Dabble Art Bar 

For a creative afternoon, head to Dabble Art Bar at West End Mill Works, where families can choose a project from the art menu and work at their own pace. Activities are beginner-friendly and self-guided, with options like watercolor, collage, air-dry clay, and drawing, making this a good choice for older kids and teens who want something hands-on without committing to a full class. 

Pro tip: Seating is typically first-come, first-served, and kids 15 and younger must be supervised by an adult. It’s a short drive from downtown, and plan on one to two hours, depending on the project you choose. 

Dave & Buster’s or Chuck E. Cheese 

If your family loves games, there are a couple of arcade options for different ages. Dave & Buster’s is a better fit for older kids and teens, while Chuck E. Cheese caters more to younger kids with arcade games, prizes, and pizza. Both are near Hanes Mall, about ten minutes from downtown, and can easily fill a couple of hours with the whole family. These are also the perfect place to go in small groups. Get together with other conference attendees with families and create lasting memories with a group game night!

Airbound Adventure Park 

Let kids burn off some energy at Airbound Adventure Park, an indoor attraction 15 minutes from downtown with inflatables, a ninja course, climbing wall, stunt bag, and arcade games. It’s great for all ages, and they also offer dedicated Tots Time, when parents can bring kids six and under. 

Passes are available for 90 minutes, two hours, or all day, making this an easy rainy-day option or an activity between other plans. Waivers and Airbound socks are required. 

Skatehaven USA 

For an old-school afternoon or evening, lace up a pair of quad skates at Skatehaven USA, which is a quick 15 minute drive from downtown. Public skate sessions are offered on select days and typically last around two and a half hours, so check the current schedule before heading over. It’s an “all skate” facility, meaning everyone must wear skates at all times while in the building, and kids under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at night sessions. 

Creekside Lanes 

Bowling is an easy choice when you’re traveling with a mix of ages, and Creekside Lanes is a step back in time with traditional bowling, shoe rentals, a game room, and family packages. Allow about two hours, and consider reserving a lane ahead of time. It’s only ten minutes from downtown, and the group package includes two hours of bowling for up to six people, shoe rentals, six hot dogs per lane, and one small soda per person. Packages are available throughout the week, but only at certain times on weekends. 

The Twisted Putter at ROAR 

Right downtown, The Twisted Putter at ROAR puts a modern spin on mini golf with digital scoring, interactive props, lights, and sound effects. There are two seven-hole courses, and no reservations are needed, so it works well when your family has an hour or so to fill between meeting activities. 

Keep going! Just down the street, Sandbox VR offers another high-tech experience where you can immerse yourself in another world through virtual reality. Their bestselling options include Deadwood Phobia and Squid Game Virtuals, but they also have kid-friendly experiences like Age of Dinosaurs and Curse of Davy Jones. 

Triad ECO Adventures 

Families with older kids can see Winston-Salem from a different perspective with Triad ECO Adventures. You can choose from a variety of tours like a Segway tour through the city, a guided e-bike tour around the local greenway system or a paddleboarding adventure at Salem Lake. 

Pro tip: Advance reservations are required, and Segway tours require riders to be at least 14. Tours typically last about two hours, and many start downtown or a short drive away at Salem Lake. 

Winston-Salem Skate Park 

Kids and teens who travel with a skateboard, roller skates, or BMX bike can head to the Winston-Salem Skate Park at the Fairgrounds. The free, outdoor park has 15,200 square feet of ramps, rails, and other features for different skill levels, plus a pump track. Helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads are required. 

Pro tip: This is a short drive from downtown, and you’ll use Gate 5 along Deacon Boulevard to enter the Fairgrounds. 

Parks & Greenspaces 

Sometimes the easiest family activity is simply getting outside. Walk or bike part of the 7-mile trail around Salem Lake, take in the quarry and skyline views or let the kids play on the iconic playground at Quarry Park, or experienced mountain bikers can tackle the technical trails at Hobby Park. 

