Is Winston-Salem worth visiting in the Summer?
Summer is the high season for travel in Winston-Salem, so expect more visitors and higher prices. Even though this destination is not very touristy, in the high season it's busier than usual because this is when most visitors come here.
The weather in Winston-Salem is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 27°C (81°F). But it can get as warm as 33°C (91°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to spend time at the museums, browse around the old town, and enjoy an evening out.
Summer Weather in Winston-Salem
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 27°C (81°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| August | 26°C (80°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| September | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
Is Winston-Salem worth visiting in the Autumn?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Winston-Salem. This destination is not very touristy, and in the shoulder season it can become fairly quiet.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 17°C (62°F).
During this season it's fun to experience the historic old town and the museums and landmarks.
Autumn Weather in Winston-Salem
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| November | 12°C (53°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| December | 7°C (44°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
Is Winston-Salem worth visiting in the Winter?
The weather in Winston-Salem can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 4°C (40°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
The peak season for travel is winter in Winston-Salem, so expect to see more tourists than usual. Even though this destination is not very touristy, in the high season it's busier than usual because this is when most visitors come here. Old Salem is particularly nice during the Christmas season.
This is a great time of year to wander through the museums, sample the delicious cuisine, and admire the historic sights. Also, you'll be able to dance the night away.
Winter Weather in Winston-Salem
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 4°C (40°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| February | 6°C (43°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| March | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
Is Winston-Salem worth visiting in the Spring?
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Winston-Salem. This destination is not very touristy, and in the shoulder season it can become fairly quiet.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 16°C (61°F).
You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to find the best deals at the shops, browse through museums, and browse around the old town. Also, you can experience the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Winston-Salem
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| June | 25°C (77°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Winston-Salem
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Winston-Salem might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Winston-Salem here or see if Winston-Salem is expensive here.
Related
What is Winston-Salem most famous for?
Winston-Salem is most famous for it's southern character and quaint college campuses. The city is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping. It is often described as under-rated, welcoming, and friendly.
What is the most famous sight in Winston-Salem?
The most popular sight in Winston-Salem is Old Salem. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Winston-Salem on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Old Salem and other attractions here.
How touristy is Winston-Salem? Is it a popular city to visit?
Winston-Salem is an off-the-beaten-path city that many travelers overlook. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Old Salem's Ghost Self Guided Walking Tour: $7.75
- Winston-Salem Historic Guided Walking Tour: $19
- Carolina History & Haunts Winston-Salem Historical Ghost Tour: $26
- Winston-Salem True Crime Tour: $19
- Winston Salem African American History Tour: $19
- Downtown Winston-Salem Historic Guided Tour: $19
- Winston-Salem True Crime Tour: $19
- African American History Tour of Winston-Salem: $19
How long should I spend in Winston-Salem?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Winston-Salem is one to two days. Since Winston-Salem has activities such as nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, most people visit for up to two days.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Winston-Salem? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Winston-Salem?.
For guided and organized tour options, check out The Best Family-Friendly Tours to USA and The Best Wildlife Tours to USA.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.