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| Free Winston Salem Holiday Guide |
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| WINSTON SALEM LOCAL HISTORY |
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The town of Salem was established in 1766 by Moravian settlers as a trading center and congregation town. Settlers of Quaker and British descent founded Winston, to the north some years later in 1849. Winston soon became a major producer of furniture, textiles and tobacco products and was designated the county seat in 1851.
In 1899, the post offices of both towns merged - this became permanent in 1913 with the emergence of the “Twin City” Winston-Salem. Today, the city is rich in arts and culture with a diverse economy and emerging biotech industry. |
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Reynolda House, Museum of American Art – This charming American country home was built in 1917 and today houses one of the finest collections of American art in the country. The collection spans three centuries and includes works by Georgia O’Keefe, Frederic Church, Thomas Eakins and others. The museum is set in beautiful gardens that now contain a small collection of shops and restaurants that occupy the former farm buildings and cottages. The museum is to be found at the intersection of Silas Creek Parkway and Reynolda Road.
Toy Museum – This excellent museum houses a collection of over 1200 antique toys dating from 225A.D. to the 1920s. The collection includes a 1740 doll house, wooden toys, marble toys, toy soldiers, early iron and tin toy vehicles, train sets, dolls, puppets, games, puzzles and more. This museum will be popular with the entire family, not only children and is worth a visit.
The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) – This museum located in Old Salem is the only one of its kind dedicated to the exhibiting and researching of the art of the early South. The museum includes 24 period rooms and seven galleries and showcases paintings, furniture, ceramics, metal ware and textiles. The bookstore features modern and rare books on the Southern decorative arts, culture and history.
Museum of Anthropology – Located at 1834 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem, North Caroline. This museum is the only one of its kind in the Southeast of the United States, which is dedicated to the study and elucidation of world cultures. The cultures featured at the Museum of Anthropology are American, Asian, African and Oceania. There is a gift store on site for that souvenir to remember you visit.
Southeastern Centre for Contemporary Art – Located at 750 Marguerite Drive, Winston-Salem, North Caroline. The center houses a unique series of contemporary American art. The exhibits are constantly changing to show a wide variety of talented artists. There is a 300-seat auditorium, which offers contemporary music, drama, film and dance. Occasionally lectures and symposia’s on contemporary art are also featured.
Diggs Gallery – Located at 601 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Winston-Salem, North Caroline. Diggs Gallery features arts and exhibits from the community’s vibrant African-American culture. There are usually about ten to fifteen art exhibitions each year. Several educational programs are also available to those who are keen to learn more.
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Old Salem Tavern Dining Room – This historic tavern was built in two parts in the late 18th and early 19th century and retains its historic feel with simple furnishings and colonial costumed staff. If you are visiting in summer, dining outdoors by candlelight in the arbor is an option worth considering. Featured dishes include chicken pie, pork tenderloin, smoked fillet of beef and pumpkin-and-raisin muffins. The address is 736 S. Main Street; the tavern is open daily for lunch and dinner except Sundays, which is lunch only.
The Vineyards – For a touch of continental flair, this restaurant is worth a visit. The dishes are prepared using only the freshest ingredients and vary according to what is in season. Favourites include pork roasted in a sweet and sour sauce and game dishes such as quail. The menu is complimented by a superb selection of wines. The restaurant is open Mondays to Saturdays from 5pm to 10pm and is located in Reynolda Village.
Ryan’s – This rustically decorated restaurant overlooks a stream and is where you will find food of exceptional quality and flavour. The menu has a primarily continental feel with some excellent seafood and beef specialties. The restaurant is open Mondays to Saturdays from 5-10pm, reservations are recommended in season time. The address is 719 Coliseum Drive.
Antonio’s House of E – Located at 5723 University Parkway, Winston-Salem, North Caroline. Antonio’s oozes class and has a delightful menu, which is full of delicious treats, from pizzas, pastas and subs to soups, salads, backed goods and tacos. There are a fountain of soft drinks to choose from as well as frozen drinks and cappuccinos and espressos. You definitely will not be disappointed.
Bistro 420 – Located at 420 West Fourth Street, Winston-Salem, North Caroline. The Bistro is owned and managed by Chef Ken Martin who takes pride in delivering dishes that are packed with nutrition and are absolutely out of this world. He presents a creative fusion of dishes, which draw from French, American, Asian and Italian cuisines. The restaurant is open Tuesday to Friday for lunch as well as dinner, and Saturday for dinner only. The Bistro 420 is closed on Sunday as well as Monday.
