Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has the sensation of a small city wrapped in an enormous metropolis. As soon as recognized for industries like tobacco and textiles, it has broadened its enchantment as a middle of artwork, tradition, and meals whereas nonetheless paying homage to its previous. From buying to avenue artwork to dwelling historical past museums, there are many issues to do in Winston-Salem and loads of individuals to fulfill.
We’ve visited Winston Salem quite a few instances, and, each journey, locals are keen to inform us about their metropolis and to share someplace else we completely need to go. Right here’s a take a look at what to do in Winston-Salem on a weekend go to (or longer!).
Go to Outdated Salem Museums and Gardens
Spending a day at Outdated Salem Museums and Gardens is likely one of the most enjoyable issues to do in Winston-Salem. Within the greater than 20 historic buildings, interpreters present the actions of every day dwelling as they had been on this Moravian neighborhood within the late 1700s and early 1800s. The cobbler hand crafts footwear and sisters dye yarn for weaving. Close by, individuals have a tendency the gardens and prepare dinner with the bounty simply as they’d have in Outdated Salem.
A go to to Outdated Salem Museums and Gardens is a captivating look into the customs, companies, and celebrations of this distinctive spiritual neighborhood. We love the whole lot about this nice dwelling historical past museum, however our favourite cease is the Outdated Salem bakery the place you may watch all of the scrumptious objects being made. You may even purchase just a few to take residence with you.
Questioning the place to remain?
Cozy consolation: Brookstown Inn
Downtown stylish: Kimpton Cardinal Resort
Comfort and hospitality: Winston-Salem Marriott
You’ll discover extra particulars about the place to remain on the town on the finish of this text.
Eat your method alongside the North Carolina BBQ path
North Carolina is thought for its barbecue, so attempting some is a should whenever you go to Winston-Salem. For 100 years, locals have smoked pork in the identical method—low and gradual over wooden and coals to get simply the correct amount of taste. In North Carolina, there’s no such factor as “pulled” pork. Right here, it’s chopped, coarsely chopped, or sliced.
The North Carolina Barbecue Society has honored those that comply with these traditions by placing collectively the Historic Barbecue Path via the state. Collaborating eating places should meet sure standards, together with not utilizing electrical energy or fuel and having been in enterprise for at the least 15 years.
Try the path and decide the cease that works finest to your journey. We liked Actual Q for the whole lot from the barbecue to the fabulous hush puppies.
Tour Reynolda Home Museum
The Reynolda Home Museum of American Artwork supplies a exceptional look into the lifetime of a household that helped form the event of the town. The home was initially the house of tobacco magnate R.J. Reynolds and his spouse Katherine, set on a large 1067-acre property.
In-built 1917, the Reynolda Home is a monument to how the higher class lived, that includes giant areas for receiving friends, a ravishing indoor pool, a bowling alley, and a life-sized doll home. The home has a premiere assortment of American artwork spanning 300 years, together with work from artists similar to Mary Cassatt and Georgia O’Keefe.
There may be additionally a separate wing for momentary displays. Exterior, the 4 acres of gardens are filled with attractive roses and unique flowers, shrubs, and even greens, echoing the plans of the Reynolds household from a century in the past.
Store alongside Commerce Avenue
Commerce Avenue is likely one of the finest locations to go in Winston-Salem in case you’re within the temper for buying. This space of downtown is stuffed with nice boutiques, specialty shops, and galleries. It’s a superb place to spend a few hours.
We liked discovering the jewellery and decorations on the outlets and the lots of of distinctive artworks at Piedmont Craftsmen, a craft artists’ guild with a storefront on North Commerce Avenue. In between the outlets, there are additionally loads of eating places and cafes to maintain you well-fueled for searching and shopping for.
Browse Mast Normal Retailer
One of many cornerstones of Commerce Avenue, Mast Normal Retailer deserves its personal spot on the “should go to” record. Began in western North Carolina in 1883, Mast Normal Retailer is true to the Nineteenth-century normal retailer idea that includes slightly little bit of the whole lot from garments to dish towels to grits.
Specifically, the shop is thought for its enormous choice of old school sweet. We liked selecting up just a few childhood favorites together with some throwback (and Harry Potter-themed!) sodas.
Benefit from the view at ARTivity on the Inexperienced
Within the coronary heart of the Downtown Arts District, ARTivity on the Inexperienced is the town’s first public park. It’s not possible to stroll by with out being pulled in by the weird form and brilliant coloration of the crimson “smokestacks” that honor the town’s industrial previous. The benches and inexperienced area present a enjoyable place to hang around, and the rotating murals make sure the view is at all times distinctive.
Take a stroll alongside the Artwork Path
Along with ARTivity on the Inexperienced, downtown Winston-Salem is residence to good murals nearly in every single place you look. From whimsical items like an enormous gumball machine to a piece honoring Frederick Douglass, the road artwork runs the gamut of material.
Observe the self-guided artwork path round downtown to understand all of it and luxuriate in among the best free issues to do in Winston-Salem.
