Planning a Trip

Getting There

I-40 (the East-West Expwy.) is the main approach to Winston-Salem from both east and west; from the north, it's U.S. 311, U.S. 52, and U.S. 158; and from the south, it's U.S. 52.

Winston-Salem's Smith Reynolds International Airport (tel. 336/767-6361) is served by US Airways Express (tel. 800/428-4322; www.usairways.com). Charlotte is the nearest airport served by all major carriers.

By Bus -- Greyhound (tel. 800/231-2222; www.greyhound.com) offers regular service to town. The bus station is at 100 W. 5th St. (tel. 336/724-1429).

Visitor Information

The Convention and Visitors Bureau, 200 Brookstown Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (tel. 866/728-4200 or 336/728-4200; www.visitwinstonsalem.com), can tell you about attractions, accommodations, dining, and local bus transportation. It's open daily 8:30am to 5pm.

Special Events

For a relatively small city, Winston-Salem has quite a calendar of events. The Convention and Visitors Bureau can provide complete details. In mid-April, the city's 18th-century gardens in Old Salem are open for the Spring Garden Tour (call tel. 888/653-7253 or 919/962-0522; www.chapelhillgardentour.net). Every year, there's a traditional Moravian Easter Sunrise Service. An old-fashioned Independence Day Celebration is held each year at historic Bethabara. Starting in July is the National Black Theatre Festival. Early September brings the Chili Championship to Tanglewood Park. Mid-October also brings Folk Festival IV, a competition complete with country cooking and entertainment. Beginning in November and running to January 1 is the Festival of Lights in Tanglewood Park (tel. 336/778-6300; www.tanglewoodpark.org). And the holiday season wouldn't be complete without the Old Salem Christmas and Candle Teas [S] (tel. 888/653-7253; www.oldsalem.org), a re-creation of yuletide as it was celebrated 200 years ago in Old Salem. (You've got to sample that Moravian sugar cake!)