An Inside Guide to Old Salem

Old Salem Museums & Gardens isn’t just a place to see history—it’s where history comes alive through immersive learning, costumed interpreters, and hands-on experiences. The restored 18th-century village tells a story that begins locally but reaches far beyond, revealing how one small town grew, thrived, and ultimately helped shape a young nation.

Founded in 1766 by German-speaking Moravians, Salem was a town rooted in faith, craftsmanship, and innovation—home to remarkable American “firsts,” from the nation’s oldest women’s college to one of the earliest July 4th celebrations. Today, that same spirit endures across Old Salem, just a mile south of downtown Winston-Salem. Spanning nearly 100 acres, the historic district hums with engaging interpreters, working trade shops, heirloom gardens, and centuries-old buildings—all creating an experience where the past feels both tangible and alive.

Here’s your quick guide to making the most of your visit.

Start at the Visitor Center

Old Salem isn’t a gated attraction—you’re welcome to stroll the village anytime. But to experience its full living history, plan your visit during operating hours (Wed–Sat, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.). The Old Salem Visitor Center is the ideal place to begin. You’ll find ample parking, exhibits and artifacts, a short orientation video, and Moravian-themed gifts. From there, cross the 120-foot Heritage Bridge—one of Winston-Salem’s most photographed landmarks—into the historic district. Beautiful in every season, the bridge shines brightest during the holidays, when dozens of Moravian stars light the way.

Explore Salem’s Iconic Buildings

Old Salem’s historic district spans nearly 100 acres and includes nearly 100 restored buildings—many more than two centuries old. Your ticket unlocks more than a dozen interpreted spaces, but if time is short, start with these five standouts.

Salem Tavern Museum (1784) – George Washington stayed here during his 1791 Southern tour. The museum tells how this bustling tavern linked Salem to the wider world and explores the cultural crossroads of Moravians, colonial Americans, and enslaved Africans. The Tavern also contains a kitchen (seen above), where breads, coffee, and other items are prepared daily.

Single Brothers House (1769) – The largest half-timbered building in the Carolinas once served as Salem’s original trade school. Inside, costumed interpreters demonstrate weaving, pottery, tanning, shoemaking, and more—offering a lively glimpse of the trades and daily life of 18th-century Salem. Behind the house, the award-winning Single Brothers’ Garden showcases Moravian gardening traditions, while the adjacent Workshop houses Old Salem’s horticulture and seed-saving programs, plus a Monarch butterfly enclosure.

Miksch House (1771) – One of Old Salem’s smallest interpreted spaces—and among the most fascinating. Step inside the first family home in Salem to experience frontier life through cooking, handcrafts, and daily chores. Out back, the family garden highlights Old Salem’s heirloom seed-saving tradition.

Boys School (1794) – The oldest surviving building devoted to Moravian education. A hands-on Cabinet of Curiosities invites exploration through sight, touch, and smell, recreating a classroom experience from centuries past.

Winkler Bakery (1799) – The nation’s oldest operating bakery, Winkler Bakery still tempts with Moravian Sugar Cake, Lovefeast buns, and whisper-thin Moravian Cookies, baked on-site by costumed bakers. Upstairs, Winkler Book & Gift brims with locally made candles, ornaments, and home décor—perfect souvenirs of your visit.

Note: Tickets are required for all interpreted spaces except Winkler Bakery. Have extra time? Explore the Vogler Gun Shop, Doctor’s House, and Blum House Joinery.

Don’t Miss MESDA

If Old Salem has a hidden gem, it’s MESDA—the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts. This globally known and acclaimed museum showcases the nation’s finest collection of early Southern decorative arts, with galleries of furniture, ceramics, metalwork, needlework, paintings, prints, and more—some dating to the 1600s. 

MESDA's upper level highlights the best works from across the South, while the lower level focuses on Moravian art created in Salem—from pottery and silversmithing to gunsmithing and fine art—reflecting the town’s earliest identity as a true crafts village. 

