Winston-Salem recs (non food)

Thanks! I only mentioned no food recs because I didn't want anyone to waste their time with awesome Mexican or Italian spots when we couldn't eat them. I can sift through that older thread and find stuff that would fit our schedule.

As far as stuff to do, we like to be outside. I like to hike and my wife is okay with it. We like nice scenery, lookouts, etc. I'm into sports, my wife is super not. I think most of our time will be spent taking in sights at the two closest state parks and cruising around town.

I appreciate it.

I've added comments beside items on your list and have expanded a little below it. This is just good info for when you move here. Not necessarily that you have to hit everything when you visit.

Parks/Greenery
Bethabara Park Very small but an important part of Winston-Salem's history. When I first moved here 12 years ago I had a community garden plot here. There is a trail system here. Look for the old Moravian cemetery at the top of the hill called 'God's Acre'.

Reynolda Gardens Free classic style gardens. Was just there last week. When you are a resident you can tour the house for free with a pass from the downtown library. It's definitely worth doing once and is pretty cool. Do some research to find all of the trails that go through the old golf course, now a wild flower reserve, forest and the connection to Wake Forest University.

Pilot Mountain State Park If you go on the weekend go early. Parking can be difficult for most state parks in the area. For a quick visit you can drive to the top and park. The view is nice. I believe there are other areas to park if you're interested in hiking. If you are familiar with the Andy Griffith Show this is where the fictionary town of "Mt. Pilot" comes from . The town of Mt. Airy nearby is his hometown and what the show and Mayberry is based on. There is a lot of tourism from the show and the stores reflect it.

Hanging Rock State Park Again, go early on the weekend. This is a nice state park. There are a few waterfalls, a small lake that has a swimming beach, and of course hiking trails. This is the first stop for anyone living east of Raleigh to get the feel of being in the mountains and not in the sandhills.

Salem Lake This city park is great. 7 mile gravel loop around the lake. There are no houses on the lake so it really feels like a state park or you're not in the city limits. It's a mix of bikers and walkers. There are also mountain bike trails in the wooded areas. You can also fish in this lake by land or boat. You can bring your own jon boat or rent one or a canoe or kayak.

Bicentennial Garden I've never been here.

Greensboro Arboretum I've never been here.

Piedmont Environmental Center I've never been here.

High Point Butterfly Farm Thanks for this. My wife is a kindergarten teacher and this would make a great field trip! We didn't know about this.

Town Sites
Old Salem I live nearby. We take our dog for a walk here daily. Check the website for hours if you want to go inside the buildings. They are just coming out of the pandemic and are not full steam yet. It was once very lively with reenactors and tons of people walking throughout the town. Regardless it's a very pleasant stroll. Just cross over the wooden bridge at the welcome center.

Trade Street I work on this street. It started off as the Art's district but is transforming into bars, breweries and restaurants. Since you're into the outdoors check out Mast General Store on Trade St.

Artivity Small park. I was on the design team for this. They rotate the murals on the wall yearly. Kind of a novelty as most people walk in and take instagram pictures.

Graylyn Estate Beautiful house and piece of property. Right across the street from Reynolda House/Gardens. Honestly, I've only driven up to the house and haven't gone in. I think its a hotel and conference center.

Food/Drink
Broad Branch Distillery Pretty small outfit. Wouldn't hurt to visit if you have time.

Ryan's Restaurant Very good steak house. This is where everyone traditionally goes for anniversaries, birthdays, etc.

Shows
Idiot Box I've never been. See "The Roar" in my list below.

Other places of note:
Tanglewood Park Very nice county park. Nice paved trails. I believe there are horse trials too. People also park RVs and stay awhile. There is a free access near the dog park for walking/bikes. Otherwise you have to pay to enter the gates for the community pool and horse facilities.

Stone Mountain State Park I would rank this above Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock. Good trails and awesome views of a stone faced mountain. The views from the top of the mountain are very good. It's an hour from Winston-Salem.

Quarry Park Cool new park built on the edges of an abandoned quarry. There is a bridge like lookout that goes out beyond the edge. You can view the city skyline from here. There are tiny little jellyfish in the water. I believe this is connected to the same extensive greenway system that Salem Lake and the Long Branch Trail are.

Innovation Quarter This is the part of town that has the most energy right now. Wake Forest University has renovated old tobacco facilities into medical school buildings, restaurants and retail. Check out Bailey Park and Bailey Power Plant. Make sure to go to the coal pit and check that out.
Also there is a cool rail trail system ‘Long Branch Trail’ that is in this area. It’s an elevated trail and you cross over the city streets over 5 bridges I believe. Enter on Fogle St (old cobblestone street).

Gears and Guitars You'll be in town during Gears and Guitars Sept 9th-11th. This is a 3 day cycling event held around the Innovation Quarter/Bailey Park area. They also have bands for 2-3 days/nights in Bailey Park. Pretty decent acts. Usually a mix with some new (in the past Jason Isbell, Charlie Crockett) and some older 90s bands (in the past Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms) off the top of my head. This would be a good chance to check out the locals. LOL. It will be very busy in this area. LINK

Restaurants and Butcher Right across from Bailey Park there is a higher end restaurant where you could get a good steak. "Six Hundred Degrees". In the same area is a butcher "The Butcher's Block" where you can find some good meat.
Also check out the Meridian Restaurant closer towards Old Salem area for steaks. They also commonly have plates with elk, etc.

The Roar This place just opened but you'd want to check it out. It's a food hall/entertainment venue. It's a mix of bowling, video golf, food hall, restaurants, bars. I know they have live music and sometimes comedy shows (you mentioned the Idiot Box).

Wake Forest Sports I’ve adopted Wake as my second college team. For being the smallest school in Division I they do pretty good for themselves in all sports. Football games are really laid back and feel like minor league baseball games. The fans are there for the family entertainment and don’t really go crazy. If you get the itch for some live college football go when Clemson, FSU or UNC/NC State are in town. Wake fairs pretty well against the in state schools.
Of course you get to see some blue bloods like Duke and UNC roll into town during basketball season.

Oh and Winston-Salem is soooo much better than G’boro! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I hope you enjoy your visit. Just bump this thread if you ever have any questions.

In the Greensboro area is Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, site of a revolutionary war battle. Popular area for walking the roads and trails, with a good. It of shade.

Greensboro Grasshoppers A baseball team has a nice stadium in downtown. Tickets are cheap. There are also some other minor league teams in NC.

Greensboro has a really nice history museum that gives info on the region and its history. Free.