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

Should you visit Marathon or Winston-Salem?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marathon or Winston-Salem, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Marathon

Marathon is a quaint, beautiful, and relaxing island. With stunning beauty, Marathon attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Marathon travel costs.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a under-rated, welcoming, and friendly city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Winston-Salem travel costs.

Marathon and Winston-Salem: Pros and Cons

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

Both Winston-Salem and Marathon have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Marathon is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Winston-Salem is more popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, and shopping. Marathon is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is popular for its Loggerhead sea turtles, the Dolphin Research Center, Sombrero Beach, and its many places to scuba dive and snorkel. Winston-Salem is well known for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

How is Marathon different from Winston-Salem?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

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.

Marathon does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Marathon and Winston-Salem offer a number of notable restaurants to choose from.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Marathon. There are restaurants with waterfront terraces, raw bars, and other seafood eateries where you can enjoy fresh caught fish for a reasonable price.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in 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 Marathon or Winston-Salem Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Marathon and Winston-Salem.

If you're looking for night time activities Marathon has a few options to choose from. Popular nightlife venues include JJ’s Dog House & Sports Bar, Brass Monkey, and Cabana Club.

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.

Is Marathon or Winston-Salem Better for Resorts?

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

Marathon is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Popular resorts include Isla Bella Beach Resort and Tranquility Bay Resort.

Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.

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

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

Marathon has a few good snorkeling spots. There are many dive shops around Marathon and the area has dive spots that are great for every level. Some of the best sites are Sombrero Reef, Coffins Patch, and Thunderbolt wreck. There are also many snorkeling trips that head out to Sombrero Reef.

Winston-Salem is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marathon or Winston-Salem Better for Beaches?

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

Marathon is considered a top beach destination. Sombrero Beach is a popular spot for picnics, swimming and seeing the Loggerhead Turtles from April through October.

Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

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

Winston-Salem is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Marathon does not have a historic old town.

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.

Marathon does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Marathon or Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Marathon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Marathon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Marathon or Winston-Salem More Beautiful?

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

With stunning beauty, Marathon attracts visitors from all around. The waters are blue and the setting is peaceful, making this area truly beautiful.

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

Is Marathon or Winston-Salem Better for Families?

Marathon 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.

Marathon is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy getting face-to-face with dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center. Families can also explore Pigeon Key or play in the water at Sombrero Beach. Families will find no shortage of activities on the island.

Winston-Salem is a family-friendly island. 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 Marathon or Winston-Salem Better for Couples?

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

Marathon is a very popular place to visit for couples. With beautiful views, 7 Mile Bridge, and plenty of activities, this area makes a romantic destination for couples. There are beaches and waterfront spots that offer a romantic setting for couples.

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 Marathon or Winston-Salem Better for Students?

Winston-Salem is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Marathon is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University as well as colleges such as Salem College give parts of the city a collegiate vibe.

Marathon is not popular with students.

Is Marathon or Winston-Salem 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, Marathon 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 Marathon. There's no real public transportation in town. A car is essential.

Is Marathon or Winston-Salem a more walkable city?

Marathon and Winston-Salem are respectable when it comes to walkability.

Marathon is generally not a very walkable island. Shops and restaurants and spread out along a central road, making walking difficult to impossible.

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.

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

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

How long in Marathon or Winston-Salem?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Marathon or Winston-Salem to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Marathon than Winston-Salem because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Marathon, and 1-2 days is enough time in Winston-Salem.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Winston-Salem than Marathon 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 Marathon or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the relaxing destination of Marathon. 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 Marathon or Winston-Salem?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marathon. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Marathon or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the quaint destination of Marathon. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island 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 Marathon or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the beautiful island of Marathon. 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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.

When comparing the travel costs between Marathon and Winston-Salem, we can see that Marathon 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 Marathon Expensive? and Is Winston-Salem Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marathon or Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Marathon. When comparing the sizes of Marathon 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 Marathon or Winston-Salem?

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 Marathon or Winston-Salem in the Summer?

Both Winston-Salem and Marathon during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Marathon in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Winston-Salem for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Marathon is generally around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Marathon average around 84°F (29°C), and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

In Winston-Salem, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Marathon. In the summer, Marathon often gets more sunshine than Winston-Salem. Marathon gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 273 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Marathon usually gets less rain in July than Winston-Salem. Marathon gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Marathon and Winston-Salem. Most visitors come to Marathon for the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Winston-Salem because of the shopping scene.

Marathon is much warmer than Winston-Salem in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marathon averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem this time of the year. In Marathon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marathon usually receives more sunshine than Winston-Salem during autumn. Marathon gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 212 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Marathon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Marathon usually receives more rain than Winston-Salem. Marathon gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Marathon as well as Winston-Salem. The winter months attract visitors to Marathon because of the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Winston-Salem this time of year.

It's quite cold in Winston-Salem in the winter. In the winter, Marathon is much warmer than Winston-Salem. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marathon in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Winston-Salem averages at about 40°F (4°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marathon this time of the year. In the winter, Marathon often gets more sunshine than Winston-Salem. Marathon gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 169 hours of full sun.

Marathon usually gets less rain in January than Winston-Salem. Marathon gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Winston-Salem and Marathon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marathon this time of year.

In April, Marathon is generally much warmer than Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Marathon average around 77°F (25°C), and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Winston-Salem. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marathon. Marathon usually receives more sunshine than Winston-Salem during spring. Marathon gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 248 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marathon usually receives less rain than Winston-Salem. Marathon gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Winston-Salem and Marathon