O’Charley’s – Located at 150 Hanes Mall Circle, Winston-Salem, North Caroline. O’Charley’s has everything imaginable on the menu from homemade yeast rolls, aged steaks to seafood and caramel pie. The restaurant is renowned for casual dining and is open daily for lunch as well as dinner. |
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Ziggy’s – If you are a fan of live music then this is the place for you. Located in a former private house 3 miles north of the town center, the address is 433 Baity Street. The club is well designed in that the stage is visible from practically anywhere inside. Every night features a different event and has included some famous names such as Hootie & The Blowfish. The club is open Mondays to Saturdays from 9pm onwards
New Town Bistro & Bar – Located at 420 U Jonestown Road, Winston-Salem, North Caroline. New Town Bistro & Bar is renowned for their extensive wine list as well as the 29 varieties of martinis that they serve. The restaurant has an extensive menu from steaks, seafood, pasta, and chicken to a variety of sandwiches. The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Sunday, but is closed on Monday.
RubberSoul Bar – 1148 Burk Street, Winston-Salem, North Caroline. The RubberSoul Bar has a fantastic lively atmosphere. There is live music almost every evening. You need to be 21 years of age or older to enter the bar and must have ID. http://www.RubberSoulBar.com
Burke Street Pub – 1110 Burke Street, Winston-Salem, North Caroline. When you visit the Burke Street Pub, you get a pleasant surprise. There are two bars on the premises. There is The Beach, where you can enjoy a cold one on a sunny day or even sip cocktails under the stars. The Beach is incredible; where their motto is that you have to have fun. The Burke Street pub is open from 4pm to 2am Monday to Saturday and 12:30pm to 2am on Sunday.. |
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Tanglewood Park – This beautiful park includes over 1300 acres of pristine countryside with streams, trees and grassy pastures. The park is perfect for families with many picnic areas and playgrounds. In summer a popular attraction is the Tanglewood Festival of Lights.
C.G. Hill Memorial Park – 5600 Balson Road, Winston-Salem, North Caroline. The C.G. Hill Memorial Park is a massive fishing lake, which is surrounded by various meandering paths through beautiful lushes gardens. There are benches for fishing and several picnic tables with grills and a gazebo with a courtyard.
Kernersville Lake Park – 6408 Old Valley School Road, Winston-Salem, North Caroline. This beautiful park features a 60-acre lake where you can fish and enjoy the outdoors. There are pedal boats and fishing boats, which can be rented. A volleyball court, playground, horseshoe pits, picnic tables and grills and shelters, which provide cover.
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Winston-Salem is a good place to pick up local crafts and antiques. There are also many good book stores offering a decent selection of old or rare books.
Gadzooks – 3320 Silas Creek Parkway, Suite 355, Winston-Salem, North Caroline. Gadzooks is a trendy store that carries casual clothing for young and the young at heart. There are a variety of accessories to choose from to compliment that perfect outfit..
Ringmaster Jewellers – 101 Reynolda Village, Winston-Salem, North Caroline. This jewellery store offers exciting and original custom jewelry as well as a fine collection of diamonds and gemstones..
Arts District – Located between Sixth and Trade Street, Winston-Salem, North Caroline. The Arts District has various galleries and craft shops, which feature impressive paintings, crafts etc. The district is open late into the evenings and on Saturday nights in May to September there are music series held. |
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SciWorks – This is an excellent option whether you have children or not. Here you are invited to explore the wonders of our planet with the many excellent interactive, hands on exhibits. The complex includes a 120-seat planetarium, 25000sq feet of exhibits and a 15-acre environmental park.
The Old Salem Toy Museum – Located in the Frank L. Horton Museum Centre at 924 South Main Street, Winston-Salem, North Caroline. There is a full time toy exhibits, which span a wide range of time, that were donated by the institution by Anne and Thomas Gray. The Old Salem Toy Museum is open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm and Sunday from 1pm to 5pm..
The Old Salem Children’s Museum – The children’s museum is a hand on space, which is designed for children between the ages of 4 and 9. The museum is designed to encourage exploration and play. The children’s museum features a child’s size Miksch House, a secret tunnel, a marble roll, and two storey modern climbing sculpture. The museum is open from 9am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday and 1pm to 5pm Sunday and Monday.
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