Don’t let the colder weather keep you cooped up this season because there are plenty of things to do in winter in the Winston-Salem area. These 11 activities are perfect excuses to get you out of the house and dispel those winter blues. Whether you want to try some new indoor activities or bundle up and continue to explore the outdoors, there is something to explore.

While two of our most popular museums—Reynolda and Old Salem—close during January, there are plenty of other fun museums to explore.

• Kaleideum. As North Carolina’s premier children’s museum and science center, this is the perfect choice for families. The newly opened museum focuses on hands-on learning and STEAM concepts. You’ll find nine permanent exhibits spread across five floors, including exhibits based on storytelling, nature, kinetic energy, and the wonders of water. There's also a cutting-edge "Digital Dome" planetarium and a one-of-a-kind rooftop play area (plus lots more!)

• NC Museum of Art. Previously known as SECCA, this contemporary art museum occupies the former estate of Hanesbrands executive James G. Hanes. Despite the recent name change, its focus remains the same it's always been: to highlight the very best "art of now." You'll find rotating exhibits from artists across the globe, along with an exciting events calendar filled with artist talks, family workshops, concerts, dinner parties, and more. 

• Lam Museum of Anthropology. Tucked away on the campus of Wake Forest, this is the state's only museum dedicated to studying global cultures. Here, you can learn about cultures from around the world based on their art and historical artifacts. Best of all, admission is always free!

• Körner's Folly. Called "the strangest house in America," this architectural marvel in Kernersville was built by Jule Körner in 1880 as a way to showcase his interior design portfolio. Today, it's a house museum with 22 rooms spread across three floors and seven levels, creating a labyrinthine of spaces you must see to believe.

Whether young or old, ice skating at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds is a wintertime rite of passage.

Grab your friends and/or family, and head to the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena (formerly Annex), where you can enjoy ice skating for a few hours. Rental skates are available, as are skating aids if you are a beginner. Admission is $10; skate rentals are $3. Make sure to dress warmly—this is real ice!

Keep an eye on their events calendar and schedule for the dates and times they are open. Special events unfold regularly, too, such as Friday Night Ice Jams and “No School Skate Days," where students get discount admission. You can see all public skate dates, special events, and more on the Fairgrounds website here.

For creative spirits, taking a class to learn a new skill is a great way to spend a winter day. (Even if you don’t consider yourself “creative,” you might surprise yourself.)

• Sawtooth School for Visual Art. With over 1,000 classes and workshops offered each year across eleven different mediums, you’ll likely find one that fits your interest here. Not looking to commit to a semester-long class? (Or only visiting for the weekend?) The checkout Sawtooth's Taste of Art classes are offered nearly every Friday and Saturday. You'll spend a few hours creating a work-of-art to take home in various mediums, including glass, ceramics, jewelry, fibers, and more. 

• Southern Home & Kitchen. If cooking is more your style, then take a cooking class at Southern Home & Kitchen. Located in Thruway Center, SO-HO is partially a kitchen and decor shop and partially a cooking studio. Popular classes sell out quickly, so watch their events page. Most classes are demonstration-style, but they do offer some hands-on options. See all upcoming cooking classes on their website.

• Mixxer Makerspace. Located in downtown's Industry Hill, Mixxer is a nonprofit community maker space offering tools, training, and lots of inspiration. Many of its classes walk you through learning a new skill or building a specific item. For example, you can make a charcuterie board, copper wire ring, or your own candle. Another popular class is Intro to Sewing.

• Dabble Art Bar. Just outside downtown in the West End Mill Works complex, Dabble refers to itself as "an art bar, gathering place, and gift-shop; designed for the creatively curious." While this isn’t necessarily a class, it’s a space that allows you to try new things. You select what you want to make from a menu, and art materials are delivered to your table. Things on the menu include watercolors, air-dry clay, and coloring. The 

There are plenty of indoor sports and activities to enjoy in the wintertime, whether you’re looking for a new hobby or just a few hours of fun. 

• ROAR. You could spend an entire day at ROAR and still not be bored. Hit the lanes for some duckpin bowling, test your skills on the golf simulators, play glow-in-the-dark putt-putt at The Twisted Putter, or enjoy more than 45 games in the Roar Arcade.

• FirstHand Climbing Gym. Buy a day pass and try your hand at bouldering in downtown Winston-Salem. They have climbing shoes available for rent (complimentary for first-time visitors) and the staff is known to be incredibly friendly and encouraging.

• Urban Air Adventure Park. More than a trampoline park, this indoor wonderland offers climbing walls, obstacle courses, bumper cars, and an enormous multi-level play structure for kids. (And yes, there are trampolines, too.) It's a great choice if you have kids that need to let their energy out. 

As the site of the state's first microbrewery (opened in 1773 by Moravians), Winston-Salem has always been big on beer ... maybe now more than ever.

Plan your own Craft Beer Crawl and visit all eight breweries in and around downtown Winston-Salem. Big names in town include Foothills, Wise Man, Incendiary, Joymongers, and Fiddlin’ Fish, but don’t miss the smaller breweries, too. Radar, Small Batch, and Lesser-Known are all great options with their own unique vibes and beer varieties. Only have time to hit a few? Then head to the Industry Hill area on downtown's northern edge. That's where three breweries (Fiddlin' Fish, Wise Man, and Radar) all are within a few minute's walk. (Here's a map of the route you could take.)

To learn more about all of our in-town breweries, check out the Craft Draft Crawl section of our website.

On a cold winter day, a hot cup of tea or coffee can seem like manna from heaven.

Luckily, Winston-Salem has plenty of cozy cafés where you can warm up and relax—bring a book if you want to stay a while.

