A chocolate factory, breweries and museums: take a day trip to Winston-Salem
If you’re from these parts, Winston-Salem may first call to mind its tobacco legacy (as home to giant R.J. Reynolds), but via its storied history (dating back to the 1700s) and status as a thriving city circa today, it is so much more.
Fun fact:Winston-Salem was originally two cities (Salem, founded in the mid-1700s by the Moravians; and Winston, in the mid-1800s... hence the “dash” (aka hyphen) and the now-so-named “Dash” local baseball team). Your inner trivia buff intrigued? Plenty to feed your Forsyth historical knowledge here.
But we recommend some live learning with a day (or weekend) trip to a city packed full of some of the state’s best breweries, parks, museums, galleries, restaurants and more, making “Winston,” as the locals shorten it, totes worth the trip (or two, or three...).
Here, some stops you should make once you get to Winston-Salem:
Old Salem
Take it back to the 18th century with a must-stop as you while away the day in WS, for a dose of live history, museums, award-winning gardens and more.
Salem Lake
Called the “hidden diamond in the city,” the 365-acre lake is a natural oasis just minutes from downtown. Beyond boating and fishing opps (pier and boat fishing only), enjoy views from the 7-mile trail.
Wise Man Brewing
No better way to “wise up” while in Winston than at Wise Man. Whether you’re thirsty for beer (obv), live music, Geeks Who Drink trivia, artisan markets or even yoga (yes, Yogammunity. Brilliant) this North Carolina brewery and taproom gives you plenty of reasons to stop in (see its Facebook page for weekly sched). We also love adjacent Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Co. and Foothills Brewing, of course, who offer plenty of fun (and sips) of their own. And even Sutler’s Spirt Co. (distillery tours/tastings). But unless you Uber’ed or trained in, maybe plan a return visit to hit them all.
Winston Cup Museum
We’d be remiss not to mention this shrine to NASCAR ... championship memorabilia, race cars (yes, real ones), simulators and so much more.
Black Mountain Chocolate Factory
It’s in the name. Chocolate. Like, bean-to-bar chocolate. Do we really need to rep this? Visit the Visible Factory + Kitchen for know-how on the surprising source of your dark addiction; watch your sweet baby (aka choco confection) being made; and more. May we also rec its local gelato or drinking chocolate? Move over Wonka.
Reynolda Village
Build up an appetite as you shop among English village charm on grounds that once housed the 1,067-acre R.J. Reynolds family estate (hence the name); then sate and spoil your senses with delectable fare from coffee and scones to May Way dumplings to local-fave scratch kitchen and craft bar Village Tavern.
Bailey Park
A public green space (7 a.m. to dusk) located downtown in Innovation Quarter, Bailey Park is an adult playground offering a host of events from concerts and outdoor movies with the Innovation & Cinema film series to food trucks, yoga on the lawn and more. In Winston for work? The park has Wi-Fi (IQGuest). But disconnecting totes recommended.
Krankies
I’ve been told that Krankies alone is worth the drive to Winston. So I did. And as a niche coffee shop lover, I’d say it was. Eclectic, charming spot with a chill industrial-rustic vibe.
Winston-Salem Dash
You can’t get more American than baseball. Except maybe $4 draft nights at BB&T Ball Park. Swap the Bulls for a night with the Dash, the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago White Sox ... though fans will have to wait for games to resume in April.
The Porch
Bienvenidos, y’all! Fiesta on the top Tex-Mex in town (high rec for the brunch!) at this super fresh kitchen and cantina. In a word: amazing. Locals like to grab a beer at Hoots Beer Co.— “made with love & magic” (aww, that tastes even better) — next door while they wait for a table. Waiting for a table in 2017 = high praise. Also, again, maybe take the train... or spend the night?
Hungry for more food and fun in Winston-Salem?
Tate’s
Mission Pizza
Burke Street Pizza
Sweet Potatoes
6th and Vine
Mooney’s
Hutch and Harris
The Fairgrounds Farmers Market
Kaleideum Northand Kaleideum Downtown(and Peppercorn Theatre@ Kaleideum)
Reynolda House Museum of American Art
New Winston Museum
SECCA
Hockey: Thunderbirds
Aperture Cinema
Bethabara Park
Triad ECO Adventures (Standup Paddleboard, bike/Segway, electric bikes, trolley tours, etc.)
This story was originally published November 28, 2017 at 12:00 AM.