Go to Mrs. Hanes’ Moravian Cookies
Making 10 million cookies a 12 months, Mrs. Hanes’ Moravian Cookies has been a staple within the Winston-Salem space for over 60 years. These skinny, crispy cookies are available six flavors—conventional ginger, lemon, sugar, black walnut, chocolate, and butterscotch—and are all rolled and cut-out by hand.
With superior scheduling, guests can take a one-hour tour of the manufacturing facility and watch the cookies being made on weekdays year-round (besides November and December when demand is at its peak). Each weekday, the operation can also be seen via the home windows within the store, so that you don’t need to take a full tour to see the place this fashionable deal with is made. The workers listed below are among the many nicest you’ll ever meet, so be at liberty to ask questions.
See the previous Shell Station
On the south finish of city, you’ll discover the final large yellow clamshell Shell Oil station within the nation. As soon as conceived as a solution to promote and construct consciousness of the Shell model, eight such stations had been constructed within the space within the Nineteen Thirties. The one on the nook of Peachtree Avenue and East Sprague Avenue is the final one standing.
The Shell station now not operates as a fuel station however is a monument to itself, that includes images and articles about its constructing and different Shell memorabilia. It’s an ideal cease for a photograph op and a fast journey again in historical past.
Elevate a glass at Broad Department Distillery
Broad Department Distillery is one other among the best locations in Winston-Salem to indulge a vice. For those who like whiskey and rum, this former tobacco warehouse within the Arts District is the place to be.
Broad Department, considered one of 75+ distilleries in North Carolina, is a grain-to-glass distillery. They oversee each a part of the method that ends in their premium whiskeys and different spirits.
Cease by for a cocktail or a tasting and a tour that can take you behind the scenes. Our favorites had been Smashing Violet, a blueberry-infused easy North Carolina whiskey with a touch of pure sweetness, and Sungrazer rum, which pulls a few of its taste from ageing in port and whiskey barrels.
See the Espresso Pot
One of many oldest landmarks, the town’s large tin espresso pot was inbuilt 1858. At over 7 toes tall, it was an attention-getting promotion for a neighborhood tin store. Through the years, it has change into one of the recognizable symbols on the town.
The Espresso Pot—also referred to as Mickey’s Espresso Pot, after the tinsmiths who constructed it—is owned by the town. It has been moved just a few instances in its 150-year historical past however is now situated in a grassy island shaped by Outdated Salem Street and Most important Avenue.
Go to Graylyn Property
A couple of miles from downtown Winston-Salem, the Graylyn Property was as soon as one of many largest non-public properties in North Carolina. An opulent home constructed by a R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Firm government in 1932, Graylyn is now an beautiful resort and convention venue.
For those who can’t keep in a single day, take into account coming for dinner or considered one of their common Tour Pour du Jour occasions, which features a tour of the property and a sampling of Graylyn’s home wines. Truthful warning: these month-to-month occasions are fashionable and infrequently promote out prematurely.
Pattern the varietals of Yadkin Valley wineries
Simply west of Winston-Salem is the Yadkin Valley, a 1.4 million-acre space that features over 45 fabulous vineyards and wineries producing the whole lot from North Carolina-native Muscadine wine to stylish Tremendous Tuscans.
If you wish to tiptoe among the many vines, you may attain a number of picturesque Yadkin Valley vineyards in only a half-hour. Try a few of the 30+ choices from Childress Vineyards whereas having fun with lunch of their attractive bistro that has sweeping views of the grounds.
Discover an Artwork-o-mat
We first heard of Artwork-o-mat again in 1999 when one was displayed on the Whitney Museum in New York. Lance set about amassing the miniature items of artwork they allotted at each alternative. What we didn’t know then was that these intelligent re-purposed cigarette machines had their roots in Winston-Salem. Native artist Clark Whittington turned the offending machines into one thing that will dispense magnificence within the coronary heart of tobacco nation.
The unique Artwork-o-mat artworks had been images from Clark on wood blocks that bought for less than $1. Over time, he has sourced artists from world wide to maintain the 100+ machines stocked with artwork. These cool artwork dispensers are at a number of spots round city, together with the unique one at Mojito on Commerce Avenue. Test to see if there’s an Artwork-o-mat close to you.
Attempt craft beer at Foothills Brewing
One of the crucial fashionable craft breweries in Winston Salem is Foothills Brewing. For over 15 years, they’ve made and bottled their choices within the metropolis.
Locals love the downtown brewpub for excellent meals, beer specials, and reside music. To be taught much more in regards to the brewing course of at Foothills, go to their fundamental facility and tasting room the place they provide Beer College and samples of all their distinctive brews.
Tour Korner’s Folly
Korner’s Folly, a 22-room mansion simply outdoors Winston-Salem, appears identical to a traditional home from the surface. It’s inside that the house’s uncommon options change into clear.