Start with Camino Bakery, a local favorite with multiple locations throughout the city. Whether you're craving a seasonal special or one of their delicious pastries, Camino has something to satisfy. Krankies Coffee is another must-visit, offering small-batch coffee roasted on-site and a unique food menu that will keep you coming back. Next, head to DeBeen Espresso which was voted the top coffee shop in Forsyth County, where you can enjoy a perfect cup in a laid-back atmosphere.

Learn more about our bean scene by checking out our Coffee Lover’s Guide to Winston-Salem.

Clear views, brisk air, less crowds, and no bugs — just a few reasons we're big fans of winter hikes.

Winter is a surprisingly nice time for a hike in Winston-Salem. Since the leaves have fallen off the trees, you’ll find better views in some places, but the generally mild weather means you don’t have to bundle up too much. Here are a few suggestions for great wintertime hikes.

• Salem Lake. For a quick hike, Salem Lake is a great spot with a long, mostly flat trail. The 7.1-mile crushed-earth path loops around Salem Lake. The lake's serene beauty makes you forget you're only a few miles from downtown.

• Pilot Mountain State Park. One of the most iconic landmarks in the foothills of North Carolina, Pilot Mountain (pictured) is an easy 30-minute drive from Winston-Salem. If you arrive early, you can drive up to the top and hike around the knob on the Pilot Knob Trail. For more of a challenge, start at the Visitor Center and hike Grindstone to Ledge Springs.

• Hanging Rock State Park. If you want to get your heart pumping, then head to the strenuous Hanging Rock Trail at one of North Carolina’s most scenic state parks. Winter is a wonderful time to enjoy this hike and you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of the piedmont. It’s an out-and-back trail that’s 2.6 miles total with an elevation gain of approximately 650 feet. The park is around 30 miles from downtown, perfect for a day trip. 

Wintertime is a great time to explore Winston-Salem's eclectic shopping scene, from antiques to boutiques to unique local gift shops.

Start your day near Hanes Park along Reynolda Road, where shops like Elizabeth's at Hanes Park, Collage, and Yours Truly offer fun thrifting opportunities. For more local finds, head to Fourth Street and pop into Design Archives, where you’ll find handmade goods. If you love hunting for antiques, check out Lost in Time Antiques Mall or Goatfeathers. You’ll find antiques at The Barn on Country Club as well, but they also sell new furniture and home goods. Finally, Laster’s Fine Arts & Antiques is the place to go if you’re looking for more high-end antiques and artwork.

Looking to shop outside the box? Head to the Downtown Arts District along Trade and Liberty streets — a lively hub of local galleries, studios and shops. Popular spots include Visual Index, Body & Soul, Fancy Groceries, and much more. 

To learn more about our local retail scene, check out our Winston-Salem Shopping Guide.

Fun, memorable, and ultra-family-friendly, Carolina Thunderbirds hockey games are the best show in town during the winter months.

Hockey fan or not, there's a lot of reasons to love Carolina Thunderbirds' hockey games at the Fairgrounds Arena. The energy in the arena is super fun, and it’s a sport best experienced up close to the action—definitely worth paying a little extra for seats near the ice. They also have concessions where you can grab a snack or drink, not to mention a beer garden. Add it all up, and you can see why games are consistently packed with fan. (Many games even sell out.)

The Tbirds have dozens of home games this winter (from late December to late March). Most games are held on Fridays and Saturdays, yet there's always the occasional exception (such as this year's matchup on New Year's Eve.) You can see their full schedule and purchase tickets by visiting the team site.

It's easy to keep up your workout routine when visiting town. Just head to one of the following gyms, all of which offer group classes and allow drop-ins.

• Wildlight Wellness Collective: If you’re a yogi, then you’ll love Wildlight Wellness Collective. Take a class to get your exercise in and center yourself before exploring the city. 

• Camel City CrossFit: With multiple CrossFit classes throughout the day, you’re sure to find a time that works for you.

• Synergy Winston-Salem: Synergy offers a variety of different class options from HIIT to spin to yoga.

• For something a little different, you can check out yoga classes offered at several local breweries, including Foothills Tap Room off Stratford Road. One Saturday a month, the brewery hosts YOGA-mmunity, an hourlong, all-level yoga class that costs $12 and includes a post-class beer (or wine, or soda). 

Winter is the perfect time to stretch your culinary boundaries. You can try a new-to-you restaurant, or order something new at an old favorite. There are so many fantastic dining options and we just can’t possibly list them all, but here's a few staff favorites for starters.

• Mozelle’s: This intimate bistro serves up elevated Southern food like fried chicken and meatloaf.

• Ryan’s Restaurant: Ryan’s has been a top pick for fine dining since 1977. They are well-known for their steaks, but you can also get chops and seafood here.

• Fourth Street Filling Station: Fourth Street Filling Station is a great casual dining option where you can get soups and sandwiches alongside heartier entrees on their dinner menu.

• James Beard-nominated eateries, including Sweet Potatoes (pictured), Heff’s Burger Club, Mission Pizza, and Bobby Boy Bakeshop, are all can't-miss spots and all conveniently located in or around downtown.

And that's barely scratching the surface of the city's dining scene. For other great places to visit (especially in the cold months), check out our feature on our Favorite Winter Comfort Foods.

Looking for a truly unique dining experience? Book a "Globe Experience" at The Katharine Brasserie & Bar, located on the ground floor of The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel. The experience includes a cheese & charcuterie board, a mini dessert display, a special "globe" menu, a bottle of champagne, and more. Reservations can be made for two hours for groups of 4-12 people per globe (pictured below).