Step Into Another Era

Winston-Salem's sense of wonder is deeply rooted in its history — a past still seamlessly woven into the present.

Wander Through Old Salem
Start where Winston-Salem began at Old Salem, a remarkably preserved Moravian settlement just south of downtown. Founded in 1766, Salem was known for craftsmanship, trade, and meticulous community planning — and much of that story still feels vividly present. More than 100 original structures remain across the nearly 100-acre district, making Old Salem feel less like a museum and more like stepping into another century. Purchase a ticket to enter interpreted spaces like the Single Brothers House, Boys' School, and Salem Tavern, where costumed interpreters bring colonial life into focus. Don't miss MESDA, home to one of the nation's premier collections of Southern furniture, ceramics, textiles, and early craftsmanship. Learn more in our Old Salem 101 guide.

Experience the Grandeur of Reynolda
Reynolda offers a striking window into Winston-Salem’s layered past. Built in 1917 as the estate of tobacco magnate R.J. Reynolds, the home pairs Gilded Age elegance with one of the Southeast’s strongest collections of American art — masterworks displayed alongside personal artifacts inside rooms once occupied by the Reynolds family. Beyond the mansion, 170 acres of free public gardens, wooded walking paths, and a historic greenhouse create a peaceful counterpoint to the estate’s grandeur. Just steps away, Reynolda Village transforms former estate buildings into boutique shops, cafés, and restaurants — a historic property reimagined as an everyday gathering place.

Uncover Kernersville's Hidden Gems
Just outside Winston-Salem, Kernersville offers its own layer of unexpected wonder. At its center is Körner's Folly — often called "the strangest house in America." Built in 1880 by artist Jule Körner, it unfolds across 22 rooms and seven levels: a maze of staircases, hidden corners, and design choices that feel part architecture, part imagination. When you're done exploring, Kernersville has more to offer — wander the themed gardens and seasonal displays at Ciener Botanical Garden, or browse a century's worth of restored, drivable classics at the Kernersville Auto Museum. See more about each attraction in our Kernersville Daytrip Guide.

Follow the Creative Current

Known as the City of Arts & Innovation, Winston-Salem's creative energy shows up everywhere.

Discover a World-Class Arts Scene
Winston-Salem's performing arts scene runs deeper than most expect for a city its size. UNC School of the Arts — consistently ranked among the world's top conservatory-style training programs — stages dozens of theatre, dance, and music performances each year, often showcasing future professional talent before they reach larger stages. Local troupes including Little Theatre and NC Black Rep round out the calendar with Broadway hits and original productions. The music runs just as deep. The Winston-Salem Symphony and Piedmont Opera keep a full calendar running nearly year-round, from classical concerts to signature cultural festivals. See more in Winston-Salem's Year-Round Arts Guide.

Explore the Downtown Arts District
Winston-Salem is a city painted with creativity, and nowhere is it more vibrant than the Arts District. Public art, galleries, and independent shops line the blocks along Trade and Liberty streets, with spots like Piedmont Craftsmen, DeLurk, and Visual Index anchoring the experience. Looking for something one-of-a-kind? Browse handcrafted goods at Just Be, slow fashion at Fancy Groceries, African-inspired gifts at Body & Soul, or quirky finds at Major Tom’s and CasaShanti. Around nearly every corner, the neighborhood rewards curiosity. Tour the galleries and shops in our Arts District Guide.

Make and/or Take Something Home
Hands-on creativity is part of the experience here, and several spots let you leave with something handmade in just a few hours — no experience required. At Sawtooth School for Visual Art, housed inside a former factory, beginner-friendly Taste of Art workshops cover ceramics, jewelry-making, glasswork, painting, and other mediums. Just outside downtown, Dabble Art Bar takes a more self-guided approach: choose a project from a menu — watercolor, air-dry clay, and more — and have the materials brought to your table in a cozy, café-style setting. 

Short on time but still want a creative souvenir? Look for an Art-o-Mat — retired cigarette vending machines transformed into miniature galleries that dispense original artwork. Born in Winston-Salem and now found around the world, they remain one of the city’s most inventive creative exports.

Experience the Unexpected

From urban curiosities to unexpected views, the city has a few surprises up its sleeve.

