The 15 Best Things To Do In Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Simply called “Winston” by locals, Winston-Salem, North Carolina is a twin city with deep roots. Old Salem was founded in 1766 as a settlement for the Moravian Church. Modern-day Moravians can still trace their ancestors to the authentically restored living history community. Open every month but January, the Williamsburg-like town is especially delightful to visit near Christmas.

Winston, Old Salem’s younger sister, was founded in the North Carolina Piedmont just under 100 years later and became a booming town thanks to its location on the North Carolina Railroad and its ties to major tobacco corporations such as R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. By 1889 the post office had combined the two towns solidifying their relationship. Today, Winston-Salem embraces its history while turning toward its future as a vibrant city. Here are our favorite things to do while visiting Winston-Salem.

What To Do

Take A Step Back In Time At Old Salem

St. Augustine has the honor of being the oldest American settlement, but Old Salem might be one of the coolest. Where else can you become immersed in early Southern American arts, visit living history, and enjoy traditional desserts within a few blocks?

Largely under the radar, Old Salem in Winston-Salem has a rich history. It is the home of the first recorded Fourth of July Celebration and the center of the Moravian community. It has two inns, a few restaurants, a women's-college, and an incredible collection of antiques at the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MEDSA).

To this day, people can become permanent residents of Old Salem by owning one of the historic homes in the town. The best way to see Old Salem is with Triad Eco Adventures on a segway. The tour begins in the old village to orient visitors before whipping through the more contemporary parts of town. 

oldsalem.org, 900 Old Salem Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
mesda.org, 924 South Main St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Stroll A Centuries-Old Garden

Historic Bethabara Park is a National Historic Landmark recognizing the earliest Moravian settlement in the Southeast, established in 1753. Here is where the Moravians established the nation's oldest-known medicinal garden and the only documented colonial garden. You can visit the garden for free, or pay a small fee to visit the historic buildings and reconstructions in the park.

historicbethabara.org, 2147 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106

Visit The Reynolds Estate And Shops

Reynolda is one of Winston-Salem’s glorious gems. It is comprised of a sprawling estate, gardens, museum, and retail district, and it all began in 1917 thanks to visionary Katharine Smith Reynolds, wife of tobacco king R. J. Reynolds. Katharine’s vision was to create a self-sustaining farm complete with lush community gardens.

Today, visitors can explore the house and corresponding art museum as well as the gardens and outbuildings, many of which have been repurposed into retail spaces. Theodore’s is a quaint restaurant, bar, and market. Walking into the space is like stepping from North Carolina right into a Parisienne delicatessen. Find Dough-Joe’s coffee and doughnuts downstairs where pastries and coffee are both served fresh and warm.

reynolda.org, 100 Reynolda Village, Winston-Salem, NC 27106

Tour Campus

Winston-Salem is home to six colleges and universities, most notably Wake Forest University, where Maya Angelou once taught poetry and the ACC’s Demon Deacons play. Take a spin through the college which moved from the Raleigh area to Winston-Salem in 1956. Beautiful Wait Chapel is worth a visit any time of year, but December's Moravian Lovefeast, with sweet buns and choral music, is the largest event of its kind in the country.

about.wfu.edu

Appreciate Fine Art

Dubbed the city of arts and innovation, Winston-Salem is home to more than 30 art galleries as well as 24 performing art complexes and 15 museums. SECCA, now named the North Carolina Museum of Art in Winston-Salem, exhibits contemporary artists from the region and around the world. The museum is situated on the 32-acre estate of industrialist James G. Hanes, with a beautiful boxwood garden, expansive lawn, and lake.

secca.org, 750 Marguerite Dr., Winston-Salem, NC 27106

Cycle The Greenways

A favorite of runners, bikers, and horseback riders, Salem Lake Trail is a 7-mile, mostly gravel path that circles the lake. Near the dam, it connects to the 5.2-mile Salem Creek Greenway, with connections to popular spots around the city, including the Downtown Strollway along Old Salem. Paddlers can also recreate in the lake, using the private boat launch or renting kayaks from the city between May and September.

cityofws.org

Hike Up Pilot Mountain

Pilot Mountain is easily the most recognizable mountain in the state due to its unusual knobby peak. Less than 30 minutes from the city, this solitary hill rises 2,421 feet. Take the Grindstone Trail about 3.5 miles up or find the upper parking lot, which leads to a .8-mile loop with beautiful summit views.

ncparks.gov, 1721 Pilot Knob Park Road, Pinnacle, NC 27043

Take The Kids To Kaleideum

This five-story, 70,000-square-foot museum is packed with fun all the way up to the rooftop. Let your kids run wild, climb, build, and learn about the arts and sciences while they're at it. Then take a break for a laser or planetarium show in the Digital Dome.

kaleideum.org, 120 West 3rd St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Where To Eat And Drink

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Winston locals might have differing views about who makes the best sugar cake, but they will agree that biting into this delicacy is a must when in town. The centuries-old recipe can be traced back to the Moravians, and specifically to Christian Winkler and his eponymous bakery.