NOTE: Admission to select MESDA exhibits is included with your Old Salem ticket. Expanded guided tours are also available for an additional fee; visit MESDA’s site for details.

Eat, Drink, and Take a Breather

Aside from Winkler Bakery, Old Salem and its surroundings offers plenty of spots to refuel and relax.

Lot 63 – A modern coffee shop and taproom inside a historic Moravian gathering space—ideal for a caffeine boost or a local craft beer. Pair your drink with fresh-baked treats like Moravian cookies, sugar cake, and Lovefeast buns.

Muddy Creek Café – A cozy lunch spot in an 1850s building serving gourmet sandwiches, hearty soups, and the famous Moravian chicken pie—by the slice or whole. Enjoy the patio, browse the gift shop, grab a seasonal ice cream downstairs, or catch live folk and Americana music in the adjoining Listening Room.

Salem Tavern – Reopened in Fall 2025, this beloved tavern offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience with period-dressed staff, a garden patio, and a menu blending Moravian classics with soul-food favorites. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Salem Bottleworks – Just across from the Visitor Center, this restored 1929 Coca-Cola bottling plant has become a lively food-hall-style complex anchoring the South Broad Street corridor. Stop by Bobby Boy Bakeshop’s second location (link) or try focaccia pizza and soda floats at Grandpa Joe’s Slaberia, with more eateries on the way.

Five More Must-See Stops

Scattered throughout Old Salem are a variety of poignant sites and photogenic favorites. Here are a five things worth seeking out.

The Big Coffee Pot – Built in 1858, this 12-foot landmark marks the gateway to Old Salem. Officially called the “Mickey Coffee Pot,” it’s said to hold nearly 750 gallons of coffee—about 12,000 cups.

God’s Acre – On the northern edge of Old Salem, this serene graveyard dates to 1771 and holds more than 7,000 flat white headstones, symbolizing the Moravians’ belief in equality in both life and death.

Salem College – Student or not, you can stroll the beautiful, rolling campus of America’s oldest women’s college and visit the Single Sisters’ House, which houses a free museum on early women’s education.

Salem Square – The heart of Old Salem, this grassy gathering place has hosted concerts and special events since America’s first documented July 4th celebration in 1783. Kids will love the century-old water pump, especially on hot days.

St. Philips Heritage Site – Home to North Carolina’s oldest African American church, this site anchors Old Salem’s Hidden Town initiative, which honors the lives of enslaved and free African Americans. Highlights include a reconstructed 1823 log church, the Stranger’s Graveyard, a stone Remembrance Wall, and other powerful reminders of the past.

Stay the Night

You can quite literally wake up in history here, with several lodging options in or near Old Salem.

The Zevely Inn – Located in the heart of Old Salem, this 1844 B&B immerses guests in Moravian heritage. Twelve uniquely appointed rooms range from cozy queens to spacious kings with fireplaces, all paired with a hearty breakfast and fresh-baked cookies.

Mansion on Main – The largest home in Old Salem, this meticulously restored 1873 landmark is now an Airbnb site. You can rent the entire five-bedroom residence, featuring two kitchens, a library, media room, and dining salon.

Historic Brookstown Inn – Built in 1837 as a cotton mill, this boutique hotel blends industrial character with modern charm. It features 71 distinctive rooms, a picturesque courtyard, a hot breakfast buffet, and free wine and cheese in the evening. And while it's not technically in Old Salem, it’s less than a 10-minute walk to the village center.

NOTE: Old Salem is just a mile south of downtown, home to a variety of lodging options; everything from boutique inns to familiar brand-name hotels. But if proximity tops your list, these three stand out.

Keep The Journey Going...

To continue your journey through time, head over to our History Buffs page. That's where you'll find more ways to connect with the past in unforgettable ways, from landmarks and living museums to historic inns and cultural treasures.

For full details on visiting Old Salem—including ticketing, open venues, special events, and custom experiences—visit Old Salem’s website.