A Guide to Grown-Up Fun in Winston-Salem

Looking to shake up your routine? Winston-Salem is packed with fun, creative experiences for the young at heart—perfect for date nights, bestie hangouts, or any time you’re in the mood for something different. From rooftop cocktails and retro arcades to ghost tours, live music, and hands-on art, this guide is your go-to for grown-up good times.

Catch a Concert
Live music lives loud here, from big-name venues to offbeat neighborhood stages. The Ramkat—Winston-Salem’s iconic music hall—hosts national acts and local legends in a two-story space with top-tier acoustics. For something offbeat, Monstercade delivers grunge, punk, and metal in a wild, anything-goes atmosphere. Over in West End Mill Works, Hoots brings its cozy, industrial vibe to life with live shows throughout the week. Breweries like Wise Man and Joymongers keep weekends rocking with free music, food trucks, and laid-back crowds. Find more details on music venues and concert series with our Live Music Guide

Rock Out Under the Stars
During warmer months, music spills into the streets. The Downtown Summer Music Series features Downtown Jazz every other Friday at Corpening Plaza and Summer on Fourth—a monthly Saturday street party with high-energy bands. Head to Bailey Power Plant for Coal Pit Live, a weekend concert series set beneath towering smokestacks. Or bring a lawn chair to the NC Museum of Art (formerly SECCA) for lakeside concerts, held several times a month from April through October. Find more details on these and other series with our guide to Can't-Miss Concert Series.

Tee Off at Tanglewood (No Skills Required)
Think your golf game’s a lost cause? Not at Tanglewood Park. Alongside two championship courses, you’ll find a beginner-friendly Par 3 course overlooking scenic Mallard Lake—perfect for soaking up the views (or blowing off steam at the driving range). For even more fun, try SoftGolf: a glow-in-the-dark, oversized spin on the sport dubbed the “World’s Most Fun Golf Game.” No skills required—just a sense of humor.

Get Your Game Face On
No matter when you visit, there’s always high-thrills action happening in Winston-Salem. Sports here are a year-round affair. In spring and summer, catch a Winston-Salem Dash baseball game at Truist Stadium—think skyline views, fireworks, and $10 tickets. Or feel the roar at The Madhouse (aka Bowman Gray Stadium), where NASCAR-style races light up Saturday nights. Visiting in cooler months? Don’t miss the Carolina Thunderbirds, our hometown hockey team.

Enjoy After-Hours at Local Museums
Who says museums are just for kids? In Winston-Salem, adult nights out get a creative twist. Kaleideum After Dark invites grown-ups to take over the museum every second Saturday with themed events featuring drinks, music, and hands-on fun. At the NC Museum of Art, Winston-Salem (NCMA), House Hangs lights up the Hanes House terrace most Friday nights (typically the last of the month) with chef-made dinners, live DJs, and seasonal cocktails. You'll find more adult-friendly fun at places like Reynolda and Körner’s Folly, both of which host after-hours events throughout the year. Stay in the loop with our online Events Calendar.

Go on a DIY Craft Draft Crawl
Craft your own kind of fun with a DIY Craft Draft Crawl through downtown Winston-Salem—where the brews are bold and the walkability is unmatched. Start at Foothills Brewing, Winston-Salem’s oldest and best-known brewery, then hit the hoppy trio of Fiddlin’ Fish, Wise Man, and Radar—just steps from one another in Industry Hill. Other favorites like Joymongers, Lesser-Known, and Small Batch round out the crawl, each with its own flavor—and fiercely loyal fans.

Enjoy Four Floors of Fun at ROAR
Get ready to play, sip, and repeat. ROAR is a four-story entertainment hub in downtown packed with fun under one roof. Bowl duckpin-style, conquer Twisted Putter’s high-tech mini golf, swing away in golf simulators, or sample brews from the 90-tap self-serve beer walls. Add a 50-game arcade, in-house dining options, and a rooftop bar with skyline views, and you’ve got a readymade multi-leveled adventure.

Explore the Arts District
Bright, bold, and buzzing with creativity, Winston-Salem’s Arts District is where color meets culture. Explore galleries, murals, and public art installations—like the 5 Royales mural, wind sculptures at Merschel Park, and Artivity on the Green. Pop into shops like Visual Index, Piedmont Craftsmen, Major Tom’s, Fancy Groceries, and Body & Soul. Grab a bite or drink at favorites like 6th & Vine, Twisted Pine, Little Pep, or Mission Pizza. Visiting on the third Friday? Don’t miss ART CRUSH—held monthly from April to December—a colorful block party packed with art, music, vendors, and more.

