Get to know Greensboro
Halfway between Charlotte and Raleigh, a few miles from Winston-Salem, Greensboro in the heart of North Carolina’s Piedmont. This city of nearly 300,000 is a perfect getaway offering rich history, culture and prime sporting events like the ACC Tournament.
Greensboro is a bustling center right off I-40 and was built on textile manufacturing and other industries. Today it is a hub of emerging tech and other industries. It his home to world-renowned insittuions of higher learning including: UNC-G, NC A&T and Guilford College.
I’ve included a few of my favorite spots and activities in Greensboro to help you plan an amazing adventure in this hidden secret of the NC Piedmont.
Greensboro Science Center
A must see for all ages. This amazing science center features a variety of interactive science exhibits and an Anmial Discovery Zoological Park. The zoo is home to Sumatran tigers, pygym hippos, sandcats, Sumatran tigers, black howler monkeys, meerkats and more.
The museum features science exhibits like Passages: Realm of Dragons, SciPlay Bay and a touch lab for live lizards and invertebrates. They also have a Komodo drago. You can then watch a film in 3D about everything from space and beyond…They also have an amazing aquarium!
For more info click here
International Civil Rights Museum
Located as part of the original Woolworth’s where on Feb. 1, 1960, four college students helped to sparked a national sit-in movement, to allow African-Americans to sit at a whites only lunch counter at Woolworths. This non-violent advocacy for human rights is one of the important events and acts of courage in the fight for equal rights. The International Civil Rights Museum includes informative exhibits and is a MUST Stop in Greensboro.
For more info click here.
Blandwood Mansion Museum
A gorgeous historic house museum in the heart of Greensboro, Blandwood Mansion takes it’s name from his first owner Charles Bland, before it became home to two-term North Carolina govenor John Motley Morehead (1841-1844). Morehead transformed the farmhouse into an Italian Villa style (one of the oldest examples of this in the US). It is now a museum park. Learn more here.
Learn about Greensboro’s interesting history from the early Quaker community to Revolutionary and Civil Rights and beyond. They have a fantastic website for ‘virtual’ learning tours as well.
Charlotte Hawkins Brown Historic Site (Gibsonville NC)
Founded in 1902 by Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, Palmer Memorial Institute transformed the lives of more than 2,000 African American students. Today, the campus provides the setting where visitors can explore this unique environment where boys and girls lived and learned during the greater part of the 20th century. The museum links Dr. Brown and Palmer Memorial Institute to the larger themes of African American history, women’s history, social history, and education, emphasizing the contributions African Americans made in North Carolina. (from official website)
Weatherspoon Art Museum
An amazing and often overlooked art gallery on the campus of UNC-G. Greensboro was one of the centers of Cone Textile Mills and the Cone Sisters were avid art collectors in the early twentieth century – from Picasso and Matisse and beyond. UNC-G received many Matisse and Picasso drawings from the Cone family. The collection also includes a strong Asian American bequest with Hiroshige and others. Learn more here.
Largest collection of African American art in the Carolinas.
Battle of Guilford Courthouse:
One of the most important battles of The American Revolution. The Battle of Guilford Courthouse was the turning point of the Southern Campaign of 1780-1781. Though the British could claim victory, they paid a high price and it turned the tide towards American patriots. General Nathanael Greene was the brave Patriot leader and namesake of Greensboro.
See a Show:
- Greensboro Coliseum is the premier place to see a concert in NC when it comes to big name acts like Bruce Springsteen, The Eagles, Keith Urban and more. It is also a recurring spot for the ACC Tournament. College basketball is KING in NC and ACC Basketball Tourney is almost a sacramental rite for native Tar Heels (and college basketball fans)
- Greensboro Symphony Orchestra
- Live Theatre at Carolina Theatre
Soak up the sun and waves:
Wet and Wild – Emerald Pointe is one of the most popular waterparks in the Carolinas – perfect for a hot summer days
Where to Stay:
- Greensboro has countless hotels throughout the city including national chains like Marriott, Hampton Inn, Hilton…
- If you want a unique boutique experience for a fun weekend, I recommend The O Henry Hotel..named after famous Greensboro writer, O. Henry (author of The Gift of the Magi). The hotel has live music on the weekends and a cool bar.
Where to EAT?
Greensboro is full of delicious spots that foodies crave.
If you like BBQ, Stamey’s is a popular favorite.
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