Some destinations are defined by a standout feature—a pristine beach or big-box amusement. But Winston-Salem paints a more dynamic picture. Here, history and innovation intertwine to create something extraordinary. Historic communities showcase centuries of heritage while a spirited cultural scene fosters creativity. This duality is a legacy of the pioneers and visionaries who shaped Winston-Salem from the beginning.
From its 1753 founding as a Moravian settlement to its rise as an industrial powerhouse for tobacco and textiles to its current position as a hub for regenerative medicine and biomedical research, Winston-Salem is a city of progress. Add the beauty of the gently rolling North Carolina Piedmont, and you have the ingredients for an outstanding weekend getaway that’s twice as nice and twice as fun.
Sue Henderson, retired senior vice president and managing director of Wells Fargo Wealth Management and executive director of the esteemed Wake Forest University Face to Face Speaker Forum, has called Winston-Salem home for more than three decades. She credits the city’s compelling contrasts as the magnetic force that’s kept her rooted for so long.
“What makes this city special is the richness of the cultural arts we have here,” Henderson says. “It’s electrifying.” On any given day, visitors can hear a world-class symphony orchestra, dine at one of the South’s best restaurants, or tour an impeccably preserved historic district that offers a window into eighteenth- and nineteenth-century American life. “We’ve done an excellent job of embracing our history while making arts and culture accessible, available, and affordable,” she says.
To truly appreciate Winston-Salem’s depth, Henderson suggests visitors begin where it all started—Old Salem Museums & Gardens. This living history site tells the stories of the region’s founders—its Moravian, Black, and Indigenous communities—through costumed live demonstrations and one of the nation’s finest collections of early American architecture and furniture. “When I have guests with children, I love to start at Old Salem,” Henderson says. “It’s a great place for visitors to taste the history we’re so proud of.”
Nearby, Historic Bethabara Park—the first European settlement in the state—offers a journey through time, with preserved eighteenth-century buildings, a reconstructed French and Indian War palisade, and serene nature trails that wind through the landscape.
Winston-Salem grew into an industrial epicenter in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and vestiges of this era are visible across the city today. The Reynolda House Museum of American Art was originally the home of Katharine Smith and R.J. Reynolds, founder of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Henderson sat on Reynolda’s board for twelve years, and even after all that time, she still considers it one of her favorite places to visit. Today, the property houses a world-renowned art collection, a golf course, scenic trails, and a magnificent formal garden. “Walking the lavish gardens and touring the house with an out-of-town friend is just phenomenal,” Henderson says. “Especially when they discover it has one of the finest art collections. There’s always a fabulous exhibition on display.”
When thirst strikes, the city’s industrial past finds new life in Industry Hill, where the brick-and-steel bones of former factory rows now pulse with creativity and craft. This revitalized district is home to an eclectic mix of breweries, including Fiddlin’ Fish, Radar, and Wise Man, which sit alongside indoor markets, cozy whiskey bars, artisan pottery studios, and maker spaces.
If you look closely, you’ll see Winston-Salem’s spirit of innovation woven seamlessly into the city’s daily rhythms. “There’s a row of restaurants along Bailey Park near the Innovation Quarter where people in biomedical science, information technology, and digital media socialize and dine,” Henderson says. This vitality also comes alive in the Downtown Arts District, a dynamic enclave with working studios, independent boutiques, and vibrant murals that transform the streets into open-air galleries.
The city’s culinary scene complements its artistic vibe. Visitors can sample traditional Southern dishes with modern twists, eat al fresco at nearly twenty charming outdoor spaces, and dine at three James Beard-nominated restaurants. Just beyond the city’s bustling core, Winston-Salem also serves as the gateway to North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley Wine Region, an inviting confluence of sun-dappled vines, award-winning vintages, and cozy cabins with sweeping views—a melding of urban sophistication and pastoral tranquility that fits the duality of the area.
Winston-Salem isn’t just a place to visit—it’s a place to watch history, innovation, nature, culture, tradition, and creativity coalesce. “It just draws people in,” Henderson says.
Plan your trip at visitwinstonsalem.com.