Accomplished in 1880, Korner’s Folly was constructed by Jule Gilmer Korner—a decorator, designer, and all-around artistic gentleman—to showcase all of the options his purchasers might select for their very own properties. Consequently, it has 15 fireplaces, eight sorts of brick, and ceiling heights starting from 5.5 to 25 toes excessive. With murals, tilework, entice doorways, and extra, Korner’s residence was his life’s work and a becoming canvas for his abilities.
The house is open for excursions year-round, and there are common applications like scavenger hunts and themed occasions. At Christmas, each inch of the home is embellished in festive model by native volunteers—it’s exceptional to see.
Go to Bethabara Historic District
Lower than 10 miles away is a Moravian settlement generally known as Bethabara Historic District. First settled in 1753, Bethabara was meant to be a brief residence whereas the Moravians appeared for a extra appropriate everlasting location, which in the end grew to become Outdated Salem.
The 183-acre park and wildlife protect has the restored 1788 Gemeinhaus (the Bethabara Moravian Church), a few buildings, and the excavated foundations of the unique settlement together with the restored colonial gardens for which Bethabara was well-known. A customer’s heart supplies extra details about the Moravian settlers, and excursions can be found.
See Tanglewood Park
Yearly, from mid-November via New 12 months’s Day, Tanglewood Park turns into one of the fashionable points of interest in Winston-Salem. The route via the park is laced with brilliant wreaths, good snowflakes, and winter scenes. In all, the 5-mile route has over a million lights in dozens of shows you drive via.
Along with being among the best and largest gentle exhibits within the Southeast, Tanglewood’s Pageant of Lights additionally options Present Village the place guests could make s’mores, meet Santa, and do their vacation buying. A go to right here is likely one of the finest issues to do in Winston-Salem through the holidays, however plan forward as a result of entry strains might be lengthy.
Make a journey to Mount Ethereal
Head only a half-hour out of the town to the city of Mount Ethereal, North Carolina. Well-known because the hometown of Andy Griffith and the mannequin for his Mayberry, Mount Ethereal has the whole lot there’s to like a couple of small city.
In Mount Ethereal, you may go to the Andy-related websites like his eponymous museum or take a squad automobile tour via TV historical past. There’s loads to try this’s not “Mayberry,” too. Cease by the White Elephant Beer Firm for some craft brews, strive one of the best burger round at Outdated North State Vineyard, or soak up some old-time music on the Earle Theater.
Go to Pilot Mountain State Park
For those who’re seeking to spend a while outside close to Winston-Salem, Pilot Mountain State Park is a good selection. Only a half-hour from downtown, you might be in the course of the park’s 6+ miles of mountaineering and bridle trails.
The park gives alternatives for mountaineering, rappelling, and canoeing plus tenting on the 42-site campground. We liked the possibility to stroll round and {photograph} the surroundings.
Hike in Hanging Rock State Park
Simply 30 miles from the town is gorgeous Hanging Rock State Park within the Sauratown Mountain Vary. Guests can boat, swim, rock climb, and hike to their hearts’ content material. Journey seekers will like Moore’s Knob, the very best level within the Sauratown Mountains, the place they will climb Moore’s Wall.
Spending time by the lake is extra our pace, and we love mountaineering to the park’s beautiful waterfalls. For a country getaway, take into account staying in a cabin close to the park’s edge.
The place to Eat and Drink
Spring Home Restaurant, Kitchen, and Bar: Standard eatery that includes Southern-inspired dishes made with native components. Be sure to pair one of many seasonal dishes with their creative cocktails.
Quanto Basta: Italian restaurant that includes hand-stretched pizzas, scrumptious meatballs, and many nice pasta dishes.
Tate’s Craft Cocktails: Famend for its educated bartenders and glorious drinks. If we lived right here, we’d be regulars.
See extra suggestions for excellent eating places in Winston-Salem.
The place to Keep
Historic Brookstown Inn: This former mill from the Nineteenth-century has distinctive rooms and spacious suites. There’s a nightly wine and cheese joyful hour plus milk and cookies later within the night.
Kimpton Cardinal Resort: Prime-notch service and comfy, upscale rooms. Don’t miss the distinctive facilities just like the grownup rec room.
Winston-Salem Marriott: Tremendous-comfortable beds and strong service you anticipate from Marriott. Its Membership M supplies complimentary scorching breakfast and hors d’oeuvres.
Throughout our first go to, we had been the friends of Go to Winston-Salem. All opinions of the scrumptious and artsy are our personal. We liked the town a lot that we’ve returned a number of instances.
Laura Longwell is an award-winning journey blogger and photographer. Since founding Journey Addicts in 2008, she has written lots of of articles that assist over 3 million individuals a 12 months get probably the most out of their journey. In that point, she has visited almost 60 nations on 5 continents, typically returning to favourite locations time and again. She has a deep love of historical past, uncovering surprising points of interest, and attempting all the great meals a spot has to supply.
Along with Journey Addicts, Laura runs a web site about her hometown of Philadelphia—Information to Philly—which chronicles distinctive issues to do and locations to see round southeastern Pennsylvania. Her journey suggestions and recommendation seem throughout the net.
