Winston-Salem is the perfect distance for Charlotteans to soak up a weekend getaway or even a daytrip. It’s a vibrant place, long known for its dedication to both the arts and to business innovation. Twentieth-century businesses, like R. J. Reynolds Tobacco and the Hanes companies, shaped Winston-Salem by bringing a host of untapped wealth to the city and leaving it with an impressive list of institutions and foundations.
Today, there’s dozens of sights to see, can’t-miss dining options, luxury hotels, and more.
For a weekend full of Southern luxury, elegance, eclecticism, and charm, consider the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel as your home base. Within the historic R.J. Reynolds building in downtown Winston-Salem, once the architectural muse for the Empire State Building, it is a present-day reimagination of traditional treasures and contemporary comfort.
Dine-in at their French-inspired brasserie and bar, The Katherine, for classic French fare with country flair; from oysters and escargot to fried chicken and shrimp and grits, this bistro offers a menu to satisfy any tastes.
For fun beyond The Kimpton’s four walls, roam the rebirth of Winston-Salem’s city center and experience the sights and sounds of Salem, old and new. Explore the creative community and modern marketplace through a host of galleries and museums while strolling the rich Downtown Arts District, or become a part of the art, yourself, at Winston-Salem’s first “Art Park,” ARTivity on the Green.
Several downtown eateries are within a short walking distance, from Krankie’s Coffee to Camino Bakery to The Old Fourth Street Filling Station and Village Juice.
A Noble Grille – the original Rooster’s Wood Fired Kitchen – and the Ramkat are also worth a visit while you’re in town.
While in Winston, you can also explore Old Salem Museum & Gardens, one of America’s most comprehensive historic attractions. Through preservation and interpretation, Old Salem presents an authentic view of the Moravian-established pre-Revolutionary war settlement that preceded and continues to distinguish the city we know. Continue paying homage to R.J. Reynolds, the local legend whose tobacco company put Winston on the map, by exploring the extent of the Reynolds legacy, alive in the Reynolda Historic District. Once their elaborate, country estate, the Reynolda Historic Village, House, and Gardens now serves as an educational, cultural, and community complex filled with masterful, local art, culture, and history.
The Kimpton Cardinal is an iconic entrance to small town excitement and, with double the history and half the hustle, Winston-Salem sets the stage for a perfect escape for Charlotteans.
