By TMoM Team Member Rachel Hoeing

I’ve lived in the Triad area for about 20 years now, and I am still continuing to discover hidden gems. Our areas of Winston-Salem, High Point, Greensboro and surrounding communities have so many unique tourist spots, delicious dining, outdoor parks, historical landmarks, and so much more. When I have friends visiting from out of town, or relatives bunking up with us for a few days, I have always wanted a list of ideas of where to take them for the day.

I decided to compile a list of “afternoon outings” that would be perfect for families or groups of all ages and abilities. Granted, some of these will be more exciting for little ones while others will appeal to the older members of your group, but my hope is that each excursion would include a little something for everyone. In addition, be sure to visit our Day Trip directory for even more ideas.

Elm Street Afternoon

Travel to downtown Greensboro and spend an afternoon hitting the shops on Elm Street! You can start with lunch at Crafted, then pop in Scuppernong Books. As you stroll through the area, be sure to check out two other favorites – Aspen Boutique and Just Be! Cheesecakes by Alex has an adorable outdoor patio to enjoy a sweet treat in the afternoon. For a great history lesson, you can visit the Civil Rights Museum, which is focused on the sit-in activities at the F.W. Woolworth lunch counter. Wrap up your day by catching a Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball game!

A Kid’s Dream in Downtown Greensboro

Start out at Boxcar Bar + Arcade, which is kid-friendly during the day. The Boxcar Arcade is so much fun for the young and young-at-heart! If you happen to have just adults with your party, South End Brewing is a great spot right across the street. You can also walk around and discover some fabulous murals in this area. Then head over to the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum where kids will never seem to run out of things to do! Their newest exhibits are amazing, and the outdoor play structure will light up a child’s face immediately. If it’s a nice day, you can walk across the street to LeBauer Park, which has an amazing creative play area for kids. If the weather isn’t great, you’ve also got the Greensboro Library right there as well. You can also check to see what might be going on at the Greensboro Cultural Center or GreenHill Center that day. You’ve got great restaurants in that same area that you can visit for dinner – Poke Bowl or Mellow Mushroom are some of our family’s faves. Top off your day with a sweet treat at Savor the Moment Bakery & Dessert Cafe!

The Grounds of Wake Forest & Reynolda

In Winston-Salem, you can spend an afternoon showing visitors the beautiful campus of Wake Forest University. After walking the grounds, you can take the walking path or drive over to Reynolda Village. Grab lunch at The Village Tavern or Penny Path Cafe, and then stroll through all of the shops. Around the House, J McLaughlin, and McCall’s are some of our favorites. After shopping, there are many beautiful areas to spread out on the grass and enjoy some snacks, throw a frisbee, or fly a kite. You can then walk the path around Lake Katharine through the woods. Kids will enjoy spotting turtles in the small ponds throughout the trail. Your group can also venture to Reynolda House Museum of American Art and Reynolda Gardens. You can choose to visit on your own or schedule a tour.

Loving Downtown Winston-Salem

Venture to downtown Winston-Salem! There are two great areas to explore.

Spend your afternoon on Liberty Street by enjoying a bite to eat at Camel City BBQ Factory, which also hosts a game room to make even the most restless little ones happy. Just across the street from Camel City you will find an “art park,” dubbed ARTivity on the Green. Amazing art that your kids will enjoy and your teens will love to post on Instagram! Continue on down to Reboot Arcade Bar  (family friendly until 9pm) to take whirl at PacMan or Space Invaders! Venturing just a few streets off of Liberty, you can then step back in time by visiting Mast General Store. You will love the clothes and accessories while your children will love the barrels of candy.

Another great area to explore is Bailey Park and Innovation Quarter. You will love the eclectic and wide-open space by Cugino Forno and Incendiary Brewing. Kids love to run around while adults enjoy a cold beer or pizza! On the other side of these establishments sits Bailey Park, which is perfect for lounging on a sunny day. Check out their website to see what events might be happening. Lastly, stop by Chill Nitro for a unique spin on ice cream!

The Best of New & Old Salem

In Winston-Salem you can easily hit Kaleideum and Old Salem in the same day since they are within walking distance. Kaleideum is a fantastic children’s museum where kids can spend hours exploring and discovering. (Note that Mondays are members only.) Willow’s Bistro, Di Lisio’s Italian Restaurant, and Senor Bravo are all within walking distance for a great bite to eat. You can explore Old Salem Museum & Gardens to experience early American history in the Moravian settlement of Salem. You can view historical buildings and gardens, while also taking part in hands-on workshops, family events and shopping. Lastly, wrap up your evening with a Winston-Salem Dash baseball game!

Joy in Jamestown

Spend a day in the High Point and Jamestown areas. One of our favorites is High Point City Lake Park. This park has just about everything – carousel rides, boats, miniature golf course, picnic shelters and grills, playground, swimming pool, concessions, and a train ride! I would suggest spending the morning here and taking a picnic lunch. Just around the corner is the Piedmont Environmental Center. Check their calendar through the website link to see what might be going on the day you visit. The center provides hands on experiences relating to the nature of life as well as small animal exhibits. It also hosts eleven miles of foot trails and the Bicentennial Greenway, which passes through forests and lakeside habitats. After your visit to the PEC, we suggest cruising the streets of Main Street Jamestown. Don’t miss Southern Roots for an amazing dinner!

This blog has only skimmed the surface of what the Triad has to offer! We hope these ideas will give your visitors something to rave about when they leave the area and will make them want to come back and see more!

See our entire Day Trip Directory here!

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• The photo of LeBauer Park is courtesy of TripAdvisor