A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Winston-Salem vs. Columbia River Gorge for Food, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Columbia River Gorge?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Columbia River Gorge? 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 under-rated, welcoming, and friendly city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Winston-Salem travel costs.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a beautiful, scenic, and natural region. With stunning beauty, Columbia River Gorge attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and hiking. See Columbia River Gorge travel costs.

Winston-Salem and Columbia River Gorge: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Winston-Salem or Columbia River Gorge?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Columbia River Gorge than Winston-Salem, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Columbia River Gorge is better known for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Winston-Salem is more popular for its museums and attractions and historical sights. Columbia River Gorge is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is known for its hiking, biking, and high number of waterfalls. Also, Columbia River Gorge is famous for Vista House at Crown Point. Winston-Salem is well known for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

How is Winston-Salem different from Columbia River Gorge?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Winston-Salem is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a good region for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Columbia River Gorge specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of local museums in the area, but most visitors spend their time exploring the region's natural beauty.

Is the Food Better in Winston-Salem or Columbia River Gorge? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many great restaurants in the area that serve local dishes that make use of the region's agricultural scene.

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 Columbia River Gorge Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Winston-Salem and Columbia River Gorge.

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 Columbia River Gorge. Local breweries, wineries, and bars offer a relaxing setting with a local vibe.

Is Winston-Salem or Columbia River Gorge Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Winston-Salem to see the historical 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.

Columbia River Gorge does not have a historic old town.

Is Winston-Salem or Columbia River Gorge Better for Hiking?

Columbia River Gorge is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Winston-Salem is not a hiking destination.

Columbia River Gorge is a popular spot for hiking. There are world-class hikes that take you to iconic waterfalls, breathtaking viewpoints, and along scenic waterways.

Winston-Salem is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Columbia River Gorge?

Both Winston-Salem and Columbia River Gorge are notable shopping destinations.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Columbia River Gorge. Art galleries feature local artwork and artisan crafts. There are photography shops and other venues that sell items highlighting the region's beauty.

Is Winston-Salem or Columbia River Gorge More Beautiful?

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

With stunning beauty, Columbia River Gorge attracts visitors from all around. Impressive waterfalls and breathtaking mountain vistas make this a truly beautiful place to visit.

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

Is Winston-Salem or Columbia River Gorge Better for Families?

Columbia River Gorge 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.

Columbia River Gorge is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love exploring the waterfalls and mountains as much as the adults do. There are kid-friendly hikes as well as bakeries and restaurants with many kid options.

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 Winston-Salem or Columbia River Gorge Better for Couples?

Columbia River Gorge is notable for couples. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for romance.

Columbia River Gorge is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will love the romantic hikes and waterfalls. There are also beautiful scenic viewpoints and wonderful restaurants.

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 Columbia River Gorge Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Columbia River Gorge is notable for backpackers. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Columbia River Gorge is a very popular region for backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find hostels and campgrounds in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.

Winston-Salem is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's not on the itinerary for most backpackers.

Is Winston-Salem or Columbia River Gorge Better for Students?

Winston-Salem is a nice place to visit for students. However, Columbia River Gorge 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.

Columbia River Gorge is not popular with students.

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

Both Winston-Salem and Columbia River Gorge offer respectable 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 Columbia River Gorge. There are some buses, but don't rely on them to efficiently explore.

Is Winston-Salem or Columbia River Gorge a more walkable city?

Winston-Salem is a moderate city for its walkability. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a good region for its high level of walkability.

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.

Columbia River Gorge is not a very walkable city. You really need a car to explore the area, but some visitors rely on a bike.

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

Should I spend more time in Columbia River Gorge or Winston-Salem?

How long in Winston-Salem or Columbia River Gorge?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Winston-Salem and Columbia River Gorge. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Columbia River Gorge than in Winston-Salem. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Winston-Salem, and 2-3 days is enough time in Columbia River Gorge.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge.

One day in Winston-Salem or Columbia River Gorge?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Winston-Salem. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Winston-Salem has to offer.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the natural destination of Columbia River Gorge. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Winston-Salem is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Columbia River Gorge. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Many people visit Winston-Salem for five days. You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Winston-Salem. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the natural destination of Columbia River Gorge. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This region offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Winston-Salem or Columbia River Gorge?

The friendly destination of Winston-Salem offers nightlife and food. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the beautiful region of Columbia River Gorge. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. 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 Columbia River Gorge, we can see that Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Columbia River Gorge?

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

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 Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

Both Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Winston-Salem is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the summer temperatures in Winston-Salem in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia River Gorge. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem usually receives less sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during summer. Winston-Salem gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Winston-Salem. In July, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Winston-Salem during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Winston-Salem in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Winston-Salem is generally a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 62°F (17°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Winston-Salem. In the autumn, Winston-Salem often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Winston-Salem gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in October than Columbia River Gorge. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Columbia River Gorge. Most visitors come to Winston-Salem for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Columbia River Gorge can be very cold. Winston-Salem can be very cold during winter. Winston-Salem is around the same temperature as Columbia River Gorge in the winter. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

Winston-Salem usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during winter. Winston-Salem gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.

Columbia River Gorge receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Winston-Salem usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Columbia River Gorge. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.

In the spring, Winston-Salem is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the spring temperatures in Winston-Salem in April average around 61°F (16°C), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 51°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia River Gorge. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem this time of the year. In the spring, Winston-Salem often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia River Gorge. Winston-Salem gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in April than Columbia River Gorge. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Winston-Salem