8 Fabulous Fall Drives Near Winston-Salem

When autumn arrives, we love taking the long way home—windows down, back roads ahead, and the trees showing off their best colors. While the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway may get all the leaf-peeping glory, you don’t have to travel far for a kaleidoscope of fall color. Whether you’re craving a quick in-town loop or a full-day escape, these drives deliver autumn’s magic close to home.

The “Reynolda Mile.” This picturesque stretch of Reynolda Road, running from downtown Winston-Salem toward Wake Forest University, is lined with historic estates and hardwood canopies. Pretty year-round, it absolutely glows in October as sunlight filters through blazing leaves. 

Begin near Hanes Park and head north on Reynolda Road. In just 3.5 miles you’ll pass Crosnore Children’s Home, the stately Graylyn Estate, and Reynolda Village before reaching the Wake Forest campus. You can add a few extra miles by looping through Wake Forest itself—named the "Prettiest Fall Campus in America" by BestCollegeReviews.org—for even more golden views.

• Bonus tip: Pair your drive with a stop in the Reynolda Road Shopping District, a two-mile stretch linking West End to Reynolda Village where upscale boutiques, vintage finds, and local eateries make for an afternoon of unexpected treasures.

Tanglewood Park may be famous for its winter Festival of Lights, but a few weeks before the holiday crowds arrive, the park stages an equally enchanting fall show. Rolling meadows and wooded trails burst with fiery oranges, deep purples, and scarlet reds.

Located in Clemmons, about 15 minutes west of downtown, Tanglewood charges a modest $2 entry fee. From there, follow the 5.1-mile loop through its 1,100 acres past horse stables, duck ponds, hilly meadows, and golf courses. Stop at the Tanglewood Arboretum, a 3.5-acre garden beside the Manor House that dazzles with seasonal blooms. History buffs will also spot an 1894 locomotive and a 215-year-old church tucked along the route.

Conrad Road (Lewisville). Locals call it the “tunnel of trees,” and it’s easy to see why: for nearly a mile, maple branches arch overhead in a blaze of autumn color. Just 15 minutes west of downtown, Conrad Road (map) is an easy add-on to a Yadkin Valley wine outing or other nearby adventures. 

From Winston-Salem, take U.S. 421 west to Lewisville exit 244, follow Shallowford Road a few miles, and turn onto Conrad Road. After gliding beneath the fiery canopy, either double back through Lewisville or continue past Old U.S. 421, where the road becomes Yadkinville Road and loops you back toward the city via Reynolda Road.

Williams Road Loop (Lewisville). If your idea of a perfect autumn afternoon includes a scenic sip or two, start from Shallowford Road in Lewisville (Exit 246 off U.S. 421) and wind your way through the western edge of Forsyth County. This gentle loop connects Shallowford and Williams roads, passing Medaloni Cellars, Lewisville's Incendiary Brewing, and the historic Old Nick Williams distillery—all within 10 miles. 

Williams Road eventually reconnects with U.S. 421 for an easy 15-minute drive back to Winston-Salem. Along the way, keep an eye out for the old Jones Grocery Store, a photogenic country store dating to 1875 and now cared for by the Lewisville Historical Society. (See on map.)

 DAYTRIP DRIVES

 Looking for a longer escape? These short trips deliver mountain views, small-town charm, and plenty of leaf-peeping without the crowds.

Sauratown Mountain Loop (Danbury). For a drive that feels like a mountain getaway without the long haul, head north to the Sauratown range—rolling peaks nicknamed the “mountains away from the mountains.” Begin near Horizons Park in northern Winston-Salem and follow Highway 8 to Danbury, NC, where a stop at the classic Priddy’s General Store—famous from the cult film Cabin Fever—is a must.

From Danbury, continue along Hanging Rock Park Road to Moores Spring Road, then veer onto Mickey Road, which hugs the edge of Hanging Rock State Park. Here, dense forests give way to wide-open fields, offering a mini–Blue Ridge Parkway experience. Mickey Road reconnects with Moores Spring Road and N.C. 66 for a 20-minute return to Winston-Salem.

Before heading back, detour a few miles to the John Martin Rock House, a mysterious two-story fieldstone ruin built in 1785—an unforgettable hidden gem.

Yadkin Valley Scenic Byway. This two-hour loop winds through the heart of Yadkin Valley Wine Country, where vineyards, rolling foothills, and glimpses of Pilot Mountain set the scene. 

Start on NC-89 near Round Peak Vineyards, then follow the byway south through farmland and historic hamlets. Along the Swan Creek Wine Trail, you’ll find four wineries clustered along a five-mile stretch near Hamptonville—plus the Shiloh General Store, an Amish-run treasure packed with fresh baked goods and hand-crafted toys.

Flint Hill Ramble.  This five-mile Scenic Byway winds through the Uwharrie National Forest, yet it feels more like a Smoky Mountains escape than a drive in central North Carolina. Ancient volcanic peaks rise above twisting forest roads, and about halfway along you’ll find the trailhead for Jumping Off Rock, a cliff that overlooks rippling blue waters. From Winston-Salem, take I-74 east through Asheboro to U.S. 220 Business (Exit 88), then follow your GPS to the byway’s starting point about 15 minutes beyond the interstate.

• Bonus tip: Nearby you’ll find the longer Uwharrie Scenic Road, a 50-mile drive from Asheboro to Concord that's filled with postcard-worthy scenery. See map.
   

Highway in the Sky (Fancy Gap loop). For a quick route to the Blue Ridge Parkway, head north on US-52/I-74 toward Fancy Gap, VA—you’ll be on “America’s Favorite Drive” in under an hour. Along the way, the interstate climbs through rolling farmland and rocky outcrops, with Pilot Mountain rising beside you. As you cross into Virginia on I-77, the road clings to the mountainside, revealing sweeping views that stretch for miles. On a clear day you can even spot Winston-Salem’s skyline far below.

Exit at Fancy Gap (Exit 8), then hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a leisurely half-hour southbound glide toward the Blue Ridge Music Center. From there, take the NC-89 exit for a scenic hour’s drive back to Winston-Salem—just in time for dinner.

Keep the Fall Fun Going

These drives are just the beginning. From harvest festivals and hiking trails to haunted happenings and family-friendly events, fall in Winston-Salem is full of seasonal surprises. Discover more autumn adventures on our Fall landing page