See what are other media outlets and content creators are saying about Winston-Salem.
True—we think Winston-Salem is an amazing place to visit. But you don't have to take our word for it. See what others are saying in this collection of recent press and media highlights. From articles to broadcasts to blogs, we're very proud of all the attention Winston-Salem continues to receive.
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USA Today
"10 Best Boutique Hotels in the U.S."
August 2026 – Graylyn was named the nation's top boutique hotel in USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, up from No. 2 last year, and was the only North Carolina property to make the Top 10. Nominees are selected by a panel of travel experts, and public voting determines the final rankings. The article calls the 1932 estate "Winston-Salem's own version of Downton Abbey."
American Theatre Magazine
"Black Theatre's Family Reunion"
August 2026 – American Theatre , the national magazine for the theatre field published by Theatre Communications Group, featured this recap of the 2026 International Black Theatre Festival, the world's biggest celebration of Black theatre. The article was written by Chicago-based freelancer and playwright Nikki Carpenter, a recent VWS media guest.
Wine Enthusiast
“7 Up-and-Coming Wine Regions"
July 2026 – Wine Enthusiast named North Carolina one of seven up-and-coming wine regions worldwide, with most of the spotlight falling on the nearby Yadkin Valley. The story charts the region's growing reputation and features quotes from JW Ray, owner of JOLO Winery in Pilot Mountain, who says NC wine has moved "from potential to proof."
Our State Magazine
“Only in Winston-Salem: 5 Can't-Miss Stops”
July 2026 – Our State takes readers on a retro road trip through Winston-Salem in its August issue, with five stops that trace the city's story from its Moravian roots to the golden age of the open road. The lineup includes the historic Shell Station, Old Salem, and Historic Brookstown Inn, among other spots.
Southern Living
“17 Of The South's Best Art Museums”
July 2026 – Southern Living named Reynolda one of the South's top museums, calling it "a place to plan a trip around." The feature covers the full Reynolda experience: American art inside the 1917 home of R.J. and Katharine Reynolds, the formal gardens and greenhouse, and the shops and restaurants of Reynolda Village.
Nonprofit Quarterly (NPQ)
“America 250 Finds a Fuller Story at IBTF"
July 2026 – Writing for national outlet Nonprofit Quarterly, freelancer Camilla Richardson makes the case for the International Black Theatre Festival as a more complete way to mark America's 250th anniversary. The national story explores the history and reach of the biennial festival, which brings 100+ performances and tens of thousands of visitors to Winston-Salem every other summer.
Southbound Magazine
“Four Southern Cities That Helped Shape a Nation”
March 2026 – Southbound the award-winning travel publication from Atlanta Magazine, put Old Salem on the cover of its America 250 issue. Written by editor Kevin Benefield, the feature places Salem alongside Charleston, SC, and New Orleans in the nation's founding story, exploring how the pacifist Moravians stayed neutral through the Revolution, then hosted the country's first documented July 4th celebration in 1783.
Smoky Mountain Soul (creator)
"The Most Underrated Weekend Trip in NC"
June 2026 – Visit Winston-Salem hosted travel writer and creator Megan Willetts (@Smoky.Mountain.Soul), who went beyond the usual stops in a series of reels, spotlighting under-the-radar finds like the water lilies at Bethabara Park and the stables at Tanglewood Park while calling Winston-Salem "the most underrated weekend trip in North Carolina."
Food & Wine
“NC Wine Has a 400-Year History – and a Fast-Growing Future"
June 2026 – Food & Wine explored how innovation and momentum are reshaping North Carolina's national reputation as a wine state, with the Yadkin Valley out front. Written by travel writer and VWS hosted guest Megan Bannister, the story traces the industry from its centuries-old roots to its fast-growing present and positions Winston-Salem as the Gateway to the Yadkin Valley.
MSN.com
"Best U.S. Cities to Raise a Family"
March 2026 – Winston-Salem ranked No. 4 on StorageCafe's "100 Best U.S. Cities to Raise a Family," a 2026 study featured on MSN.com. Weighing hundreds of cities on safety, education, recreation, and affordability, the study called the city "a high-appealing landing spot for young families thanks to affordability, parks that families can enjoy, and shorter-than-average commute times."
