Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a charming city full of history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you’re visiting the historic Old Salem district, taking in the arts at the Reynolda House, or exploring the city’s scenic parks, there’s no shortage of things to see and do. However, like any popular travel destination, Winston-Salem can get crowded during peak tourist seasons. I enjoy a more peaceful, laid-back experience, I’ve learned a few tricks to help avoid the hustle and bustle while still enjoying everything the city has to offer. Here are my personal tips for experiencing Winston-Salem like a local, without the crowds.
1. Visit During the Off-Peak Season
One of the best ways to avoid crowds in Winston-Salem is by timing your trip wisely. The city, like many tourist destinations, sees its highest number of visitors during the warmer months—spring through summer—when festivals and events are in full swing. If you want a more peaceful experience, consider visiting in the fall or winter. The weather is still mild, and the city tends to be quieter. I’ve visited several times during the late autumn months, and I can tell you that the crisp air and colorful leaves, combined with fewer tourists, made for an incredibly relaxing visit.
The winter months (January through March) also tend to be quieter, with fewer crowds. While some attractions may have shorter hours, you can still enjoy the beauty of the city without feeling rushed. Plus, visiting during the off-season often means lower prices for accommodations and flights.
Booking Tip:
To secure affordable flights and accommodations during the off-season, use Skyscanner to find the best deals on flights. Expedia is also great for booking off-peak stays, often offering discounts on winter getaways. Check the weather forecasts before booking to make sure you’re prepared for cooler temperatures.
2. Explore the Outdoors Early in the Morning
Winston-Salem has some beautiful outdoor spaces, but many of the popular parks and hiking trails can get crowded later in the day, especially on weekends. If you enjoy nature, I recommend exploring these places early in the morning. Whether it’s a walk through Tanglewood Park or a hike up Pilot Mountain State Park, getting there at sunrise will allow you to experience these scenic spots in peaceful solitude.
When I visited Tanglewood Park, I arrived just as the gates opened at 7 a.m. It was so serene—birds were chirping, the fog was lifting from the lake, and the sun was casting a warm glow over the landscape. I felt like I had the entire park to myself.
Booking Tip:
For accommodation near nature spots, look for stays through Airbnb, where you can often find cozy cabins or houses tucked away in quiet areas close to parks. For parks and attractions, Recreation.gov offers easy ways to check out hours, book passes, and find trail recommendations.
3. Take Advantage of Lesser-Known Attractions
Winston-Salem is home to many well-known attractions, such as Old Salem Museums & Gardens, Reynolda House, and The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA). These sites can be quite busy, especially during weekends and tourist-heavy months. However, there are plenty of hidden gems throughout the city that provide a quiet, peaceful experience. For example, Bethabara Park is often overlooked by tourists. It’s a historic site that was once home to the first Moravian settlement in North Carolina.
Another quiet destination is The Winston-Salem Art District. It’s a small but vibrant area where you can wander through galleries without feeling like you’re in a crowded museum. The Sawtooth School for Visual Art is also a lesser-known spot where you can attend art classes or simply admire the local artwork.
Booking Tip:
To avoid waiting in long lines at major attractions, book tickets in advance through platforms like Viator or Eventbrite, which often offer discounts and skip-the-line options for various museums and galleries.
4. Explore Historic Old Salem During Off-Peak Hours
While Old Salem Museums & Gardens is one of the top attractions in Winston-Salem, it can get quite crowded, especially during weekends and holidays. To avoid the crowds, I suggest visiting this historic district during weekdays, ideally in the early afternoon when most tourists have already moved on to other destinations. The quaint cobblestone streets, the historic homes, and the local shops will feel like your own private museum, especially if you avoid weekends when tour groups are more frequent.
When I visited Old Salem during the early afternoon on a Tuesday, I barely saw any other tourists. It allowed me to take in the history, explore the charming buildings, and chat with the knowledgeable staff without feeling rushed.
Booking Tip:
I recommend using OpenTable to book a reservation for lunch or dinner at The Tavern in Old Salem, which provides an authentic colonial dining experience. Booking ahead can save you from waiting in long lines during peak hours.
5. Skip the Main Tourist Restaurants and Try Locally-Owned Eateries
One of the best ways to avoid crowds in Winston-Salem is by venturing off the beaten path when it comes to dining. There are plenty of local gems that offer incredible food without the tourist crowds. Instead of heading to the more commercial spots downtown, check out places like The Porch Kitchen & Cantina or The Sweet Potatoes Restaurant, which offer a cozy and intimate dining experience with fewer tourists.
