Last updated: 2026 | By Sarah Marchwiany

If you’ve lived in the Triad long enough, you know that keeping kids entertained doesn’t have to mean emptying your wallet. Winston-Salem is honestly one of the best cities for families on a budget. Between the parks, the museums, the free events, and the hidden gems most people don’t even know about, there’s almost always something to do that won’t hurt. Whether you’re looking for a way to fill a sunny afternoon or survive a rainy Saturday with little ones, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our roundup of the best cheap and free things to do in Winston-Salem with kids!

Free Things to Do in Winston-Salem With Kids

Stroll Through Reynolda Gardens — Free

Located in the heart of the city, Reynolda Gardens is completely free and absolutely gorgeous. Kids can explore winding trails, splash in the creek, and discover native plants. The greenhouse is a fun stop, and there’s usually something new blooming each season. There’s lots of green space to run around, and plenty of shady spots to stop for a snack break! While you’re there, Reynolda Museum is also free for kids, veterans, and college students, with a small admission fee for others. They also host occasional Community Days when admission is free for everyone. (Have a look at our list of Discounted & Free Museum Days for other savings!)

See our complete Reynolda Gardens & Grounds Guide to help plan your visit.

Library Storytimes & Programs — Free

Forsyth County’s public library system offers weekly storytimes that are perfect for younger children. The Central Library downtown is especially family-friendly with its modern kids’ area and occasional performances. When school lets out for the year, my family loves attending the summer reading programs. Between all the different branch locations, there’s a free event nearly every day of the summer!

Old Salem Museums & Gardens — Free to Walk

While full admission to Old Salem comes with a fee, walking the cobblestone streets and enjoying the historic vibe is completely free. Kids love peeking into old-fashioned windows, checking out costumed interpreters, and stopping at the bakery for a piece of legendary sugar cake. Full museum admission has a fee; see their events calendar for free or reduced-price weekends. their calendar here.

NCMA Winston-Salem — Free for Kids

The North Carolina Museum of Art, Winston-Salem (formerly SECCA) offers rotating exhibits with interactive features. Free for children 17 and under; small admission fee for adults. The adjacent James G. Hanes estate is also free and open to the public.

Note: Hours can be limited — check the website before visiting.

Forsyth County library cardholders can borrow a free museum pass for NCMA Winston-Salem (up to 8 people, a $56 value).

Free Public Art & Murals

Winston-Salem has a rich street art and public mural scene — particularly in the Arts District on Trade Street and surrounding downtown. A self-guided public art walk is a completely free way to spend an hour or two. Look for mosaic installations, large-scale murals, and sculpture throughout the downtown neighborhoods.

Community Events & Free Concerts

Winston-Salem regularly hosts free outdoor concerts, art fairs, and public events. The Midtown Music concert series is a popular free summer option. The Quarry Park Rock Out event (food trucks, live music, fireworks — typically free) is one of the best free summer community events in the city. Keep an eye on our community events calendar.

Parks in Winston-Salem

Parks are perhaps the best example of free fun, and Winston-Salem is full of options! I’ll highlight a few below, but See our complete Parks & Playgrounds guide for the full directory.

Salem Lake Park

Bring the bikes, scooters, or just your walking shoes. Salem Lake has a 7-mile trail that’s stroller-friendly and scenic. The gorgeous lake is also stocked with several types of fish, making it a good spot for both pier and boat fishing. See our Best Fishing Spots in the Triad guide for more. Watch for turtles sunbathing or stop by the playground for a break. Parking is free, and there’s a picnic area if hunger strikes!

Quarry Park

Once a working rock quarry, Quarry Park is now a stunning park featuring an overlook with views of the city skyline. Kids love the wide-open spaces to play as well as the large and recently updated playground area. There’s even a seasonal butterfly garden! It’s free to visit, but during some events you may consider bringing a few bucks for snacks – For example, the city hosts an annual Rock Out the Quarry party with food trucks, live music, and a fireworks show.

