See what are other media outlets and content creators are saying about Winston-Salem.
True—we think Winston-Salem is an amazing place to visit. But you don't have to take our word for it. See what others are saying in this collection of recent press and media highlights. From articles to broadcasts to blogs, we're very proud of all the attention Winston-Salem continues to receive. The following is a curated collection of some, but certainly not all, of our recent media highlights.
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Travel + Leisure
"The Essential Winston-Salem Guide"
March 2026 – Is Winston-Salem “the South’s most underrated city?” Travel + Leisure makes a compelling case. A recent feature explores the city’s blend of history, adaptive reuse, arts, and dining, from Reynolda and Old Salem to its evolving downtown. The comprehensive piece was written by veteran journalist Kristi Tolley, who stated, "I’ve lived in the South for 30+ years—this is the city everyone should visit once."
Southern Living
“This City Holds The Nation's Oldest Easter Sunrise Service”
March 2026 – Southern Living recently spotlighted Winston-Salem' enduring tradition of the Moravian Easter Sunrise Service in Old Salem, held in the same place and largely the same way for more than 250 years. Written by award-winning journalist Katie Riley, the story goes beyond Easter traditions and highlights the city’s year-round Moravian heritage, from Old Salem and MESDA to Bethabara and Moravian Cookies—underscoring the depth of history and tradition that continues to shape the destination today.
MSN.com
"Best U.S. Cities to Raise a Family" (WS #4)
March 2026 – MSN.com recently featured Winston-Salem in a 2026 study by StorageCafe ranking the “100 Best U.S. Cities to Raise a Family.” Evaluating hundreds of cities on factors like safety, education, recreation, and affordability, Winston-Salem ranked No. 4 overall, just behind fellow NC city Durham. “Winston-Salem has quietly become a high-appealing landing spot for young families thanks to affordability,” it notes, along with strong marks for its "parks that families can enjoy and shorter-than-average commute times."
Fodor's Travel
"The Best 250 Birthday Parties in the USA"
March 2026 – Fodor’s, a long-standing authority on expert-driven travel coverage, named Winston-Salem one of America’s top 10 cities to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary, declaring “here’s where to party like it’s 1776.” Listed alongside destinations such as Washington, DC, Winston-Salem stood out for its deep Revolutionary roots with Fodor's noting that Old Salem is the site of the nation’s first July 4th celebration, reinforcing the city’s national significance.
AOL.com
"5 Most Romantic Destinations in NC"
March 2026 – AOL.com, among other national outlets, recently featured Winston-Salem in an article highlighting North Carolina's "5 Most Romantic Destinations.” The roundup highlighted destinations selected for their atmosphere, scenery, and couple-friendly experiences, reinforcing the city’s romantic appeal. “Couples seeking romantic cobblestone streets, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and unique wine experiences should look no further than Winston-Salem.".
Good Morning Washington (DC)
"Winston-Salem: A Timeless American Story"
February 2026 – WJLA-TV, the ABC affiliate in D.C., featured Winston-Salem as part of its “America the Beautiful” series. Airing on the Good Morning Washington newscast, the segment positioned the city as an accessible, compelling destination, noting that “few places capture America’s story quite like Winston-Salem.” The piece highlighted a range of experiences in the city, from historic sites and cultural draws to its proximity to the Yadkin Valley and Blue Ridge Parkway, reinforcing its appeal as both a standalone destination and a gateway to the region.
Our State Magazine
"Think Like Mrs. Gray"
January 2026 – Our State, the widely read North Carolina lifestyle publication, spotlighted Graylyn Estate in its February 2026 issue with a full-length feature on the inn’s storied butler service. Veteran journalist Jeri Rowe wrote, “The butlers at Graylyn carry on a tradition established nearly a century ago by a globe-trotting hostess who wanted every guest to feel appreciated,” underscoring the estate’s legacy of hospitality and timeless elegance.
- Related - USA Today: Graylyn ranked No. 2 Boutique Hotel in America (Aug. 2025)
Garden & Gun
"G&G Bucket List 2026"
January 2026 – Garden & Gun magazine gave Old Salem, and specifically Lot 63, a shoutout in its January 2026 issue. It came as part of a bucket list-themed story highlighting "26 Epic Ways to Experience the South in 2026." Writer Robert Grand, a recently hosted Visit W-S guest, detailed one of the newest spots in Old Salem, labeling it "equal parts bakery, cafe, coffeehouse, pub, and wine bar with a bright, airy ambiance.”
