The Ultimate Day Trip Guide to Winston-Salem, North Carolina

At the start of 2020, Michael and I made a New Year’s Resolution to visit a different destination in the Carolinas each month.

Well, you know what happened next.

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We had completed two trips (a day trip to Greensboro, and a cabin getaway weekend in WNC), and had our March trip to Winston-Salem all planned out when suddenly the world shut down.

So we waited.

Finally, at the end of October 2021, we made our visit to the Camel City.

[So nice we visited twice! Find my weekend guide to Winston-Salem here]

It’s a quick trek up I-85 from Charlotte—only about an hour and fifteen minutes in good traffic conditions. With this in mind, we planned an easy day of exploring, not worrying about cramming in so many activities that we might not even get to really experience them. Our priorities for the day were 1) food, and 2) history.

With that, we brewed a fresh cup of coffee for our travel mugs and set out for the following:

WHERE TO EAT + DRINK IN WINSTON-SALEM

Krankies Coffee

Downtown Winston-Salem was quiet in the early Saturday morning fog, but that changed once we arrived at Krankies Coffee. This downtown staple was absolutely buzzing, and it’s clear it’s the go-to for breakfast.

A fried chicken biscuit was exactly what I needed to warm my chilly hands (particularly when it’s coated in local hot sauce Texas Pete—yep, Texas Pete is actually from Winston-Salem, not Texas). Expect a wait when you arrive, but there’s plenty of seating. The building may look small from the street, but there’s a whole Mary Poppins thing going on inside.

→Krankies Coffee // 211 3rd St E, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

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Winkler Bakery

Winkler Bakery is an essential stop on the self-guided tour at Old Salem (more on that later), but you don’t need to be a ticket holder to visit and purchase their Moravian-style treats. The thin, crispy ginger cookies are a classic, but there are plenty of other breads and sweets to tempt you, too.

→Winkler Bakery // 521 S Main St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

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Bobby Boy Bake Shop

Just five minutes from downtown is Bobby Boy Bake Shop. You’ll hear me mention time and time again that bread is one of our favorite souvenirs—and any time we take a road trip, it’s the perfect excuse to stock the freezer.

Without wanting to spoil our dinner, we shared a blueberry Danish and took home a phenomenal gruyere loaf (the grilled cheeses we made were fantastic). I can’t wait to return and try another kind next.

→Bobby Boy Bake Shop // 1100 Reynolda Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27104

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Camino Bakery

With room still in the freezer, I popped into Camino Bakery to grab a loaf of their sourdough and a Tarta de Santiago while Michael circled the block (the fog had turned to a misty rain at this point, and there was no available parking nearby). It was busy and cozy inside, and I could tell a lot of the customers were regulars.

I’ll admit that the loaf we purchased at Camino didn’t quite hit the spot like the one from Bobby Boy, but the tart stayed absolutely delicious over the next three days.

→Camino Bakery // Multiple Locations

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Radar Brewing

While we waited for the weather to improve, we found respite at Radar Brewing, a small brewery on the edge of downtown. The tap list is small but rotates often (for example, the farmhouse ale I enjoyed is no longer on the menu). A delicious-smelling food truck was on-site, but we already had dinner plans…

→Radar Brewing // 216 E 9th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

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New Sichuan

Okay, so New Sichuan probably isn’t in most Winston-Salem city guides because it’s not upscale or New American (why are those the only two styles of restaurants in most larger publications?). But if you’re not dining at this authentic Sichuan restaurant housed in a former Biscuitville, you’re really missing out.

For the uninitiated, you can ask for the first-time visitor menu (with photos!) and order any of the classic Chinese-American restaurant dishes. I highly recommend their popular Sichuan Wontons in Red Oil, and the Ma Po Tofu, which I was so excited to eat again as leftovers the following day. Honestly, my mouth is watering just writing this post.

→New Sichuan // 2125 Silas Creek Pkwy, Winston-Salem, NC 27103

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Krispy Kreme

There is a placard marking the site of the first Krispy Kreme at Old Salem, but these days the flagship store is located at 259 S Stratford Rd. This location isn’t all that different from some of the others we’ve visited, but it does have a bigger window for watching the doughnut-making action.

Yes, the doughnuts taste the same as any other location, but if the Hot Light is on, you can ask for a warm doughnut right off the line. Heaven.

→Krispy Kreme // 259 S Stratford Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27103

WINSTON-SALEM SIGHTS + ATTRACTIONS

Old Salem Museums & Gardens

Much of Old Salem Museums & Gardens hasn’t reopened (Hello from the future! Happy to report that everything is fully operational once more), but I personally think there is enough to do to warrant purchasing admission and visiting (if you’re on a really tight budget, walking around outside is free and very pleasant).

It’s a full-on living history experience, with staff actively demonstrating how the Moravians who settled in Salem lived, worked, and were educated. In addition, your ticket grants you access to the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA), which contains artifacts from across the region. Don’t forget to take a photo with the big coffee pot!

→Old Salem Museums & Gardens // 900 Old Salem Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

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God’s Acre

Cemeteries aren’t usually high on lists of places to visit, but the Salem Congregation’s cemetery is a peaceful stroll, particularly in autumn. Called God’s Acre from the Germanic Gottesacker, the headstones in this graveyard are arranged in chronological order, and you feel as if you are walking into the past.

→God's Acre // 501 S Main St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

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Downtown Winston-Salem

With its tobacco roots, Downtown Winston-Salem feels both very industrial and cool. There’s lots of public art, which means there is ample opportunity for taking photos. Be sure to check the events calendar before you visit to see if anything fun is going on!

→Downtown Winston-Salem

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Cobblestone Farmer’s Market

If you’re in town on a Saturday, be sure to combine your visit to Old Salem with a trip to the Cobblestone Farmer’s Market. This market features a great mix of vendors, from produce to meats to prepared foods. Truthfully, I’d feel so lucky to be able to shop here weekly.

→Cobblestone Farmer's Market // 1007 Marshall St SW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

WITH MORE TIME IN WINSTON-SALEM + FINAL THOUGHTS

Time is almost always the biggest threat to travel—and the reason why I’ve shifted my travel mindset to traveling as if I’ll have the chance to return. I’ve already started my list for next time, which includes: Reynolda House, Mission Pizza, Antojitos las Delicias, and Mozelles.

And you know what? I finally had the chance to return to visit some of these promising gems, and wrote a full weekend getaway guide to Winston-Salem located right here.

OUTFIT DETAILS

Alyssa stands on a leaf strewn path. She is wearing a black dress, cape, beret, and tights. She is holding a paper sack. — Outfit Details | Dress℅ | Cape* | Tights | Boots | Hat* | Sunglasses | Bag*

*no longer available; linked to similar

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Are you headed to Winston-Salem anytime soon? What’s at the top of your must-do list?

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The Wayward Day Trip Guide to Winston-Salem, North Carolina