Southern Living
“The Nation's Oldest Easter Sunrise Service”
March 2026 – Southern Living spotlighted Winston-Salem's Moravian Easter Sunrise Service in Old Salem, held in the same place and largely the same way for more than 250 years. Written by award-winning journalist Katie Riley, the story goes beyond Easter to highlight the city's year-round Moravian heritage, from Old Salem and MESDA to Bethabara and Moravian cookies, a heritage that still shapes the destination today.
Travel + Leisure
"The Essential Winston-Salem Guide"
March 2026 – Is Winston-Salem “the South’s most underrated city?” Travel + Leisure makes a compelling case. A recent feature explores the city’s blend of history, adaptive reuse, arts, and dining, from Reynolda and Old Salem to its evolving downtown. The piece was written by journalist Kristi Tolley, who stated, "I’ve lived in the South for 30+ years—this is the city everyone should visit once."
AOL.com
"5 Most Romantic Destinations in NC"
March 2026 – AOL.com, among other national outlets, recently featured Winston-Salem in an article highlighting North Carolina's "5 Most Romantic Destinations.” The roundup highlighted destinations selected for their atmosphere, scenery, and couple-friendly experiences, reinforcing the city’s romantic appeal. “Couples seeking romantic cobblestone streets, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and unique wine experiences should look no further than Winston-Salem.".
Good Morning Washington (DC)
"Winston-Salem: A Timeless American Story"
February 2026 – WJLA-TV, the ABC affiliate in D.C., featured Winston-Salem as part of its “America the Beautiful” series. Airing on the Good Morning Washington newscast, the segment positioned the city as an accessible, compelling destination, noting that “few places capture America’s story quite like Winston-Salem.” The piece highlighted a range of experiences in the city, from historic sites and cultural draws to its proximity to the Yadkin Valley and Blue Ridge Parkway.
Fodor's Travel
"The Best 250 Birthday Parties in the USA"
March 2026 – Fodor’s, a long-standing authority on expert-driven travel coverage, named Winston-Salem one of America’s top 10 cities to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary, declaring “here’s where to party like it’s 1776.” Listed alongside destinations such as Washington, DC, Winston-Salem stood out for its deep Revolutionary roots and for being home to the nation’s first July 4th celebration.
Garden & Gun
"G&G Bucket List 2026"
January 2026 – Garden & Gun magazine highlighted Old Salem in its January 2026 issue, focusing a short piece around Lot 63. The nod came as part of a bucket list-themed story highlighting "26 Epic Ways to Experience the South in 2026." Writer Robert Grand penned the article, noting that Lot 63 is "equal parts bakery, cafe, coffeehouse, pub, and wine bar with a bright, airy ambiance.”
National Geographic
"Top 7 Pizza Spots That Aren't in NY or Chicago"
January 2026 – Mission Pizza, downtown's James Beard-nominated osteria, keeps earning national praise. In a syndicated piece originally for National Geographic, Philly-based writer Brian Cicioni ranked it among America's top pizzerias outside New York and Chicago. The story also ran on Yahoo News, AOL.com, and other platforms, reaching an audience of 380 million.
Related coverage: America's Top 50 Pizza: 2025 Rankings (#17 - Mission Pizza)
Good Housekeeping
"2026 Travel Award Winners"
November 2025 – One of America's most trusted lifestyle magazines named Winston-Salem a winner in its 2026 Travel Awards, one of just 23 cities worldwide to earn the honor. Editors enlisted more than 125 travel testers and experts to evaluate destinations across five continents, and Winston-Salem earned high marks for its walkable downtown, lodging variety, accessibility, and value, with one tester noting it offers "all the attractions and amenities of a big city on a more snackable scale.