National Geographic
"Top 7 Pizza Spots That Aren't in NY or Chicago"
January 2026 – Mission Pizza Napoletana, downtown's Hames Beard-nominated osteria, continues to earn national praise. The latest came in the a syndicated piece by Philly-based writer Brian Cicioni, a VWS hosted guest, who ranked it among the top pizzerias in America outside of New York and Chicago. In addition to Nat Geo, the story appeared across other platforms including Yahoo News and AOL.com, earning 380 million views
Related coverage: America's Top 50 Pizza: 2025 Rankings (#17 - Mission Pizza)
Good Housekeeping
"2026 Travel Award Winners"
November 2025 – One of America’s most trusted lifestyle magazines named Winston-Salem a winner in its 2026 Travel Awards, one of only 23 cities to earn the honor globally. The award came after editors enlisted more than 125 travel testers and experts to evaluate destinations across five continents. Winston-Salem earned high marks for its walkable downtown, lodging variety, accessibility, and overall value, with a tester noting it offers “all the attractions and amenities of a big city on a more snackable scale." The honor underscores Winston-Salem’s compelling blend of historic significance and modern creativity.
- Related - AOL.com: "The Coolest Cities to Visit in 2026," featuring Winston-Salem
ABC National News
"Under-the-Radar Destinations"
October 2025 – Two Winston-Salem cultural gems, Old Salem and MESDA, received national airtime through NC-based content creator Meghan Grant (@ImFixingTo). Grant appeared on ABC National News as part of its “50 States in 50 Days” series spotlighting under-the-radar destinations across the country. The segment, which garnered 57 million views, featured extensive coverage of Old Salem, along with b-roll of MESDA captured during Grant’s recent visit.”
Southern Living
"Best Bakeries in the South" (#13 Bobby Boy)
October 2025 – Bobby Boy Bakeshop, a James Beard semifinalist in the “Best Bakery” category, earned high praise in Southern Living’s November 2025 issue. The husband-and-wife-owned bakery was named one of the 16 Best Bakeries in the South and was the only North Carolina spot to make the list. In 2025, the Bobby Boy team expanded with a second Winston-Salem location inside Salem Bottleworks, a historic Coca-Cola bottling plant near Old Salem.
- Related: SoLi: The South's Most Legendary Bakeries, feat. Winkler Bakery (Feb 2026)
Forbes
"4 Detour Destinations Worth The Trip"
August 2025 – Winston-Salem earned a spot in this Forbes.com feature by travel writer Cassidy Randall, who called it one of her must-visit detour destinations for Fall 2025. "These are places slightly off the beaten path that reward curiosity with authenticity, comfort, and a slower pace," she noted. The article focused on Graylyn, noting it can "turn a routine stopover into a stay steeped in history and elegance."
Wine Enthusiast
"The Nonconformist Potential of the Yadkin Valley AVA"
July 2025 – The Yadkin Valley stole the spotlight in the April 2025 issue of Wine Enthusiast, a publication read by 5.1 million worldwide. The magazine featured the wine region in a beautifully written article by Amy Beth Wright, a former VWS-hosted guest. The article highlights the region's dedicated winemakers, thriving vineyards, and camaraderie. As Mark Friszolowski of Childress Vineyards notes, “You can’t grow a wine region without camaraderie.”
PBS-NC
NC Weekend visits Bookmarks
April 2025 – North Carolina Weekend, the popular PBS-NC program with 2.8M weekly viewers, visited Bookmarks in as part of its recent episode, "Book Crawl Across the State." The segment toured Bookmarks' downtown bookshop, highlighted its literacy outreach programs, and previewed September's annual Bookmarks Festival of Books, the biggest book event in the Carolinas.
Forbes.com
"Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in the U.S."
March 2025 – Forbes spotlighted two Winston-Salem favorites—Ryan’s Restaurant and JOLO Vineyards—in its roundup of the Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in the U.S. The article, written by friend of VWS Michele Hermann, also used a photo of JOLO as its lead image. It was published alongside OpenTable.com's ranking of America's most romantic dining spots. Notably, only two other North Carolina restaurants earned a spot on the list, further underscoring the city's exceptional dining scene.
Cape Fear Living
"Timeless Elegance at Kimpton Cardinal"
February 2025 – Cape Fear Living, the Wilmington, NC, lifestyle magazine, profiled Kimpton Cardinal Hotel in its March 2025 issue. It was written by former VWS-hosted guest Colleen Thompson, who stated, "If you’re looking for a city that’s balancing history, style, and a little bit of whimsy, Winston-Salem has arrived."
