Your Guide to Winston-Salem
Where to eat, what to do, and helpful tips for making the most of your Twin City Brawl weekend.
Whether you're coming for a single day or making a long weekend of it, Winston-Salem is an easy city to get around. The Winston-Salem Fairgrounds sits just minutes from downtown, with hotels, restaurants, and family attractions all within a short drive.
There are more than 2,000 hotel rooms within five miles of the venue, including plenty of options downtown. Whether you're looking for a team dinner, something to do between sessions, or a place to unwind when the mats are rolled up, you'll find plenty nearby.
What Makes the City Unique: Winston-Salem has a fascinating history—much of which remains intact and accessible today. The city was formed when two neighboring towns merged in 1913: Salem, a Moravian settlement founded in 1766, and Winston, a tobacco and textile center that grew up beside it. That history left behind an uncommon mix of old and new, from the cobblestone streets of Old Salem to the restored tobacco factories of the Innovation Quarter.
Getting Here: Winston-Salem sits in North Carolina's Piedmont Triad region, about an hour east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Charlotte is roughly an hour away, Raleigh about 90 minutes, and Atlanta and Washington, D.C., around five hours. If you're flying, Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) is about 25 minutes from downtown.
Where to Eat: Group Dining Made Easy
Whether you're grabbing a quick meal with the family or organizing dinner for an entire team, Winston-Salem has plenty of options. The restaurants below were selected because they're family-friendly, group-friendly, or both. Many offer private dining or can accommodate larger parties with advance notice.
## Good for larger groups
[Breakfast] Serves breakfast/brunch
Downtown Dining
Less than 10 minutes from the Fairgrounds venue, downtown offers the city's largest concentration of restaurants. Most are within easy walking distance of one another, with convenient public parking decks throughout the area. It's an especially easy option for families staying downtown.
Camel City BBQ Factory ## – North Carolina barbecue with counter service and table seating, plus an arcade and lawn games. Flexible for everything from individual families to organized team meals.
Foothills Brewpub ## – Local favorite serving burgers, sandwiches, salads, and pub fare. Multiple private event spaces make it one of the city's best options for team dinners.
Cugino Forno Pizza ## – Wood-fired pizza inside the historic Bailey Power Plant. Counter service, plenty of seating, and outdoor green space make it an easy choice for large groups.
Twisted Pine – Locally owned spot serving smash burgers and tacos in a laid-back setting, with free parking. Closed Sunday.
East of Texas (near downtown) – Texas-style barbecue with board games, cartoons, and shareable platters that make feeding a team easy and affordable.
Cin Cin Burger Bar (near downtown) – Build-your-own burgers with an extensive toppings menu in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.
Other options: Butcher & Bull (inside the Marriott), Tulum Bar & Grill, Barcelona Burger, Mellow Mushroom, Quiet Pint Tavern and The Porch
Hanes Mall / Stratford Road
Less than 15 minutes from the Fairgrounds, and convenient for families staying near Hanes Mall.
Village Tavern ## – Scratch-made American favorites with reservations, private dining space, and an extensive gluten-free menu.
Sixty Six Grill & Taphouse ## – One of the area's best choices for large groups, with an extensive menu, private rooms, and plenty of experience hosting team dinners.
Umi Japanese Steakhouse ## – Spacious hibachi and sushi restaurant with private and semi-private dining options for groups up to 40.
Bad Daddy's Burger Bar – Burgers, salads, sandwiches, and shakes in a spacious dining room well suited for larger parties.
Little Richard's Bar-B-Que – A longtime local favorite for authentic North Carolina barbecue, Southern sides, wings, and more; located in the Thruway area.
Midtown Café & Dessertery [Breakfast] – Also in the Thruway area, this local favorite serves breakfast all day, plus lunch, dinner, and a popular dessert case.
Other options: Carolina Ale House, Kickback Jack's, BJ's Brewhouse and Golden Corral.
Coliseum / Reynolda Area
Closest to the Fairgrounds, with several options less than a mile away.
