June is the official kick off to summer – schools are out and, later this month, the season officially begins. While it might not be your first thought for outdoor adventures, downtown Winston-Salem is actually full of them! 

From artsy or picturesque parks to outdoor events, there is so much opportunity for adventure right here in the heart of our city. Whether you are listening to a summer concert on 4th Street or playing at Bailey Park, there are plenty of wonderful “City Noise” options to enjoy this summer in downtown. 

Tips to Visit Downtown Winston-Salem

• Parking options and costs vary. There are multiple parking decks operated by the City of Winston-Salem scattered throughout, some businesses and restaurants have their own parking lots or offer validated parking for lots, and there is always street parking available.
• There are multiple routes to take you into downtown Winston-Salem. For highway access, use Salem Parkway (formerly Business 40) or US-52. Peters Creek Parkway turns into 2nd Street. Other easy routes into downtown include Main Street, Broad Street and 4th Street. 
• As there are many parks, packing a picnic is a great way to save money. However, there are plenty of amazing restaurants to also get to-go food from for a picnic. 

Downtown Parks

Nothing says outdoor adventure quite like a park. Luckily, downtown Winston-Salem has four great parks worth visiting this summer. Those are Bailey Park, Merschel Park, Winston Square Park and Artivity on the Green.

Bailey Park is the largest park located downtown. It has multiple sitting areas, including a large grassy area for picnics. There are tons of events and live music hosted here throughout the summer.

One great thing about Merschel Park for families is it is located right in front of Kaleideum! It’s a unique outdoor space that provides the perfect backdrop for a picnic after a morning of fun at the museum. 

Winston Square Park has a great water feature, and the amphitheater style provides tons of seating. The walkways over the water area are also lots of fun for little ones to explore. 

You might remember learning about Artivity on the Green in my May Hidden Gems column! This space is full of artistic beauty and misting towers that are perfect for the NC summer heat. 

Summer Music Series

There is something about summer that brings together our community with a focus on music. Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership is hosting the 27th Annual Summer Music Series. 

Every Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., you can catch Downtown Jazz at Corpening Plaza. Every Saturday from 7:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. is the Summer on Fourth in front of Foothills Brewing on 4th Street. 

More information: downtownws.com/music 

Art Crush

On the third Friday of every month from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., the Arts District on Trade and 6th Streets comes to life outside. There are tons of visual artists and performers as well as vendors providing a night of creative expression, exploration and celebration!

More information: facebook.com/artsdistrictwsnc 

Coal Pit

Last, but certainly not least, the coal pit outside of Incendiary Brewing provides a rustic and great setting for picnics and plenty of outdoor fun. They regularly host live music throughout the summer. 

More information: incendiarybrewing.com and instagram.com/coalpitlive  

You won’t want to miss Part 4 of this Adventure Awaits series. For the July issue, I’ll share some water play options in Forsyth County.