The formula is a sweet combination of flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and potatoes. Today, guests can still purchase sugar cake, along with loads of other Moravian treats like spice cookies, from Winkler Bakery in Old Salem.

On your way there, pause at the historic marker just a few steps away from the bakery. It was here in 1937 that the world’s first Krispy Kreme opened. If donuts aren't your jam, stop at Bobby Boy Bakeshop, a James Beard nominee that serves artisanal breads and pastries with Old World style.

oldsalem.org, 529 S Main St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
bobbyboybakeshop.com, 1100 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27040

Dine Al Fresco At Mozelle's

Mozelle's is a modern Southern bistro known for using regional ingredients in elevated ways. Try the Southern Spring Rolls stuffed with pulled pork and collards or Shrimp and Grits with Serrano ham and sherry cream sauce.

mozelles.com,  878 W. Fourth St. Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Make Room For Soul Food

For a heartier meal, check out James Beard-nominated Sweet Potatoes Restaurant. You'll find Fried Chicken and Waffles here, as well as specialties like 3-Cheese Macaroni & Country Ham Soufflé. Another local favorite, Mojito Latin Soul Food, serves Cuban sandwiches, pork rinds, hand pies, and a bright and flavorful assortment of rum cocktails.

sweetpotatoes.ws, 607 North Trade St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101
mojitolatinsoulfood.com, 723 N. Trade St. NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Eat Award-Winning Pizza

Yet another James Beard nominee and once named the best pizza in the state, Mission Pizza Napoletana is a small eatery that can't accommodate large parties on a whim. Make a reservation for the five-course, prix fixe menu for a special experience.

mpnws.com, 707 Trade St. NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Belly Up At The Brewery

Slide into a taproom table at Incendiary Brewing Company located in the original coal pit of the historic power plant for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. In summer, The Coalpit also features live concerts. Foothills Brewing is downtown's largest and oldest brewpub and offers a full menu of pub grub. You can also head out of town to visit the brewing facility's 28-tap tasting room.

incendiarybrewing.com, 486 N Patterson Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27101
foothillsbrewing.com, 638 West Fourth St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Experience Fine Dining

For a white tablecloth experience, visit Bernardin's Fine Dining to savor steaks, seafood, and specialties like North Carolina-raised emu with sweet potato puree. 1703 Restaurant serves French and nouvelle Southern cuisine. Elevate your Sunday brunch there with Scallops & Grits or Beef Tenderloin Benedict.

bernardinsfinedining.com/location/winston-bernardins, 901 W 4th St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101
1703restaurant.com, 1703 Robinhood Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104 

Go On A Wine Tour

There are about 45 local wineries in the greater Winston-Salem area, most within a half-hour drive. If you'd like a guide, there are several tour companies that include transportation to wineries with an experienced oenophile.

visitwinstonsalem.com

Where To Stay

Splurge At A Luxe Hotel

After a day of tooling around town, rest your head at the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel, a renovated office building turned contemporary hotel. Art Deco details such as gold leaf, rich marble, and burnished brass give the hotel a dash of luxurious charm. Look closely, and you’ll see it resembles another famous architectural wonder: New York City’s Empire State Building. 

thecardinalhotel.com, 51 E. Fourth St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Rest Your Head In A Historic Hotel

Graylyn Estate is a boutique hotel housed in a Norman-style manor built by a former R.J. Reynolds president in the 1920s and filled with architectural treasures. The 55-acre property provides all you'd expect from a country estate, and more—like a tennis court, bike paths, fishing pond, and unlimited ice cream. Another popular hotel that is located downtown near all the sights, the Historic Brookstown Inn, is part of the Trademark Collection by Wyndham.

graylyn.com, 1900 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106
wyndhamhotels.com, 200 Brookstown Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27101