Like many other kids from around North Carolina, I remember the great feeling of elementary school when your teachers would load you up on the bus and ship you off on a field trip back in time. Like colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, Old Salem is a little reenactment village that backs right up to Salem College, as well as the rest of downtown Winston. It's not a far drive from Wake, either. If you're feeling swamped with finals work, you might not think visiting a historical reenactment sounds like the best break, but it can be a surprisingly sweet stress reliever, and I'll tell ya why...

It's super festive.

We love our Moravian Christmas traditions at Wake (shoutout to Lovefeast), and the Moravian stars, wreaths, and music throughout Old Salem will easily get you in the holiday mood.

There are great gifts for parents.

If you can't purchase any more Wake Forest gear for your family, the shops at Old Salem have lovely gifts both Winston-Salem related and not. Everyone knows that you love your school, but now you can share part of your new city, too.

Baked goods!

Calories don't count during finals week, so you can eat as many pastries as you want, and it can only make you feel better. Make sure you grab some Moravian cookies (a.k.a. tiny wafers of goodness and love) to take back with you!

Horses!

For when all the puppies and the copious amount of service dogs in training are all occupied relieving stress on-campus, you can pet a fluffy horse or take a carriage ride.

You can enjoy thinking about a simpler time...

Your life could consist of dipping beeswax candles and planting lettuce.

Or appreciate that it could be worse.

Your life could consist of dipping beeswax candles and planting lettuce.

Tickets that usually cost 35 dollars are FREE for full-time undergrad students and parking isn't hard to find!

Channel your inner Felicity and get out there!