Animal & Wildlife Exhibits
About 1 hour southeast of Winston Salem. With over 500 acres, it is the largest walk-through zoo in the world, so prepare for a lot of walking. There are over 1,600 animals from more than 250 species primarily representing Africa and North America. The zoo is open 364 days a year and receives more than 700,000 visitors annually. Lazy 5 Ranch – Mooresville, NC
About 1 hour southwest of Winston Salem. The Lazy 5 Ranch has over 750 animals from 6 different continents. These animals can be viewed by horse drawn wagon ride tour or from the comfort of your own vehicle while traveling along a 3.5 mile safari ride. Animal Park at the Conservators Center – Burlington, NC
Exotic Animal Tours – Lions, Tigers, Leopards, Lemurs, Wolves, Fox, Lnyx & Bobcats. Carolina Raptor Center – Huntersville, NC
Carolina Raptor Center ignites imaginations and inspires engagement in the natural world through the exploration and rehabilitation of birds of prey. 57 acres, 30 species of birds. Purple Alpaca Farms – Boonville, NC
33 acre family owned alpaca farm in heart of Yadkin County NC. Offering tours, education/farm classes, events, and specializing in fiber arts and products.
Activities for Children
Kaleideum Downtown and Kaleideum North – Winston Salem, NC.
Both Kaleideum Downtown and Kaleideum North concentrate on activities and exhibits that involve science, technology, engineering, math, literacy, and arts education. They prepare early learners for school by sparking the children’s imaginations and their desire to learn more. Birthday parties are available at both facilities. Kaleideum North includes exhibits in natural/physical sciences, seven indoor science halls, and a 50 foot/119-seat domed Planetarium.
This 37,000 square foot facility provides a variety of realistic hands-on exhibits that give children the chance to role play and make believe in settings such a restaurant, theater, post office, doctors office and construction zone.
The Greensboro Science Center
It’s an aquarium, a zoo and a museum for one price. Inside the aquarium are penguins, otters, fish, sharks, jellyfish, stingrays and sharks! Also, fish or penguin feeding. Outside there are crocodiles and meerkats along with a farm yard where you can pet goats and sheep. Children can play in the farmhouse or watch SKYWILD participants zip, slide, climb, and fly through the trees. The treetop adventure park is quite an adventure to take in, while their museum has exhibits about dinosaurs, reptiles, amphibians, insects, health, human body, and weather. All A Flutter Butterfly Farm – High Point, NC
Enjoy this large beautiful collection of butterflies up close. Open seasonally mid April through October with family shows.
SkyZone – Greensboro, NC
Freestyle Jump, SkySlam, Ultimate Dodgeball, Foam Zone, SkyHoops and Speed Zone. Wet -n- Wild Emerald Pointe – Greensboro, NC
One of the largest water parks in NC, with 41 acres of summer fun! This waterpark features over 36 water rides and family attractions.
Recreation
Indoor Kart Racing – Mooresville, NC
The Pit Indoor Kart Racing is one of North Carolina’s premier entertainment facilities. With over seven engaging activities, the Pit is your place to gather with friend and foe to experience the adrenaline rush of indoor kart racing. Offering high-speed Go-Karts, Axe Throwing, Laser Tag, over 65 Arcade Games, and more! The Pit is a family entertainment center with over 140,000 sq-ft of floor space with activities and event space for any age group! They host birthday parties, bachelor parties, team-building and corporate Events.
