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

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Moncton?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Moncton? 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Winston-Salem travel costs.

Moncton

Moncton is a cultural, quaint, and compact city. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping. See Moncton travel costs.

Winston-Salem and Moncton: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Winston-Salem than Moncton. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Winston-Salem is famous for it's southern character and quaint college campuses. It is also well known for Old Salem. Moncton is famous for its unique sense of place and its cultural activities.

How is Winston-Salem different from Moncton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Moncton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city has a zoo at Magnetic Hill as well as several great museums and historic sites like Fort Beauséjour and the Acadian Museum.

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

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

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 Moncton. You'll find a range of casual eateries around town as well as wine tasting and a few upscales places. Poutine is the local favorite, but you can also try fried seafood or a local stew.

Is Winston-Salem or Moncton Better for Nightlife?

Winston-Salem is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Moncton is not a good destination for nightlife.

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 Moncton specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Many of the local bars and clubs are geared toward a slightly younger crowd.

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

Winston-Salem is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Moncton does not have a historic old town.

Winston-Salem has an old town worth visiting. 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.

Moncton does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Moncton?

Both Winston-Salem and Moncton are nice 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 Moncton. There's a mix of independent shops and larger big box stores. Some of the largest shopping areas include Mapleton Plaza and Wheeler Park Power Centre.

Is Winston-Salem or Moncton Better for Families?

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

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.

Moncton is a family-friendly city. It's a family-friendly town with indoor play spaces and outdoor parks. Highlights for families include a visit to Magnetic Hill Zoo and a stop at Butterfly World and the Boardwalk.

Is Winston-Salem or Moncton Better for Couples?

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

Moncton is a good city for couples to visit. There are some great date night ideas like wine tasting at Magnetic Hill Winery or seeing a show at the theater.

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 Moncton Better for Students?

Winston-Salem is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Moncton 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.

Moncton is not popular with students.

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

Both Winston-Salem and Moncton 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 Moncton. There is a bus system but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Winston-Salem or Moncton a more walkable city?

Moncton is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for its walkability.

Moncton is a somewhat walkable city. It's relatively compact and dense enough to get around on foot in many parts.

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 Moncton Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Winston-Salem or Moncton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Winston-Salem or Moncton to fill your time. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Winston-Salem or Moncton?

In Winston-Salem, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the compact destination of Moncton. 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 Moncton?

In Winston-Salem, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Winston-Salem has to offer.

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

Winston-Salem is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the compact destination of Moncton. 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 Moncton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Winston-Salem. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Winston-Salem. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums and food around the city of Moncton. 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 Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.

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

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 Moncton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Moncton?

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

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 Moncton in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Moncton. Most visitors come to Winston-Salem for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Moncton because of the family-friendly experiences.

Winston-Salem is a little warmer than Moncton in the summer. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Moncton fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite rainy in Moncton. Winston-Salem receives a lot of rain in the summer. Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in July than Moncton. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Moncton and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Winston-Salem because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Moncton this time of year.

In the autumn, Winston-Salem is much warmer than Moncton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Winston-Salem in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Moncton averages at about 8°C (46°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Moncton. In October, Winston-Salem usually receives less rain than Moncton. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Moncton and Winston-Salem during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Winston-Salem this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Moncton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Moncton. It's quite cold in Winston-Salem in the winter. In January, Winston-Salem is generally much warmer than Moncton. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 40°F (4°C), and Moncton fluctuates around -8°C (17°F).

Moncton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Winston-Salem usually gets less rain in January than Moncton. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

Moncton can get quite cold in the spring. Winston-Salem is much warmer than Moncton in the spring. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 61°F (16°C) in April, and Moncton fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Moncton receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Winston-Salem usually receives less rain than Moncton. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Moncton and Winston-Salem