Museums Near Winston-Salem

If you’re someone who enjoys history, art, and discovering new things, there’s nothing more exciting than a visit to a never-before-seen museum. From historic homes to children’s museums to replicas of an early city, there are so many interesting spots to visit right here in Winston-Salem. Below, you’ll find our list of the best museums near Winston-Salem! 

Updated September 2023

 

Old Salem Museums & Gardens

ADDRESS | 900 Old Salem Rd., Winston-Salem

The Old Salem Museums & Gardens are some of the most iconic and historic museums in Winston-Salem. Here, you’ll find a variety of exhibits that are all designed exactly as they would have appeared at the city’s original founding. You can explore the gun shop, Moravian church, potter’s workshop, doctor’s house, bakery, Salem Tavern, and more. 

Pro-Tip: Take a picture on the beautiful wooden bridge with the hanging Moravian star in the background!

 

Frank L. Horton Museum Center

ADDRESS | 924 S. Main St., Winston-Salem

Located on the grounds of Old Salem Museums & Gardens, the Frank L. Horton Museum Center houses a few different exhibits. The Old Salem Moravian Decorative Arts Collection, F.L. Horton Booksellers, and the Anne P. and Thomas A. Gray Library & Research Center are at the Frank L. Museum. You’ll also find the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, where you can see unique art and artifacts used by early settlers from all across the U.S.

Note: Your Old Salem admissions ticket will also get you into the MESDA galleries!

 

Museum of Understanding, Storytelling, and Engagement (MUSE)

ADDRESS | 226 S. Liberty St., Winston-Salem

MUSE, formally known as the New Winston-Salem Museum, is all about sharing the history of Winston-Salem and telling the story of the community. Each exhibit focuses on a unique event or topic relating to our city’s history, whether that be Winston at work or at play and in crisis or in celebration. 

Bonus: In the summer, they often partner with Aperture Cinema to bring you outdoor movie nights in their backyard.

 

Korner’s Folly

ADDRESS | 413 S. Main St., Kernersville

Korner’s Folly is a 22-room historic Victorian home that is now a museum for 1800s art and architecture. Visitors can explore each beautiful room, taking in detailed architecture, decorative artwork, and hand-carved wood. 

Pro-Tip: Visit at Christmastime! Each room will be fully decorated for the holidays.

 

Reynolda House Museum of Art

ADDRESS | 2250 Reynolda Rd., Winston-Salem

The Reynolda House was once the home of Tobacco tycoon R.J. Reynolds. Now, guests can tour the historic home, see Reynolds’ extensive art collection, and take a walk through the beautiful gardens. 

Pro-Tip: Museum members, children under 18, college students, military personnel, and more can get free admission!

 

Single Sisters’ House Museum

ADDRESS | 601 S. Church St., Winston-Salem

Located on Salem College’s campus, the Single Sisters’ House is the oldest educational building for women and girls in the United States. The building was restored in the early 2000s and is now a museum dedicated to sharing the story and life of the young Moravian women who once attended school in the Single Sisters’ House. 

Note: Single Sisters’ House only offers self-guided tours, and they are handicap accessible!

 

Cowboy Museum

ADDRESS | 807 Wrights Farm Rd., Winston-Salem

Founded by a Winston-Salem local who wanted to share his love for this genre, the Cowboy Museum displays more Old-West memorabilia than you could imagine. Here, you’ll see classic film posters, cowboy attire, and other related artifacts. You may even have the opportunity to get dressed up in authentic cowboy gear!

Bonus: This museum recently opened in 2022. Visit soon and be one of the first to see the exhibit!

 

Kaleideum North and Kaleideum Downtown

ADDRESS | 400 W. Hanes Mill Rd. & 120 W. 3rd St., Winston-Salem

Kaliedeum was created with the goal of giving children a space to create, design, and discover. This children’s museum is full of hands-on, interactive displays to help your little ones explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math. 

Note: Kaleideum Downtown is currently under construction. Make plans to visit the 3rd St. location when it opens later this year and be one of the first to see the new exhibits!

 

Lam Museum of Anthropology

ADDRESS | 1834 Wake Forest Rd., Winston-Salem

Located on Wake Forest’s campus, the Timothy S. Y. Lam Museum of Anthropology is an intimate, immersive museum. There are both ancient and modern artifacts on display, teaching visitors about various cultures. The Lam Museum’s collections include an Egyptian amulet, a tea grater from the Tang Dynasty, a beer pot from the Zulu people of South Africa, and many more unique artifacts. 

Bonus: The Lam Museum is North Carolina’s only museum dedicated to the study of global cultures.

 

Historic Bethabara

ADDRESS | 2147 Bethabara Rd., Winston-Salem 

Founded by Moravians in 1753, Bethabara was one of the first European settlements in the Piedmont Triad area. Now, you can visit Historic Bethabara Park to get a feel for what life was like for those early settlers. Take a stroll through historically accurate log houses, potter’s houses, brewer’s houses, churches, and more. 

Pro-Tip: The park has costumed staff trained on all things Bethabara. Ask them any questions you may to learn more and make your visit interactive!

 

Kernersville Auto Museum

ADDRESS | 204 Holly Tree Dr., Kernersville

This museum is a car lover’s dream! With tons of cool vintage, classic, and exotic cars on display that showcase over 100 years of automotive history, the Kernersville Auto Museum is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. 

Bonus: This museum has cars from America, England, France, Germany, and more, which they display in a special, climate-controlled facility to not damage the vehicles.

 

Winston Cup Museum 

ADDRESS | 1355 N Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Winston-Salem

Experience the rich history of NASCAR’s Winston Cup era at the Winston Cup Museum. This exceptional venue pays tribute to RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company’s iconic 33-year sponsorship and preserves the captivating story of stock car racing. Journey through 33 years of race car history, surrounded by authentic race cars, exciting arcade games, championship memorabilia, and fascinating artifacts.

 

Kernersville Museum

ADDRESS | 127 W. Mountain St., Kernersville

*Temporarily closed for maintenance as of July 2023

The Kernersville Museum operates out of the Bellamy House, a historic home in the area. Here, you’ll learn all about the history of Kernersville through hands-on, children-friendly exhibits. 

Bonus: You can take a virtual tour of Historic Downtown Kernersville or visit their Historic Village to get a glimpse of what the city looked like at its founding.

 

Try our other Arts & Entertainment Guides for Winston-Salem.