Zipline, Haunted Spookywoods, Escape, Laser Tag, High Ropes, Maize Adventure and Axe Throwing. Bowman Gray Stadium – Winston Salem, NC
1/4 mile Short Track Racing. Tap That Axe Throwing – Clemmons, NC
Tap That Axe Throwing brings you the hottest trend in indoor sports and giving you a fun and relaxing atmosphere to hang out and relieve some stress. 5,000 square foot facility will be able to host groups ranging in size from 2 to 80 and is perfect for all occasions. SkyWild at the Greensboro Science Center – Greensboro, NC
SKYWILD was specifically constructed to enable participants to experience a variety of animal behaviors while enjoying an exciting workout. Bregmans Trail Riding and Stables – Pinnacle, NC
Enjoy Pilot Mountain State Park or The Sauratown Trail on horseback, riding with a well trained safe horse that is ready to show you a whole new adventure! Carolina Ziplines Canopy Tour – Westfield, NC
Enjoy 26 acres of creeks, meadows, and woods; complete with a covered picnic pavilion and a conference room for corporate meetings. Perfect for school field trips, youth groups, retreats, family excursions, weekend escapes, birthday parties, anniversaries, scouting events, corporate team building, collegiate team building and church organizations. Mountain Biking at Owls Roost Trail – Greensboro NC
Great for hiking and designed with dips, twists, turns, and hops for mountain biking. The trail is rugged and considered to be difficult in comparison to other local trails.
Parks
Quarry Park – Winston-Salem, NC
The park’s focal point is the overlook pier that extends over the eastern side of the quarry. It offers views of the city skyline in the distance and of the deep blue waters of the old quarry that gives the park its name. The park also has several other overlooks with various perspectives of the old quarry.
This park has a wooded mountain biking trail & an open area with strips for your favorite R/C aircrafts. Bailey Park – downtown Winston-Salem, NC
Bailey Park features a covered stage, restroom facilities, a food truck court and a 1.6 acre public green grassy space designed for variety of recreational activities such as live performances, a place to play or just relax. It’s a great amenity for those who visit, work, live or learn in Winston-Salem. Tanglewood Park – Clemmons, NC
So much to offer! Something for just about everyone. Playgrounds, dog park, concert shell, horseback riding, pedal boats on the lake, tennis, BMX and mountain bike trails, 26 spectacular gardens, access to the Yadkin River, and the Manor House Bed and Breakfast.
Additionally, there are two golf courses and an adjacent RV campground. Even more, the park has a newly renovated aquatic center which has many new amenities, including a winding tubing river, two new slides, a splash pad with fun water features, and lots of extended deck space. The children’s pool area features a tumble bucket, raindrop, starburst, lemon drops and more!
From middle of November thru Jan 1st of every year, Tanglewood Park presents the famous Tanglewood Festival of Lights which brings in an average of 250,000 visitors a year.
Haw River State Park – Browns Summit, NCSituated on 1,424 acres of piedmont forests, fields, wetlands and uplands, the Haw River State Park offers a variety of learning opportunities for all ages. Typically led by park rangers, these interpretive programs allow the public to gain perspective into what makes North Carolina state parks naturally wonderful. This park offers 3 walking trails and plays an important role as a training center for the state parks system and other agencies. The park provides a serene and natural setting for successful employee training programs, family reunions, youth retreats, team building conferences, spiritual retreats, marriage retreats, holiday parties and club events. Archdale Creekside Park & Recreation – Archale, NC
Multiple activities for all ages: walking trails, disc golf course, orienteering course, playgrounds, ball fields, T-ball fields, tennis and pickleball courts with lights, plus basketball courts and a recreation center. Shelters, ball fields, a gazebo and various rooms in the recreation center are available to rent. The recreation department offers youth athletic programs that include baseball, girls volleyball and basketball. The adult athletic programs include softball and volleyball. There are couple senior programs available as well. As an added convenience, the park is equipped for electric car charging. Oak Hollow Festival Park – High Point, NC
This 1,500 acre park complex includes an 800 acre lake and activities such as canoeing, fishing, kayaking, boating, sailing and skiing. The marina area has bait and tackle, boat storage, children’s playground, drinks and snacks, boat launch ramps, sailboat and shelter rentals. During various times of the year, Oak Hollow Lake hosts events such as Circuit and Drag boat races, fishing tournaments, sailboat regattas, company picnics, 4th of July celebrations, concerts and ski tournaments. It’s also a nice park for family and group picnics overlooking the lake. Boone’s Cave Park – Lexington NC
