Stay andplay

Park your car and extend your visit — two of Winston-Salem’s historic destinations offer more than meets the eye.

By: Lauren Eberle

OLD SALEM MUSEUMS & GARDENS

Although meandering through this 1766 Moravian settlement is a visual treat, to make the most of a visit to Old Salem you’ll want to live its history, too. Admission passes offer self-guided tours of open historic buildings, galleries, and gardens, including hands-on learning opportunities and trade demonstrations.

This page: Old Salem; Opposite, top to bottom: Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Mickey Coffee Pot

Grab lunch at Muddy Creek Café, where sandwiches, soups, and salads hit the spot, but save room for Winkler Bakery, which was built in 1800 and housed many generations of Winklers. Their sweet treats are irresistible, and mixes can even be purchased to take home. Other souvenirs can be found in a newly opened gift shop on the second floor of the bakery, as well as the Old Salem Visitor Center, where Moravian stars, books, and children’s toys stock a quaint shop.

As you wander along Old Salem's cobblestone footpaths, be sure to snap selfies on the popular Heritage Bridge, which is filled with Moravian stars during the holidays, and at the larger-thanlife (we’re talking 12 feet in height!)

Mickey Coffee Pot

Another outdoor option, the 1.2-mile paved and often shaded Winston-Salem Strollway is known for its leisurely path. Eager for more? Continue on to connect to the 5.2-mile Salem Creek Greenway.

Check in for the night at one of two convenient lodging sites. The Zevely Inn, in Old Salem, was built in 1844. Charmingly decorated, this B&B maintains the spirit, character, and ambiance of Old Salem’s Moravian founders.

Next to Old Salem, The Historic Brookstown Inn is a 70-room hotel, originally a 19th-century textile mill. You’ll feel intimately connected to the past thanks to the inn’s exposed brick walls, wooden beams, and pencil-post beds. Perks such as free wine and cheese in the evening add to the appeal.

Reynolda Historic District

Built in 1917 as the home of R.J. Reynolds and his family, Reynolda House Museum of American Art is now part art gallery, part historic site, and an absolute must-see. The home's 64 rooms feature a dazzling collection of art along with a treasure trove of family relics, period furnishings, and more. However, Reynolda's allure extends well beyond the home.

Across the street from Reynolda is the enchanting country estate built by Bowman Gray, a former president of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, and his wife, Nathalie. Fortunately for us, these days you can “stay like a Gray” at Graylyn Estate, where 85 luxurious guest rooms are offered throughout the 55-acre property.

You can plan your day around dining in Reynolda Village — and no one would blame you! Options like Penny Path Café & Crepe Shop and Dough-Joe’s Doughnuts & Coffee fuel your morning, while May Way Dumplings makes for a perfect midday meal. Happy hour feels extra special with a craft cocktail or mocktail from Theodore’s Bar & Market, while Village Tavern maximizes its patio space for wood-fired dinners with charming village views.

After a morning of shopping, choose your own adventure: Take time for a massage at European Touch Day Spa or perhaps a blowout from Aeracura Salon, or opt to stretch your legs at the 134-acre Reynolda Gardens and its miles of meandering trails, wetlands, woodlands, and waterfall.

Place Of Peace

The oldest and largest consecutively held Easter sunrise service in the world takes place at God’s Acre, the Moravian cemetery in Old Salem.

Downtown Delivers

What makes downtown Winston-Salem a desirable destination to visit is also what makes it an attractive place to work, reside, and do business. There’s an unmistakable creative and collaborative spirit in the restaurants, shops, arts venues, and innovative businesses centered here.

Annual events like Shop the Block (November) showcase dining and shopping. The Winston-Salem Cycling Classic and Gears and Guitars Music Festival (August) bring exciting road racing and great music to the city streets.

Arts and culture are celebrated year-round here. Check out the free concerts during the Summer Music Series, with jazz on Fridays and local bands on Saturdays.

Discover emerging artists at gallery shows and catch indie cinema at a/perture. Hear grand orchestral works and opera at the Stevens Center. Visit downtown attractions like Old Salem, the West End Historic District, Innovation Quarter, and the Downtown Arts District. A minor-league baseball game at Truist Stadium is a relaxing way to spend a summer afternoon or evening.

The Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership (DWSP) is working behind the scenes to ensure the city center’s success. By supporting businesses and organizing events, the not-for-profit group is helping to make downtown Winston-Salem a vibrant place for all.

downtownws.com downtownWS downtownwinstonsalem

#DTWS IS BOOMING

Here’s what you’ll find:

5,100 housing units with another 275 proposed

10,000 residents

27,295 employees daily

More than 100 restaurants and coffee shops

9 breweries + 36 bars and nightclubs

More than 85 galleries and shops

Two Magnificent American Estates

Built by captains of industry in the early twentieth century, these adjacent magnificent American estates allow visitors the chance to experience the rich history of Winston-Salem.

Reynolda Estate

There’s a feeling you get when you turn down the winding driveway to Reynolda. The iconic, green-tiled roof of the bungalow slips in and out of view between the trees as you pass by blankets of yellow daffodils in the spring and fiery hurricane lilies in the fall. Some call it a “shoulders-down” moment, while others describe it as a respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life. But almost all say it’s their favorite spot in Winston-Salem.

Reynolda invites you to an incomparable experience: the formal gardens and walking trails of Reynolda Gardens, an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants in Reynolda Village, and at Reynolda House Museum of American Art, an iconic collection of art and special exhibitions on view in the 34,000-square-foot home of Katharine and R.J. Reynolds. Take your time, there’s a lot to discover. reynolda.org • 888.663.1149

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Graylyn Estate

The majestic Graylyn Estate was built from the dreams of the generous visionaries Bowman and Nathalie Lyons Gray. The family’s dedication to education, preservation, and community are still evident today. Proceeds from the estate fund student scholarships, contribute to education programs, and support historic preservation.

A unique combination of a historic residence, boutique hotel, and conference center, visitors can enjoy the most modern of amenities as well as the timeless hospitality. Graylyn boasts 85 charming guest rooms, 25,000 square feet of meeting space, picturesque backdrops for weddings and special events, and 55 acres of exclusive grounds.

When you host a meeting, hold a special event, or stay overnight at Graylyn, you are not only receiving a luxury experience, you are also investing in education and community, just as the Gray family envisioned almost a century ago. At Graylyn, your stay matters. graylyn.com • 800.472.9596 thegraylynestate graylynestate

These aren’t just lofty ideas in Winston-Salem. They’re the vision for the future we’re building, and you’re welcome to be a part of it.

Winston-Salem consistently ranks as one of the best cities in the nation for cost of living, and for starting and growing a business. There’s always something new to discover — from unique cultural experiences to award-winning dining, shopping for artisan crafts, and more.

Greater Winston-Salem, Inc., Winston-Salem and Forsyth County’s chamber of commerce and economic development organization, can help you learn about our community. If you are seeking a location for your company, embarking as an entrepreneur, or are ready to put down roots here, it all starts at winstonsalem.com

336.728.9200 greaterwinstonsaleminc