A weeklong family vacation on a cruise ship is the dream but work and responsibilities are the reality. That doesn’t mean you should give up family fun altogether, though! Take a ‘daycation’ in Winston-Salem to get the kids out of the house and spend some quality time together.
Kaleideum Downtown and North
The Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem and the SciWorks of old have merged to become the Kaleideum, a collective working to inspire youngsters in science, technology, engineering, math, the arts, and literacy through hands-on play.
Little ones will enjoy the exhibits at the Downtown location, which range from The Krispy Kreme Doughnut Factory to The Prop Shop, a “behind the scenes” look at theatre. The North location is great for all ages, as it hosts butterfly gardens, an out-of-this-world Planetarium, interactive experiments, an enormous pendulum, and even river otters.
They also offer day or weeklong Summer Camp opportunities for children aged three to 8th grade.
Hoot’s Roller Bar & Beer Co.
Nothing hits the spot like a beer after a long day. We recommend rolling over to Hoots Beer Company, where they boast “a good, well-balanced pub beer” and a community attitude. Their beers are simple, no crazy-craft or awkwardly named brews here, but that doesn’t mean they’re boring. They’re just right. If Goldilocks drank beer, she’d be here. To top it all off, Hoots is a dog-friendly venue with pinball machines and outdoor seating. Relax after work at 840 Mill Works Street.
Adventure Landing
This is the one stop fun stop, conveniently located across the street from Hanes Mall. Choose between three 18-hole Miniature Golf courses, or putt all three, and get a prize if you make a hole-in-one! When you’re finished, take a bumpy boat ride in the Bumper Boats equipped with squirt guns to help your family cool off from the summer’s heat.
If you don’t want to get soaking wet, step inside to the Arcade and play all day. There are more than 30 interactive games inside, many of which reward you with tickets that can be exchanged for candy and prizes.Source
a/perture cinema
If your teenager is into indie flicks, this cinema is a dream come true. It’s small, intimate, and the movies can only be described as wonderfully underground. If you’re not into those movies like your teen is, they sell wine for your personal enjoyment. Most of their concessions are from local businesses like Black Mountain Chocolate and Wolfies Frozen Custard; community involvement is such a staple in Winston-Salem!
Historic Bethabara Park or Old Salem Museums and Gardens
Nothing will take you back three hundred years like these National Historic Landmarks. Explore the restored and reconstructed buildings in Bethabara Park like the Buttner’s House, the first distiller’s house in the country. They also host monthly Concert Band Evenings, a relaxing end to a beautiful day in our Twin City.
When you visit Old Salem, you’ll see local volunteers don the traditional garb to show how the Moravian settlers lived and worked. They practice old trades like shoemaking, quilting, and coffee roasting. Join in during the One-Day Family Camps to make food at the hearth, create corn husk dolls, and try your hand at pottery. Don’t forget to try a hunk of sugar cake from Winkler Bakery!
Triad Eco Adventures
Stand-up Paddleboarding in Winston-Salem? Bet you didn’t see that coming. Depending on your level of confidence, you can take Introductory Lessons, do SUP Yoga, or complete a 3 hour Fitness Session on land and water. They also offer a “Glow-Paddle” trip after sunset, with lights attached beneath your paddleboard so you can see the wildlife below the surface.
Take them out to the ballgame! Nothing feels as American as heading out to the BB&T Ballpark for a night of baseball and hotdogs with your family. Hear the National Anthem echo across the city and meet Bolt, the Dash’s lovable mascot. Grab some hot tater tots from Bolt’s Electrified or cotton candy from the Carolina Snack Shack and take a seat to enjoy the game. Then “oooh” and “ahhh” at the post-game Friday Night Fireworks.