A Day at Old Salem – Explore One of Winston-Salem’s Most Historic and Beloved Destinations This Summer

Old Salem is one of my favorite spots in Winston-Salem. I particularly love the places where you can be standing among all this history and see the downtown skyline. It’s a great reminder that, while innovation is wonderful and important, maintaining our history and these beautiful buildings is equally important.

This is one of those destinations where you can really spend an entire day touring, eating, shopping and learning. Here are some highlights to make sure to include on your visit.

Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA)

This museum is the “most comprehensive collection of southern decorative arts and related research resources in the country.” You feel like you not only stepped back in time but can also see the objects that people used in their daily lives. While I’m listing this first on a hot NC summer day, I’d recommend saving this for after lunch when it’s too hot to be outside.

Food & Drink

The best place to start and end your day at Old Salem is Lot 63: Bakery, Coffeehouse, Pub, Wine Bar. You can grab a coffee in the morning and come back at the end of your day for a beer or glass of wine. If you are looking for a delicious lunch, look no further than Muddy Creek Café and Music Hall. I’ve absolutely loved everything I’ve had here. Head over to Bread of Heaven for an authentic southern, soul food dinner in a gorgeous historic tavern setting.

Stroll & Shop

Honestly, you don’t even have to spend a dime to enjoy time at Old Salem. Simply strolling through the historic streets, central square and gardens is an activity all on its own. But, if you do plan to shop, visiting Winkler Bakery is a must. This place is a treasure trove of classic Moravian items and baked goods.

Tour Historic Buildings

While a ticket is required, you can take your tour to the next level by heading into many of the historic buildings in Old Salem. Ones you can tour include: Vogler House, Timothy Vogler Gun Shop, Salem Tavern Museum (not the Tavern Restaurant), Blum House Joinery, Potter’s Workshop, Single Brothers’ House, Boys’ School, Miksch House & Garden, and the Doctor’s House.

Take Photos on the Covered Bridge

The covered bridge is an iconic Winston-Salem photo background. Make sure you take the almost mandatory photo there!

Visit Old Salem

Ready to plan your day at Old Salem? Here’s some details to know:

Website: oldsalem.org

Old Salem Visitor Center: 900 Old Salem Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Hours: Wednesday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Most dining establishments have slightly different hours.)

Parking: Free street parking as well as a lot at the Visitor’s Center

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Suzy Fielders

Suzy Fielders has had a passion for writing since her days in undergraduate school at Coker University, where she majored in Communications and Psychology. She loves hearing – and sharing – other’s stories as well as letting people know all the happenings, places, and events in and around Winston-Salem. Suzy, a Winston-Salem native, has written off and on for the magazine since 2013 and is excited to have multiple articles lined up for 2024 and beyond! In addition to her B.A. from Coker she has an M.A. in Communication Studies from UNC Greensboro. When she’s not writing or working with clients for her content marketing business, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters.

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