A Weekend in Winston-Salem, NC: A Perfect Fall Getaway
Brilliant fall color along quiet roads. A lantern-lit walk through a historic village on Halloween night. Warm bread from a nearly 200-year-old bakery.
For an easy fall getaway in North Carolina, Winston-Salem offers plenty to do.
Wander the historic streets of Old Salem, walk beneath colorful trees at Wake Forest University, explore the gardens and trails at Reynolda, and step into the history of one of North Carolina’s earliest settlements.
Add a farmers market, charming shops, and plenty of places to slow down, and you have the makings of a great long weekend.
I discovered Winston-Salem during a solo road trip through North Carolina, visiting in late October.
I flew into Charlotte, rented a car, and made the easy drive to Winston-Salem, where I spent two nights exploring the city.
The fall colors were beautiful, the pace was relaxed, and I found much more to do than I expected.
Now, I think Winston-Salem deserves a spot on your fall getaway list.
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Winston-Salem, NC Fall Weekend Quick Guide
Planning a fall weekend in Winston-Salem? Here is a quick snapshot to get you started.
- Best Time for a Fall Visit: Late October through early November gave me beautiful fall color, cooler temperatures, and a great excuse to explore the city on foot.
- Best Home Base: I stayed at the Winston-Salem Marriott, which was an easy base for exploring downtown and Old Salem. It also made getting around by car simple.
- What You’ll Need: A car is the easiest way to see Winston-Salem. Several of my favorite stops, including Reynolda Gardens, Wake Forest University and Historic Bethabara Park, are spread around the city.
- Don’t Miss: Make time for Old Salem, walk the trails at Reynolda Gardens, and visit Winkler Bakery.
- My Tip: Give yourself more time than you think you’ll need at Reynolda Gardens. I loved the peaceful trails and gardens and could have easily spent another hour there.
A Little Winston-Salem History
Winston-Salem’s story starts with Moravian settlers, who established Bethabara in 1753 and Salem in 1766.
The neighboring city of Winston grew into an important tobacco and textile center before the two communities merged in 1913.
That’s where Winston-Salem got its nickname, “Twin City,” and its distinctive hyphen, which locals affectionately call “the Dash.”
One fun fact you may not know? Winston-Salem is the birthplace of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, which began selling its famous doughnuts here in 1937.
That mix of history and modern-day attractions is part of what makes Winston-Salem such a fun place to explore.
During my fall visit, I found historic buildings, college-town charm, beautiful gardens, and plenty of places to wander.
How to Get to Winston-Salem, North Carolina
For my trip, I flew into Charlotte Douglas International Airport and rented a car for the 90-minute drive to Winston-Salem.
Alternatively, Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro is even closer, at roughly 25 minutes from downtown.
The drive from Charlotte was easy.
Once I arrived, I parked at my hotel and used the car for the rest of my sightseeing.
Having a car will give you the flexibility to visit Old Salem, Wake Forest University, Reynolda Gardens, and Historic Bethabara Park, which are spread across the city.
Where to Stay in Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem Marriott
I stayed at the Winston-Salem Marriott during my visit because I had points to use.
The downtown location worked well for my weekend. It was easy to reach from the highway, and I was close to Old Salem and other popular attractions.
The modern and updated hotel offers valet parking, an on-site restaurant, and spacious rooms.
The Winston-Salem Marriott gave me a comfortable and safe home base while keeping me close to the places I wanted to see.
Winston-Salem Boutique Hotels
Winston-Salem has several historic and boutique hotels worth considering:
- Kimpton Cardinal Hotel — Stay inside the historic 1929 R.J. Reynolds Building, an Art Deco landmark that helped inspire New York’s Empire State Building. Its downtown location, stylish rooms, The Katharine restaurant, and surprisingly fun Rec Room make it a great choice
- Historic Brookstown Inn — This former 1837 cotton mill gives you exposed brick, timber beams, and plenty of historic character, just a short walk from Old Salem. The hotel offers complimentary breakfast and an evening wine-and-cheese reception
- Hotel Indigo Winston-Salem Downtown by IHG — Located in the historic Pepper Building, this boutique hotel puts you right in the middle of downtown restaurants, shops, and nightlife.
Day 1: Arrive and Experience Old Salem After Dark
I flew into Charlotte and rented a car for this North Carolina road trip. The drive to Winston-Salem was easy, and I saw some of the prettiest fall color along the way.
My only complaint? There weren’t many good places to pull over for photos.
After checking into the Winston-Salem Marriott, I had time to settle in before heading out for the evening.
Take the Old Salem Night Watchman Tour
Because I visited on Halloween, I booked one of the Old Salem Night Watchman walking tours.
This tour was one of my favorite parts of my weekend.
I joined the night watchman for a lantern-lit walk through the almost deserted historic village.
Along the way, we heard spooky stories tied to the real stories of Old Salem’s people and buildings.
It was the perfect way to begin my Winston-Salem visit.
Old Salem is a living history museum centered on the Moravian settlement founded in 1766.
The historic district includes nearly 100 restored buildings and interpreted spaces that bring early Salem to life. It reminds me of Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia with the historic buildings and staff dressed in period costumes.
Seeing it after dark gave me a completely different perspective than I would have had during the day.
After the tour, head back downtown for dinner and a relaxing evening.
Tip: If you are visiting around Halloween, book the Night Watchman tour early.
