August 12, 2025

Your Guide to Winston-Salem Entertainment for Athletes and Fans

Don’t miss these top things to do beyond the game

Winston-Salem is the perfect playground for athletes and fans, offering action-packed experiences during your downtime. Whether seeking family-friendly entertainment or grown-up adventures, our city boasts a winning combination of engaging activities and attractions year-round. 

Are you eager to discover what to see and do when you’re not competing or spectating? We’ve got you covered. Check out some of our top recommendations that sports enthusiasts and players rave about to experience the best of Winston-Salem.


 

Find Family-Friendly Fun

A child runs through an exhibit at Kaleideum Children's Museum in Winston-Salem with two adults close behind him.

Exploration abounds at Winston-Salem’s newest museum, blending learning and fun downtown at Kaleideum. From the rooftop playground to shows in the Digital Dome Planetarium, nine hands-on exhibits throughout four stories await children and adults in the heart of downtown. For a journey into the past, Old Salem Museums & Gardens offers a chance to explore the Moravian history of Winston-Salem. Wander through cobblestone streets, grab freshly baked treats from Winkler Bakery, or purchase an admission pass to delve deeper into interpreted buildings, museums, and gardens dating back to 1766. Keep the historic exploration going at Historic Bethabara Park, where you can visit the oldest and most well documented community garden in the county.

Seeking recreational activities that the entire family will enjoy? Visit the 1,100-acre Tanglewood Park, boasting two championship golf courses, including beginner-friendly golf at the Par 3 course, horseback riding, a BMX track, an aquatic center, and 26 beautiful gardens. Also, try Softgolf, an innovative full-swing golf game found exclusively at Tanglewood that's perfect for all ages. A short drive away, Salem Lake provides a scenic escape with a seven-mile path ideal for walking, running, and cycling. Kayaks are available for rent, or consider a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) tour with Triad Eco Adventures. The company also offers guided Segway and eBike tours and rentals to discover local sights and hidden gems. For more outdoor exploration, hit the trails at Pilot Mountain State Park, Hanging Rock State Park, and Stone Mountain State Park, where you’ll take in breathtaking mountain views less than an hour from downtown.

Four children of various ages stop to pose for a photo with Bolt, the Winston-Salem Dash Baseball mascot.

For live sports excitement year-round, root for Winston-Salem’s home teams. Catch the Winston-Salem Dash at the award-winning Truist Stadium during spring and summer for baseball, skyline views, and fireworks. Experience the legendary atmosphere of Bowman Gray Stadium- AKA The Madhouse- on Saturday nights spring through summer, with NASCAR-style racing. Head to the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena in the fall and winter to cheer on the Carolina Thunderbirds hockey team. New to Winston-Salem, Salem City FC brings the heart pounding thrill of soccer to Winston-Salem. Don't forget our collegiate sports teams' lively atmosphere and dynamic talent for fun family outings. Cheer on the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons for DI collegiate sports action and rally for the Winston-Salem State University Rams for a thrilling DII competition.

Capture memorable family moments at Winston-Salem’s most Instagram-worthy spots, from to ARTivity on the Green and Old Salem’s iconic Mickey Coffee Pot and Heritage Bridge. Are there any gamers in your crew? Get your game on at downtown’s Reboot Arcade + Bar, Camel City BBQ Factory, or ROAR for retro and modern arcade games.

Good Times for Grown Ups

Two women walking through Artivity on the Green Park in downtown Winston-Salem.

Prepare for adult-friendly play in Winston-Salem’s dynamic, walkable downtown, recognized as a Forbes Top 10 Best. Over 100 diverse dining options, including local foodie favorites: Twisted Pine, Finnigans Wake, and James Beard semifinalists Mission Pizza Napoletana and Heff's Burger Club; unique shops: Mast General Store, Bookmarks, Kin & Cottage, and Design Archives Emporium; craft breweries; and inviting bars await.  Immerse yourself in the local culture by exploring the eclectic Downtown Arts District, filled with galleries, murals, and public art installations.

Art aficionados and history buffs will be captivated by the Reynolda House Museum of American Art, built in 1917, which combines an art gallery with a history museum, offering a glimpse into the lives of tobacco tycoon R.J. Reynolds and his family. Afterward, stroll through the beautiful Reynolda Gardens and the unique shops and restaurants of Reynolda Village.

For some friendly post-game competition, head to ROAR, a four-story entertainment hub offering duckpin bowling, high-tech mini golf, golf simulators, and a 90-tap self-serve beer wall, complete with a rooftop bar. Catch an independent film or a cult classic at downtown's indie movie house, a/perture cinema, or enjoy their free outdoor film series, a/mobile, during warmer months. Unleash your creativity at Sawtooth School for Visual Art workshops, or enjoy a casual painting experience at Dabble Art Bar or Uncorked Masterpieces. Delve into the city's past and present with guided tours from Carolina History & Haunts and Triangle Walking Tours, or savor the local culinary scene with Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours.

A mother and child dance together at the Summer Music Series in downtown Winston-Salem.Music lovers will find their jam in Winston-Salem. Enjoy live music under the stars during warmer months at events like the Downtown Summer Music Series and Coal Pit Live at Bailey Power Plant. For indoor concerts, rock out at The Ramkat, a 1,000-capacity venue in the historic Industry Hill building, or enjoy the cozy, industrial ambiance of live performances at Hoots in West End Mill Works.

Seeking a night out on the town? Experience local museums in a new light during adult-only evenings at Kaleideum After Dark and House Hangs at the North Carolina Museum of Art - Winston-Salem. Explore Winston-Salem's stylish cocktail scene at establishments like Joyners, Fair Witness Fancy Drinks, Vintage Sofa Bar, and Broad Branch Distillery Bar, and enjoy skyline views from rooftop bars like Top of Fourth. Be sure to tap into Winston-Salem’s eight downtown craft breweries for the ultimate Craft Draft Crawl. Each has its unique vibe and flavors, so raise a glass and get crafty at your choice of local brewery, from local hidden gems like Small Batch Beer Co., Lesser Known Beer Co., and Radar Brewing Company to award-winning favorites like Foothills Brewing and Wise Man Brewing.

Prefer to “wine down” in Winston-Salem? As the "Gateway to the Yadkin Valley Wine Region," our city puts you within easy reach of 45 exceptional wineries. For a truly unique experience, don't miss Divine Llama Vineyards, where you can pair fine wines with a memorable llama trek during the cooler months. Stop by Childress Winery for a family-friendly environment, or keep it adults-only with a high-end wine pairing dinner at JOLO Winery's EndPosts Restaurant.

A Winning Lineup of Entertainment

Winston-Salem offers one-of-a-kind, budget-friendly fun for everyone on your roster — family, friends, athletes, coaches, and more. Get ready to explore a fan-tastic destination where the spirit of competition and community thrives. 

Plan your ultimate Winston-Salem sports-cation today to experience all that our city offers!

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