Historic Bethabara Park — Free Grounds

Historic Bethabara Park winston-salem, nc — Photo Credit. historicbethabara.org

This 1700s settlement offers a low-cost history lesson wrapped in nature. Walk through reconstructed cabins, tour the gardens, and let the kids play on the open fields. Admission to the park grounds is free, but for a more in-depth dive into this historical site consider opting for a guided tour ($4/adult, $1 each for students and children 3+). Special events will typically include craft-making and live demonstrations.

Hanes Park

One of Winston-Salem’s most beloved neighborhood parks — open green space, picnic areas, a playground, and the Joe White Tennis Center. Located in the West End neighborhood.

Reynolds Park

A large, well-maintained public park with playground, tennis courts, walking paths, and beautiful green setting on the east side of the city. Free, uncrowded on weekdays.

Tanglewood Park — $2 Entrance Fee

$2 per vehicle makes Tanglewood one of the lowest-cost full-day family destinations in Forsyth County. Rose Garden, Arboretum, walking trails, fishing on the lake, playground, and picnic areas. Disc golf add-on for older kids and teens.

Little Walden Nature Trail (Tanglewood)

A hidden gem within Tanglewood — accessible via Craver Land Road, not the main entrance. Follow Nature Trail Drive, park in front of the brick house, and find a beautiful garden area leading to a quiet wooded trail and shaded creek for wading. Genuinely peaceful and undervisited.

Pilot Mountain & Hanging Rock State Parks — Free Admission

Both within 30–45 minutes of Winston-Salem, completely free to enter. Pilot Mountain has extraordinary summit views. Hanging Rock offers waterfalls, a swimming lake, and some of the best hiking in the Triad. See our Hanging Rock State Park guide for the full picture.

Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Winston-Salem (Under $15)

Kaleideum

Address: 390 S. Liberty Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 | Website: kaleideum.org | Tip: Validate your parking for a discount before leaving.

Okay, so the Kaleideum, while a very cool place, is not free.

Discount and free days: Kaleideum participates in several discount programs throughout the year. Check our Discounted & Free Museum Days in the Triad guide before paying full price. Friday nights it is discounted to $5. Davidson County library pass: Davidson County Public Library also offers Kaleideum passes for cardholders. For a complete guide to NC library experience passes, see The Ultimate Guide to North Carolina Library Experience Passes. Membership: Family memberships pay for themselves quickly for regular visitors.

And what a museum it is! Have you ever played on a rooftop playground? The zip line, the massive slide, the rock wall, the breathtaking views of the city, all combine to make for an amazing experience, and that’s without even mentioning the indoor exhibits! You can easily spend hours here. If you fall in love and decide you ~~want~~ need to go regularly, they offer family memberships which can significantly reduce the cost per visit. Don’t forget to have them validate your parking!

Winston-Salem Dash Baseball Games — Very Affordable

A Winston-Salem Dash game at Truist Stadium is a home run with families. Reasonably priced tickets, grassy hill for picnic-style watching, post-game fireworks on select nights, and between-inning activities kids love. One of the best entertainment values in the Triad.

Cheap Things to Do in Winston-Salem

When there’s a little wiggle room in the budget, there are also a fantastic array of cheap things to do in Winston-Salem that offer great value for your money!

Catch a Movie

Marketplace Cinema has specialized in affordable movie-going for more than 21 years. There’s one set price throughout the day, so no need to rush to catch a matinee! A discount is also offered for children, seniors, students, teachers, members of the military and first responders. Many of our local movie theaters also offer free or steeply discounted children’s movies during the summer months; have a look at our Kids Summer Movie guide for a more detailed breakdown of those programs.

Bowling with the Family

Creekside Lanes has been a local favorite since I was a kid. They offer something called the Family Plan, which includes 2 hours of bowling, rental shoes, a hot dog and one small soda per person for up to 6 people per lane. At $60, the Family Plan makes for a fun, all-inclusive family night out. They also participate in the Kids Bowl Free program, entitling each registered kiddo to two free games each day of the summer – just pay for your shoe rentals!