Tickets are limited, and popular time slots can sell out.
And if spooky stories aren’t your thing, Old Salem is worth visiting during the day.
Day 2: Old Salem, Wake Forest and Reynolda Gardens
Day two is your big sightseeing day, so start early.
Explore Old Salem Before the Crowds
After breakfast, head back to Old Salem for a closer look at this beautifully preserved historic district.
I had already experienced Old Salem the night before during the Night Watchman tour, but seeing it in daylight gave me a completely different perspective.
Start with a walk through the historic streets and take time to admire the Moravian architecture.
The Single Brothers’ House is worth adding to your morning, especially if you enjoy seeing historic trades and learning how people lived and worked in the community.
Then head to Winkler Bakery, one of America’s oldest continuously operating bakeries. The bakery still uses its original wood-fired oven, and the smell alone makes it hard to walk past without stopping.
I recommend the Moravian sugar cake, the cappuccino chocolate bread, and the Moravian cookies. The sweet lady working when I arrived told me that the sugar cake uses mashed potatoes in the yeast mixture, so I had to try it. So unique!
Be sure to look for the covered bridge with the giant Moravian star hanging inside, too. It is one of Old Salem’s most recognizable spots and an easy stop as you explore the area.
Give yourself at least two to three hours for Old Salem. There is enough to see that rushing through it would mean missing some of the details that make the historic district special.
Tickets are required for some buildings and interpreted experiences, but simply strolling through Old Salem is free.
Want to add a local morning stop? The Cobblestone Farmers Market is another popular weekend option in Winston-Salem. I didn’t visit the market during my trip, but I saw so many people wandering through the area for local produce, food, and vendors.
Explore the Moravian Cookie Trail by Trolley on this tour offered by Triad Eco Adventures. Spend two hours visiting multiple Moravian cookie factories in the area while learning more about the history.
Explore Wake Forest University
From Old Salem, make the short drive to Wake Forest University.
I love visiting college campuses when I travel, but I especially wanted to see the alma mater for one of my favorite San Antonio Spurs players, Tim Duncan.
I’m so glad I stopped because the fall colors made this one especially beautiful.
Wake Forest describes its 340-acre campus as one of the country’s most beautiful college campuses. You can take a self-guided tour or register for a student-led walking tour.
You do not need to be shopping for a college to enjoy a walk around campus.
Grab a coffee, walk the grounds and enjoy the scenery.
It is also a nice break between the historic sites and gardens.
Find Some Quiet at Reynolda Gardens
Next, head to Reynolda Gardens, one of my favorite stops in Winston-Salem.
Reynolda Gardens sits on the former estate of R.J. Reynolds. The property includes formal gardens, walking trails, a historic greenhouse, meadows and wooded areas. The gardens are free and open daily from dawn to dusk.
I especially enjoyed the rose garden and trails. If you have the time, don’t rush this stop. I could have easily spent another hour wandering the grounds.
After exploring the gardens, you can also visit the Reynolda House Museum of American Art, located on the same estate.
The historic house and its American art collection give you another way to experience Reynolda, especially if you have extra time or want a break from walking the trails.
Finally, head over to Reynolda Village for some retail therapy.
Grab a treat and coffee at Dough-Joe’s, browse the shops and enjoy the historic setting before continuing your afternoon.
Day 3: Discover Winston-Salem’s Early History
Visit Historic Bethabara Park
Start your final morning at Historic Bethabara Park, where Winston-Salem’s Moravian story began.
The community was established in 1753, making it even older than Salem. Today, the 183-acre park includes historic buildings, archaeological sites, gardens, trails and a visitor center where you can learn more about the early settlement.
One place at the park that I visited was God’s Acre, the historic Moravian cemetery. The simple rows of gravestones and peaceful setting offer a glimpse into the community’s traditions and make this more than just another stop for a walk.
I enjoyed walking the trails and learning more about the people who settled this area.
After spending the previous day surrounded by restored buildings and gardens at Old Salem, Bethabara gave me another perspective on Winston-Salem’s early history.
The park is also free to explore on your own. The grounds are open from dawn to dusk. Guided tours are available for a small fee during visitor center hours.
Have Extra Time?
If you have another afternoon before heading home, consider exploring more of downtown Winston-Salem or the Downtown Arts District.
Winston-Salem has a strong connection to the arts, including the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, galleries, public art, and museums.
Another option is Körner’s Folly in nearby Kernersville if you want to add something completely different to your North Carolina road trip.
For me, though, three days would be enough to experience the highlights without feeling like I was constantly checking things off a list.
Is Winston-Salem Worth Visiting for a Fall Weekend?
I went to Winston-Salem expecting a pleasant stop on a longer North Carolina road trip. I left wondering why I hadn’t spent more time there sooner.
The city has an unusual combination of Moravian history, beautiful gardens, college-town energy, and a growing food and arts scene. Add the fall color, and you have an easy weekend getaway that doesn’t require a packed schedule.
For me, the best part was the variety. I could spend one evening listening to spooky stories in Old Salem, the next morning learning about historic trades, and the afternoon walking through gardens and college grounds.
That is exactly the kind of weekend I enjoy.
And if you are planning a larger North Carolina fall road trip, Winston-Salem makes an easy addition. You can pair it with a longer visit to Asheville or explore other fall destinations across the state.
