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

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Kamloops?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Kamloops? 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 welcoming, friendly, and under-rated city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Winston-Salem travel costs.

Kamloops

Kamloops is a laid-back, outdoorsy, and nature-filled city. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping. See Kamloops travel costs.

Winston-Salem and Kamloops: 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
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights


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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Kamloops than Winston-Salem. While Winston-Salem is larger than Kamloops, Kamloops has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kamloops is more popular for its skiing and hiking, while Winston-Salem is known for its museums and attractions and historical sights. Winston-Salem is popular for it's southern character and quaint college campuses. Kamloops is popular for its hiking trails, bike paths, and golf courses. It is also home to Sun Peaks Resort.

How is Winston-Salem different from Kamloops?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Winston-Salem or Kamloops Better for Skiing?

Winston-Salem
Kamloops

Kamloops is notable for snow skiing. However, Winston-Salem is not a skiing destination.

Kamloops is a well-known ski destination which attracts visitors from far and wide. There's a long ski season that runs from mid-November to mid-April. The region has two major ski resorts - Sun Peaks Resorts and Harper Mountain.

Winston-Salem is not a skiing destination.


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

Winston-Salem
Kamloops

Winston-Salem is a city with good options for its museums and history. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Winston-Salem offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Kamloops offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that highlight the local culture and the region's heritage.

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

Winston-Salem
Kamloops

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both Winston-Salem and Kamloops.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Winston-Salem area. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Kamloops. You'll find restaurants that range from casual to fine dining. There are also international options like Jamaican, Indian, or Chinese.

Is Winston-Salem or Kamloops Better for Nightlife?

Winston-Salem
Kamloops

Evening events are good in both Winston-Salem and Kamloops.

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 Kamloops. You'll find pubs, bars, breweries and night clubs around town that range in personality and style.


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

Winston-Salem
Kamloops

Winston-Salem is a city with good options for its old town. However, Kamloops does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Winston-Salem. 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.

Kamloops does not have a historic old town.

Is Winston-Salem or Kamloops Better for Hiking?

Winston-Salem
Kamloops

Kamloops is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Winston-Salem is not a hiking destination.

Kamloops is a good destination for hiking. The area is filled with hiking trails that pass through grasslands, desert landscapes, and pine forests. There is something for every skill level.

Winston-Salem is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Kamloops?

Winston-Salem
Kamloops

Both Winston-Salem and Kamloops are good 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 Kamloops. Downtown you'll find local boutiques and eclectic shops. You could also head to Aberdeen Mall for all of the major brands and recognizable stores.


Is Winston-Salem or Kamloops Better for Families?

Winston-Salem
Kamloops

Kamloops 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.

Kamloops is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are great parks and outdoor spaces for kids as well as the Deep Creek Tool Museum, Westsyde Centennial Park and Petting Zoo, and Hells Gate Air Tram. You can also take a ride on the Kettle Valley Railway Steam Engine. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to either Kamloops Wildlife Park or Kangaroo Creek Farm.

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 Kamloops Better for Couples?

Winston-Salem
Kamloops

Kamloops is a popular place for couples. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for romance.

Kamloops is a good city for couples to visit. The area is filled with great hikes and nice parks. There are also great restaurants that make for a good date night.

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 Kamloops Better for Students?

Winston-Salem
Kamloops

Winston-Salem is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Kamloops is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University as well as colleges such as Salem College give parts of the city a collegiate vibe.

Kamloops is not popular with students.


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

Winston-Salem
Kamloops

Both Winston-Salem and Kamloops offer decent 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 Kamloops. There is a bus system through the city.

Is Winston-Salem or Kamloops a more walkable city?

Winston-Salem
Kamloops

Winston-Salem and Kamloops both are decent 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.

Kamloops is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown is the most walkable part of town.

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

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

How long in Winston-Salem or Kamloops?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Winston-Salem or Kamloops to fill your time. In our opinion, Kamloops has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Kamloops than Winston-Salem. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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


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

One day in Winston-Salem or Kamloops?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Kamloops. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.


A weekend in Winston-Salem or Kamloops?

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.

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

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.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the laid-back destination of Kamloops. This city 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 Kamloops?

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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the city of Kamloops. 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 Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Kamloops 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
    Kamloops Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Winston-Salem $181
    Kamloops $99

The average daily cost (per person) in Winston-Salem is $181, while the average daily cost in Kamloops is $99. 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 Kamloops in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Winston-Salem $91
    Kamloops $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Winston-Salem $182
    Kamloops $88
Compare Hotels in Winston-Salem and Kamloops

Looking for a hotel in Winston-Salem or Kamloops? 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 Kamloops


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 Kamloops Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Winston-Salem $23
    Kamloops $20

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

Prices for flights to both Kamloops 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
    Kamloops $41

Typical Food Prices in Kamloops

For Kamloops, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Pastries
    $5.80
  • Lunch for Two
    $25
  • Coffee and Gelato
    $12

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Winston-Salem $20
    Kamloops $13

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 Kamloops

For Kamloops, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Kamloops & Revelstoke: $8.07
  • Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Kamloops and Vancouver: $8.08
  • Scenic Kamloops Self Guided Audio Driving Tour to Lake Louise : $12
  • BC Wildlife Park Entry Ticket: $14
  • Skip the Line: Kamloops BC Wildlife Park Admission Ticket: $15
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Kamloops by Zombie Scavengers: $21

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Winston-Salem $24
    Kamloops $6.77


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Winston-Salem and Kamloops, we can see that Winston-Salem is more expensive. And not only is Kamloops much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kamloops would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kamloops 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 Kamloops.

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 Kamloops Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Kamloops?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kamloops. When comparing the sizes of Winston-Salem and Kamloops, 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 Kamloops?

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 Kamloops in the Summer?

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

In July, Winston-Salem is generally a little warmer than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 81°F (27°C), and Kamloops fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in July than Kamloops. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Winston-Salem 81°F (27°C) 
    Kamloops 23°C (73°F)

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Kamloops. Most visitors come to Winston-Salem for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kamloops because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Winston-Salem is much warmer than Kamloops in the autumn. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Kamloops fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Winston-Salem 62°F (17°C) 
    Kamloops 11°C (51°F)

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

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

It's quite cold in Kamloops in the winter. The weather in Winston-Salem can be very cold. In the winter, Winston-Salem is much warmer than Kamloops. Typically, the winter temperatures in Winston-Salem in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Kamloops averages at about -3°C (27°F).

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in January than Kamloops. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Winston-Salem 40°F (4°C) 
    Kamloops -3°C (27°F)

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

Both Kamloops and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Winston-Salem is generally a little warmer than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 61°F (16°C), and Kamloops fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In April, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Winston-Salem 61°F (16°C) 
    Kamloops 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Kamloops and Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem Kamloops
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) -3°C (27°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 2°C (35°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 7°C (44°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 61°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 12°C (53°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
May 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 16°C (61°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 21°C (69°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 23°C (73°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 23°C (73°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 17°C (63°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Oct 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 11°C (51°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 4°C (39°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) -1°C (30°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)