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Things to Do Before You Move to Winston-Salem, NC

Explore the region before you call it home.

By Karsen Titus on January 4, 2024

Dining in Winston-Salem
Eric Waters

One visit to Greater Winston-Salem, NC, is all it takes for many people to fall in love with this historic and eclectic region. As new residents continue to locate here for workforce opportunities, an ideal cost of living and quality of life, or to pursue a degree at one of the local colleges and universities, many visitors are also coming here to get to know more about their new community. Don’t miss these notable things to do before you move to Winston-Salem, NC.

Historic West End in Winston-Salem, NC

A trip to the Historic West End neighborhood isn’t complete without a visit to Summit Street Inns, which features the renovated Ludlow and Sheppard houses – both architectural masterpieces offering luxury accommodations. 

Spearheaded in June 2019 by Summit Street Properties, the project was completed four years later. These days, the Benjamin Joseph Sheppard House at 420 Summit St. (1895) and the Jacob Lott Ludlow House at 434 Summit St. (1887) are ready to host visitors in well-appointed rooms with names like Alspaugh King Suite, Ludlow Grand King Suite, the Washington Park Queen Room, and the Winston King Suite. Enjoy lush gardens, a billiards room, outdoor living space and on-site parking. 

While in the area, consider a cocktail at Joyner’s Bar, located in one of the oldest buildings in the West End. Pick up a graphic T-shirt or an art print at Camel City Goods Co. or immerse yourself in local lore by reserving a Carolina History & Haunts ghost tour. 

Industry Hill in Winston-Salem, NC

Industry Hill is a repurposed industrial area in the northern section of downtown Winston-Salem. 

Experience live music at The Ramkat, an 11,670-square-foot music venue that can host up to 1,000 music lovers. 

Stroll along Winston Junction Market, a warehouse that was converted into an open-concept, indoor market that features handmade wares by local artisans. For accommodations, consider The Huntley House in Robert Hall, which offers five newly renovated Airbnb spaces designed to make visitors feel as if they are visiting long-lost eccentric relatives. 

Artworks Gallery
Artworks Gallery

Trade Street in Winston-Salem, NC

Get in touch with your inner artist in the Trade Street Arts District. 

In the Ron Propst Studio Building, you’ll find Artworks Gallery, an artist-run gallery featuring work by local artists in a variety of mediums. Visual Index is a quaint, woman-owned gallery that carries approachable, handmade contemporary craft and fine art from artists located in all 50 states. Don’t miss the gallery of the Piedmont Craftsmen, a guild of craft artists and collectors that explores the heritage of craft work, including pottery, textiles, wooden bowls, sculpted metal, jewelry and clothing. 

Retail therapy is available at Off the Rack, a family-owned vintage store featuring a thoughtfully curated collection of vintage clothing, organized by topic and color. Don’t miss a trip to Body and Soul, a cultural gift shop that celebrates African American culture, from books and skincare to art and clothing imported from or inspired by Africa. 

Reynolda Gardens
Brittany Butterworth Photography

Reynolda Mile in Winston-Salem, NC

Winston-Salem’s past is tied to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, making the “Reynolda Mile” the perfect thing for visitors to explore. Located in the Reynolda Historic District near the campus of Wake Forest University, Reynolda’s 170-acre historic estate includes the Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Reynolda Gardens and Reynolda Village Shops and Restaurants. 

While there, visit the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, which is free and features rotating exhibits of contemporary art. 

Don’t miss a peek of Graylyn Estate, a historic home-turned-hotel that belonged to Bowman Gray, president of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Skip over to shop, sip and savor in Reynolda Village’s boutiques, galleries and shops. 

Walnut & Broad in Winston-Salem, NC

Walnut & Broad is a new retail and mixed-use project space near historic Old Salem Museums & Gardens. While there, try out East of Texas – one of the city’s newest barbecue restaurants that features Texas-style beef barbecue, complete with a smoker named Dolly. 

Wander into L’Avenue Boutique and explore the shop’s collection of quality, European-inspired clothing. Grab a craft beverage at Lesser-Known Beer Co., a brewery that works to introduce “under-represented” beer styles and flavors. 

And don’t forget to explore the historic Old Salem Museums & Gardens, which was created in 1950 as a way to preserve and restore the town and gardens of Salem for future generations. 

Learn about the city’s rich and diverse cultural history, including the influences of the area’s Moravian, African American and Indigenous populations. 

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