Winter Bucket List: A Guide to Winter in Winston-Salem

Looking to beat the winter blues? Here are 11 ways to make the most of your winter trip to Winston-Salem.

Don’t let colder weather keep you cooped up this season. Winter in the Winston-Salem area offers plenty of ways to get out of the house and shake off the winter blues. Whether you prefer cozy indoor experiences or bundling up for the outdoors, these winter activities make it easy to keep exploring.

Explore Local Museums

While several of the city’s most popular museums close or adjust hours in January, there are still plenty of cultural spots worth visiting.

Kaleideum. North Carolina’s premier children’s museum and science center is a must for families. Explore nine hands-on exhibits across five floors, including a temporary 'ice rink,' plus a Digital Dome planetarium and a rooftop play area.
Lam Museum of Anthropology. Located on the Wake Forest University campus, this is the state’s only museum dedicated to global cultures. Admission is always free.
Körner’s Folly in nearby Kernersville offers a one-of-a-kind tour through the “strangest house in America.” While the home closes for a few weeks in early January for a refresh, it typically reopens in mid-January for self-guided tours.
Kernersville Auto Museum, also in Kernersville, showcases beautifully restored vehicles spanning more than a century of auto history. Admission is free (open Fri-Sun).

Hit the Ice Rink

Ice skating at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds is a winter tradition for all ages.

The Fairgrounds Arena offers public skating sessions throughout the winter multiple times a week. Rental skates and skating aids are available for beginners. Admission is $10, with skate rentals available for an additional fee. Dress warmly (this is real ice). The Fairgrounds also hosts special events like Friday Night Ice Jams and No School Skate Days.

View the full public skate schedule and event calendar here.

Take a Creative Class

Sawtooth woodworking class Winter is the perfect time to try something new, even if you don’t think of yourself as “creative.” Here are a few places to try your hand at something new.

Sawtooth School for Visual Art. With more than 1,000 classes offered each year across 11 mediums, it’s easy to find something that fits. Short “Taste of Art” classes (nearly every Friday and Saturday) are ideal for visitors.
Southern Home & Kitchen. Located at Thruway Center, this kitchen shop and cooking studio hosts popular demonstration-style classes, with occasional hands-on options. Classes often sell out, so check their event calendar early.
Dabble Art Bar. Part art studio, part gathering space, this creative space in the West End Millworks complex lets you choose a project from a menu and have materials brought to your table (think watercolor, air-dry clay, and more). No experience required.

Get Active Indoors

Bowling at ROAR From bowling to climbing walls, winter is a great time to stay active indoors.

ROAR. Make a day of it at ROAR, downtown's four-story entertainment center with duckpin bowling, golf simulators, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, a 50-game arcade, and more.
FirstHand Climbing Gym. Grab a day pass and try bouldering at this indoor climbing gym in downtown's Industry Hill. Shoes are available to rent, and first-time visitors can borrow shoes at no cost.
Urban Air Adventure Park. This indoor adventure park features climbing walls, obstacle courses, bumper cars, and play structures (plus trampolines). Other nearby options include Airbound near Wake Forest and Surge near Hanes Mall.

Go Craft Draft Crawlin’

Cheers at Fiddlin' Fish Brewery Winston-Salem’s brewing roots run deep, and winter is a great time to explore them. Plan your own Craft Draft Crawl in and around downtown, home to eight breweries. Local favorites include Foothills, Wise Man, Incendiary, Joymongers, and Fiddlin’ Fish, along with smaller spots like Radar, Small Batch, and Lesser-Known.

Short on time? Head to downtown's Industry Hill area, where Fiddlin’ Fish, Wise Man, and Radar are all within a short walk of one another. Here’s a map of a simple route you can take.

Explore the Bean Scene

Coffee flight at Footnote There’s nothing better than warming up with a great cup of coffee on a cold day. Luckily, Winston-Salem is home to a strong coffee culture, with cozy cafés and bakeries that make it easy to linger.

A good starting option is Camino Bakery, a local favorite with multiple locations and standout pastries. Krankies Coffee roasts small-batch coffee on site and pairs it with a creative food menu. DeBeen Espresso is another local go-to, known for a laid-back atmosphere and expertly crafted drinks.