Garden & Gun
"Winston-Salem: A City of Contrast and Creativity"
March 2025 – Garden & Gun recently showcased Winston-Salem as a city where history and innovation converge to create something extraordinary. The article highlights Winston-Salem’s rich cultural arts scene, vibrant culinary offerings, and well-preserved historic districts. As longtime local Sue Henderson puts it, “Winston-Salem isn’t just a place to visit—it’s a place to watch history, innovation, nature, culture, tradition, and creativity coalesce. It just draws people in.”
Southern Living
“The 15 Best Things to Do in Winston-Salem.”
January 2025 – Southern Living recently highlighted “The 15 Best Things to Do in Winston-Salem.” In the article, author Nicole Letts (who came to Winston-Salem on a hosted visit recently) notes that “Winston-Salem embraces its history while turning toward its future as a vibrant city.” We couldn’t agree more!
~Older Media Pieces~
Select articles, broadcasts, influencer recaps, and other highlights from 2024.
Forbes.com
"7 Spectacular Holiday Light Displays"
Forbes highlighted Tanglewood Festival of Lights as part of an article on "7 Spectacular Holiday Light Displays." Every year, the landscape of Tanglewood Park comes aglow with the twinkle of more the one million holiday lights. The article has generated an incredible 51 million unique impressions since being posted.
Southern Living
"Experience An Old-Timey Christmas in This Charming NC Town"
Southern Living highlighted Old Salem Museum & Gardens in their December 2024 issue. Specifically highlighting the joy of the holiday season in Winston-Salem, this article showcased the rich history of Old Salem's Moravian heritage. In addition to appearing in the printed magazine (7.2M subscribers), the article was featured prominently on Southern Living's website.
Yahoo Life
5 Beautiful NC Cities for Vacations This Winter
Yahoo Life, the lifestyle arm of media giant Yahoo, named Winston-Salem as one of the state's top cities to visit on a budget. The article notes that visitors will “enjoy a small-town feel but no shortage of activities and entertainment options” and highlights accommodations that fit all budget sizes.
PBS-NC
NC Weekend: "Historic Winston-Salem Hotels"
North Carolina Weekend, the popular PBS-NC show with 2.8M weekly viewers, toured several historic inns and hotels on its Nov. 21 episode. The six-minute segment included visits to Graylyn, Historic Brookstown Inn, and Kimpton Cardinal Hotel.
Crazy Blonde Life (influencer)
"Travel Guide - Winston-Salem"
Charlotte lifestyle blogger Suzanne Smith, who runs the popular social media page Crazy Blonde Life, recapped her visit to Winston-Salem with a detailed blog post and series of engaging Instagram reels. Visit Winston-Salem hosted Smith and her husband in the fall as they celebrated their wedding anniversary, with an itinerary that allowed them to explore the local cuisine, museums and historic attractions, downtown, and more.
Northern Virginia Magazine
“Former Tobacco Town Now Shines with Brews, Gardens, and Arts”
Northern Virginia Magazine ran this travel-focused feature on Winston-Salem in its November 2024 issue. Titled “Former Tobacco Town Now Plays Well with Brews, Gardens, and Arts,” the article was written by writer Amy White. We had the honor of hosting her and crafting her itinerary earlier in the year.
Smart Southern Style (influencer)
"Winston-Salem Travel Guide"
Laura Long, who runs the popular social media outlet Smart Southern Style, highlighted Winston-Salem in a blog post series of social media reels. VWS hosted Laura and helped plan her itinerary during a 3-night visit over the summer.
Magnolia Megan (influencer)
"Things To Do in Winston-Salem"
Visit Winston-Salem hosted popular Raleigh-based influencer and Miss North Carolina runner up Megan Pintell, aka Magnolia Megan, for a three-night stay in April 2024. Megan, who would go on to become runner-up in the Miss North Carolina pageant later that year, created a variety of content during her visit, including a Travel Guide blog and several social media reels.
Forbes.com
"America’s Top Cities for Young Professionals"
Forbes ranked Winston-Salem the top city in North Carolina (and #20 nationwide) in its list of Best Places for Young Professionals for 2024. The list was compiled covering factors such as employment and pay, housing affordability, cost of living, and lifestyle. The ranking came on the heels of another Top 10 finish in Forbes 2024 ranking of “Best U.S. Cities for Renters.”
The Capturing Couple (influencers)
"Winston-Salem: One of North Carolina's Hidden Gems"
Over Easter weekend 2024, Visit Winston-Salem welcomed Tampa-based influencers Nick and Madison Hearn, aka the Capturing Couple. View their highlight reels and stories below for a look into their adventure around Winston-Salem!
Black People Eats (influencer)
Black History & Culture in Winston-Salem
In February 2024 we hosted Chicago-based digital influencer Jeremy Joyce, founder of Black People Eats (@blackpeopleeats), focusing on Black culture and cuisine.