Putt-Putt, anyone?

Adventure Landing offers after-school specials for big savings: Any school day after 3 pm enjoy unlimited mini golf and 20 arcade tokens for $10/person. You can enjoy a couple rounds of putt-putt before cooling down at the arcade center inside. There’s a concession stand with some snack options, as well as seasonal bumper boat rides.

Tanglewood Disc Golf — Very Cheap

A disc (inexpensive at any sporting goods store) plus the $2 park entrance fee. Hours of play. A great introduction to the sport for older kids and teens.

Community Events & Festivals

Finally, keep an eye on our community events calendar for upcoming events and festivals. Winston-Salem hosts frequent free or low-cost events throughout the year, such as outdoor concerts, craft fairs, and holiday celebrations. These events provide a fantastic opportunity for family fun and create lasting memories without breaking the bank.

Quick Tips for Budget Family Days in Winston-Salem

Get a Forsyth County library card. Unlocks three free museum passes, free storytimes every week, and digital resources. All free.
Combine stops in the same area. Reynolda Gardens + Reynolda House = one of the best free afternoon combinations in the city, same parking lot. Old Salem + Historic Bethabara = good history-focused pairing.
Pack snacks and a picnic. Salem Lake, Tanglewood, Hanging Rock, Hanes Park, and Quarry Park all have excellent picnic areas.
Check the library calendar weekly. 97+ free programs per week during summer — something every single day across branch locations.
Wednesday evenings in Greensboro. GreenHill’s Family Art Night (free admission, every Wednesday 5–7pm, 35 minutes away) is one of the best free family activities in the Triad. See our Free Things to Do in Greensboro guide for the full picture.

Stretching the Budget While Making Memories

The great thing about these free and cheap Winston-Salem activities is how easy it is to combine them. Grab breakfast at home, hit up Reynolda Gardens for the morning, swing by a museum after lunch, and close the day with a sunset at Quarry Park—all without spending much more than gas money. Family fun doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and sometimes the best memories come from a simple walk in the woods or a giggle-filled day at the library. So pack some snacks, grab the kids, and go make the most of everything free and cheap Winston-Salem has to offer.

FAQs About Free Things to Do in Winston-Salem NC

What are the best free things to do in Winston-Salem with kids?

Reynolda Gardens, Salem Lake Park, Quarry Park, Historic Bethabara, Hanes Park, library storytimes, the NCMA Winston-Salem (free for kids under 17), Old Salem cobblestone strolls, and free community concerts.

How do I get free Kaleideum tickets in Winston-Salem?

Forsyth County Public Library cardholders can borrow a Kaleideum museum pass — check out one like a book at any branch. Covers up to 6 children and 2 adults. Check availability at any branch or the library website.

Are there free library programs for kids in Winston-Salem?

Yes — free storytimes, summer reading programs, and 97+ free programs per week across all branches during summer. See our Free Library Storytimes guide for the current schedule.

What is the best free park in Winston-Salem?

Salem Lake Park — 7-mile paved trail, beautiful lake, playground, excellent fishing. Quarry Park is the best for younger kids specifically, with the updated playground and city skyline views.

Is there free parking in Winston-Salem?

Most parks listed here have free parking. Reynolda Gardens and Reynolda Village have free adjacent parking. Downtown and Old Salem may require paid or street parking.

What are the best cheap things to do in Winston-Salem NC?

Kaleideum (free with library pass), Winston-Salem Dash games, Marketplace Cinema flat pricing, Creekside Lanes Kids Bowl Free, Adventure Landing after-school special, and Tanglewood Park ($2 entry).

Looking for more Triad family activity guides? See our Cheap and Free Things to Do in Greensboro NC, Complete Guide to Triad Area Libraries, Best Parks & Playgrounds in Winston-Salem, Free Library Storytimes in the Triad, and our Free & Low-Cost Activities in the Triad.

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