12 Things To Do In Winston

May 01, 2024

At the heart of North Carolina, Winstom-Salem beats with life and offers history, food, and attractions. Find out more in the ultimate travel guide.

Only the town of Winston-Salem in North Carolina could take a history of religious communities and tobacco factories and transform it into the bustling small city it is today. Between North Carolina's beaches in the East and mountains in the West, Winston-Salem rests happily in the central Piedmont region. The lively urban hub often gets buried beneath the tourism of bigger cities such as Raleigh or Charlotte, but travelers who enjoy art scenes, local dishes, and shopping need to add Winston-Salem at the top of their list.

Once a sleepy town, with time Winston-Salem became the fifth most populous city and fourth-largest metropolitan area in North Carolina. The vibrant city breathes history and culture. Green parks, exclusive residential areas, and six universities surround the downtown. Here's everything travelers should know about Winston-Salem before planning a trip.

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A Quaint & Colorful Town: The Ultimate Guide To Winston-Salem & Things To Do

This update refreshed and included even more things to do in the charming and lively town of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Additional activities include taking day trips to beautiful state parks or small towns, stopping at quirky roadside attractions, visiting precious wineries, and more.

Winston-Salem has a variety of activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy, including historical exhibits, green spaces, and more.

Two skyscrapers tower over the downtown Winston-Salem area: one known locally as the Wells Fargo Center, and the other the 21-story Reynolds Tower that later became the prototype for The Empire State Building in New York City.

The Winston-Salem downtown area is home to Innovation Quarter, a rapidly growing science and technology district. At the other end of history, the downtown is also home to Old Salem, the living history museum of the Moravian church and congregation.

Most importantly, visitors can catch a baseball game at Truist Stadium, attend an event at the Benton Convention Center, or hop between restaurants, bars, and local shops in the Winston-Salem downtown.

Tourists should keep their eyes peeled for these iconic downtown features: the historic Coffee Pot landmark and the retro Art-o-Mat machine.

At the core of Winston-Salem are Salem Square and God's Acre Graveyard, remnants of the early town.

The main attractions in Winston-Salem are the Old Salem Museums and Gardens. The living history museum depicts the life of the Moravian community and features buildings, bakeries, and artwork.

Visitors can wander through the restored 1700s village at any time for free but must pay to see attractions such as The Doctor's House, the Single Brothers' House, and the traditional craft skills house.

The Miksch House and Garden, the Boys' School, the Potter's Workshop, the Moravian church, and the art galleries also require a ticket. Luckily, guests can visit these attractions with an All-In-One Ticket.

Old Salem Museums and Gardens

If visiting over Easter, travelers can experience the Moravian Church's Easter Sunrise Service, which annually attracts thousands of worshipers.

Tourists only have to stay in Winston-Salem's downtown to continue enjoying the city's charm. Twenty minutes walking from Old Salem is the famed Trade Street, full of specialty shops, restaurants, and bars. Shoppers can browse boutique, craft, and jewelry stores or stop for a coffee at a bistro.

Two tourist stops on Trade Street are Piedmont Craftsmen Galleries and the Mast General Store. Art lovers will appreciate the handmade and local art featured at Piedmont Craftsmen. Visitors will love roaming through the aisles of the historic Mast General Store, founded in 1883.

Piedmont Craftsmen Galleries

Mast General Store

Travelers can admire several murals and art installations in the Winston-Salem downtown area. Enthusiasts can cross off all the exhibits on the Art Trail list and finish by hanging out at ARTivity on the Green–a green oasis full of sculptures.

Ten minutes driving northwest of downtown, the Buena Vista neighborhood in Winston-Salem is a haven of peace. Green parks, shady streets, and expensive mansions give the district a refined feel.

Tourists will enjoy the Reynolda Gardens and House Museum. The Reynolda Gardens offer nature lovers free admission to stroll through formal gardens, fields, woodlands, and a greenhouse.

Visitors can wander for free through the gardens, encompassing over 125 acres of woodlands, walking trails, a formal garden, and a greenhouse.

Reynolda Gardens

The Reynolda House Museum lets art lovers browse American paintings in the former estate of Katherine Smith Reynolds and her husband, R.J. Reynolds, the Camel tobacco tycoon. The museum showcases American artwork from colonial times to the present.

After visiting the museum and gardens, travelers can shop or grab something to eat at the nearby Reynolda Village Shops and Restaurants.

For outdoor enthusiasts with additional time in Winston-Salem, they should travel outside the city to visit some of the best parks to hike in North Carolina.

Just a twenty-minute drive north of the city, visitors can find some of the best hiking in Winston-Salem at Pilot Mountain State Park. Apart from over 14 miles of routes, the state park offers horse riding, rock climbing, and paddling.

Take a picnic basket and enjoy the day at Pilot Mountain, or spend the night at one of the park's many campsites.

Another gorgeous nature area near Winston-Salem is Hanging Rock State Park. The sprawling park offers endless miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

Adventurists can rock climb or explore routes that lead to picturesque mountain views, like at Moore's Knob. Laid-back visitors can relax by the lakeside and stroll paths that lead to stunning waterfalls.

