Plan the Perfect Home Game Weekend in Winston-Salem

Football season is upon us, and for many here in the South, it is the most wonderful time of the year. That is especially true in Winston-Salem, as thousands of fans visit town to catch a game at Allegacy Stadium, home of the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons. But attending the game is only part of the fun if you’re looking for an ideal football weekend in Winston-Salem.  

Here are a few pro tips to enjoy the most out of your Winston-Salem weekend visit. 

WHERE TO STAY

With more than 5,500 hotel rooms in town, you’ll find plenty of lodging options between the stadium and downtown. If you aren’t sure where to start, downtown is always a safe bet. You’ll be in the heart of the city’s dining and nightlife scene and only two miles from both stadiums, and you’ll have more than a dozen options to choose from — everything from cozy B&Bs to historic inns to luxury hotel brands. Allegacy Stadium also has several hotels within striking distance. For a detailed look at nearby lodging options, check out our Where to Stay for Gameday article.

WHERE TO GRAB BREAKFAST

If you’re looking to carb up ahead of the game, here are some good bets close to both stadiums.

For cozy comfort food: Cagney’s Kitchen: This local diner serves all-day breakfast at all its area locations, including its flagship location at Cloverdale Avenue, less than 10 minutes from both stadiums.

For pancake perfection: Midtown Café: Breakfast is served anytime at this venerable diner in the Five Points area. Go for the French Toast, Irish Oatmeal, Big Buckaroo special, or one of Midtown’s 10+ pancake specialties. (And ask about their mimosa flights.)

For grab-and-go pastries: Bobby Boy Bakeshop or Louie & Honey. Modeled after a French-style bistro, Bobby Boy pairs Instagram-worthy scenery with fresh-baked perfection. Favorites include chocolate croissants, morning buns, cinnamon rolls — and everything else. It’s less than 2 miles from Wake Forest and 5 miles from WSSU. 

For caffeine on the go: Coffee Park Airstream. The drive-up coffee shop sits in Silver Bullet Airstream on Reynolda Road, halfway between downtown and Allegacy Stadium. Just pull up to the window, place an order, and you’ll be merrily on your way.

What about Sunday Brunch? The best thing about staying in Winston-Salem on Saturdays? Waking up for brunch on Sundays! You’ll find plenty of places downtown to kickstart your Sunday Funday, including standbys such as Krankies, Young Cardinal Cafe, Mozelle’s, and the Fourth Street Filling Station. Outside of downtown, you can’t go wrong with 1703, The Porch, the original Village Tavern in Reynolda Village — all of which offer amazing food, ample patio space, and boozy beverages.

WHERE TO STOCK UP

In need of tailgate provisions? Check out these go-to local options.

For one-stop tailgate shopping: Lowes Foods
With six locations in town, this Winston-Salem-based grocery chain has all your gameday needs. Pick up a big box of fried chicken in the Chicken Kitchen, stock up on local brews in the Beer Den, and choose from a dozen different party platters and trays (veggie trays, sandwich trays, charcuterie, you name it.) If you’re in a rush, place your order online and pick it up curbside. There are multiple Lowes Foods locations in town, but the closest to Wake Forest is on Robinhood Road—less than 10 minutes from the stadium. (See map.)

For take & bake meals: Buie’s Market  
Tucked in the Buena Vista neighborhood, two miles from Allegacy Stadium, Buie’s Market offers a rotating selection of grab-and-go foods perfect for tailgating. Reliable options like white chicken chili, buffalo chicken casserole, fresh-made pizzas, and enchiladas complement local favorites like Moravian chicken pie and Red Clay pimento cheese. You’ll also find plenty of sides, dips, craft beer, and locally made snacks. Closer to downtown in the Five Points area, Salem Kitchen also offers hearty to-go meals, tailgate-friendly appetizers, hors d’oeuvres, and more than two dozen party trays.

