Whether you’ve lived in Winston-Salem, recently moved here, or are passing through, a day trip to Old Salem is always a fun idea. Old Salem offers history, food, culture, shopping, and more! Below are some suggestions on how to spend your day in Old Salem.
Learn
One of the best parts of Old Salem is the multitude of learning opportunities. Even merely walking around the preserved Moravian settlement lets you immerse yourself in the rich history of one side of
Winston-Salem.
The Frank L. Horton Museum Center galleries and The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts are perfect for learning about art and culture. If you visit this page, you can see the current exhibits.
Another way to learn at Old Salem is by scheduling a tour. If you have a large or extended family or a group of friends on your day trip, you can schedule an Adult Group Tour for over 12 people. Otherwise, you can request a tour (subject to availability) when you arrive and purchase your
tickets.
The Visitor Center is a great place to learn about all the learning opportunities at Old Salem. It’s also the perfect place to park and spend your day here.
Shop
What would a day at Old Salem be without checking out some of the shopping experiences available?Inside the Visitor Center is a shop called Stockberger Supply. You can find souvenirs, toys, Moravian stars, and more in this quaint shop.
If you love sewing, then be sure to head over to Salem Stitches. Not only is it a gathering place for those who love all things sewing, but they also sell some sewing supplies, such as fabrics.
Eat
There are two food destinations in Old Salem: Muddy Creek Café and Music Hall and Winkler Bakery. Muddy Creek is a rustic café with a menu of various delicious sandwiches. Plus, they have great live music to enjoy while you dine. Please note they are only open in the evenings on Thursdays and the rest of their hours are 10 a.m. into the afternoon on the other available days. They are closed Sunday through Tuesday.
Winkler Bakery is technically a shop, but as they have food, we thought they were entirely worthy of being listed under the eat category! You can find the fantastic Moravian cookies here and other Moravian staples, such as the lovefeast bun mix.
Sleep
The Zevely Inn is the only bed & breakfast in the historic district of Old Salem. This Inn provides charming rooms with genuine Southern hospitality. As they only have 12 guest rooms, advanced reservations are highly recommended and typically required.
Rumored to be haunted, The Historic Brookstown Inn is a historic boutique hotel in an old mill in Old Salem in the downtown area. It is the oldest hotel in North Carolina.
Christmas at Old Salem
Visiting Old Salem at Christmastime is one of the most magical opportunities Winston-Salem offers. The historic town comes to life, and simply strolling the cobblestone streets to admire the holiday decorations will put you in the holiday spirit.
Candle Tea is one of Winston-Salem’s most beloved Christmas traditions. It marks the official beginning of the Advent and Christmas seasons for many people in our area and beyond. Hundreds of guests visit the historic Single Brothers House in Old Salem to experience the rich tradition each year. Guests learn about the Moravian history and traditions and experience the sounds, sights, and smells of Advent and Christmas in early Salem, including Christmas carols, accompanied by a restored Tannenburg organ, beeswax candles being made and trimmed, Moravian sugar cake and love-feast coffee, and the putz, a traditional Moravian decoration.
Many other Moravian traditions have become holiday staples for those living in Winston-Salem, like the Lovefeast and Moravian star decorations.
P.S. If you’re in Old Salem during the holiday season, remember to take your photo on the covered bridge with all the Moravian stars lit up!
There is something for all ages and every interest at Old Salem, making it the perfect place to spend the day in Winston-Salem!