Enthusiasts looking for more history in Winston-Salem will love the Bethabara Historic District. The original settlement of the Moravians in 1753, before settling in Old Salem, the Bethabara historic district is a fascinating living history museum comprising houses, forts, and a church.

Ten miles north of downtown Winston-Salem, travelers can stroll around the 183-acre park, wildlife preserve, and colonial gardens for free or pay a small fee for a guided tour.

A testament to America's past, both history buffs and photographers should stop at this unique attraction in Winston-Salem. The bright, retro station represents a past attempt to promote the Shell brand and is the last-standing giant clamshell in the country.

Travelers can find the quirky roadside attraction on the south end of Winston-Salem, along with articles and historic photographs onsite.

Take a journey 30 minutes north by car to Mount Airy for one of the best day trips from Winston-Salem. Famous for being the hometown of Andy Griffith and his inspiration for Mayberry, Mount Airy is the quintessential American small town.

Enjoy great eats and drinks at many bars and restaurants in Mount Airy, or visit the Andy Griffith Museum.

Take a squad car tour and travel through Mayberry and TV history in Mount Airy.

Visitors eager to try local wines near Winston-Salem can drive south to Old Homeplace Vineyards and decide if North Carolina should be added to one of the best North American destinations for wineries.

Enthusiasts can enjoy live music, food trucks, and the lively atmosphere on the lakeside.

Lastly, for tourists on a shopping spree, The Hanes Mall Boulevard and Stratford Road in Winston-Salem have hundreds of options, such as The Hanes Mall and large retailers like Target and Costco.

Hanes Mall

Tourists can expect to spend most of their time in the downtown area, the Buena Vista neighborhood, and Hanes Mall Boulevard. Visitors should choose their accommodation based on the activities they plan to enjoy in Winston-Salem.

Whatever the neighborhood, Winston-Salem offers hotels to match any budget.

Graylyn Estates(originally built by one of R.J. Reynold's executives)

The Historic Brookstown Inn

Comfort Suites Hanes Mall

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Winston-Salem

Best Western Plus Hanes Mall

Sleep In Hanes Mall

Winston-Salem celebrates varied cuisines, from Tex-Mex to Southern Barbecue. The town's history has also impacted its cooking, and tourists can sample sweets and treats dating back to the original Moravian recipes.

Trade Street downtown has enough to satisfy restaurant-goers from breakfast to dinner (with snacks in between). Visitors should also venture outside the center to try everything Winston-Salem offers.

Hungry tourists can begin their day of sightseeing in Winston-Salem at Cagney's Kitchen. They serve hearty breakfast plates in a classic American dining setting.

Cagney's Kitchen

Not only Camel cigarettes and the Hanes Clothing company originated in this small city, but Vernon Rudolph also founded the iconic Krispy Kreme Donuts in Winston-Salem.

While the original site is gone, die-hard donut fans can visit a plaque commemorating the first shop.

Original Site of Krispy Kreme Doughnut Shop

Either way, sweet-toothed tourists can grab a donut at the Krispy Kreme near the Hanes Mall shopping district to celebrate the city where it all started.

Krispy Kreme

Willow's Bistro is a perfect spot for lunch in Winston-Salem, especially for those who have just toured the Old Salem Museums. A few blocks north of the museum, Willow's Bistro offers traditional American dishes and Southern comfort classics.

Willow's Bistro

North Carolina is famous for its barbecue sauces, and tourists will no doubt want to try Winston-Salem's take on smoked meats and tangy sauces.

One recommendation for those strolling the downtown area is Camel City BBQ Factory. The restaurant specializes in barbecue and has an arcade, cornhole, and the perfect rooftop for sunny afternoon meals.

Camel City BBQ Factory

The strong tradition of barbecues in North Carolina has led to the creation of The Historic Barbecue Trail, and Winston-Salem boasts a restaurant along the way: Real Q.

Although slightly removed from the downtown, the journey is a must for barbecue lovers eager to check one restaurant off the epic list.

Real Q

For dinner after an eventful day of sightseeing in Winston-Salem, travelers can unwind at the quiet and upscale Springhouse Restaurant, Kitchen, and Bar.

The historic house turned restaurant reinvents Southern classics with a fine-dining twist.

Springhouse Restaurant, Kitchen, and Bar

Winston-Salem also offers a multitude of Tex-Mex and Mexican restaurants. One of many is The Porch Kitchen and Cantina.

The Porch Kitchen and Cantina

In the 1940s, the Garner family invented the nationally acclaimed Texas Pete Hot Sauce in Winston-Salem.

Winston-Salem has several spots to sample craft beers or sip on house-made cocktails. The downtown is hopping with bars and distilleries where visitors can relax and enjoy a buzz, such as Foothills Brewpub.

Foothills Brewpub

Tourists who need a sweet afternoon pick-me-up can try a cocktail and chocolates at Black Mountain Chocolate.

Black Mountain Chocolate and Cocktails

October and November are the best time for travelers to plan their trips to Winston-Salem. These fall months balance the best temperatures with the least likelihood of rain. The small city is also at its height of showing off autumn colors if hikers choose to explore city parks or surrounding nature areas.