This 100 acre park offers hiking trails through a secluded forest in which 46 acres are designated as a Natural Heritage Site. A picnic shelter is available with view of the Yadkin River and access for fishing and canoeing. Tables and grills are also available. Both semi-primitive and primitive campgrounds are available. This is a tent camping only facility and is permitted seven days a week. Boone’s Cave Park is home to squirrels, raccoons, deer, wild turkeys, hawks, reptiles and amphibians. High Rock Lake – located in Davidson & Rowan County
Reservoir for a hydroelectric power generation and is the 2nd largest lake in NC which covers over 15,000 acres and 365 miles of shoreline. High Rock Lake provides RV sites and cabin rentals plus excellent boating and fishing opportunities for bass, crappie, striper, brim and catfish. Belews Lake – Reservior in Stokes, Rockingham, Guilford and Forsyth counties
About 3860 acres of lake and 88 miles of shoreline. Two marinas on the lake include Humphrey’s Ridge, which has a grill that serves food, and Carolina Marina, which has boat sales and service facilities. Badin Lake Recreation Area – Troy, NC
Camping, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, boating, picnic sites, swimming beach, fishing piers and four campgrounds. Dirt trails for dirt bikes, ATVs and 4WD vehicles. Dan Nichols Park – Salisbury, NC
Both free and inexpensive activities for all ages that include an aquarium, barnyard, camping, carousel, fishing, gem mine, miniature golf, nature center, paddle boats, train station, water plaza, wildlife adventure and concessions. Barber Park – Greensboro, NC
Indoor Sports Pavilion, which provides eight plexi-court tennis courts and four combination basketball / volleyball courts. Penn Wright Baseball Stadium, home field of the Eastern Baseball League, which includes a press box for tournaments, concessions area, and stadium seating. 18-hole disc golf course, outdoor amphitheater, 1 mile walking trail, 6 picnic shelters, playground, tot spot and sprayground.
Greenways
Winston-Salem has about 25 miles of greenways, some paved and unpaved trails, boardwalks, and bridges. Some of the greenways connect to each other which allow longer routes. Greenways in Greensboro, NC
Greensboro has one of the best collections of greenways in NC. Greensboro Parks and Recreation Trails Division is working diligently to build new greenways that will connect to existing greenways and trails. Village Point Greenway – Clemmons, NC
Village Point Greenway consists of nearly ¾-miles of paved paths around Village Point Lake and a segment adjacent to Frank Morgan Elementary School. As the Village Point Area continues to develop, a series of greenway connectors will eventually link neighborhoods and other destinations throughout the Village. The Greenway also complements the over 14 miles of sidewalks that currently exist within the village. Parks and The Granite City Greenway – Mount Airy, NC
Mount Airy Parks & Recreation Department maintains 7 parks and a 6.6 mile greenway system that offers a variety of amenities for citizens and visitors of all ages.
Live Performance Theaters
Oldest performing arts organization in Winston-Salem. The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem has presented professional-quality community theater for more than 80 years. Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance – Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance is to inspire, transform and unite the people of the Triad through a broad range of unique, diverse, and unconventional theatrical experiences. The Pyrle – Greensboro, NC
Named one of the best regional theatres in America by New York’s Drama League, The Pyrle features the best and timeliest of classic, contemporary and new theatrical works. Performances are presented in a 300-seat theater and an 80-seat cabaret space with spacious lobbies and many other amenities in Greensboro’s downtown historic district. Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts – Hanesbrand Theatre – Winston Salem, NC
The Hanesbrands Theatre anchors the Winston-Salem Arts Council’s Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts. The intimate 244-seat black-box space features a variety of stage and seating configurations for theatre, dance, film, and music. High Point Theatre – High Point, NC
This theater features an elegant 929 seat auditorium with continental style seating offering live dance, music & theater. Stevens Center – Winston Salem, NC
UNC School of the Arts is a top-ranked creative and performing arts conservatory. Unique professional school for the performing, visual, and moving image arts, training students at the high school, undergraduate, and master’s levels for professional careers in the arts. The Barn Dinner Theatre – Greensboro, NC
Dedicated to providing a quality dining experience along with Broadway-style performances … Dinnertainment! Carolina Threatre – Greensboro, NC
Home to concerts from artists across all genres, classic and independent movies, community theatre and dance, as well as local performances in our third-floor loft theatre, The Crown. Greensboro Symphony – Greensboro, NC
Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, which presents concerts, special events, educational opportunities and related activities. The Liberty Showcase Theater – Liberty NC
Historic venue. Great Music and Great Fun for Everyone!