For local barbecue in bulk: Little Richard’s
Fans hankering to sample North Carolina barbecue need look no farther than Little Richard’s Smokehouse Bar N Que. Just west of downtown off U.S. 421, Little Richard’s is less than five miles from both stadiums. Pick up their signature chopped BBQ in bulk by the half-pound ($10) and pound ($15), and add a few favorite fixins’ — cole slaw, hushpuppies, potato salad, Brunswick stew, and (of course) banana pudding. Closer to downtown, Camel City BBQ Factory also sells Lexington-style ’cue by the pound along with various sides and smoked meats (brisket, ribs, smoked sausage, and more).

For gameday wings to-go: East Coast Wings 
Pick up an order of 50 boneless or bone-in wings at this Winston-Salem-based franchise and get up to three free flavor selections. You’ll find locations throughout town, including the Reynolda Manor Shopping Center (2894 Reynolda Road), three miles from Allegacy Stadium. Another legendary wing stop, Mountain Fried Chicken, sits only minutes from both stadiums and offers their famed “Winston Wings” in quantities of 50 ($59) and 100 ($117).

WHERE TO GRAB A DRINK

Only a few miles from both stadiums, downtown offers dozens of places to soak in the victory (or drown out your sorrows). The following spots offer friendly, casual vibes, late-night bites, and big games on big-screen TVs. Below are a few tried-and-true favorites.

Foothills Brewpub. The O.G. of Winston-Salem’s breweries, Foothills pairs top-notch pub fare with over a dozen craft beers on tap, including fall seasonals like Oktoberfest and Pumpkin Ale. Located on Fourth Street in the heart of downtown, the brewpub is a short walk from local legend Recreation Billiards, a dive bar classic that opened in 1947.

Incendiary Brewing. Anchoring the ground floor of the iconic Bailey Power Plant, Incendiary pairs industrial vibes with award-winning brews. Enjoy your pint inside amid the big screens and brewing tanks, or grab a seat on the brewery’s massive outdoor space (aka, the Coal Pit), one of the most popular patios in town. Hungry? Try a Neapolitan-style pizza or a scoop of gelato from Incendiary’s neighbor, Cugino Forno.

Campus Gas If you're a Wake Forest alum, you probably remember this former gas and service station on Polo Road near campus. Serving students and the community from the 1960s through the early 2000s, three former WFU students renovated the historic building and opened Campus Gas in 2018. The bar now pairs nostalgic charm with delicious food, cold drinks, and a welcoming vibe.

Downtown Arts District:  and downtown’s beloved Irish pub, Finnigan’s Wake. There’s also Reboot Arcade Bar, a family-friendly pub with dozens of retro arcade games, and the aforementioned Camel City BBQ Factory, which offers a full bar, cornhole boards on the patio, and a third-floor arcade with billiards, foosball, skee-ball, and more. Head to ROAR for games, blacklight mini golf, and live music. Just around the corner, the Arts District borders the Industry Hill neighborhood. This lively area is also home to multiple breweries — Fiddlin’ Fish, Wise Man, and Radar—with the award-winning Broad Branch Distillery also nearby. 

For a full guide to the city's sports bars scene, check out our blog on the Best Places to Watch Sports in Winston-Salem. 

 
WHAT TO SEE AND DO

Sure, you can come to Winston-Salem just to take in the game. But to get the most out of your trip, make it a full weekend. Come for the football on Saturday, but arrive early on Friday and stay until Sunday afternoon to experience all the city has to offer. If you need help mapping out an itinerary, here are a few notable stops:

Time travel in Old Salem. To know the history of Winston-Salem is to know the story of the Moravians, a group of humble, hardworking Eastern European immigrants who established the village of Salem in the mid-1700s. Today, the 87-acre village has been authentically restored into Old Salem Museums & Gardens (pictured above), one of America’s most immersive historic sites. Since there’s no charge to wander through Old Salem, many visitors are content to stroll along its cobblestoned streets and delight in the sights, perhaps grabbing some goodies at Winkler Bakery or snapping a pic on the famed Heritage Bridge. But for the full experience, purchase an admission pass, which grants you access to more than a dozen interpreted buildings, museums, and gardens. (Looking for more history? Keep exploring at Historic Bethabara Park located just around the corner from campus.)

