Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem sits at the intersection of 18th-century Moravian heritage and 20th-century tobacco money. You move between a restored timber-frame village and a downtown anchored by the Empire State Building's architectural prototype. A car makes navigation simple, though downtown and Old Salem are walkable on foot. Expect quiet streets, sharp baking traditions, and serious art collections.

Moravian settlers brought distinct baking traditions to Salem in the 18th century. Today, those recipes survive in active commercial bakeries across the city. You will find Moravian sugar cake—a rich yeast dough topped with melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon—served warm in the morning. Thin, spiced Moravian cookies remain another local mainstay, baked so thin that workers stack them by weight rather than count. North Carolina barbecue here follows the Lexington style, featuring slow-roasted pork shoulder chopped fine and dressed with a red vinegar sauce.

• Texas Pete heritage

  The ubiquitous hot sauce was created here in 1929 by TW Garner Food Company, though the factory itself is not open for tours.

• Craft beer focus

  Industry Hill holds multiple breweries within short walking distance, making tasting flights easy without driving.

Moravian missionaries from Pennsylvania purchased land in the Piedmont in 1753, establishing the town of Salem in 1766 as a craft and trade hub. In 1849, Forsyth County created the new county seat of Winston right on Salem's northern border. Industrial growth exploded when R.J. Reynolds founded his tobacco company in Winston in 1875, alongside major textile mills like Hanes. The two towns merged officially in 1913, forming a corporate powerhouse that funded major cultural institutions and architectural landmarks.

1. 1766

   Moravian settlement

   Moravian builders establish Salem as a planned religious and craft community.

2. 1875

   Tobacco expansion

   R.J. Reynolds opens his first tobacco factory in Winston, driving rapid industrialization.

3. 1913

   Municipal merger

   Winston and Salem formally unite into a single city after decades of shared growth.

4. 1929

   Architectural peak

   The Reynolds Building opens downtown, later serving as the model for New York's Empire State Building.

5. 1965

   Arts university

   The North Carolina School of the Arts opens, solidifying the city's shift toward education and culture.

Choose your base based on how much driving you want to do. Downtown offers historic hotels and walkable dining, while the area near Wake Forest University provides quiet residential streets.

• Architecture loversDowntown — Sleep inside the 1929 Art Deco Reynolds Building at the Kimpton Cardinal.
• History enthusiastsOld Salem — Stay steps from 18th-century cobblestones and morning bakeries.
• University visitorsQuick access to Wake Forest University campus and estate trails.
• Craft beer travelersIndustry Hill — Walkable access to local taprooms and converted industrial spaces.

A personal vehicle or rideshare service is necessary for trips between distinct districts like Downtown, Old Salem, and Wake Forest. Downtown itself is easily covered on foot.

• Winston-Salem Transit Authority (WSTA) operates downtown routes out of the Clark Campbell Transportation Center.

• WSTA buses require $1.00 cash fare in exact change or a ticket purchased at the central station.

• Downtown street parking meters run 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays and are free on weekends.

Winston-Salem is moderately priced compared to Charlotte or Raleigh. Dining and museum admissions offer reasonable value.

• Moravian Sugar Cake: $12

  Standard price for a full loaf cake at local bakeries.

• WSTA Bus Ride: $1.00

  Flat single-ride fare on local city transit.

• Mid-range Dinner: $25–45

  Per person cost for an entree and drink at downtown restaurants.

• Monday closures

  Many independent restaurants downtown and museums like Old Salem close on Mondays.

• Greenway walking

  Strollway Greenway connects Downtown directly to Old Salem without crossing heavy traffic.

• Cashless venues

  Several local bakeries and craft breweries no longer accept cash payments.

• Wake Forest events

  Check university game schedules before booking autumn trips, as football weekends boost hotel prices.

• Reynolda trails

  The gardens and walking trails surrounding Reynolda estate remain open daily from sunrise to sunset without cost.