A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Winston-Salem vs. Myrtle Beach for Nightlife, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Myrtle Beach?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Myrtle Beach? 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Winston-Salem travel costs.

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a high energy, party-filled, and busy beach city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife and beaches. See Myrtle Beach travel costs.

Winston-Salem and Myrtle Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Winston-Salem or Myrtle Beach?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Myrtle Beach. Although Winston-Salem and Myrtle Beach are popular destinations, Myrtle Beach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Myrtle Beach is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, and big city activities, while Winston-Salem attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, and shopping. Myrtle Beach is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is known for its party-hard atmosphere, spring break crowds, and beachfront nightlife scene. It is also well known for the Myrtle Beach boardwalk. Winston-Salem is famous for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

The Myrtle Beach boardwalk

How is Winston-Salem different from Myrtle Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Winston-Salem is very good for its museums and landmarks. However, Myrtle Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Myrtle Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Winston-Salem is very good for its restaurant scene. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Myrtle Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Slices of pizza and seafood buffets are the most common options in the area. There are also themed restaurants and dinner shows that make for a fun night, even if the food isn't the highest quality.

Is Winston-Salem or Myrtle Beach Better for Nightlife?

Myrtle Beach is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Myrtle Beach is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. This beach is famous for its nightlife. From all-night bars and clubs, to music concerts and outdoor venues, there's no shortage of things to do. Bachelor and Bachelorette parties and spring break crowds make this the place to be for a party.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Winston-Salem. Local breweries are popping up around town. You'll also find active nightlife venues near the colleges and universities.

Is Winston-Salem or Myrtle Beach Better for Resorts?

Myrtle Beach is a moderate beach city for its resorts. However, Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Myrtle Beach as a resort destination, but it has a few places. While there are a handful of resorts in the area, like the popular Marriott Vacation Club, most hotels are crowded and lacking in space.

Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.

Is Winston-Salem or Myrtle Beach Better for Beaches?

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

Myrtle Beach is considered a top beach destination. Most people head to the center of town and boardwalk for the nightlife and vibrant activities more than the actual beach. The stretches north and south have nice beaches lined with hotels and resorts, and a much more family-friendly atmosphere. If you want a more relaxed beach setting without the huge crowds, check out Myrtle Beach State Park.

Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

Is Winston-Salem or Myrtle Beach Better for its Old Town?

Winston-Salem is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Myrtle Beach does not have a historic old town.

Winston-Salem offers a nice historic old town area. 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.

Myrtle Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Myrtle Beach?

Winston-Salem is very good for its shopping areas. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for shopping.

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.

Myrtle Beach is a good destination for shopping. The town is filled with souvenir shops, t-shirt shops, and candy vendors that make shopping entertaining.

Is Winston-Salem or Myrtle Beach Better for Families?

Winston-Salem is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Winston-Salem. There are interactive museums like the Kaleideum science museums. There are also outdoor parks and playgrounds, kid-friendly restaurants, and a children's theater.

For families, Myrtle Beach is not always the best place to visit. While this area isn't generally considered a family destination, there are some newer vacation clubs and resorts that cater specifically to families and have become popular. The Marriott Vacation Club is one of the most popular with families in Myrtle Beach.

Is Winston-Salem or Myrtle Beach Better for Couples?

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

Myrtle Beach is a good beach city for couples to visit. The beach area isn't exactly a romantic destination but for couples who enjoy going out and having fun together, there is no shortage of night time activities.

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 Myrtle Beach Better for Students?

Myrtle Beach is notable for students. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Myrtle Beach is a very popular beach city for students and younger travelers. University students flock to the area for spring break and end of year celebrations. If you're a student during those times, this is the place to be, otherwise, the area is best avoided.

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.

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

Winston-Salem is a city with a few options for its public transit. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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 quite limited in Myrtle Beach. There are no real public transit options so you'll need a car to get around.

Is Winston-Salem or Myrtle Beach a more walkable city?

Winston-Salem and Myrtle Beach both are reasonable 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.

Myrtle Beach is generally not a very walkable city. By the Boardwalk, it's easy to walk around, but traffic can still be congested and once you're out of the main strip, a car is essential.

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

Should I spend more time in Myrtle Beach or Winston-Salem?

How long in Winston-Salem or Myrtle Beach?

Both Winston-Salem and Myrtle Beach have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach.

One day in Winston-Salem or Myrtle Beach?

In Winston-Salem, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this under-rated city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the jam-packed destination of Myrtle Beach. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. 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 Myrtle Beach?

Winston-Salem is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Myrtle Beach. Most people come for the beaches. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. 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 Myrtle Beach?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Winston-Salem. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the party-filled destination of Myrtle Beach. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This beach city 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 Myrtle Beach?

Winston-Salem is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the beach city of Myrtle Beach. 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 Myrtle Beach, we can see that Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Myrtle Beach?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Myrtle Beach. When comparing the sizes of Winston-Salem and Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach?

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 Myrtle Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Myrtle Beach. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Winston-Salem this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Myrtle Beach for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Myrtle Beach this time of the year. In Winston-Salem, it's very sunny this time of the year. Winston-Salem usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Myrtle Beach during summer. Winston-Salem gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Myrtle Beach receives 283 hours of full sun in the summer.

Myrtle Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Winston-Salem gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Winston-Salem usually receives less rain than Myrtle Beach. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Myrtle Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Myrtle Beach. Many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Myrtle Beach in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Winston-Salem is cooler than Myrtle Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Winston-Salem in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Myrtle Beach averages at about 65°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Myrtle Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem this time of the year. In the autumn, Winston-Salem often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Myrtle Beach. Winston-Salem gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Myrtle Beach receives 227 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in October than Myrtle Beach. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Myrtle Beach in the Winter?

Both Myrtle Beach and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Winston-Salem in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Myrtle Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Winston-Salem can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Winston-Salem is generally much colder than Myrtle Beach. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 40°F (4°C), and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

Winston-Salem usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Myrtle Beach during winter. Winston-Salem gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Myrtle Beach receives 180 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Winston-Salem usually receives less rain than Myrtle Beach. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Myrtle Beach in the Spring?

Both Myrtle Beach and Winston-Salem during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Myrtle Beach because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Winston-Salem is around the same temperature as Myrtle Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 61°F (16°C) in April, and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In Myrtle Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Winston-Salem. In the spring, Winston-Salem often gets less sunshine than Myrtle Beach. Winston-Salem gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Myrtle Beach receives 278 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in April than Myrtle Beach. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Myrtle Beach and Winston-Salem