A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Winston-Salem vs. Charleston for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Charleston?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Charleston? 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 friendly, under-rated, and welcoming city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Winston-Salem travel costs.

Charleston

Charleston is a quaint, historic, and classic coastal town. With stunning beauty, Charleston attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping. See Charleston travel costs.

Winston-Salem and Charleston: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will generally find more to do in Charleston than Winston-Salem. While Winston-Salem is larger than Charleston, Charleston has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Charleston is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is known for its historic city market, low-country cuisine, Civil War history, and antebellum houses. It is also well known for The Waterfront Park. Winston-Salem is famous for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

How is Winston-Salem different from Charleston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Winston-Salem or Charleston.

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.

Charleston is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. This city is famous for its many historic churches and plantations. The plantations are open to visit and will educate you on the city's past, which is heavily involved in slavery. You can also visit Fort Sumter National Monument by boat or take a tour of the USS Yorktown.

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

Charleston is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Charleston is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Food lovers will enjoy the city's low country classics. There are many local restaurants in town that serve southern specialties. You can also head a bit out of the town center if you want a waterfront restaurant. Local favorites include she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, cornbread, and fried green tomatoes.

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 Winston-Salem or Charleston Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Winston-Salem and Charleston.

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 Charleston. As a college town, there are plenty of bars and nightclubs around town. There's also a lively music scene. Head to the areas near the college for the most affordable and active nightlife. Popular clubs in town include Cure Night Club, Deco Nightclub, and Mynt.

Is Winston-Salem or Charleston Better for Music?

Charleston is a popular place for its music scene. However, Winston-Salem is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Charleston is active and vibrant. You can hear a number of local bands or enjoy a more widely known group at larger venues in the area.

Winston-Salem is not a live music destination.

Is Winston-Salem or Charleston Better for Resorts?

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

Charleston has a few great resort options. The town has mostly hotels and bed and breakfasts in the downtown area, but nearby Kiawah Island has a number of nice resorts to choose from. Kiawah Island is particularly kid-friendly if you're looking for a family beach vacation. If you have a bit more money to spend and want something more residential, check out nearby Seabrook Island.

Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.

Is Winston-Salem or Charleston Better for Beaches?

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

Charleston is considered a top beach destination. The area has a number of beautiful and fun nearby beaches including Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island. Folly Beach is an active and quirky beach area, while Kiawah is more family-friendly. Seabrook is more residential and more expensive.

Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

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

Charleston is renowned 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.

The old town of Charleston is one of the most recognized in the world. Charleston's downtown is one of the most charming and well preserved Old Town's in the United States. It's easy to see why it's become a world class destination.

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 Winston-Salem or Charleston?

Charleston is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Charleston is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is famous for its historic market in the center of town. Local goods, foods, and crafts are sold daily here. There are also many clothing and local shops throughout town, particularly along King Street, which has boutiques and high end outlets. Outside of town, stop by Tanger Outlet Mall if you want name brands at a discount price.

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.

Is Winston-Salem or Charleston More Beautiful?

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

With stunning beauty, Charleston attracts visitors from all around. The charming history, beautiful architecture, and historic churches all make this city one of the most beautiful in the southern United States.

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

Is Winston-Salem or Charleston Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Winston-Salem or Charleston.

Winston-Salem is a family-friendly place to visit. There are interactive museums like the Kaleideum science museums. There are also outdoor parks and playgrounds, kid-friendly restaurants, and a children's theater.

Charleston is a family-friendly city. The city has a number of family-friendly activities like carriage rides and boat rides. There's also an aquarium, a waterfront park, and many kid-friendly museums. The nearby beaches also make it a wonderful place to visit with kids.

Is Winston-Salem or Charleston Better for Couples?

Charleston is renowned for couples. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for romance.

Charleston makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful city is one of the most popular wedding destinations in America. It's a very romantic setting with beautiful hotels and bed and breakfasts that are perfect for couples on their honeymoon or looking for a romantic setting.

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 Charleston Better for Students?

Winston-Salem and Charleston are both nice 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 Charleston. The city is a college town with a young vibe that is perfect for students. There's a nice university area where you'll find cheaper places to eat and a good nightlife scene.

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

Both Winston-Salem and Charleston offer reasonable public transit options.

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 mostly limited in Charleston. While there are some buses, you really must have a car to fully experience the entire area.

Is Winston-Salem or Charleston a more walkable city?

Charleston is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for its walkability.

Charleston is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is very walkable, but once you leave the historic heart, it's best to have a car.

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 Winston-Salem Worth Visiting? and Is Charleston Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Winston-Salem or Charleston?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charleston 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 Charleston.

One day in Winston-Salem or Charleston?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the southern destination of Charleston. You'll find plenty of activities on the 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 Charleston?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charleston. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Winston-Salem or Charleston?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the southern destination of Charleston. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This coastal 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.

A week in Winston-Salem or Charleston?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful coastal town of Charleston. People usually spend lots of time at the 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 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 Winston-Salem and Charleston, we can see that Charleston 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 Charleston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charleston 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 Winston-Salem Expensive? and Is Charleston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Charleston?

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

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 Winston-Salem or Charleston in the Summer?

Both Charleston and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Charleston in the summer for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Winston-Salem is around the same temperature as Charleston in the summer. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Charleston fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It's quite sunny in Charleston. 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 Charleston during summer. Winston-Salem gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Charleston receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Charleston. It's quite rainy in Winston-Salem. In July, Winston-Salem usually receives less rain than Charleston. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Charleston and Winston-Salem during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Winston-Salem in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Charleston for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Winston-Salem is cooler than Charleston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Winston-Salem in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Charleston averages at about 67°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in Winston-Salem. In the autumn, Winston-Salem often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charleston. Winston-Salem gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charleston receives 197 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Charleston. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Charleston. 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 Charleston because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Winston-Salem can be very cold during winter. In January, Winston-Salem is generally much colder than Charleston. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 40°F (4°C), and Charleston fluctuates around 47°F (9°C).

Winston-Salem usually receives less sunshine than Charleston during winter. Winston-Salem gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Charleston receives 188 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Winston-Salem usually receives around the same amount of rain as Charleston. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Charleston. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Charleston this time of year.

Winston-Salem is cooler than Charleston in the spring. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 61°F (16°C) in April, and Charleston fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charleston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem this time of the year. In the spring, Winston-Salem often gets less sunshine than Charleston. Winston-Salem gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charleston receives 275 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in April than Charleston. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Charleston and Winston-Salem