For something a little different, try a curated coffee flight at Footnote Coffee & Cocktails, which include four 6 oz. latte samples that rotate seasonally. (Patrons can choose dairy or plant-based milk. For more stops, explore our Coffee Lover’s Guide to Winston-Salem.

Take a Winter Hike

Pilot Mountain in winter Winter is a surprisingly great time to hike here. With leaves off the trees, you’ll find clearer views, and the mild weather makes it easy to get outside. Here are a few great places to explore when the temperatures dip.

Salem Lake. A mostly flat 7.1-mile crushed-earth loop that feels like a quiet escape just minutes from downtown. Perfect for hiking, biking, or running.
Pilot Mountain State Park. About 30 minutes away, this iconic landmark offers easy walks and more challenging hikes, depending on your route.
Hanging Rock State Park. A scenic, heart-pumping option with rewarding views. The 2.6-mile out-and-back trail climbs about 650 feet and is perfect for a winter day trip.

Go for Retail Therapy

Shopping in the Arts District Winter is a great time to explore the city’s shopping scene and visit a few uniquely Winston-Salem shops.

For locally made goods, galleries, and creative shops, stroll through the Downtown Arts District along Trade and Liberty streets. Other retail favorites downtown include Design Archives and the SNOB Shop, both known for consignment furniture, art, and clothing. Book lovers won’t want to miss Bookmarks, and spots like Just Be and Mast General are easy must-stops.

Outside of downtown, browse the Reynolda Road Shopping District for vintage finds and local boutiques, including favorites like Elizabeth’s, Boho Depot, and Rebecca & Co. Stratford Road and the Thruway area are also shopping go-tos, with upscale secondhand spots like Your Home Marketplace and Laster’s Fine Arts & Antiques, plus home décor favorite Fiddle & Fig.

Head to a Hockey Game

Thunderbirds hockey Hockey fan or not, Twin City Thunderbirds games at the Fairgrounds Arena deliver big energy, a family-friendly atmosphere, and an up-close view of the action. With concessions, a beer garden, and packed crowds, it’s one of the best winter nights out in Winston-Salem.

Home games are typically held on Friday and Saturday nights, with occasional exceptions. View the full schedule and purchase tickets on the team website.

Try a New Fitness Class

Wildlight Welness Staying active is easy, even while visiting. While there are dozens of fitness options throughout the city, here are a few standouts where drop-ins are welcome:

Wildlight Wellness Collective (pictured): A welcoming yoga studio with classes for all levels.
Camel City CrossFit: Multiple daily classes make it easy to drop in and keep up your routine.
Synergy Winston-Salem: A mix of HIIT, spin, yoga, and strength classes.
YOGA-mmunity at Foothills Tap Room is perfect for those looking to mix things up a bit. Held Saturdays in January, the all-levels class costs $12 and includes a post-class drink.

Want a high-energy option? Look for drop-in classes at local boxing and strength studios across the city. Prefer a calmer pace? Many local studios also offer mat-based Pilates and mobility classes that are great for travelers and ideal for a winter reset.

Sample New Flavors

Heff's Piggy Wiggy burger Winter is the perfect time to stretch your culinary boundaries. Try a new-to-you restaurant or order something different at a longtime favorite. There are too many great spots to list, but here are a few staff favorites to get you started.

Mozelle’s: Elevated Southern favorites in a cozy, intimate setting.
Ryan’s Restaurant: A longtime fine-dining staple known for steaks, chops, and seafood, recently named one of the most romantic restaurants in America.
Fourth Street Filling Station: An upscale casual go-to for soups, sandwiches, and hearty dinner entrées. It features a covered wintertime patio and a cozy ski lodge-like dining area.
Young Cardinal Cafe and Krankies are two spots consistently ranked among the best brunch spots in the Southeast, ideal for early risers.
James Beard-recognized favorites including Heff’s Burger Club (pictured), Mission Pizza, and Bobby Boy Bakeshop are all conveniently located in or near downtown.

For more cold-weather dining inspiration, check out our Favorite Winter Comfort Foods guide.

This is just a sampling of winter happenings in Winston-Salem. For a full calendar of events, visit our Events & Festivals page, and stay in the loop year-round by subscribing to our monthly “What’s New in Winston-Salem” newsletter.