A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Ocean City vs. Winston-Salem for Families, Nightlife, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Ocean City or Winston-Salem?

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

Should I visit Ocean City 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.

Ocean City

Ocean City is a fun-filled, laid back, and active city. Other popular activities here include beaches, nightlife, and food. See Ocean City travel costs.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a friendly, under-rated, and welcoming city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Winston-Salem travel costs.

Ocean City and Winston-Salem: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ocean City or Winston-Salem?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ocean City. Although Ocean City and Winston-Salem are popular destinations, Ocean City has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ocean City is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Winston-Salem attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, historical sights, and shopping. Ocean City is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is known for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. It is also well known for the Ocean City boardwalk. Winston-Salem is famous for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

How is Ocean City different from Winston-Salem?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Winston-Salem is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Ocean City is not a good city for its museums and history.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Winston-Salem. 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.

While most people don't head to Ocean City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people spend their time on the beach, but for the rainy days you can check out the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum or the Art League of Ocean City.

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

Foodies will find both Ocean City and Winston-Salem both to be nice destinations.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Ocean City area. Themed restaurants are popular in the area. You'll also find all-you-can-eat seafood buffets and casual diners with pancakes and waffles. Pizza, burgers, and other fast food options are also abundant.

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 Ocean City or Winston-Salem Better for Nightlife?

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

Ocean City has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Happy hours are popular at the bars in the area. You'll also find live music and DJ led parties. Head to the boardwalk, which will overwhelm your senses. There are neon lights, colorful rides, and arcades filled with people and activities.

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 Ocean City or Winston-Salem Better for Resorts?

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

Ocean City is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are many oceanfront resorts with pools and rooms with ocean views. The hotels along the beach tend to be the most expensive, but if you find a place across from the Coastal Highway, it's very challenging to walk to the beach.

Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.

Is Ocean City or Winston-Salem Better for Beaches?

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

Ocean City is considered a top beach destination. There are ten miles of sandy beach that are lined with hotels and resorts. A festive boardwalk runs along the coastline and has many rides, arcades, restaurants, and more. The beach offers waves and warm water during the summer months.

Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

Is Ocean City or Winston-Salem Better for its Old Town?

Winston-Salem is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Ocean City 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.

Ocean City does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ocean City or Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Ocean City is not a good city for shopping.

Many visitors go to Winston-Salem to go shopping. You'll find a mix of larger shopping malls, retail outlets, and shopping centers around town.

Ocean City is a good destination for shopping. You'll find surf stores and souvenir shops along the three mile boardwalk. There are also many vendors and shopping centers along the Coastal Highway. For something a little more interesting you can head to the Inlet Village.

Is Ocean City or Winston-Salem Better for Families?

Ocean City is renowned 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.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Ocean City is a very family-friendly destination. Beyond the family-friendly beach, there's also minigolf, dolphin tours, and themed-restaurants that are perfect for kids. Head to the Jolly Roger amusement park for a thrilling afternoon or spend some time visiting Ripley's Believe It or Not. The boardwalk is lined with activities for both kids and adults. There are also candy shops, ice cream parlors, and pizza joints where you can grab a bite to eat.

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 Ocean City or Winston-Salem Better for Couples?

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

Ocean City is a very popular place to visit for couples. Hotels line the beach, many with beautiful views and nice pools. You can take long romantic walks along the coastline or head to one of the many seafood restaurants in town.

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 Ocean City or Winston-Salem Better for Students?

Winston-Salem is a popular place for students. However, Ocean City 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.

Ocean City is not popular with students.

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

Both Ocean City and Winston-Salem offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Ocean City. There are boardwalk trams as well as shuttle buses, but most people have their own vehicle, and its recommended you have a private car to get around.

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 Ocean City or Winston-Salem a more walkable city?

Ocean City and Winston-Salem both are reasonable when exploring on foot.

Ocean City is generally not very walkable. If you stay at an oceanfront hotel or on the ocean block, it's possible to walk to the beach. If you stay further back, you'll have to cross the Coastal Highway, which is eight lanes of busy traffic.

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 Ocean City Worth Visiting? and Is Winston-Salem Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Winston-Salem or Ocean City?

How long in Ocean City or Winston-Salem?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ocean City or Winston-Salem to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Ocean City 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 Ocean City, and 1-2 days is enough time in Winston-Salem.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ocean City 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 Ocean City.

One day in Ocean City or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the energetic destination of Ocean City. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the friendly city of Winston-Salem, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Winston-Salem, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Ocean City or Winston-Salem?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ocean City. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Winston-Salem, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Ocean City or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active destination of Ocean City. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This 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.

Winston-Salem, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Ocean City or Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the city of Ocean City. 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City 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 Ocean City 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 Ocean City or Winston-Salem in the Summer?

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

Ocean City is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem in the summer. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. It's quite rainy in Ocean City. In July, Ocean City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Winston-Salem. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ocean City or Winston-Salem in the Autumn?

Both Winston-Salem and Ocean City during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Ocean City is cooler than Winston-Salem. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ocean City in October average around 58°F (14°C), and Winston-Salem averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Ocean City usually gets more rain in October than Winston-Salem. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Winston-Salem in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and Winston-Salem. Many travelers come to Ocean City for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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. Be prepared for some very cold days in Ocean City. In January, Ocean City is generally much colder than Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 35°F (2°C), and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

In January, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Winston-Salem. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ocean City or Winston-Salem in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ocean City as well as Winston-Salem. Many visitors come to Ocean City in the spring for the beaches.

Ocean City is cooler than Winston-Salem in the spring. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 54°F (12°C) in April, and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

Ocean City usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Winston-Salem. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Winston-Salem and Ocean City