Although it may not be the biggest country fair in the U.S., every fall Winston-Salem hosts one of the most-visited fairs in North America: The Carolina Classic Fair, from September through October.

April and May are also great months to stay in Winston-Salem, but tourists can expect days with more rain.

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North Carolina has a humid climate with moderate winters and hot and rainy summers. The state is affected by severe weather during hurricane season because it sticks out into the Atlantic like a giant storm-catching net.

Travelers should generally avoid visiting Winston-Salem in the summer due to the uncomfortable weather and potential storms.

Finally, visitors who don't mind cooler temperatures can plan for an excellent adventure in Winston-Salem during the winter. Temperatures average in the low 50s during the day and low 30s at night.

A visit to Winston-Salem in the winter warrants a journey outside the city since North Carolina offers incredible winter sports and activities, such as some of the best ski resorts in the South.

The most expensive time of year to fly to North Carolina is in November and December.

Going on foot is the best way to experience and get around Winston-Salem's downtown. The downtown connects the city's main tourist attractions with easily-navigable streets and trails.

As a university town, Winston-Salem depends on a solid public transportation system. Over thirty buses connect the downtown with surrounding residential, university, and shopping districts.

All buses include a bike rack for cyclists who need a break or are headed to one of the city's many trails.

Going by car may be the most convenient way to see the sights in Winston-Salem. Driving allows visitors to experience the downtown and explore the neighboring shopping districts or parks without depending on public transportation schedules.

Parking is easy in Winston-Salem. There is ample space outside the downtown along the street or in parking lots. The downtown parking includes 800 metered and un-metered spots, several hourly lots, and one free Park-and-Shuttle lot.

The best way to arrive in Winston-Salem is by car, the perfect stop for road trippers driving through the American South. Interstates I-40 and I-285 connect Winston-Salem to the rest of North Carolina and highways 421, 52, and 67.

The nearest major cities are Greensboro (30 miles) and Charlotte (80 miles).

Winston-Salem's nearest airports are Greensboro/High Point (GSO) and Charlotte (CLT).

One public transportation option to get to Winston-Salem is the Line 5 bus from Charlotte Airport. After landing at the airport, the bus trip takes over three hours.

Winston-Salem's primary offering is history, and there's plenty to learn. Before diving into a trip to Winston-Salem, it's helpful to understand some of the storied past of this North Carolina town.

Locals refer to Winston-Salem as simply Winston, but Twin City or Camel City may be more appropriate nicknames owing to the history. In the mid-1700s, followers of the Moravian church, one of the oldest Protestant denominations, founded Salem, North Carolina.

They sold land to the north, which soon became a separate town named after a Revolutionary War hero: Joseph Winston. The well-known Camel tobacco and Hanes textile companies later moved in, and soon the two towns became one as over half of the population worked in the factories.

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Visitors can experience Winton-Salem's history painted on every street––from humble Moravian museums to old warehouses converted into craft beer companies.

The perfect day in Winston-Salem centers around the downtown and takes tourists through a citywide trek to enjoy activities such as walking, shopping, eating, drinking, and visiting museums.

In the morning, travelers should walk along the Winston-Salem Strollway, where they will find the Old Salem Museum and Gardens. Visitors can spend the morning steeping themselves in history, culture, and art.

If tourists need the treat to sweeten their perfect day in Winston-Salem, they can visit the Winkler Bakery in Old Salem and try some of Mrs. Hanes' famous Moravian cookies.

Just a ten-minute walk north from the museum, tourists can later immerse themselves in the downtown on the commercial Fourth Street and Trade Street. Rows of restaurants, bars, and shops will keep visitors busy for hours, whether shopping, eating, or relaxing.

Finally, the perfect day in Winston-Salem ends at The Long Branch Trail. The trail and accompanying parks are slightly north of the downtown hub and run through Innovation Quarter, occupied by tobacco factories converted into restaurants and breweries.

Runners, cyclists, and walkers may prefer to end their day at the scenic Salem Lake Trail: seven miles of quiet, tree-lined trails surrounding a lake.

Winston-Salem is one of the many beautiful towns in North Carolina that offers visitors many things to do. The most popular tourist attraction is the Old Salem Museums and Gardens. This recreated living museum gives tourists a glimpse into the lives of the founders of Salem.

Another lively attraction is Winston-Salem's downtown and its many shops, restaurants, and breweries. Lastly, travelers can enjoy many parks and hiking trails in Winston-Salem.

Anyone traveling or road-tripping through the American South or North Carolina should make a stop in Winston-Salem. The energetic and growing small city offers something for every visitor: history, culture, shopping, art, and outdoor activities.

Tourists can visit breweries in Winston-Salem or journey outside the city to experience North Carolina's fantastic hiking trails.

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Dylan is a travel writer from the United States Midwest, now living and teaching English in Madrid, Spain. He believes every day living abroad contains a year's worth of invaluable lessons. Dylan considers himself a budget traveler and always strives to find the best balance between budget and convenience. He has traveled extensively across the United States, Europe, and Asia. His interests include hiking, biking, cooking, reading, languages, and food.