Washington Park, West Salem, + Old Salem, Winston Salem Guide (What to do, Where to eat, Where to drink)

Just south of downtown Winston-Salem, you’ll find the neighborhoods of Washington Park, West Salem, and Old Salem. They are full of history – in fact, they are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Enjoy walking the streets lined with old trees and historic buildings. Check out this guide on Washington Park, West Salem, and Old Salem. 

Updated April 2024

Restaurants:

• Señor Bravo: Authentic Mexican restaurant with great margaritas.
• Di Lisio’s: Authentic Italian restaurant with a lively dining room.
• Meridian: High-end restaurant serving an elevated menu.
• Slappy’s: A charming Southern restaurant known for its delicious fried chicken.
• East of Texas: A fun Tex-Mex BBQ place that hosts live music, dancing, and special event nights.
• District 924: Soul food restaurant serving some of the best chicken & waffles.
• J & J Food Mart: Convenience store with incredible chicken wings for an affordable price. Make sure to grab one of DJ’s Cheesecakes from the refrigerator – you won’t regret it.
• Acadia Foods: Deli, coffee shop, and market.

Coffee Shops:

• Say So: Enjoy espresso on the daily and fresh baked goods every Saturday at this chic coffee shop.
• By Good Coffee: A coffee shop that roasts its own beans. Be sure to try their delicious baked goods and enjoy looking at local art hung throughout the shop.
• Camino Bakery – Brookstown: Coffee, baked goods, and savory items at Camino’s Brookstown location. Enjoy both indoor and outdoor seating.
• Grindhouse Bevy’s: A tiny shed selling unique lattes.
• Easytalk Coffee & Cocktails: A unique shop selling both coffee and hand-crafted cocktails. Order off their pre-selected menu or have a conversation with a bartender, who will then make you a custom drink based on your mood.
• Lot 63: Located right in the heart of Old Salem, this is a great spot to stop by if you’re touring the area. Offers coffee, beer and wine, Wikerson’s Bakery goods, and exclusive baked goods.

Bars/Breweries/Pubs:

• West Salem Public House: Enjoy coffee until 4 PM and beer/wine all hours in this local pub house. They have a beautiful backyard with tons of seating under the string lights.
• Lesser-Known Brewery: Serving beers that are “lesser-known” with food trucks and local chefs providing pop-ups on the weekend.
• Easy Tiger Beer Garden: A jungle-themed neighborhood bar with a large outdoor seating area.
• Monstercade: Quirky bar that hosts live music.
• Swaim’s Grocery Store & Pub: A neighborhood pub that is dog and kid-friendly.

What to Do:

• Historic Old Salem: Learn about the history of Old Salem and Moravian culture.
  • Explore the Potter’s Workshop at T. Bagge, The Boy’s School, Miksch House & Garden, Winkler Bakery, and more.
  • Book a tour or take a self-guided tour of the historic buildings and streets. Access to some buildings requires tickets – these buildings are currently open for inside tours Wednesday through Saturday, 10 am – 2 pm.
  • For more of the history of Old Salem, head to the Visitor Center.

• The Mickey Coffee Pot: A large tin coffee pot created in 1858 by tinsmiths Julius and Samuel Mickey as an advertisement for their tin shop. It now serves as a symbol for the city and a great photo opportunity.
• Cobblestone Farmers Market: Wander through this year-round Farmers Market, which hosts a variety of vendors and farmers. Saturdays, 8:30 AM -12 PM & Wednesdays, 4-6 PM
• Strollway and/or Salem Creek Greenway: Walk, run, or bike along The Strollway that runs from Fourth Street to the Old Salem Visitors Center and Salem Avenue (1.2 miles) or along the Salem Creek Greenway that runs from Washington Park to Salem Lake (5.2 miles).
• Washington Park: Over 75 acres with a variety of amenities.
  • Dog Park: Bring your pup to run around and let some energy out at the neighborhood dog park.
  • Dinosaur Playground: Bring the kids to the playground featuring dinosaurs they can climb on.
• Gateway Nature Preserve: Natural preservation in Winston-Salem – great for hiking, bird watching, and bike riding.
• Triad Eco Adventures: There are so many ways to explore Winston-Salem!
  • On land by trolley, bike, or moped with a Triad Eco Adventure tour.
  • On the water by paddle board/kayak with a local expert.
  • Delve into the history by booking a Moravian Cookie Trail Tour or a Moravian Country Churches Tour.
• Wine & Design: Paint and sip studio with activities for all ages.

Where to Shop:

• Wood and Thread Boutique: A contemporary boutique for women’s clothing, jewelry, and home decor.
• Jenni Earle: Clothing store selling handmade items with a focus on bandanas.
• Elevated Vintage: Vintage clothing shop.

Where to Stay:

• Zevely Inn: An adorable and charming bed and breakfast.
• Brookstown Inn: A historic inn described as a living museum of history and art.
• Shaffner Inn: A luxury bed and breakfast located near many of Winston-Salem’s must-see attractions.
• Hawthorne Inn: Located within walking distance of historic Winston-Salem.

Other Businesses in the Area:

• Washington Park Cross Fit: A go-to spot for a challenging cross-fit workout.
• Syngery: Spin, hit, yoga, and hybrid workout classes.
• Retroid Games & Records: Buys, sells, and trades retro video games, consoles, and more.