Find Your Vibe: 4 Unique Districts in Winston-Salem, NC, To Explore
Greater Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a fantastic place to live, work and thrive, and each district offers its own charm and appeal. From the revitalized Industry Hill to the culturally rich Arts District, there are plenty of places to explore and experience.
In This Article
Industry Hill
Originally filled with tobacco warehouses in the early-to-mid 1900s, Industry Hill has been transformed into a bustling hub filled with restaurants, small businesses, townhomes and apartments. This revitalized district still holds onto its original charm, thanks to the older buildings that now serve a new purpose.
“It’s a neighborhood that represents the everyday person, anyone and everyone,” says Christy Cox Spencer, president of JKS Inc., a branding, display and graphics firm. “That inclusiveness appeals to a wide range of people and is home to all kinds of unique businesses and a melting pot of people from everywhere. That concept draws in the creatives, makers and entrepreneurs.”
Some of the cornerstone businesses in Industry Hill include Pure Sweat Sauna Studio, Aware Hot Yoga and Winston Junction Market, which hosts multiple market events throughout the year. Also worth highlighting is the Mixxer Community Makerspace, Big Winston Warehouse, The Ramkat and Radar Brewing Co., to name a few popular spots.
Innovation Quarter
The Innovation Quarter is a historic redevelopment that blends cool architecture with creativity, and it has been repurposed into something super modern.
“It feels very lively and energetic,” says Claire Calvin, owner of restaurant group Dinners on the Porch. “There’s a lot of young, vibrant people with great ideas who are working, living and coming out for the weekend.”
This sector features a good mix of office and retail, with locally owned restaurants, bars and independent businesses rounding out the lineup. One example is Cugino Forno, a pizza restaurant located in the old coal pit of Bailey Power Plant (a former power plant that was converted to an office-retail-entertainment complex in 2018). Nearby is a fun brewery called Incendiary, where young professionals and families gather to unwind and listen to live music.
Another great feature of the Innovation Quarter is Long Branch Trail, which is ideal for walking and biking. The entry point to this 1.7-mile greenway is at the corner of Bailey Park. For those who love a long run or bike ride, Long Branch Trail runs into Salem Creek Greenway, which creates a 20-mile loop from the north part of the Innovation Quarter to Salem Lake and back.
For a fun weeknight activity, Let’s Dance Monday at Alma Mexicana, a restaurant that serves modern Tex-Mex, is a free salsa night that epitomizes the fun energy imbued in this district. While you are there, make sure to explore the menu. Try some of the restaurant’s many tacos, like spicy tofu, birria and baja fish, and pair it with a side of chips and guac or queso blanco.
Walnut and Broad
Walnut and Broad is a neighborhood destination that was intentionally developed to serve the community and become a hub for people in the area. It was a part of Old Salem for a long time, but now, it has been converted into a place where living and retail coexist.
It is home to excellent restaurants, like East of Texas, which serves mouthwatering Tex-Mex barbecue,and bigger, broader developments are in the works. The Salem Bottleworks project, which is opening in stages throughout 2025 and 2026, is transforming the former Coca-Cola Bottling Plant into a multiuse development that will include residences, restaurants, retail and event space. It will include a Bobby Boy Bakeshop location and a pizza restaurant called Grandpa Joe’s Slaberia, both of which are already open, as well as an Airbnb, a market, studio apartments and more.
“Winston-Salem has so much rich history and character,” Calvin says. “There’s such an emphasis on historic redevelopment, and I’m so happy to be a part of it.”
Winston-Salem Arts District
As the name suggests, the Arts District is the epicenter of all things creative in the Greater Winston-Salem area. Filled with galleries, murals and delicious restaurants, it’s a place residents and visitors alike can go to get their fill of beautifully crafted works.
The Arts District is a great place to browse, especially places like the Artworks Gallery and Delurk, an artist-run gallery. You can also meander the streets, browsing public art, including Art Tower, which stretches 17 feet tall and showcases a rotating mix of 12 paintings. For a more community-centered experience, you can attend one of the many events held in the district. One example is ART CRUSH, a monthly block party that takes place every third Friday from April through December.
If you’re looking for great food, this district has choices, like Mission Pizza Napoletana and Twisted Pine.
Get to Know Greater Winston-Salem
To learn more about the region and all it has to offer, visit livability.com/nc/winston-salem.