If you only have a short break downtown, grab lunch to-go and head to Bailey Park for a picnic instead. The 1.6-acre green space sits in Innovation Quarter and is surrounded by places to pick up food, making it an easy option when you don’t have time for a drive. The Long Branch Trail also runs by the Innovation Quarter and Bailey Park. It’s 1.7 miles and connects to the larger Salem Creek Greenway, making it a great walking spot for whatever time you have.

Kernersville 

There's so much to do in the nearby town of Kernersville. Car-loving kids and teens can spend an hour browsing vintage, classic, and exotic vehicles at the Kernersville Auto Museum, about 20 minutes from downtown Winston-Salem. The collection changes over time, and admission is free, but donations are encouraged. 

Kernersville is also home to Körner's Folly, the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Gardens, and the Kernersville Museum, which are all worth visiting on a Kernersville day trip. Explore their charming downtown where everyone can stick together or go in different directions to explore restaurants, coffeeshops, bars, restaurants, boutiques and shopping.

Lewisville & Clemmons

About 20 minutes west of downtown, the towns of Lewisville and Clemmons have enough to keep families busy for a few hours or most of the day. Head to Tanglewood Park, where you and the family can enjoy outdoor fun through activities for every interest.

Try nine holes of Softgolf or play the real game on one of Tanglewood's renowned courses. Reserve a guided horseback ride, hike or mountain bike the park’s trails, fish in one of the ponds, or cool off at the outdoor pool when it’s open for the season. Novices or experienced disc golfers will also enjoy the new disc golf course. With so many options in one place, Tanglewood works well for families with kids of different ages and interests. 

Pro tip: Make reservations for Softgolf and horseback riding. The stables accept cash or check only for the trail rides. 

Disc Golf at Jack Warren Park 

Jack Warren Park in Lewisville is about 20 minutes from downtown Winston-Salem. The park has a free 18-hole disc golf course, and even if you haven’t thrown a Frisbee in years, it’s an easy, fun activity to try as a family. 

You’ll need to bring your own discs, which you can pick up at sporting goods stores in Winston-Salem if you don’t already have them. The park also has walking trails and a playground, so families can easily turn this into a fun daytime activity.

Camel City BBQ Factory Downtown

Camel City BBQ Factory is one of the most popular spots for families, with arcade games, pinball machines, and a fun outdoor space. They offer reasonably priced lunch and weekday dinner specials, along with a kids' menu for children 12 and under. It’s the perfect spot if you’re looking for something casual and very close to the downtown convention area. 

East of Texas 

Instead of traditional Southern BBQ, East of Texas serves Texas-inspired barbecue and Tex-Mex favorites like tacos, quesadillas, and smoked meats. This is a counter-service spot where you seat yourself, so it’s great if you need something flexible. In the warmer months, they have a large outdoor patio where you can enjoy the nice weather. 

Cugino Forno 

Cugino Forno serves wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza from its spot in the Innovation Quarter. Order a few pizzas to share, then enjoy the outdoor space around the Coal Pit and Bailey Power Plant, which gives kids much more room to move around than a traditional restaurant. 

River Birch Lodge 

River Birch Lodge is a good option when the adults want a slightly nicer dinner without choosing somewhere that feels too formal for kids. The mountain lodge-inspired restaurant serves everything from burgers and sandwiches to pasta and seafood, and they even have a kids’ menu. 

Mama Zoe’s 

With breakfast served all day alongside burgers, pasta, Greek specialties, and Southern comfort food, Mama Zoe’s makes it easy to feed the family whether your kids are picky or adventurous. It’s a casual, family-run restaurant on Reynolda Road and delicious whether you’re visiting for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 

Midtown Cafe & Dessertery 

Another all-day breakfast option, Midtown offers pancakes, omelets, and breakfast specialties, along with sandwiches, burgers, and salads. Make sure you save room for dessert! 

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