1. Old Salem

Old Salem is the heart of the Winston-Salem community. The historic town is a must see for all who visit the city. The attraction depicts the Moravian settlement of Salem, N.C. from 1766-1840.

2. Hanes Mall

Small compared to malls in Charlotte and Raleigh, Hanes Mall is the best shopping you’re going to get without traveling too far. Hanes Mall has stores like Buckle, H&M, Forever 21, ALDO, and Sephora, and four department stores: Belk, JCPenny, Macy’s, and Dillard’s.

3. Dewey’s Bakery

Dewey’s Bakery was founded in Winston during the Great Depression and has remained in the city since. Dewey’s has maintained the same recipes and menu items for years and is now an established part of the community. It's also the only place you can get Pink Lemonade squares or, as I like call them, heaven.

4. Mayberry Ice Cream Shop

The only place you can get a hotdog, milkshake, belgian waffle, and banana fudge sundae.

5. A/perture

A local indie film theater. With two 80-seat theaters, Aperture provides many different Foreign, Indie, Documentary, and Festival films for W-S natives.

6. Dash Games

The Winston-Salem Dash is the minor league baseball team in, obviously, Winston-Salem. I’m not qualified to tell you exactly what to expect at these mysterious baseball games, because I haven’t been to a game since elementary school. But I would imagine there will be food, and what more could you ask for? My Senior Prom was in the stadium, so I can at the very least say I’ve been there.

7. Gallery Hop

DADA, or The Downtown Arts District Association of Winston-Salem, presents the Gallery Hop every first Friday of the month, rain or shine, from 7-10 p.m. Boasting artist demonstrations, live music, and dancing: This FREE event is a must.

8. SS04

Every second Sunday on 4th Street (SSO4), local artists and business owners take to the street for this FREE night of activity. The live music, food, and all around great atmosphere make the trek to Downtown Winston worth it.

9. Ziggy’s

Part music venue, part club, Ziggy’s is a fun place to go if you love low lights and loud music. People 18+ are welcome, but if you are under 21 you’ll most like be asked to pay the standard door fee and an extra fee (because you won't be drinking).

10. National Black Theater Festival

A biennial festival that brings many influential people in the African American community together in Winston to share and celebrate black art and culture. The festival will be in Winston Salem on August 8-15 2015.

11. UNCSA

The University of North Carolina School of the Arts was the first public art school in the US and provides a huge array of entertainment to Winston-Salem residents. You can watch student films, see a play performed by students from the #6 Drama School in the World*, or experience the immense talent of the music and dance students. Productions from UNCSA are operated and performed by students. GO PICKLES!

Winston-Salem was the home of the late Maya Angelou, has been my home for 17 years, and will hopefully become the home away from home for many students at the School of the Arts come Fall. I am so happy to be able to share my city with incoming freshman and other W-Salem newbies. Winston is chock full of art, culture, and beauty and I hope you’ll enjoy your time here.