Winston-Salem, NC

Originally settled in North Carolina in the 1700s by Moravians seeking religious freedom, Winston-Salem today is a rich, dynamic city with a well-preserved history and vibrant arts scene. The city is known for its many historic districts, popular annual festivals and NASCAR racing traditions, as well as for its exceptional institutions of higher education.

Winston-Salem has several nicknames. It is called the "Twin City" for its dual heritage, or "Camel City", a reference to Camel cigarettes and the city's prominent tobacco industry; locals use "Winston" in informal speech.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

The city accommodates about 82,650 houses with an occupancy ratio of about 93 percent. Out of these, a fewer than 42,600 houses are owner-occupied and about 33,700 are renter-occupied.

Some of the city's notable neighborhoods include:

• Bermuda Run is a gated community with small-town atmosphere.
• Clemmons has village-like atmosphere, and is home of the first bridge across the Yadkin River.
• Downtown Winston-Salem is classic, urban living blended with thriving arts scene.
• Lewisville offers a small-town ambience with one of the South's best kept wine secrets.
• Mill House Place is a private, gated community of garden, village and estate homes.
• Old Salem offers authentic history in downtown.
• Sherwood Forest features classic, brick homes on tree-lined streets.
• Washington Park is home to the largest neighborhood park in town.
• West End offers turn-of-the-century architecture with a sense of neighborhood.
• West Salem has a long history closely related to Old Salem, and it's carefully maintained to its original style.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Originally merged into the Winston-Salem metropolitan area in 1913, the city has been a major industrial hub for many years, with the economy centering on tobacco production, furniture and textile manufacturing, educational services and the health care industry. In an effort to further diversity the local economy, Winston-Salem has been seeking to attract businesses in a variety of technological fields.

Winston-Salem is home to various companies, such as R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc., Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T), TW Garner Food Company, HanesBrands Inc., Lowes Foods Stores, Southern Community Bank and ISP Sports. Other major employers from the city are Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and Blue Rhino.

FOR VISITORS

• Historic Bethabara Park: A National Historic Landmark, Historic Bethabara Park encompasses approximately 180 acres that made up the 18th-century settlement of Moravians, a small group of German-speaking, Protestant immigrants. The park features a restored 1788 church, a reconstructed village, a French and Indian War fort, archeological ruins, gardens and trails.
• Korner's Folly: Dating back to the 1800s, Korner's Folly is a three-story home that encompasses seven levels, 22 rooms and 20 fireplaces, as well as a number of trap doors, cubbyholes and attics, all designed and decorated with elaborate and entertaining details by artist-designer Jule Gilmer Korner. The grounds include a carriage house and stables.
• Old Salem Museums and Gardens: A living outdoor museum, Old Salem is an authentic recreation of 18th- and 19th-century life in North Carolina. Originally founded in 1766, Old Salem features more than 90 restored buildings, including the Old Salem Children's Museum and the Old Salem Toy Museum, as well as the costumed guides and the city's historical gardens.
• Winston Cup Museum: The Winston Cup Museum houses more than 30 Winston Cup racecars, as well as a wide variety of racing artifacts and NASCAR history exhibits. Cars on display include those driven by Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon and Wendell Scott. The museum puts 20 percent of all ticket sales toward local charities.
• Hanes Mall: This two-story, enclosed mall is anchored by major department stores and has more than 200 stores and restaurants.
• Reynolda Village: Located near Wake Forest University, Reynolda Village offers a diverse shopping experience with a blend of museums, restaurants and boutiques, all housed in the buildings of an historic English village. The boutiques offer a variety of crafts, furniture, books, linens, toys, gifts and outdoor equipment.
• Thruway Shopping Center: Opened in 1955, Thruway Center has evolved through the years and stayed a popular Winston-Salem shopping destination. A variety of brand-name and independent shops and restaurants makes up the center.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Bowman Gray Stadium Racing Season: Every May through August, Bowman Gray Stadium features the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, with a variety of weekly races and special events, including demolition derbies and mini-cup races. The stadium has a quarter-mile, flat, oval racetrack, and it is one of the oldest venues in stock car racing.
• Heavy Rebel Weekender: Held every July, the Heavy Rebel Weekender is held in Winston-Salem's Arts District and features a wide variety of musical performances, from rock and punk to country and swing, as well as a great showing of artisans and vendors. Popular attractions during the event include an antique car show, mud-wrestling contest and eating contests.
• North Carolina Wine Festival: An annual, June event, the North Carolina Wine Festival is held in the city's Tanglewood Park and, in addition to wine tastings, features a variety of activities that showcases the many North Carolina vineyards and wineries. The event draws wine lovers from throughout the region.
• Tanglewood Festival of Lights: Held every holiday season, the Tanglewood Festival of Lights is one of the largest displays of its kind in the Southeast and lasts for nearly two months. The festival features over one million lights and more than 100 different holiday displays, as well as hayrides, carriage rides and a gift village, all in the city's Tanglewood Park.

EDUCATION

Winston-Salem is home to Winston-Salem State University, which offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and enrolls about 6,000 students, and to Wake Forest University, which offers undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees and has an enrollment of about 7,000 students.

LOCAL MEDIA

Winston-Salem is served by the daily Winston-Salem Journal and a variety of other local periodicals. The city is home to more than 12 broadcast radio stations and two broadcast television stations.