Elizabeth's Pizza – The closest full-service restaurant to the Fairgrounds, serving pizza, pasta, subs, and Italian favorites. Great for dine-in or takeout.
Mama Zoe's [Breakfast] – Local favorite serving generous portions of Greek, Southern, and homestyle cooking from breakfast through dinner.
Fratelli's Italian Steakhouse – A more upscale option that's still family-friendly, but especially well suited for parents or smaller groups looking for a quieter evening.
The Sherwood ## – Casual and kid-friendly, with an arcade and two private rooms available for groups. About 10 minutes from the venue. Closed Sunday.
Other good options: Putters Patio & Grill and Jimmy the Greek.
North Winston / Hanes Mill Road
A convenient cluster of restaurants just off U.S. 52, less than 10 minutes north of the venue.
Silvia's Honey Tree [Breakfast] – Family-owned diner serving breakfast, Greek specialties, sandwiches, and comfort food at affordable prices.
Casa Blanca – Popular Mexican restaurant known for generous portions and shareable fajitas.
McAlister's Deli – Counter-service sandwiches, salads, baked potatoes, and more, with catering trays available for larger groups.
Chili's – A familiar choice with late hours and a dependable kids' menu.
Entertainment + Things to Do
Tournament weekends usually leave a little free time between weigh-ins, matches, and team dinners. Whether you're entertaining younger siblings or looking for something the whole team can enjoy, these indoor attractions offer plenty of options during a January weekend.
Attractions, Games & Active Fun
Kaleideum (Downtown) – Winston-Salem's award-winning children's museum features five floors of hands-on exhibits, live animals, a planetarium, art studio, and rooftop playground. Best for younger wrestlers and siblings.
ROAR (Downtown) – Four floors of entertainment including duckpin bowling, mini golf, a large arcade, and a Kids Zone, plus food and drinks under one roof.
Camel City BBQ Factory (Downtown) – Beyond the barbecue, you'll find an upstairs arcade, classic tabletop games, and lawn games.
Dave & Buster's (Hanes Mall area) – Large arcade and restaurant that's open late, making it an easy option after the day's matches.
Total Escape (Stratford Road) – Escape rooms with multiple difficulty levels that work well for families and mixed-age groups.
Airbound Adventure Park (North Winston) – The closest adventure park to the Fairgrounds, featuring inflatables, obstacle courses, basketball, and an arcade.
Urban Air Adventure Park (North Winston) – Zip lines, climbing walls, bumper cars, ropes courses, dodgeball, and more for older kids and teens.
Bowlero (Hanes Mall area) – Modern bowling center with 40 lanes, an arcade, pool tables, and full-service restaurant and bar.
Northside Lanes (near downtown) – Family-owned bowling center with a grill and affordable prices.
Movies & Shopping
Hanes Mall – The region's largest shopping mall and an easy place to replace anything forgotten at home or spend a few hours between events.
McKay's (Hanes Mall area) – Huge used bookstore carrying books, movies, records, video games, and more.
Mast General Store (Downtown) – A longtime downtown favorite known for classic toys, outdoor gear, and barrels of old-fashioned candy.
a/perture cinema (Downtown) – Local independent theater in the heart of downtown, showing a mix of first-run, family, and independent films.
The Grand 18 (North Winston) – The area's largest movie theater, featuring IMAX and plush recliners.
AMC Hanes 12 (Hanes Mall area) – First-run theater convenient for families staying near Hanes Mall.
Planning Your Visit
Looking for a hotel or more ideas for your time in Winston-Salem? These resources offer additional trip-planning help and inspiration.
Places to Stay – Browse hotels throughout Winston-Salem, including many within a few miles of the Fairgrounds.
Winter in Winston-Salem – Seasonal events and winter activities happening during your visit.
Free & Affordable Things to Do – Budget-friendly attractions and activities for families.
Winston-Salem Shopping Guide – More retail districts and top shopping options around the city.
Signature Winston-Salem Flavors – A guide to local foods and flavors that help define the city.
Live Music Guide – Explore local music venues and check upcoming performances closer to your visit.
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