Blogs

by Will A. Davis and Mary Gallagher

We have visited Greensboro, North Carolina a number of times, and each time I leave, I say "Gee, I really like that city". Of course, the next thought is usually self-interrogation:" Why is that?".  The answer is that Greensboro has just about everything, while at the same time not having too much. It's more than anything, I believe, a fun city. Start with the name - easy enough. The "Greens" comes from Nathaniel Greene, a Revolutionary War hero who actually lost the historic battle at Guilford Courthouse in 1781, but inflicted so much damage on the British army it caused British commander Cornwallis to exclaim “Another such victory and we shall lose the war”. The National Park battlefield at Guilford Courthouse is a real pleasure for history buffs, as the site is easy to navigate from the visitor center and is not overwhelming in its presentation. Like Greensboro itself - just enough! When folks visit a certain destination, they often have a variety of interests that they want to investigate.

Greensboro Culture, History, Sports 

Greensboro is loaded with art and cultural venues such as the Weatherspoon Museum of Art on the University of North Carolina campus (one of six colleges in the area) and the African-American Art Atelier, a plethora of restaurants, sports venues such at New Bridge Bank Park, home to the Greensboro Grasshoppers and their amazing "bat dog," Miss Babe Ruth. The Atlantic Coast Conference college sports hall of fame is a real treat, as well as the aquatic center right next door. (Yes you can use the Olympic size pool !)

We already mentioned a little bit of history, but for more, a stop in Greensboro should include a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum (above) and Greensboro Historical Society and Museum, as well as a stroll down South Elm Street in Old Greensboro to see some classic architecture - most obvious will be the Art-Deco 1930 Kress store building (below). 

Some welcoming and attentive places to rest your head during your visit include the award-winning ‘green” Proximity Hotel and the elegant O.Henry Hotel (below), with its incredible lobby and Green Valley Grille restaurant; there is also of course the usual blend of hotels to fit different budgets and needs.

Lindley Park

There are also very eclectic - and again, fun - neighborhoods blending into the city. One of our favorites is the Lindley Park neighborhood, centered around an incredible beer-lover’s supermarket. That’s right, supermarket - the independently owned Best Way Market on Walker Avenue is the anchor in a four cornered showcase of creatively mastered restaurants, coffee shops, and even a good, old-fashioned laundramat.

Why the Bestway for beer lovers? It has a incredible “Wall of Beers“, over 1,200 brews to choose from. They are from all over the planet, and believe it or not, owners  Roger and Nancy Kimbrough are looking to expand further, to over 2,000 choices. The Bestway has become an actual destination for many people visiting Greensboro, and not for just the beer. The market has a wide variety of local and North Carolina produce and products, from grits to greens. (Ah that word again); it also has some soda pop (below) whose names sound awful but taste good ! 

The four corners of restaurants at the intersection of Walker Avenue and South Elam Street include a cool coffee shop, the Common Grounds Bakery -Wine and Coffee Café , Fishbone’s Restaurant, as well as a funky setting at Emma Keys Flat Grill, and adapted service station LPFS-Lindley Park Filling Station, Sticks and Stone Clay Oven Pizzeria, Walkers Bar and what else?…. Wahoo’s Restaurant of course. Want to walk around the 1920’s neighborhood stop in at Reto’s for a take out option.

Sky Wild Adventure

Some new attractions have opened up recently which are sure to be winners. Sky Wild Adventure is part of the Greensboro Science Museum and Zoo - sort of like a “George of the Jungle” for everyday people of all ages. It's a series of climbs for seven different skill and fitness levels - walks across rope bridges and other challenges on a course above the ground. The object is to simulate in some ways the movements of the animals you might have just encountered if you visited the zoo. Participants are tethered and have helmets and safety equipment so it is quite a lot of fun for the adventuresome or not !

North Carolina Craft Breweries

North Carolina along with many other states has experienced the boom in craft breweries and beer in general. The mini tour we experienced included the recently opened Pig Pounder, Preyer Brewing, and Gibbs Hundred, as well as the more established Natty Greene's Bunker (above). Tours are available; the food is terrific; and folks are friendly . 

The Piedmont Triad

Hopefully you have gotten my drift about Greensboro being just the right size in a beautiful area of North Carolina in fact Greensboro is part of the Piedmont Triad: Greensboro, Winston- Salem and High Point, the latter two being great places with many additional attractions not too far from the mountains of western Carolina. Try it, I’ll think you like it.



Check out our many stories on previous visits to Greensboro, such as this and this; and also contact the great folks at the Greensboro Visitors Center for just about any questions you have about the sights and sounds of Greensboro!