During my visit, I stumbled upon The Old Fourth Street Filling Station for breakfast. It was a cozy, tucked-away spot that was filled with locals but had very few tourists. The food was exceptional, and the service was personalized. This is one of the things I love about Winston-Salem—the food scene is incredibly diverse, and by avoiding chain restaurants or spots with huge lines, you can find delicious meals in a relaxed setting.
Booking Tip:
Use Yelp to discover local dining spots that are off the radar of many tourists. Many of these eateries also have reservations available on OpenTable, so you can avoid long wait times.
6. Go on a Self-Guided Walking Tour
Rather than following the crowds in large group tours, I highly recommend taking a self-guided walking tour of Winston-Salem. The city is packed with historical sites, but with a little research, you can explore these spots at your own pace. The Historic West End neighborhood, for example, is full of beautiful, Victorian-style homes, and walking through this area is like stepping back in time.
Another area I love walking through is Reynolda Village. While Reynolda House can get crowded with art lovers, the village itself, with its charming boutiques and quiet streets, is a hidden treasure. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon, and you can do so without the crowds.
Booking Tip:
For a self-guided tour, check out Visit Winston-Salem’s website or download apps like Tripadvisor or Google Maps, which offer personalized walking tours that you can follow on your phone. Some apps even offer offline maps in case you don’t have service.
7. Visit Smaller, Less-Visited Museums
While Winston-Salem has a number of larger museums, including the Reynolda House Museum of American Art and The North Carolina Museum of Art, there are also smaller museums that are far less crowded but just as fascinating. For example, The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) offers a chance to view modern art in a relaxed environment. It’s a quieter spot where you can engage with contemporary works without the usual crowds.
I also recommend visiting The Winston-Salem Heritage Museum. It’s tucked away in a quiet corner of downtown and provides a fascinating insight into the city’s rich history. I was amazed at how much I learned in a relatively short amount of time, and because the museum is not as widely known, I was able to explore it at my own pace.
Booking Tip:
To avoid the crowds, always check the museum’s hours of operation and holiday closures online before you go. Booking tickets in advance through platforms like Eventbrite can sometimes get you a discount and help you skip the lines.
8. Spend Time in Winston-Salem’s Public Gardens
Winston-Salem has an abundance of beautiful public gardens, but they’re often overshadowed by the more well-known attractions. I always recommend visiting The Arboretum at Tanglewood Park or The Wake Forest University’s Reynolda Gardens. These spaces are open to the public year-round and provide peaceful, scenic settings for walking or simply relaxing. While these gardens are beautiful and free to visit, they tend to be quieter, especially early in the day or on weekdays.
When I visited Reynolda Gardens, I spent hours walking among the flowers and greenery, with very few people around. It was a serene experience, and I didn’t have to worry about large crowds ruining the experience.
Booking Tip:
Both gardens are free to visit, but I highly recommend visiting the Reynolda House Museum of American Art before exploring the gardens to get a complete historical and artistic experience. Booking tickets for both through Viator can sometimes save you time and money.
9. Choose Off-the-Beaten-Path Accommodations
Where you stay in Winston-Salem can make a big difference in how crowded the area feels. Rather than booking a hotel right in the heart of downtown, look for accommodations that are a little off the beaten path. I’ve had wonderful stays at Airbnb properties in quieter residential neighborhoods like the West End and South Side.
By choosing accommodations away from the main tourist areas, you can avoid the hustle and bustle while still being close enough to the action. Plus, staying in quieter neighborhoods gives you a taste of local life and provides opportunities for unique experiences, such as dining at lesser-known but fantastic local restaurants.
Booking Tip:
For more personalized stays, check out Airbnb for vacation rentals in quieter areas. For a hassle-free hotel experience, I recommend using Booking.com or Hotels.com to find boutique hotels or smaller properties that aren’t overrun with tourists.
10. Stay Flexible and Be Spontaneous
The last tip for avoiding crowds in Winston-Salem is to stay flexible. If you find that one popular attraction is packed, be willing to switch plans and visit something lesser-known. For example, I had originally planned to visit the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) but discovered that there was a large tour group. Instead, I opted for a quieter visit to The Graylyn Estate, a historic mansion with stunning gardens, and had an amazing time.
Being open to changing your plans on the fly will allow you to experience the best of Winston-Salem without the stress of navigating through crowds.
Booking Tip:
For flexible travel plans, I suggest using Tripadvisor to check for real-time reviews and current conditions at attractions, as well as Expedia for booking accommodations that allow you to cancel or modify your reservation easily.
Winston-Salem is a beautiful and welcoming city that offers an abundance of historical, cultural, and natural attractions. With a bit of planning and flexibility, you can easily avoid the crowds and experience the charm of this city in peace. Whether you’re strolling through gardens, exploring hidden museums, or dining at local eateries, there’s always a way to enjoy the city without the crowds. Happy travels!