- Related - AOL.com: "The Coolest Cities to Visit in 2026," featuring Winston-Salem
ABC National News
"Under-the-Radar Destinations"
October 2025 – Two Winston-Salem cultural gems, Old Salem and MESDA, received national airtime through NC-based content creator Meghan Grant (@ImFixingTo). Grant appeared on ABC National News as part of its “50 States in 50 Days” series spotlighting under-the-radar destinations across the country. The segment, which garnered 57 million views, featured extensive coverage of Old Salem, along with b-roll of MESDA captured during Grant’s recent visit.”
Southern Living
"Best Bakeries in the South" (#13 Bobby Boy)
October 2025 – Bobby Boy Bakeshop, a James Beard semifinalist in the “Best Bakery” category, earned high praise in Southern Living’s November 2025 issue. The husband-and-wife-owned bakery was named one of the 16 Best Bakeries in the South and was the only North Carolina spot to make the list. In 2025, the Bobby Boy team expanded with a second Winston-Salem location inside Salem Bottleworks, a historic Coca-Cola bottling plant near Old Salem.
- Related: SoLi: The South's Most Legendary Bakeries, feat. Winkler Bakery (Feb 2026)
Forbes
"4 Detour Destinations Worth The Trip"
August 2025 – Winston-Salem earned a spot in this Forbes.com feature by travel writer Cassidy Randall, who called it one of her must-visit detour destinations for Fall 2025. "These are places slightly off the beaten path that reward curiosity with authenticity, comfort, and a slower pace," she noted. The article focused on Graylyn, noting it can "turn a routine stopover into a stay steeped in history and elegance."
Wine Enthusiast
"The Nonconformist Potential of the Yadkin Valley AVA"
July 2025 – The Yadkin Valley stole the spotlight in the April 2025 issue of Wine Enthusiast, a publication read by 5.1 million worldwide. The magazine featured the wine region in a beautifully written article by Amy Beth Wright, a former VWS-hosted guest. The article highlights the region's dedicated winemakers, thriving vineyards, and camaraderie. As Mark Friszolowski of Childress Vineyards notes, “You can’t grow a wine region without camaraderie.”
PBS-NC
NC Weekend visits Bookmarks
April 2025 – North Carolina Weekend, the popular PBS-NC program with 2.8M weekly viewers, visited Bookmarks in as part of its recent episode, "Book Crawl Across the State." The segment toured Bookmarks' downtown bookshop, highlighted its literacy outreach programs, and previewed September's annual Bookmarks Festival of Books, the biggest book event in the Carolinas.
Forbes.com
"Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in the U.S."
March 2025 – Forbes spotlighted two Winston-Salem favorites—Ryan’s Restaurant and JOLO Vineyards—in its roundup of the Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in the U.S. The article, written by friend of VWS Michele Hermann, also used a photo of JOLO as its lead image. It was published alongside OpenTable.com's ranking of America's most romantic dining spots. Notably, only two other North Carolina restaurants earned a spot on the list, further underscoring the city's exceptional dining scene.
Cape Fear Living
"Timeless Elegance at Kimpton Cardinal"
February 2025 – Cape Fear Living, the Wilmington, NC, lifestyle magazine, profiled Kimpton Cardinal Hotel in its March 2025 issue. It was written by former VWS-hosted guest Colleen Thompson, who stated, "If you’re looking for a city that’s balancing history, style, and a little bit of whimsy, Winston-Salem has arrived."
Garden & Gun
"Winston-Salem: A City of Contrast and Creativity"
March 2025 – Garden & Gun recently showcased Winston-Salem as a city where history and innovation converge to create something extraordinary. The article highlights Winston-Salem’s rich cultural arts scene, vibrant culinary offerings, and well-preserved historic districts. As longtime local Sue Henderson puts it, “Winston-Salem isn’t just a place to visit—it’s a place to watch history, innovation, nature, culture, tradition, and creativity coalesce. It just draws people in.”
Southern Living
“The 15 Best Things to Do in Winston-Salem.”
January 2025 – Southern Living recently highlighted “The 15 Best Things to Do in Winston-Salem.” In the article, author Nicole Letts (who came to Winston-Salem on a hosted visit recently) notes that “Winston-Salem embraces its history while turning toward its future as a vibrant city.” We couldn’t agree more!
