A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Key West vs. Winston-Salem for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Key West or Winston-Salem?

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

Should I visit Key West or Winston-Salem? 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.

Key West

Key West is a quirky, eclectic, and bustling town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, Key West attracts visitors from all around. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Key West travel costs.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a welcoming, friendly, and under-rated city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Winston-Salem travel costs.

Key West and Winston-Salem: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Key West or Winston-Salem?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Key West. Although Key West and Winston-Salem are both popular with visitors, Key West has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Key West is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Winston-Salem is known for its museums and attractions and shopping. Key West is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is known for its festive nightlife, quirky town center, colorful personality, adrenaline-filled watersports, stunning beaches, turquoise water, and location at the southernmost point of the continental U.S. It is also home to Duval Street. Winston-Salem is popular for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

How is Key West different from Winston-Salem?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Winston-Salem and Key West. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Key West or Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Key West 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.

Key West does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Key West 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 Key West is an experience not to be missed. Head to town for local restaurants with quirky atmospheres. There are many local dishes to sample, but the town is most known for its stone crabs, conch fritters, and Mahi Mahi sandwiches. You'll also find cold drinks and waterfront dining areas.

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 Key West or Winston-Salem Better for Nightlife?

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

Key West has plenty to do after the sun goes down. This area has some of the most lively nightlife in the Florida Keys. There are quirky bars and fun hangouts where you can spend the evening. The party starts at Mallory Square around sunset and many bars stay open well into the early hours. You can also enjoy sunset cruises or pass your time at one of the many tiki bars.

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 Key West or Winston-Salem Better for Resorts?

Key West is notable for its resorts. However, Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.

Key West is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a number of high end resorts around the island, many with recognizable names such as the Hyatt and Hilton. Prices can be high, but these resorts often come with reliable luxury.

Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.

Is Key West or Winston-Salem Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key West is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Winston-Salem is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Key West has a few good snorkeling spots. There are a number of dive shops and snorkeling excursions that leave from Key West. Like many tourist areas these days, the coral shows its damage from the crowds, but you'll likely see some barracuda or a Grouper.

Winston-Salem is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Key West or Winston-Salem Better for Beaches?

Key West is notable for the beach. However, Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

Key West is considered a top beach destination. One of the best beaches in the area is Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. The beach has soft sand and stunning turquoise water. As is typical in the Keys, the water stays shallow for great distances.

Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

Is Key West or Winston-Salem Better for its Old Town?

Key West is notable for its historic old town charm. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Key West. The town has the most charming Old Town areas in the Florida Keys. Head to Mallory Square for the sunset street performers and explore the historic streets around Duval Street.

Winston-Salem is a good destination for visiting its 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Key West or Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Key West is a mediocre town for its shopping areas.

Winston-Salem offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find a mix of larger shopping malls, retail outlets, and shopping centers around town.

Key West has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. While it definitely has its share of gimmicky souvenir shops and t-shirt stores, there are still a number of art galleries and local shops around Key West where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Key West or Winston-Salem More Beautiful?

Key West is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, Winston-Salem is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Key West attracts visitors from all around. There are blue waters as far as the eye can see. It doesn't get much more beautiful than this.

Winston-Salem is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Key West or Winston-Salem Better for Families?

Key West 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.

Key West is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Families that enjoy snorkeling, aquariums, water sports, and exploring new places will enjoy visiting this part of the Florida Keys. There are many ways to get out on the water from kayaking and snorkeling to glass bottom boat tours and sunset cruises. There are also many kid-friendly beaches in the area. The town can have a party atmosphere, but it's not hard to find a more family-friendly area where everyone can have fun.

Winston-Salem is a family-friendly town. 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 Key West or Winston-Salem Better for Couples?

Key West is notable for couples. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for romance.

Key West is a very popular place to visit for couples. From Mallory Square to the beautiful nearby parks, Key West makes a wonderful, romantic destination. Whether it's your honeymoon, an anniversary, or simply a couples' retreat, Key West is a great option. You can sip wine on a sunset cruise or dine at one of the many character-filled restaurants in town. If you are looking for a party, it's not hard to find, but if you want a more laid back holiday, that's also possible.

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 Key West or Winston-Salem Better for Students?

Key West is notable for students. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Key West is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. It's a great spring break destination with a quirky personality and many great activities.

Plenty of students visit Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University as well as colleges such as Salem College give parts of the city a collegiate vibe.

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

Winston-Salem is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Key West is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

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 quite limited in Key West. Public transportation in Key West is limited to a few buses.

Is Key West or Winston-Salem a more walkable city?

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

Key West is a somewhat walkable town. The town is the most walkable part of the Florida Keys. The area around Mallory Square and Duval Street is the most pedestrian friendly.

Winston-Salem is generally not a very walkable town. 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 Key West Worth Visiting? and Is Winston-Salem Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Winston-Salem or Key West?

How long in Key West or Winston-Salem?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Key West or Winston-Salem to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Key West than Winston-Salem because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Key West, and 1-2 days is enough time in Winston-Salem.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Key West 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 Key West.

One day in Key West or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the active destination of Key West. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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.

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.

A weekend in Key West or Winston-Salem?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Key West. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

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.

Five days in Key West or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the quirky destination of Key West. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town 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.

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.

A week in Key West or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the beautiful town of Key West. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Key West and Winston-Salem, we can see that Key West 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 Key West would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key West 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 Key West Expensive? and Is Winston-Salem Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Key West or Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Key West. When comparing the sizes of Key West and Winston-Salem, 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 Key West or Winston-Salem?

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 Key West or Winston-Salem in the Summer?

Both Winston-Salem and Key West are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Key West because of the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Winston-Salem this time of year.

In the summer, Key West is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Typically, the summer temperatures in Key West in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Winston-Salem averages at about 81°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Winston-Salem. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key West. Key West usually receives more sunshine than Winston-Salem during summer. Key West gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. In July, Key West usually receives less rain than Winston-Salem. Key West gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Key West or Winston-Salem in the Autumn?

Both Winston-Salem and Key West during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Key West this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the shopping scene.

In October, Key West is generally much warmer than Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Key West average around 80°F (27°C), and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In Winston-Salem, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Key West. In the autumn, Key West often gets more sunshine than Winston-Salem. Key West gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 212 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Key West. Key West usually gets more rain in October than Winston-Salem. Key West gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Key West is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Key West or Winston-Salem in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Key West and Winston-Salem. Many travelers come to Key West for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Winston-Salem in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Winston-Salem can get quite cold in the winter. Key West is much warmer than Winston-Salem in the winter. The daily temperature in Key West averages around 70°F (21°C) in January, and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

In Key West, it's very sunny this time of the year. Key West usually receives more sunshine than Winston-Salem during winter. Key West gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Key West usually receives less rain than Winston-Salem. Key West gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Key West or Winston-Salem in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Key West as well as Winston-Salem. Many visitors come to Key West in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Key West is much warmer than Winston-Salem. Typically, the spring temperatures in Key West in April average around 77°F (25°C), and Winston-Salem averages at about 61°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key West this time of the year. In the spring, Key West often gets more sunshine than Winston-Salem. Key West gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 248 hours of full sun.

Key West usually gets less rain in April than Winston-Salem. Key West gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Key West is June to November.

Typical Weather for Winston-Salem and Key West