Explore Reynolda. Built in 1917 for tobacco tycoon R.J. Reynolds and his family, Reynolda House Museum of American Art is now part art gallery, part history museum — and a must-see. The home’s 64 rooms feature a dazzling collection of art and a treasure trove of Reynolds’ family relics, period furnishings, vintage toys, and more. After touring the house, stroll through the adjacent Reynolda Gardens — home to miles of wooded trails — and Reynolda Village, a former working farm now filled with boutique shopping and dining options. 

Discover Downtown. The heart of the  city is home to more than 120 shops, bars, and restaurants. Looking for some retail therapy? Check out unique shops such as Mast General Store, Bookmarks, Just Be, and Design Archives Emporium (all open on Sunday). Interested in local libations? Plan a DIY Craft Draft Crawl to the 10 breweries and distilleries that call downtown home. Want a quick history lesson? Book a guided 2-hour segway or e-bike tour with Triad Eco Adventures. Whatever you choose, check our events calendar to see what’s happening during your stay.
 
Take a hike. Some of the most scenic hiking spots in the South are found in our backyard, including Pilot Mountain and Stone Mountain state parks. But for unbeatable fall scenery, we suggest making the 30-minute trek north to Hanging Rock State Park. Take the mile-long hike to the Hanging Rock summit for a view that will leave you breathless (literally and figuratively). Or take the quarter-mile path to the Lower Cascades and dip your toes in the wading pool. 

Visit the nearby Yadkin Valley Wine Region. \Winston-Salem is situated as the gateway to some of the best wine in the southeast, coming from major producers and boutique Vintners alike. Sip and savor every drop while taking a tour of the vines, then snag a reservation for a wine pairing dinner where you can sample local dishes while an expert sommelier guides your taste buds to the perfect glass of vino.

LET’S TALK TAILGATING

No matter what team you’re cheering on, here are a few pro tips to get you primed for game time.

Things to Know This Season

Don’t miss Deactown. The Deactown Fan Zone opens three hours before kickoff on Baity Street, just west of the stadium. It’s free and family-friendly, with live bands, inflatables, food trucks, face painting, a giant video wall, and the Lowes Foods Beer Barrel. See more here

Tailgating made easy. Want a no-hassle setup? REVELxp offers turnkey tailgate packages (tents, TVs, coolers, catering, and more) now located outside Gate 5, starting at $650. Or, pre-order a barbecue spread from local favorite Little Richard’s and pick it up on site near Gate 3. Find more details here

Parking changes in 2025. Construction around Deacon Boulevard means some lots have shifted. A new Grounds Lot near LJVM Coliseum adds 500 spaces, while the Blue and Orange lots have been reduced. Game-day parking runs $20–$40 depending on the opponent, and free shuttle service is available from 2400 Reynolda Road. Pro tip: check the updated maps before you go at GoDeacs.com/Parking2025

Upgraded stadium experience. New pedestal scanners speed up entry, more picnic tables give the concourse a brewery-style vibe, and Proof of the Pudding brings in fresh food options. Fans can also text 336-GO-DEACS during games for help with questions, maintenance, or security issues. Find more on this season's upgrades and what to look for here.

Premium seating. Deacon Hill Suites and cabanas return in 2025, joined by upgraded Touchdown Club options off Bridger Field House. New reserved barstool seats with drink rails and loge tables join the existing chairback and club-level table seating, giving fans more ways to enjoy the game in style. For additional options, including McCreary Tower’s Flow Lexus Club, visit the Premium Seating section at GoDeacs.com

What to Watch on the Field
Wake Forest opens a new era under head coach Jake Dickert, who brings a fast-paced spread offense to Winston-Salem. The Deacs’ star is running back Demond Claiborne, an All-American candidate and Doak Walker Award watch-lister after racking up more than 1,500 all-purpose yards in 2024. Auburn transfer Robby Ashford takes over at quarterback, giving the attack a dual-threat spark. Defensively, veterans Nick Andersen and Dylan Hazen anchor a unit looking to rebound in 2025. See the Deacs' full 2025 schedule here.

• For full details on tailgating policies, parking maps, stadium food, clear bag policies, and other stadium FAQs, visit Wake Forest’s Gameday hub

Just getting started planning your ultimate Wake Forest + Winston-Salem weekend? Click here.