Places of Interest
If your a true Andy Griffith fan then this tour is a must. Famous Mayberry landmarks…Wally’s Fillin Station, then a ride down main street and check out all the sites like the Barney’s Cafe, Floyd’s Barber shop, Snappy Lunch and swing by Andy’s original homeplace. Seagrove Pottery – Seagrove, NC
Seagrove potters in their workshops and studios. It’s a continuous pottery show 365 days a year. Yadkin Valley Wineries – Surry, Yadkin, Wilkes, Davie, Davidson, Forsyth and Stokes Counties
The wineries and vineyards of this area cover all or part of Surry, Yadkin, Wilkes, Davie, Davidson, Forsyth and Stokes counties. Award-winning vintages and gaining recognition nationally. Historic Bethabara Park – Winston Salem, NC
Historic Bethabara Park features a unique, restored 1788 church, archaeological ruins, exhibits and tours with costumed guides, a reconstructed Colonial village and Colonial community and medicinal garden, a French and Indian War fort, and reconstructed Colonial community and medicinal gardens. Greenways and paths traverse the 183-acre preserve and wetlands. Grounds, gardens and trails open from sunrise to sunset year-round. Black Mountain Chocolate Factory – Winston Salem, NC
Black Mountain Chocolate Factory is North Carolina’s Original Bean to Bar Chocolate Factory. Proud to create high quality, artisan chocolate, ethically sourced, and produced with the best ingredients possible. Worlds Largest Chest of Drawers – High Point, NC
Whimsical, 32-ft. Victorian dresser–shaped building in “the furniture capital of the world.” Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden – Kernersville, NC
Source of community pride, tourism benefit, environmental education and horticultural splendor for the pleasure and enjoyment of citizens and visitors. Secca Arts – Winston Salem, NC
The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art offers numerous ways to experience the art of our time. Through visual art exhibitions, music, dance, theater, and education they start conversations that engage diverse communities and perspectives. West End District – Winston Salem, NC
Meander through a host of antique consignment and whimsical furniture shops, dine at a variety of uniquely themed locally-owned restaurants, or take a carriage ride through this historic district peppered with structures built from 1890-1930. Bob Timberlake Galleries – Lexington, NC
American realist artist primarily known for his watercolor paintings as well as for designing and licensing lines of home furnishings, clothing and various other products. Old Salem Museums and Gardens – Winston Salem, NC
Authentic early-American history brought to life through storytelling, original buildings, hands on activities, music and events… as well as world class artifacts. The Historic Town of Salem along with award-winning heirloom gardens, engage visitors in a memorable, historical experience about those who lived and worked in the early South. Stop in at Winkler Bakery; the oldest continuously operating bakery in the U.S.
Museums
Built in 1880, the house originally served to display his interior design portfolio. Visitors can now explore the 22 room house museum and its unique original furnishings and artwork, cast-plaster details, carved woodwork, and elaborate hand laid tile. The NC Transportation Museum – Spencer, NC
Collection of automobiles, aircraft, and railway vehicles. The museum is located at the former Southern Railway’s 1896-era Spencer Shops and devotes much of its space to the state’s railroad history.
Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts – Winston Salem, NC
The museum is internationally recognized for its contributions to the study and understanding of the history, decorative arts, and material culture of the American South. Winston Cup Museum – Winston Salem, NC
Museum tells the story of stock car racing during the legendary Winston Cup Series era of NASCAR. Richard Childress Racing – Welcome, NC
The 47,000 SF museum takes visitors through a journey that includes team owner Richard Childress’ earliest days as a NASCAR driver, the championship-winning years with Dale Earnhardt and the No. 3 team, the evolution and success of the team after Earnhardt’s untimely passing. Visitors have the opportunity to step back in time to see race cars and other artifacts that have contributed to some of the most iconic moments in NASCAR history.
Weatherspoon Art Museum – Greensboro NC
6 galleries and a sculpture courtyard with over 17,000 square feet of exhibition space. The Andy Griffith Museum – Mount Airy, NC
The Andy Griffith Museum is a place both for learning about and celebrating Andy Griffith, who was born in Mount Airy in 1926. Home of the single largest collection of artifacts and memorabilia related to Andy Griffith, the museum features hundreds of items from Andy’s life and his career in theater, film, and music. Highlights of the collection include actual props, wardrobe, and other artifacts from The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock that were donated by Cindi and Andy Griffith, members of the casts and crews, and other individuals and organizations.
Hiking
Less than an hour from Greensboro and Winston-Salem, Hanging Rock State Park is the triad’s best nearby hiking getaway. Within its 6,000 acres are more than 18 miles of maintained hiking trails that lead to vistas, waterfalls, caves, and ridges. Hanging Rock State Park also offers the traditional outdoor experience with a 73 site campground, picnic areas, stocked lake for swimming, and canoe rentals. There is also an access on the Dan River for paddling, 8.4 miles of mountain biking trails, and rock climbing. Pilot Mountain – Pinnacle, NC
Pilot Mountain is capped by two prominent pinnacles. Big Pinnacle, with walls of bare rock and a rounded top covered by vegetation, rises 1,400 feet above the valley floor, the knob jutting skyward more than 200 feet from its base. Big Pinnacle is connected to Little Pinnacle by a narrow saddle. Visitors have easy access to the top of Little Pinnacle where the view encompasses hundreds of square miles of the Piedmont and the nearby mountains of North Carolina and Virginia. Stone Mountain – Roaring Gap, NC
The massive granite dome at Stone Mountain State Park keeps watch on park visitors enjoying nearly every type of outdoor activity; camping, hiking, climbing, fishing, picnics, horseback riding and more. There are more than 18 miles of trails, matched by more than 20 miles of designated trout waters in this park that spreads below the Blue Ridge Parkway. A campground offers 90 sites, some with utility hookups, and backpacking campsites are nearby. Rock climbing is allowed by permit on the towering, 600-foot granite face of the landmark mountain where climbers look down on Hutchinson Homestead; a restored mid-19th century mountain farm. Expansive picnic grounds with shelters invite reunions and community gatherings.
Sports
Class A Chicago White Sox Affiliate Games. Baseball – Greensboro Grasshoppers
Class A Pittsburg Pirates Affliate Games. Hockey – Carolina Thunderbirds – Winston Salem, NC
The Carolina Thunderbirds are a minor league professional hockey team and play in the Federal Prospects Hockey League. Their home games are played at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex. Basketball – Greensboro Swarm
The Greensboro Swarm are an American basketball team of the NBA G League and an affiliate of the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association. Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, the team plays their home games at the Greensboro Coliseum Fieldhouse.
Baseball – Burlington Royals
The Burlington Royals are a minor league baseball team in Burlington, NC. They are a Rookie-level team in the Appalachian League and have been a farm team of the Kansas City Royals since September 1, 2006. Football – Carolina Cobras – Greensboro, NC
The Carolina Cobras are a professional indoor football team in the National Arena League (NAL) and that began play for the 2018 season. The Cobras play their home games at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. Football – Wake Forest Demon Deacons – Winston Salem, NC
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represents Wake Forest University in the sport of American football. The Demon Deacons compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Basketball – Wake Forest Demon Deacons – Winston Salem, NC
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons men’s basketball team represents Wake Forest University in NCAA Division I college basketball and competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference.