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Best Places to Visit & Things To Do in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA [Updated-2026]

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November 4, 2025

Best Places to Visit & Things To Do in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA [Updated-2026]

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The City of Arts and Innovation: Uncovering the Twin Soul of Winston-Salem, North Carolina

In the rolling hills of North Carolina’s Piedmont region, Winston-Salem tells a story of two intertwined destinies. This is the “Twin City,” born from the 1913 merger of Winston and Salem, and its identity is a rich tapestry woven from threads of pious Moravian craftsmanship and the ambitious, gritty rise of American industry. It’s a place where the scent of baking Moravian sugar cakes mingles with the legacy of tobacco money that built art deco skyscrapers, and where a historic, cobblestoned village exists just minutes from a world-class contemporary art museum.

Winston-Salem is a city of compelling dualities. It’s where you can walk in the footsteps of 18th-century Protestant brethren and then stand before a collection of art that challenges modern perceptions. It’s a city that proudly calls itself both the “City of the Arts” and a burgeoning hub for innovation, earning the nickname “Innovation Quarter.” This guide will take you from the serene gardens of a restored colonial town to the vibrant galleries of a downtown renaissance, revealing the historical depth and creative energy that make Winston-Salem an essential and unforgettable Southern destination.

The Cradle of Carolina: Old Salem Museums & Gardens

To understand Winston-Salem, you must begin at its peaceful, living heart. Old Salem Museums & Gardens is not a replica; it’s a meticulously restored and preserved historic district that was the original settlement of the Moravians, a Protestant sect from Central Europe, in 1766.

What to Experience: Walking into Old Salem feels like stepping through a portal. The sound of carriages on cobblestones replaces traffic noise.
- Living History: Costumed interpreters work, cook, and craft in the original buildings. You can watch a tinsmith shape a candleholder, see bread baked in a wood-fired oven, and hear the stories of the Moravian community, including the enslaved and free Black people who lived and worked here.
- The Single Brothers’ House: A cornerstone of the community, this building showcases the trades—pottery, carpentry, tailoring—that sustained the settlement.
- Winkler Bakery: Follow your nose to this active bakery for a taste of history. The warm, thin, and spiced Moravian Sugar Cake and the iconic, paper-thin Moravian Cookies are a must-eat in Winston-Salem.
- The St. Philips Moravian Church Complex: Explore the site of the African American congregation in Old Salem, home to the oldest standing African American church building in North Carolina.

A visit to Old Salem is the foundational thing to do in Winston-Salem and a profound, immersive historical experience.

The Rise of an Industrial Titan: Reynolds and the American Century

The other half of the city’s soul emerged in the late 19th century with the rise of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, which transformed the small town into a booming industrial city.

Reynolds Building and the Art Deco Skyline

The legacy of the Reynolds fortune is etched into the Winston-Salem skyline. The magnificent Reynolds Building, completed in 1929, is a stunning Art Deco skyscraper that famously served as the chief model for the Empire State Building.

What to Experience: While the building itself is an office complex, its exterior is a must-see. Its presence downtown is a constant reminder of the city’s industrial might. For a truly special experience, book a stay at the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel, located in the adjacent former R.J. Reynolds headquarters, to fully appreciate the restored Art Deco grandeur.

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Campus

Though no longer offering public tours of the manufacturing facilities, the vast Reynolds campus remains a defining part of the city’s landscape. Its history is inextricably linked to the rise of branded, packaged cigarettes like Camel, which revolutionized the industry.

The City of Arts: A Legacy of Patronage and Passion

The wealth generated by tobacco was funneled into the arts, creating a cultural landscape that thrives to this day.

SEVERAL: Reynolda House Museum of American Art

The Reynolda House is the crown jewel of Winston-Salem’s cultural scene. This was the country estate of R.J. Reynolds’ widow, Katharine Smith Reynolds, and it is a masterpiece in its own right.

What to Experience:
- The Art Collection: The house itself is the gallery, featuring an unparalleled collection of American art. You’ll find works by Georgia O’Keeffe, Albert Bierstadt, and Mary Cassatt displayed in the intimate setting of the original living spaces.
- The Gardens and Grounds: The formal gardens are a delight to explore, and the estate’s former barns now house chic boutiques and cafes in Reynolda Village.
  It is a premier cultural attraction in Winston-Salem and a perfect blend of art, nature, and history.

SECOND: The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA)

An affiliate of the North Carolina Museum of Art, SECCA is dedicated to the art of our time. Housed in a historic house with a bold modern addition, its thought-provoking exhibitions feature established and emerging artists, ensuring a dynamic and challenging experience with every visit.

THIRD: The Arts District Downtown

The city’s commitment to its nickname is visible throughout the downtown Arts District. Here, you’ll find a high concentration of galleries, studios, and public art installations, including the beloved Winston-Salem Mural Map. The district comes alive during gallery “hops” and is a top thing to do in Winston-Salem for adults.

Innovation and Recreation: The City’s New and Natural Frontiers

Winston-Salem is not resting on its historical laurels. It’s a city looking forward, with a vibrant downtown and ample green spaces.

Innovation Quarter

One of the largest urban-based innovation districts in the United States, the Wake Forest Innovation Quarter has repurposed old R.J. Reynolds factories into a bustling hub for biomedical research, technology, and education. While it’s a working campus, its mix of historic brick and modern glass architecture is a testament to the city’s evolving identity.

Tanglewood Park

A 1,400-acre public park located just outside the city, Tanglewood Park is a recreational paradise.

What to Experience: The park features two championship golf courses, an arboretum, horseback riding trails, and a spectacular Festival of Lights during the holiday season. It’s the ultimate outdoor activity near Winston-Salem and a fantastic family activity.

Salem Lake

For a more rustic escape, the 365-acre Salem Lake offers a serene, 7-mile paved trail that is perfect for walking, running, and cycling, providing a peaceful respite just minutes from the urban core.

A Taste of the Twin City

Winston-Salem’s food scene reflects its heritage and its modern creativity.

The Winston-Salem Staple: Sweet Potatoes Restaurant: A beloved downtown spot, “Well-Shines & Sweet Potatoes” serves up sophisticated Southern comfort food with a focus on local ingredients. It’s a perfect representation of the city’s culinary soul.
The Moravian Experience: Old Salem Visitor Center. While in Old Salem, the Visitor Center is the best place to buy authentic, packaged Moravian cookies and sugar cake to take home.
The Craft Beverage Scene: The city has a thriving craft brewery scene. Foothills Brewing is a regional leader, while Wise Man Brewing and Incendiary Brewing Company offer vibrant taprooms in repurposed industrial buildings. Don’t miss Stem Ciders for a taste of the local hard cider scene.

Planning Your Winston-Salem Adventure: A Practical Guide

Best Time to Visit:

Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October) are idyllic. The weather is perfect for exploring Old Salem and the gardens at Reynolda, and the fall foliage is beautiful.
Summer can be hot and humid, but it’s a great time to enjoy air-conditioned museums and evening events.
Winter is mild, and the holiday season is magical, with special events in Old Salem and the Tanglewood Festival of Lights.

Getting Around:

Car: A car is the most convenient way to explore all of Winston-Salem’s attractions, which are spread out.
Walk/Downtown Trolley: The downtown core and Old Salem are very walkable, and a free trolley service connects key districts.

Where to Stay:

Downtown: For a vibrant, urban experience with walkable access to the Arts District, restaurants, and galleries.
Near Old Salem: For a more historic and tranquil setting, with easy access to the historic district and Reynolda.

Conclusion: A Tapestry Woven from Two Threads

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a city that masterfully honors its past while passionately engaging with the future. It’s a destination that offers both profound historical reflection and dynamic creative inspiration. You’ll leave not just with a box of Moravian cookies, but with the memory of a walk through a living colonial town, the sight of a masterpiece in a grand estate home, and the feeling of a city whose twin souls—the pious and the industrial, the historic and the innovative—create a cultural richness that is uniquely its own.

Come to Winston-Salem to experience the authentic, layered heart of the Piedmont. Discover for yourself why this “City of Arts and Innovation” is a destination that both comforts and challenges, leaving a lasting impression long after you’ve returned home.

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Best Places to Visit & Things To Do in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA [Updated-2026]

The City of Arts and Innovation: Uncovering the Twin Soul of Winston-Salem, North Carolina

The Cradle of Carolina: Old Salem Museums & Gardens

The Rise of an Industrial Titan: Reynolds and the American Century

Reynolds Building and the Art Deco Skyline

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Campus

The City of Arts: A Legacy of Patronage and Passion

SEVERAL: Reynolda House Museum of American Art

SECOND: The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA)

THIRD: The Arts District Downtown

Innovation and Recreation: The City’s New and Natural Frontiers

Innovation Quarter

Tanglewood Park

Salem Lake

A Taste of the Twin City

Planning Your Winston-Salem Adventure: A Practical Guide

Conclusion: A Tapestry Woven from Two Threads

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