A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Winston-Salem vs. Hope for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Hope?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Hope? 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. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Winston-Salem travel costs.

Hope

Hope is a local, small, and friendly town. Other popular activities here include hiking. See Hope travel costs.

Winston-Salem and Hope: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for nightlife


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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Winston-Salem than Hope, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Winston-Salem is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Hope is more popular for its hiking. Hope is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is popular for its chainsaw carvings and being the filming location of "Rambo." Winston-Salem is well known for it's southern character and quaint college campuses. Also, Winston-Salem is famous for Old Salem.

How is Winston-Salem different from Hope?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Winston-Salem
Hope

Winston-Salem is very good for its historical sights. However, Hope is not known for its sights and museums.

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.

Hope offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. You can check out Hopes Art Gallery, The Sunshine Valley Tashme Museum, or the Hope Museum.


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

Winston-Salem
Hope

Winston-Salem is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Hope is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hope. There's a decent selection of casual restaurants with basic dishes and local cuisine.

Is Winston-Salem or Hope Better for Nightlife?

Winston-Salem
Hope

Winston-Salem is very good for nightlife. However, Hope is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Winston-Salem has a few options to choose from. Local breweries are popping up around town. You'll also find active nightlife venues near the colleges and universities.

Most people don't head to Hope specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town but there are some local pubs and bars.

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

Winston-Salem
Hope

Winston-Salem is very good for its historic old town. However, Hope 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.

Hope does not have a historic old town.


Is Winston-Salem or Hope Better for Hiking?

Winston-Salem
Hope

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

Hope is a popular spot for hiking. There are a range of hikes in the area, like more challenging routes such as Hope Mountain and Wells Peak. For a more casual hike you can check out Rotary Trail, Thacker Marsh Trail, and the Othello Tunnels.

Winston-Salem is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Hope?

Winston-Salem
Hope

Winston-Salem is very good for shopping. However, Hope is not known for its shopping opportunities.

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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Hope has some nice offerings. It's a small town, but there are places to peak up anything you may have forgotten.

Is Winston-Salem or Hope Better for Families?

Winston-Salem
Hope

Hope 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.

Hope is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love enjoying the outdoors just as much as the adults. You can also visit the Hope Museum or the Coquihalla Gorge.

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 Hope Better for Couples?

Winston-Salem
Hope

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

Hope is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy adventures and nature will love a few days in this beautiful area.

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 Hope Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Winston-Salem
Hope

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

Hope is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are many camping and backpacking opportunities in the area.

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 Hope Better for Students?

Winston-Salem
Hope

Winston-Salem is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Hope 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.

Hope is not popular with students.


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

Winston-Salem
Hope

Winston-Salem is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Hope is not known 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 Hope. There is no public transit in town.

Is Winston-Salem or Hope a more walkable city?

Winston-Salem
Hope

Winston-Salem and Hope both are respectable when exploring on foot.

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.

Hope is generally not a very walkable city. The town is relatively walkable, but you'll likely want to get into the surrounding area where most of the activities are.

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

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

How long in Winston-Salem or Hope?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Winston-Salem and Hope. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hope 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 Hope.

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

Couples should spend more time in Winston-Salem than Hope. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Winston-Salem 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 Hope 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.


  • How many days in Winston-Salem or Hope? Ideal Length of Stay
    Winston-Salem 1-2 
    Hope 2-3

One day in Winston-Salem or Hope?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Winston-Salem. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the friendly destination of Hope. 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 Hope?

Winston-Salem is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hope. 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 Hope?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the welcoming destination of Winston-Salem. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the small destination of Hope. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town 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 Hope?

The friendly city of Winston-Salem offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

You'll find around the town of Hope. 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 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Hope or Winston-Salem?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Winston-Salem Prices
    USA Prices
    Hope Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Winston-Salem $181
    Hope $47

The average daily cost (per person) in Winston-Salem is $181, while the average daily cost in Hope is $47. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Winston-Salem and Hope in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Winston-Salem $91
    Hope $8.89
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Winston-Salem $182
    Hope $18
Compare Hotels in Winston-Salem and Hope

Looking for a hotel in Winston-Salem or Hope? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Winston-Salem


Hotels in Hope


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Winston-Salem Hotel Prices and Hope Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Winston-Salem $23
    Hope -

Is it cheaper to fly into Winston-Salem or Hope?

Prices for flights to both Hope and Winston-Salem change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Winston-Salem $73
    Hope $38

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Winston-Salem $20
    Hope -

Tours and Activities in Winston-Salem

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Winston-Salem are as follows:

  • Carolina History & Haunts Winston-Salem Historical Ghost Tour: $26
  • Old Salem's Ghost Self Guided Outside Walking Tour: $7.75
  • Winston Salem African American History Tour: $19
  • Winston-Salem Historic Guided Walking Tour: $19
  • Winston-Salem True Crime Tour: $19

Tours and Activities in Hope

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hope.

  • From Vancouver: 2-Day Kelowna Wine, Lake, and Farm Tour: $296
  • From Vancouver: 3-Day Tour to Manning Park, Nelson & Osoyoos: $379

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Winston-Salem $24
    Hope $10


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Winston-Salem and Hope, we can see that Winston-Salem is more expensive. And not only is Hope much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hope would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hope 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 Winston-Salem would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Winston-Salem than you might in Hope.

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 Hope Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Hope?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Hope. When comparing the sizes of Winston-Salem and Hope, 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 Hope?

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 Winston-Salem or Hope in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Hope. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Winston-Salem this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hope for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Winston-Salem is much warmer than Hope. Typically, the summer temperatures in Winston-Salem in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Hope averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Winston-Salem receives a lot of rain in the summer. Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in July than Hope. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Winston-Salem 81°F (27°C) 
    Hope 18°C (64°F)

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

Both Hope and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Hope in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Winston-Salem is generally much warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 62°F (17°C), and Hope fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hope. In October, Winston-Salem usually receives less rain than Hope. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Winston-Salem 62°F (17°C) 
    Hope 10°C (51°F)

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

Both Hope and Winston-Salem during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Winston-Salem in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Hope for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hope can be very cold during winter. Winston-Salem can get quite cold in the winter. Winston-Salem is much warmer than Hope in the winter. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Hope fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Hope gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Winston-Salem usually gets less rain in January than Hope. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Winston-Salem 40°F (4°C) 
    Hope 3°C (37°F)

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Hope.

In the spring, Winston-Salem is much warmer than Hope. Typically, the spring temperatures in Winston-Salem in April average around 61°F (16°C), and Hope averages at about 9°C (49°F).

Hope receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Winston-Salem usually receives less rain than Hope. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Winston-Salem 61°F (16°C) 
    Hope 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Hope and Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem Hope
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 3°C (37°F) 201 mm (7.9 in)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 5°C (41°F) 164 mm (6.4 in)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 7°C (44°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Apr 61°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 9°C (49°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
May 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 12°C (54°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 15°C (60°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 15°C (59°F) 85 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 10°C (51°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 6°C (43°F) 222 mm (8.7 in)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 3°C (37°F) 217 mm (8.5 in)