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In the Headlines

Graylyn Named Nation’s No. 1 Boutique Hotel

Fresh off hosting Team Germany during the 2026 World Cup, Graylyn Estate added another national distinction: the historic property took the No. 1 spot in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Boutique Hotel. Graylyn climbed from No. 2 last year and was the only North Carolina property to make this year’s Top 10. Read more: USA TODAY 10Best

Wine Enthusiast Puts Yadkin Valley on the Global Radar

North Carolina joined just six other destinations on Wine Enthusiast’s list of seven up-and-coming wine regions to watch. The story gives the Yadkin Valley a starring role, including insights from JOLO Winery owner and winemaker JW Ray, who says the state’s wine industry has moved “from potential to proof.” Read more: Wine Enthusiast

NCMA Brings Contemporary Art to Downtown

NC Museum of Art, Winston-Salem (NCMA) now has a downtown home at 400 W. Fourth Street while its historic main campus undergoes a major renovation. The free-admission gallery pairs rotating contemporary exhibits with workshops, talks, music, and other programming. Its current show, Process as Practice: Three Artists from Western NC, runs through Nov. 29. Explore NCMA Downtown

East Coast's Largest Mural Makes its Debut

One of Winston-Salem’s newest landmarks is hard to miss. Local artists Leo Rucker and Joey Allen spent 15 months creating a nearly 33,000-square-foot mural along Reynolds Boulevard, commissioned to commemorate R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company’s 150th anniversary. The work, believed by its creators to be the East Coast’s largest mural by wall area, traces Reynolds history alongside the evolution of Winston-Salem. Learn more about the mural

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What's New: Arts & Attractions

From reopened historic landmarks and new exhibitions to outdoor recreation and immersive entertainment, there’s plenty changing beyond the food-and-drink scene. Here are a few recent additions and updates worth knowing.

Reynolda Reopens with New Exhibitions

Reynolda House is fully open again following a seven-month, $8 million HVAC restoration designed to better protect the historic home and its art collection. Fall exhibitions include Art & Democracy and Flash Point: The Civil Rights Photography of Danny Lyon. Outside, a major landscape restoration around the historic estate continues into 2027.

Bethabara’s Gemeinhaus Welcomes Visitors Again

Following extensive restoration work, Historic Bethabara Park’s 1788 Gemeinhaus is once again open for guided tours. The landmark served as a church, school, meeting hall, and minister’s residence in Winston-Salem’s first Moravian settlement. Today, it remains the only surviving German colonial church in the country with attached minister’s living quarters, with guided tours available throughout the year.

Tanglewood Adds Disc Golf Complex

Tanglewood Park added another reason to play outside with the September opening of a new disc golf complex. The centerpiece is an 18-hole championship course winding through woods, elevation changes, and natural terrain, while a separate six-hole loop offers an easier introduction for beginners and families. Play is free with regular $2 admission to Tanglewood Park.

Sandbox VR Lands Downtown

Sandbox VR opened its first NC location on Fourth Street, bringing full-body virtual reality to the heart of downtown. The 6,000-square-foot venue features four immersive VR rooms, a bar, and private event space. Groups suit up with headsets, haptic vests, and motion trackers for adventures ranging from Stranger Things and Squid Game to family-friendly experiences. See more on Sandbox's website.

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What's New: Food & Drink

Winston-Salem’s food and drink scene keeps adding new reasons to pull up a chair. From national accolades and noteworthy openings to new concepts, here’s what’s what to know.

Radar Becomes Southern Drift Brewing

Industry Hill’s Radar Brewing has entered a new chapter as Southern Drift Brewing. The rebrand follows new ownership and a year of changes that brought a refreshed taproom, expanded beer lineup, and more events to the downtown brewery. The familiar space under the Industry Hill water tower remains, now with a new name and look. 

