Under-the-Radar Tours

Carolina History & Haunts Tour 

On the Carolina History & Haunts Tour, you’ll walk through the historic West End neighborhood as guides share stories of past residents and their unfortunate endings. Learn about local superstitions and customs that shaped the area’s early days while meandering through the dark streets by candlelight. Even locals are surprised by what they discover on these tours. 

Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours 

Foodies will love the Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tour, named a “Must-Try Food Tour in North America” by USA Today. Over three hours, you’ll sample a variety of dishes while learning about Winston-Salem’s history and culinary scene. Stops include award-winning favorites and tucked-away gems, all locally owned—places like Mozelle’s, Heff’s, and Betty on Burke. 

Hook & Ladder Party Pumper 

Admire some of the most recognizable views in the city from the back of an open-air fire truck. Hook & Ladder’s Party Pumper tour lasts two hours and transports your group to local bars, breweries, or other downtown stops. You can stream your own Spotify playlist through the speakers, enjoy built-in lighting, and take advantage of coolers and cups provided for BYOB. 

Segway Tour with Triad ECO Adventures 

Zoom around town on a Segway with Triad ECO Adventures, no experience required. Each tour starts with one-on-one training indoors before you head to the Greenway to get comfortable. Their popular Segs’N’City Tour rolls past former tobacco and textile plants, the old Bailey Power Plant, and the Millennium Center, with guides sharing the key events and industries that shaped Winston-Salem. Tours last up to two hours. 

Downtown Trolley Pub 

Another BYOB option, Trolley Pub offers a party bike experience through downtown. Enjoy your own drinks as you pedal around town with motor assist to help on the hills. The trolley is outfitted with lights and a Bluetooth sound system and typically makes two to three stops at popular bars and breweries. Book a private ride or grab individual tickets on a Mixer Tour that follows a popular downtown route. 

Sights, Sips & Experiences

Last Shell Oil Clamshell Station 

Tucked along Sprague Street sits one of the most unusual roadside landmarks in the state. The Shell Oil Clamshell Station is the last remaining example of its kind in North Carolina, built in the 1930s to resemble a giant shell. It’s worth a quick stop for history buffs, anyone who appreciates offbeat architecture, or if you’re looking for that Insta-worthy photo.

Radar Brewing Co.

Winston-Salem has no shortage of well-known breweries, but one that quietly flies under the radar, ironically, is Radar Brewing Company. Tucked in downtown's Industry Hill district, just steps from Wise Man Brewing, it’s easy to miss but worth seeking out. New ownership and a talented head brewer have expanded the tap list from a few basics to 15+ beers, including new standouts like the Arctic Freeze Cold IPA and Black Tux Schwarzbier. Add live original music, Premier League matches, and a fantastic patio, and you’ve got a welcoming spot where getting a pint never means fighting a crowd. 

Oasis at the Mill

Tucked inside the historic West End Mill Works complex, Oasis at the Mill offers a different kind of hidden retreat just outside downtown. Many locals know the complex for The Porch Kitchen and Cantina, but Oasis is worth seeking out on its own. Part tea shop, part wellness boutique, it serves premium loose-leaf teas—hot, iced, or as tea lattes—along with matcha, mushroom elixirs, and baked goods. Shelves of gourmet teas, infused salts, spices, and metaphysical-inspired gifts add to the calm, retreat-like atmosphere.

Historic Bethabara Park 

Often overlooked for its larger neighbor, Old Salem, Historic Bethabara Park was the first Moravian settlement in the Piedmont and one of the earliest European settlements in the region. Along with centuries-old buildings, you’ll find 10 miles of trails, a reconstructed French and Indian War palisade, and 183 acres of wildlife preserve. Don’t miss the 1788 Gemeinhaus, the oldest standing church with an attached residence in the United States. 

Kernersville Auto Museum 

Featuring more than 100 years of automotive history, the Kernersville Auto Museum is a hidden find for car enthusiasts. The collection includes vintage, classic, and exotic vehicles, many on loan from private collectors or donated to the museum. They are always adding to their collection, so you may see something different each visit.

Körners Folly 

Just 15 minutes from downtown Winston-Salem, Körners Folly is one of the most unique homes you can tour in the country. Built by Julius Körner as a living catalog for his interior and furniture design company, every room features different architectural details. The self-guided tour takes about an hour and shares the family’s story and community ties. Afterward, walk next door to the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden and explore more of downtown Kernersville. 

Medaloni Cellars 

You may know big-name Yadkin Valley wineries like JOLO Winery & Vineyards, Shelton Vineyards, and Childress Vineyards, but Medaloni Cellars is an underrated spot just 15 minutes from downtown Winston-Salem. The Lewisville winery offers quality reds and whites, a spacious patio, and an additional outdoor area that opens in warmer months. 

Tip: It’s just two minutes from Incendiary Brewing’s satellite location, making it easy to pair wine and beer in one afternoon. 

Fresh-Air Adventures

Disc Golf at Horizons Park

Another hidden gem awaits at Horizons Park, about 15 minutes north of downtown in Rural Hall. Tucked among rolling meadows and red barns is an 18-hole disc golf course that opened in 1981 as North Carolina’s first public course. The shorter, open layout makes it ideal for beginners and families, while scenic views of Pilot Mountain and the surrounding countryside make every round memorable.

Hiking Trails in Historic Bethania

While many hikers head to nearby Pilot Mountain State Park and Hanging Rock State Park, and for good reason, several trails within Winston-Salem’s city limits offer peaceful ways to connect with nature. In the historic village of Bethania, a network of quiet trails ranges from 1 to 1.5 miles. The 1.4-mile Black Bottom Trail follows Muddy Creek for an easy stroll, while the Reuter Trail climbs to Bethania Knoll before descending through deep woods.

C.G. Hill Memorial Park

Just minutes from busy Reynolda and Yadkinville roads, C.G. Hill Memorial Park feels like a quiet retreat. The 73-acre park features shady picnic spots, a playground, and a paved trail looping around a serene fishing pond. It’s also home to an unusual piece of local lore: the “Loving Tree.” This massive yellow poplar, believed to be more than 500 years old, was hollowed out by lightning centuries ago and is large enough to step inside. According to local legend, residents once hid livestock there to keep them from Union soldiers during the Civil War.

The Lake at Hanging Rock

Horseback Riding & Softgolf at Tanglewood

Tanglewood Park is the largest park in Forsyth County, but beyond the walking trails and golf courses, there are a few activities that frequent visitors often overlook. One is horseback riding. You can take a 45-minute guided trail ride through the park, whether you’re experienced or trying it for the first time. Another unexpected activity is Softgolf, similar to traditional golf but with oversized clubs, larger balls, and a shorter course. The equipment even glows, so you can play after dark. It’s a great option for families or groups looking for something different, and the course will reopen in April for the season. For more information, check out our Best of Tanglewood Guide. 

Bonus: Another hidden find at the park is the Little Walden Trail, a shaded one-mile loop tucked just north of the Softgolf field. Bridges, gardens, a small pond, and a rocky creek where kids hunt for salamanders pack plenty of discovery into a short stroll.

Note: This list is just a sampling of hidden gems around the area and by no means meant to be exhaustive. In fact, half the fun of discovering hidden gems is finding them on your own. As you explore Winston-Salem, keep your eyes open for those unexpected places that make a trip memorable — the quiet trail, the tucked-away café, the shop you stumble upon by chance.

Found a spot you think deserves attentions? Let us know at [email protected]. We’re always looking for new discoveries to include in the next round of hidden gems.