Click on the links below for more information on the following items:
- Complementary receptions at the Visitor Center
- Attractions in Greater Winston-Salem
- Restaurants in Greater Winston-Salem
- Area maps
- Local universities/colleges
- Weather by season
- Sample itineraries
- Driving distance from Winston-Salem to other U.S. cities





Where is Winston-Salem located?
Winston-Salem is centrally located in North Carolina and is easily accessible via Interstates 77, 40, 85 and U.S. Highway 52.





What interstates are accessible in Winston-Salem?
Winston-Salem is located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 52 and Interstate 40 (I-40). Business Interstate 40 runs parallel to I-40 through downtown. Interstate 85 is located just south of Winston-Salem and connects to the city via U.S. Highway 52. Interstate 77 is located one hour west of Winston-Salem, and Interstate 95 is two hours east of Winston-Salem, both are accessed via I-40.





Do you provide step-on guides?
Yes, Visit Winston-Salem offers step-on guides.





Who are the Moravians?

Moravians are a very early Protestant denomination. They were followers of Jan Hus, a priest from the Czech Republic and a martyred reformer. For generations, they lived in exile in Germany, and then came to the United States at Savannah, Georgia in 1735.

From Savannah, they moved to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and from Bethlehem a group of them followed the Great Wagon Road to North Carolina and established "Wachovia," present day Forsyth County.

According to the Moravian Church of America, the 21st century Moravians are very much like other mainline Protestant denominations. There are 700,000 Moravians world-wide, with 47,000 in the United States. Of those 47,000, approximately 20,000 live in Forsyth County.





What makes Moravian cookies special?
They are delicate, hand-rolled cookies that are a Moravian specialty. About 100 cookies can be made from one pound of dough.

Flavors available through several local cookiemakers include ginger, sugar, lemon, chocolate, butterscotch and black walnut. Stop by the Winston-Salem Visitor Center at 200 Brookstown Avenue in the historic Brookstown Mill area, just south of downtown and sample Moravian cookies for yourself.

Moravian cookies are available for purchase at our Visitor Center and at various bakeries and stores throughout Winston-Salem.





Are the Salem witches here?
No, witches are associated with Salem, Massachusetts.





What type of nightlife does Winston-Salem offer?
Winston-Salem offers diverse entertainment options. In downtown, near the convention center, you can find hotels with lounges/bars and, even some with live entertainment. The Speakeasy Jazz is located on Fourth and Cherry Streets and also features live entertainment. Just north of the convention center is the Downtown Arts District, as well as The Garage which features a variety of local and regional artists. The First Friday Gallery Hop is held every month in the evening in the Downtown Arts District.

A major anchor on Fourth Street is the North Carolina School of the Arts' Stevens Center. Performances at this venue showcase future stars in opera, orchestral and chamber music, jazz, ballet and contemporary dance and theater. Plus, for the first time in many years, projection equipment is back in this restored 1929 movie palace. The School of the Arts School of Filmmaking and the Winston-Salem Cinema Society reintroduced movies downtown to sold out crowds. These include first run independent and foreign-language films. The center seats approximately 1,300 people.

If you're in and around the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, you'll find an ample supply of sports bars. Burke Street in Historic West End features pubs and bars with live music. Some are geared more toward college students and the younger crowd.

With our strong arts community, it's not unusual to find an evening gallery opening at the Sawtooth Building, home of the RJR Gallery, the Associated Artists Gallery, and the Milton Rhodes Gallery. In the Reynolda Historic District, the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art is open select evenings and during exhibit openings.

Other performing arts venues showcase the Winston-Salem Symphony, Piedmont Opera Theater and Salem College and Wake Forest University students, among others.

See our calendar of events for more activities.





What's new in Winston-Salem?
To find out the latest news about Winston-Salem, check out the news releases in our media section.





How can I request to have information on Winston-Salem sent to me?
For additional information, fill out a visitor request form or contact the group tour sales manager.





Are there walking and motorcoach tours available in the area?
Yes, call, stop by or visit the Winston-Salem Visitor Center. A visitor center information specialist will be able to assist you.





Are carriage tours available?
The carriages are normally available near the southwest corner of Old Salem's square,  on the corner opposite the shop, T. Bagge.  Special arrangements for groups can be made by contacting:
Heritage Carriages
3930 Glenn High Road
Winston Salem, NC 27107
336.784.5940





What is the complimentary reception at the Visitor Center I have been hearing about?
With advance notice, the Winston-Salem Visitor Center encourages all new visitors and groups to start their tours of the area at the Visitor Center.  The center is housed in a complex that is on the National Historic Register. We welcome groups with coffee and Moravian ginger cookies, or if you prefer, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.  Our visitor information specialists are available to tell a few stories about the area. Additionally, the center has a gift shop, which specializes in Winston-Salem and North Carolina gifts, art work by local artists, an extensive collection of books with topics unique to our area, and of course post cards.





What does the bureau do to support my group coming into your area?
Visit Winston-Salem is your one-stop resource from what is happening in the community.  We develop great itineraries, contact the attractions on your behalf and request the best rates on hotel accommodations. For details, contact our group tour staff.





Where can groups eat?
The Winston-Salem Visitor Center. maintains a list of group tour friendly restaurants. Just give a call, and we can find the perfect spot for your groups.





Is Old Salem as big as Williamsburg?
In size our Virginia neighbor is larger, however the story that Old Salem tells is very different and unique.  Due to the meticulous record keeping of the Moravian settlers in the original town of Salem, their story is preserved in amazing detail.  For this reason, visitors will find, although smaller, this living history town is one of the most authentic and comprehensive restorations in America.  From the beauty of a Moravian star to the smell of the cookies baking at the 200 year-old Winkler Bakery, every moment in Old Salem provides a unique perspective of life back then.





Tell me about Krispy Kreme. Are there tours available?
Sure, the folks at Krispy Kreme are a sweet as their doughnuts.  Just give them a call at the following location and the manager will be happy to arrange a tour:
259 South Stratford Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
336.724.2484

We believe that the doughnuts are just a little better here in their hometown.





Where is the closest dumping station?
The Flying J service center located in Graham, North Carolina, serves as our closest dumping station. The center is off Interstates 85 and 40 on the north side of exit 150. Call 336.578.2427 for more information.





Do you have a dinner theater? Where is it located?
We have something that many visitors enjoy.  Winston-Salem is home to the world-renowned North Carolina School of the Arts. Its various schools showcase their talents in productions throughout the year. With drama, dance, opera, music and film, there are more than 400 productions offered annually.  For more information on performances in Winston-Salem, check out our calendar of events.

If your tour is scheduled during the summer time, we are minutes from the oldest dinner theatre in the county, The Barn, in nearby Greensboro.  Additionally, High Point is home of the Centennial Dinner Theatre.





What is the population and elevation of Winston-Salem?
According to the 2005 census, the population is 227,727. The elevation is about 1,000 feet above sea level.





Is Winston-Salem a union city?
No, it is not.





What is the sales tax?
In North Carolina, there is a 6.75 percent tax on all retail and some food items. In Forsyth County, there is a 6 percent occupancy tax for any stay at a hotel or bed and breakfast with five or more rental units.