Salem Bottleworks Adds Fourth Eatery

Salem Bottleworks is transforming a restored 1929 Coca-Cola bottling plant just south of downtown into an evolving food-hall-style destination. Its culinary lineup is led by James Beard-nominated restaurateurs John and Lucia Bobby, whose second Bobby Boy Bakeshop location anchors the complex. It’s joined by focaccia-style pizzeria Grandpa Joe’s Slaberia, ramen counter Noodle Ju’b, and, most recently, Dale’s Revision, a full-service restaurant built around seasonal, hyper-local cooking and a custom wood-fired grill. More is still taking shape, including retail spaces. The complex is adjacent to Old Salem, making it an easy stop between downtown and the historic district.

Finnigan’s Wake Reopens on Trade Street

Downtown staple Finnigan’s Wake is back. The longtime Irish pub reopened under new ownership following a temporary spring closure with a streamlined menu and a refreshed approach to its familiar Trade Street gathering place, adding a new hangout space with couches and games.

The Spicy Pickle Joins Innovation Quarter

The Spicy Pickle opened in September at Bailey South, adding a casual deli and market to Innovation Quarter. From the team behind Sage & Salt Bistro and Tuscani, the menu leans into deli classics, sandwiches, salads, soups, burgers, and, naturally, plenty of pickles. A broader market selection and downtown delivery are also in the works.

Dynamis Earns Historic Wine Star Nod

Nearby Dynamis Estate Wines is earning another round of international attention. Co-founders Matheson Worrell and Katy Kidd are the first North Carolina winemakers ever nominated for Wine Enthusiast’s Winemaker of the Year. It’s the second consecutive Wine Star nomination for Dynamis, following its 2025 nod for American Winery of the Year.

Mission Pizza Cracks National Top 20

Mission Pizza Napoletana landed at No. 19 on the 2026 50 Top Pizza USA rankings, making it the highest-ranked pizzeria in the Carolinas. It marks the downtown restaurant’s sixth consecutive appearance on the national list. Mission Pizza owner and pizzaiolo Peyton Smith, a former James Beard semifinalist, is known for uncompromising Neapolitan-style pies and an ever-evolving menu.

Coming to the Table

More is on the way. Several new food-and-drink concepts are taking shape downtown, adding everything from small plates to pizza, cocktails, and tabletop games.

• Honoré: A shareable, small-plates restaurant is slated for the former 6th & Vine space at 209 W. Sixth St. Expect a menu built around tapas, hors d’oeuvres, and antipasti in the heart of the Downtown Arts District.
• Boxcar Bar + Arcade: Boxcar is bringing its fourth North Carolina location to Industry Hill at 951 Trade St. The sprawling concept pairs classic and modern arcade games with a full bar, pizza kitchen, private event space, and an oversized year-round patio.
• The Pegasus Tavern: The former Sweet Potatoes space at 607 N. Trade St. is slated for a new chapter as a tabletop-gaming restaurant and bar. The concept will combine board games with food and drinks, creating a new neighborhood gathering place in the Downtown Arts District.

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What's Coming in 2027?

Three major projects are poised to add new reasons to explore Winston-Salem in 2027, spanning history, live entertainment, and a growing sports-and-entertainment district. Timelines can shift, but these are the big developments to keep on your radar.

MUSE Tells the “Winston” Story

MUSE Winston-Salem is targeting an early 2027 grand opening for its new downtown community history museum. Picking up where Old Salem leaves off, MUSE will explore the “Winston” side of the city’s story through artifacts, interactive exhibits, oral histories, and immersive features covering everything from industry and civil rights to local music and transportation.

Downtown Amphitheatre Takes Center Stage

A new 5,000-plus-seat amphitheatre is slated to open in spring 2027 between the Benton Convention Center and First Baptist Church. The privately funded venue will bring national touring acts and large-scale performances to the heart of downtown, while also creating opportunities for community, university, and performing-arts programming. See renderings and additional details here.

The Grounds Gears Up

The Grounds is transforming 100 acres around Wake Forest's campus and sports venues into a year-round destination. Its Retail & Dining Village is expected to open in fall 2027 with restaurants, shops, wellness concepts, patios, rooftops, trails, and gathering spaces, all part of a broader mixed-use district that also includes offices and residences. See more on The Grounds website here.

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Where to Go Next

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