Kick off your motorcoach tour at Historic Bethabara Park – the birthplace of Winston-Salem – for a peek into the city’s Moravian roots. This significant site marks the first Moravian settlement in North Carolina, dating back to 1753. Your group can explore a reconstructed French and Indian War palisade fort, a colonial village, and the 1788 Gemeinhaus, the oldest standing church with an attached residence in the United States. 

Stroll through the reconstructed Hortus Medicus, the nation's first medicinal garden, and the 1759 Community Garden, the only well-documented colonial community garden in the U.S. Both 18th-century gardens have been meticulously reconstructed and are free and open for exploration year-round. Bethabara's sprawling wildlife preserve and nature trails offer further opportunities for exploration. 

Step back in time at Old Salem Museums & Gardens, a living history museum that vividly recreates the life of the early Moravian settlers who established the town of Salem in 1766. Wander through meticulously preserved buildings and witness costumed interpreters demonstrating historical trades, such as tinsmithing and pottery throwing. For a truly interactive experience, consider one of their hands-on history workshops, where your group can try their hand at crafts such as pewter spoon making, bookbinding, or crafting corn-husk dolls.  

No visit is complete without a stop at Winkler Bakery, one of the oldest bakeries in America, for freshly baked Moravian treats and a photo opportunity at the iconic Mickey Coffee Pot. Within Old Salem, don't miss the chance to explore the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA), featuring an incredible collection of early American antiques and decorative arts characteristic of the early American South. Groups of 12 or more are required to make reservations for self-guided tours.

Don't just experience our Moravian history in person, stop and taste it and embark on a delectable culinary exploration of the "Moravian Cookie Capital of the World." 

No group visit is complete without indulging in these famously thin and flavorful treats. Witness the "Artists in Aprons" meticulously hand-rolling, hand-cutting, and hand-packaging over a million pounds of whisper-thin cookies each year at Mrs. Hanes Handmade Moravian Cookies. Motorcoach groups can participate in a behind-the-scenes tour, sampling their six delectable flavors: sugar, lemon, black walnut, chocolate, butterscotch, and the traditional Moravian ginger spice. Be sure to try these local delicacies, a favorite of Oprah Winfrey, and browse their gift shop. 

The city’s sweet legacy continues at Wilkerson Bakery, where groups will discover the Wilkerson family’s 100-plus-year baking history and the secrets behind their select ingredients. Like Mrs. Hanes, Wilkerson’s carries on the tradition of crafting the iconic Moravian Sugar Cake fresh daily. This sweet symphony of soft dough, cinnamon-kissed brown sugar, and buttery goodness is a staple of Salem’s Moravian baking traditions. Wilkerson's also offers a taste of other Moravian specialties, including Lovefeast buns, hot-cross buns, and savory cheese straws, making them a true ambassador of Moravian culinary heritage.

Beyond downtown, your group can extend its exploration of art and history at Reynolda House Museum of American Art. This stunning 1917 estate of R.J. and Katharine Reynolds houses a remarkable collection of American art spanning three centuries, including works by Georgia O’Keeffe, Alexander Calder, John Singer Sargent, and Andy Warhol. Featuring over 6,000 historic objects alongside its renowned art collection, the museum provides insight into the lives of the Reynolds family. 

Continue your hands-on journey by stepping outside to neighboring Reynolda Gardens, where 134 acres of natural beauty await. Envisioned by Katharine, the Reynolds family matriarch, this horticultural haven features formal gardens, the newly restored Lord and Burnham Conservatory, functional  and picturesque woodland trails, all of which are open to the public free of charge. 

Cap off your day of exploration by perusing Reynolda Village, a charming collection of group-friendly experiences and high-end boutiques housed in the estate's former outbuildings, including group friendly dining such as Village Tavern and Fratelli's Italian Steakhouse (for groups over 15 who would like to sit together, we recommend calling ahead). Trained docents or staff lead guided group tours of Reynolda, offering engaging, inquiry-based thematic tours exploring the museum, gardens, and grounds.

Looking for more inspiration for your group trip or motorcoach itinerary? Keep reading for more!

A history-meets-art excursion awaits groups in neighboring Kernersville, where they can tour the architectural gem of Körner's Folly. Constructed in 1880 by the visionary interior designer Jule Gilmer Körner, this 22-room Victorian mansion served as his “living portfolio.” Your group will traverse its three floors and seven levels, encountering breathtaking mosaics, distinctive fireplaces, meticulously carved woodwork, and the intriguing site of America's first in-home movie theater. Nearby you can take a hand-on approach to your day and tour other Kernersville group favorites, such as the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden and the Kernersville Auto Museum.

Tap into your group’s creative side at downtown’s Sawtooth School for Visual Art, a non-profit community art school that is housed in a former textile mill, easily recognizable by its distinctive "sawtooth" skylights. Sawtooth offers engaging group-friendly workshops in a variety of mediums, including pottery, painting, and sculpture. Your group can get artsy by crafting ceramic coffee mugs, dyeing silk scarves, creating wood cutting boards, and more. With studios ideal for smaller group instruction (6-12 participants for personalized attention), Sawtooth can also accommodate larger groups with fun "make-and-take" style activities in their Generations Center studios or gallery.

If you're not traveling with the convenience of a motorcoach and are interested in fun group transportation and tours, reach out to Triad Eco Adventures / Triad Trolleys. Enhance your group outing with by hopping aboard one of their unique trolleys and chart your own destiny, or opt for a pre-planned guided segway tour where you can explore the natural beauty and urban wonder of Winston-Salem.

Art-infused culture and rich history converge in Winston-Salem for motorcoach tours unlike any other. Immerse your group in our city’s one-of-a-kind charm through a wealth of hands-on activities and experiential tours. 

With an intriguing combination of storied history and thriving, art-infused culture, Winston-Salem promises an unforgettable group getaway. Contact us to help you craft a customized itinerary that’ll spark your group’s curiosity and make memories you can only experience in Winston-Salem.