Make It an A/perture Night
Skip the megaplex and settle into something more intimate at a/perture cinema, downtown's indie movie house. With beer, wine, and a curated mix of under-the-radar films and cult classics, it’s perfect for a low-key but memorable date night. In warmer months, catch a/mobile—a/perture’s free outdoor film series—popping up across town nearly every Friday. From Flashback Fridays at MUSE to Innovation & Cinema at Bailey Park, just bring a chair and let the movie magic unfold.

Level Up at Local Arcades
Game on, downtown style. Winston-Salem’s retro arcade bars serve up nostalgia, neon, and plenty of quarters. Start at Reboot Arcade on Liberty Street, where vintage classics and pinball pair with craft cocktails. Just steps away, Camel City BBQ Factory serves barbecue with a side of skee-ball and billiards. ROAR’s first-floor arcade offers 45 games of high-tech fun. Over on Burke Street, Dive Bar keeps the party going with Jet-Pong, Guitar Hero, and daily events like music bingo and DJ nights.

Get Creative Together
Make something beautiful together in the City of Arts & Innovation. At Sawtooth School’s Taste of Art workshops, couples can enjoy a fun, no-pressure evening crafting ceramics, jewelry, glasswork, and more—no experience needed, just creativity and curiosity. Classes are held Fridays in various mediums, with additional sessions offered Saturdays and weekdays. Check the full schedule here. For a casual twist, head to Dabble Art Bar in West End Mill Works for self-guided projects in a cozy, café-style setting. Or sip while you paint at BYOB studios like Uncorked Masterpieces in Reynolda Village.

Explore Local History, Bites & Frights
Dig deeper into Winston-Salem with guided tours that blend flavor, history, architecture—and even a few chills. Carolina History & Haunts leads nightly ghost tours through the haunted West End, where legends linger on every corner. Triangle Walking Tours offers daytime downtown explorations, from industrial history to after-dark true crime tales. Or taste your way through the city with Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours, featuring chef-curated brunch tours every Saturday and custom tours any day of the week. Most tours are flexible to your schedule—just bring your curiosity.

Sample the Cocktail Scene
Sip something strong and stylish at Winston-Salem’s standout cocktail bars. In the walkable West End, cozy up at Joyner’s or sink into the vintage-chic vibes of Vintage Sofa Bar. Over in the Innovation Quarter, local favorite Fair Witness and the industrial chic Dram & Draught shake up expertly crafted drinks in ultra-cool settings. Don’t miss Broad Branch Distillery—named North Carolina’s Distillery of the Year—with tours by day and a sleek cocktail lounge by night. Craving skyline views? Head to Bar Piña, a tropical-themed rooftop bar in the Arts District, or Top of Fourth, a rooftop bar atop the Courtyard by Marriott. See more with our guide to downtown's rooftop bars.

Snap Your Way Around Town
Strike a pose with Winston-Salem’s most Instagram-worthy sights. Snap a skyline selfie at Quarry Park, stroll across Old Salem’s charming Heritage Bridge (map), and don’t miss quirky icons like the giant Coffee Pot in Old Salem (map) and retro Shell Station along Sprague Street (map). In downtown, check out public art wonders like the colorful murals in the Arts District and whimsical wind sculptures at Merschel Park, to round out your feed-worthy adventure. 

Plan a Pretty Picnic
Whether you’re craving quiet meadows or a lively downtown lawn, Winston-Salem is made for picnicking. Pick up local eats and picnic at Reynolda Gardens, Quarry Park, Bailey Park, or any shady spot that calls your name. Need some inspiration? Check out our Ultimate Picnic Guide for the best spots and grab-and-go eats to match. 

Explore the City by Segway or Cycle
See Winston-Salem from a whole new angle with Triad Eco Adventures. Cruise scenic trails on a Segway or eBike as you uncover hidden gems and local history. With daily departures, private group options, and friendly local guides, this is outdoor exploring made easy—and way more fun. Triad Eco also offers Pedego eBike rentals starting at $25 per hour, allowing you to explore the city and surrounding greenways on your own time. Child and pet trailers are also available.

• Want a new way to see the city? Head to scenic Salem Lake for a standup paddleboard (SUP) tour with Triad Eco Adventures. Their two-hour sessions include a beginner-friendly lesson followed by a guided paddle around the lake. Stay dry (unless you’re up for a splash), and don’t worry—equipment is always included.

Adventures Await in Winston-Salem

Looking for more grown-up fun in Winston-Salem? We've got plenty of ideas! Discover fun itineraries, upcoming events, and more by visiting our Things to Do section, or start mapping out a weekend getaway on our Plan Your Visit page. You can also stay in the loop by signing up for our monthly e-newsletter, What's New in Winston-Salem.