~Older Media Pieces~
Select articles, broadcasts, influencer recaps, and other highlights from 2024.
Forbes.com
"7 Spectacular Holiday Light Displays"
Forbes highlighted Tanglewood Festival of Lights as part of an article on "7 Spectacular Holiday Light Displays." Every year, the landscape of Tanglewood Park comes aglow with the twinkle of more the one million holiday lights. The article has generated an incredible 51 million unique impressions since being posted.
Southern Living
"Experience An Old-Timey Christmas in This Charming NC Town"
Southern Living highlighted Old Salem Museum & Gardens in their December 2024 issue. Specifically highlighting the joy of the holiday season in Winston-Salem, this article showcased the rich history of Old Salem's Moravian heritage. In addition to appearing in the printed magazine (7.2M subscribers), the article was featured prominently on Southern Living's website.
Yahoo Life
5 Beautiful NC Cities for Vacations This Winter
Yahoo Life, the lifestyle arm of media giant Yahoo, named Winston-Salem as one of the state's top cities to visit on a budget. The article notes that visitors will “enjoy a small-town feel but no shortage of activities and entertainment options” and highlights accommodations that fit all budget sizes.
PBS-NC
NC Weekend: "Historic Winston-Salem Hotels"
North Carolina Weekend, the popular PBS-NC show with 2.8M weekly viewers, toured several historic inns and hotels on its Nov. 21 episode. The six-minute segment included visits to Graylyn, Historic Brookstown Inn, and Kimpton Cardinal Hotel.
Crazy Blonde Life (influencer)
"Travel Guide - Winston-Salem"
Charlotte lifestyle blogger Suzanne Smith, who runs the popular social media page Crazy Blonde Life, recapped her visit to Winston-Salem with a detailed blog post and series of engaging Instagram reels. Visit Winston-Salem hosted Smith and her husband in the fall as they celebrated their wedding anniversary, with an itinerary that allowed them to explore the local cuisine, museums and historic attractions, downtown, and more.
Northern Virginia Magazine
“Former Tobacco Town Now Shines with Brews, Gardens, and Arts”
Northern Virginia Magazine ran this travel-focused feature on Winston-Salem in its November 2024 issue. Titled “Former Tobacco Town Now Plays Well with Brews, Gardens, and Arts,” the article was written by writer Amy White. We had the honor of hosting her and crafting her itinerary earlier in the year.
Smart Southern Style (influencer)
"Winston-Salem Travel Guide"
Laura Long, who runs the popular social media outlet Smart Southern Style, highlighted Winston-Salem in a blog post series of social media reels. VWS hosted Laura and helped plan her itinerary during a 3-night visit over the summer.
Magnolia Megan (influencer)
"Things To Do in Winston-Salem"
Visit Winston-Salem hosted popular Raleigh-based influencer and Miss North Carolina runner up Megan Pintell, aka Magnolia Megan, for a three-night stay in April 2024. Megan, who would go on to become runner-up in the Miss North Carolina pageant later that year, created a variety of content during her visit, including a Travel Guide blog and several social media reels.
Forbes.com
"America’s Top Cities for Young Professionals"
Forbes ranked Winston-Salem the top city in North Carolina (and #20 nationwide) in its list of Best Places for Young Professionals for 2024. The list was compiled covering factors such as employment and pay, housing affordability, cost of living, and lifestyle. The ranking came on the heels of another Top 10 finish in Forbes 2024 ranking of “Best U.S. Cities for Renters.”
The Capturing Couple (influencers)
"Winston-Salem: One of North Carolina's Hidden Gems"
Over Easter weekend 2024, Visit Winston-Salem welcomed Tampa-based influencers Nick and Madison Hearn, aka the Capturing Couple. View their highlight reels and stories below for a look into their adventure around Winston-Salem!
Black People Eats (influencer)
Black History & Culture in Winston-Salem
In February 2024 we hosted Chicago-based digital influencer Jeremy Joyce, founder of Black People Eats (@blackpeopleeats), focusing on Black culture and cuisine.