Signature Sights & Roadside Oddities
Some sights here simply don't exist anywhere else. In the heart of downtown, ARTivity on the Green (above) pairs striking red towers with an ever-changing mural wall. Just outside downtown, Quarry Park delivers one of the more stunning urban views you'll find anywhere — a turquoise quarry lake framed by rocky bluffs with the city skyline rising beyond it. Roadside curiosities add their own charm: the iconic Mickey Coffee Pot in Old Salem and the bright yellow clamshell Shell Station — the last of its kind in America — make even an aimless drive feel like a discovery. For more on these and other 'Only in Winston' site, check out our IG Guide.

Come Full Circle in the Coalpit
Within downtown's Innovation Quarter (IQ), the Bailey Power Plant is the kind of place that feels like it could only exist here. The centerpiece is the massive courtyard adjacent to Incendiary Brewing — known as the Coal Pit — where concrete pilings, train trestles, and towering smokestacks now frame one of the city's liveliest gathering spaces. It’s Winston-Salem in one snapshot: industrial history repurposed into something creative, social, and entirely alive in the present. Learn more about the Coalpit in our IQ Tour.

Feel the Thrill of the Madhouse
Bowman Gray Stadium delivers a different kind of wonder altogether. NASCAR's longest-running weekly track has operated since 1949, earning the nickname "The Madhouse" for its intense, close-quarters racing and electric atmosphere. There's nothing chic or boutique about the experience — but there's certainly something unforgettable: engines roaring, cars colliding, a crowd fully invested, and a quarter-mile track where every lap unfolds right in front of you. Even if you've never followed motorsports, you'll walk out feeling a bit more alive. Races run Saturday evenings from April through August. See our Madhouse Insider Guide for race-day tips.

Escape to the Mountains — Almost
Winston-Salem has no shortage of green space and scenic trails within the city itself. But the region’s most dramatic landscapes sit just north of town, where two state parks deliver something closer to a mountain getaway than most visitors expect from a Piedmont city. Pilot Mountain, less than 30 minutes from downtown, is the kind of landmark that becomes part of a city's identity — its quartzite pinnacle visible from all over Winston-Salem, and even more impressive up close. Trails wind through hardwood forests and around the peak itself, offering views that feel worlds away. Just beyond Pilot Mountain, Hanging Rock adds waterfalls, rocky outcroppings, and some of the region’s most rewarding hikes. Learn more about each in our State Parks Guide.

Slow Down & Savor It

Some of the area's signature wonders are worth lingering over.

Unwind in Yadkin Valley Wine Country
Just west of the city lies the Yadkin Valley, North Carolina's first federally recognized wine region. Rolling foothills, vineyard views, and a surprising range of wines make it one of the South's most rewarding wine destinations. Award-winning estates like Raffaldini and neighboring Piccione Vineyards provide plenty of wow-factor, while other must-sees such as Childress, Shelton, JOLO, and Dynamis (above) give you plenty of reasons to linger. Looking to hit several wineries at once? Sub-regions like Swan Creek — where nearly a dozen wineries sit within a 10-mile radius — make it easy to hit several in a single day. Prefer not to drive? Local shuttle services offer pickup directly from various Winston-Salem sites. Visit our Yadkin Valley FAQ for ways and places to explore the region.

Enjoy Signature Sips in Memorable Spaces
Winston-Salem’s craft beverage scene comes with plenty of character. Across downtown, once-abandoned warehouses and factory buildings now house some of the city’s most popular gathering spots. Favorites like Foothills, Wise Man, and Fiddlin’ Fish pour award-winning craft beer inside restored industrial spaces just blocks apart, making a Craft Draft Crawl a breeze The cocktail scene feels a bit more intimate, with some of the city’s best bars — EasyTalk, The Dutch Light, Single Brothers, and Joyner’s — tucked away or easy to overlook, each with its own distinct personality. For something entirely its own, Broad Branch Distillery — recently named NC’s Distillery of the Year — brings grain-to-glass spirits and the region’s moonshine heritage together inside a polished downtown lounge.

Stay Somewhere Steeped in History
When it's time to turn in, your accommodations can become part of the experience. The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel occupies the landmark 1929 Reynolds Building — an Art Deco icon so influential it later inspired the Empire State Building. Another grand option sits a few miles north of downtown: Graylyn Estate, a castle-like retreat set across 55 rolling acres.

For something more intimate, Historic Brookstown Inn brings plenty of charm to a beautifully restored 1837 cotton mill between Old Salem and downtown. Smaller stays shine, too, including the Shaffner Inn and Summit Street Inns — spectacularly preserved historic homes full of character. Explore even more options in our Historic Stays roundup.