Visit! Winston-Salem With Kids

If you have a chance to visit Winston-Salem with kids (or on your own!), I guarantee you will have a great time. This very cute, very small city is fun for kids and their adult companions. My kids and I enjoyed two nights and two very fun days in a region of North Carolina referred to as the Triad – an area including Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point. This very walkable city has lots of art, tasty restaurants, small brewpubs, and excellent coffee. A short drive away will lead you to Old Salem and, a little bit further, Greensboro. Both areas have lots to explore.

Eat

Traveling to new places can sometimes stress me out a bit when it’s time to eat. The search for delicious, gluten-free meals can be tricky. Thankfully, Winston-Salem had lots of delicious gluten-free options for me and my kids. For dinner or just a small bite, I highly recommend Sixth and Vine. A wine bar up front, comfortable dining tables with a clearly labeled gluten-free menu far in the back. Our meals were delicious and the staff didn’t blink when I said there were 12 of us!  The crab and artichoke dip was out of this world. My friend and I kept looking for an excuse to sneak back there and order it again. You cannot reserve a table so come early or be prepared to wait.

If you find yourself in Winston-Salem, with or without gluten-free travelers, you must visit Camino Bakery. Over the space of 48 short hours, I found myself at Camino Bakery 3 times. Do you need Krankie’s coffee or a latte with almond milk? Or are you just looking for delicious local Homeland Creamery milk for sale by the gallon? Camino Bakery is the place. Are you craving a slice of gluten-free red velvet cake? A savory scone? A flourless quiche? Camino Bakery knocks it out of the park. The line moves quickly and there was always a seat for our family. Camino Bakery will be my first stop when I find myself in Winston-Salem again. You will want to put this on your must-eats list!

Drink

If you are looking for good food and local brew, you will want to visit Small Batch Brewery. Serving brunch until 3pm on Sundays with $5 mimosas and Bloody Mary’s, Small Batch Brewery has a friendly staff and plenty of seating. I enjoyed a balanced meal of a Bloody Mary and a tray of deliciously salty French fries. My kids enjoyed breakfast tacos, a chopped salad, and chocolate chip pancakes. This menu has something to satisfy every palate. The brewery brews one barrel of beer at a time. Check out their website to see what they currently have on tap!

Stay 

I have visited Winston-Salem with kids twice and both times have found myself at the Marriott in downtown. My kids love the small pool in a greenhouse like enclosure, I love the convenience to a very small, very walkable city. My kids love the hot apple cider put out to enjoy in the evenings, I love the infused water in the lobby all day long. The restaurant, Graze, located just off the lobby, is a great spot to get a meal or a cocktail. The rooms are comfortable, the staff is polite and attentive. Need a crib? Done. Need your car from the valet? Just send a quick text. If you find yourself planning a weekend adventure to Winston-Salem, you can’t go wrong with the Marriott.

Explore 

If you find yourself with time to wander, you will want to wander through the Winston-Salem arts district. My kids enjoyed the gorgeous paintings on countless city walls. Art galleries can be found every couple of store fronts – and, with my little army, I was happy that there is plenty to look at from the sidewalk.

If you have a chance to go inside some of these stores, please let me know if they are as cute on the inside as they are on the outside! If you have time, the Children’s Museum, SciWorks, and BB&T Ballpark should also be at the top of your list for your Winston-Salem experience.

Have you visited the Triad area of North Carolina? What do you recommend?

Happy travels!