We Love You, Winston-Salem

Do you have places you’ve traveled with your spouse before you had kids that you just knew you wanted to explore through the eyes of your littles, once you became parents? For us, Winston-Salem is one of them. 

We’re Going On a Trip

We love to adventure with Claire and Peter, so taking them to Winston-Salem is a destination that we absolutely love. Our thrill seeker, Claire, enjoys our fun surprise tradition of waking up very early the morning of our trip to be out by 5:00 am. We typically dress in our solid color loungewear, and then whisper in their ear “we’re going on an adventure.” They think it is such an exciting way to start our trips! 

Let’s Drive

Claire and Peter enjoy their car ride with their Yoto Player that Peter got as a birthday gift from his great aunt. It has been a big hit for the kids, and for long car rides! We always stop for McDonald’s breakfast because it truly is a fun little breakfast for us, and always makes us feel like kids again!

Before we get to Winston-Salem, we stop and go to Saint Leo the Great Catholic Church, as a family. We also greatly enjoy stopping at Salem Moravian Graveyard or “God’s Acre,” a beautiful cemetery for our family to explore and honor others. It has some of the most beautiful trees and such lovely history. We recommend giving it time on your adventure. 

The Graylyn Estate

Our favorite place to stay is The Graylyn Estate. It is such an elegant, historic hotel that brings such character and enjoyment to our travels in Winston-Salem.

The Graylyn in Winston-Salem has varying accommodation pricing throughout different times of the year, and we have been very pleased with what is offered at those rates. They have such a wonderful pool, complimentary ice cream that the kids get so excited for, tea, coffee and water (thank goodness), tennis courts, as well as croquet, which is so fun for the whole family.

There are lovely options to picnic or spend time together as if you were in your own backyard. We had a rotisserie chicken and a picnic on the lawn! The Graylyn Estate also has on-site restaurants, with delicious breakfast options. Claire and Peter enjoy playing chess on the property with their dad or taking a break in one of their sitting rooms. 

There is Fun to be Had

Our entire family enjoys visiting the Reynolda House Museum of American Art in Winston-Salem that is across the street, where Claire and Peter get to both explore and do on-the-go homeschooling. They have a sweet little gift shop there, where Claire found the perfect paper dolls that she, of course, loves, and we enjoy stopping in to look around.

All Things Food and Shopping

We also love to pop in at Mozelle’s Fresh Southern Bistro, where Claire found her signature dish - Tomato Pie. Funny enough, she isn’t such a fan of eating it, but rather just making and serving it.

And we absolutely cannot forget Dough-Joes coffee! They have a frequent buyers card that you can honestly go through pretty quickly because they are just so yummy. Claire and Peter love to get vanilla steamers there and think they are such grown ups drinking them.

Just across the street from Dough-Joes is this lovely this boutique that we, honestly mostly me, absolutely love, called McCalls. They have children’s items and women’s items, which is a plus for moms, and I got the best pajamas ever from there - P.JAMAS! The little ones carried their shopping bags around the entire hotel that day because it was such a fun shopping trip. 

Our Experience at The Graylyn Estate

Graylyn Estates is somewhere we have such a beautiful time. They have such great staff! We have had so many lovely experiences with them, and feel so taken care of there. We have heard Christmas with the lights is wonderful, and then summer with the pool is absolutely a hit! 

The grounds are always meticulously groomed, and Tulip bulbs are often in bloom when we are there exploring in the spring, and it brings such life and joy. We enjoy staying at The Graylyn Estate and love exploring the history and beauty of Winston-Salem with Claire and Peter as they are growing up.

The Sentiment of Traveling With Your Kiddos

Traveling places with your little ones is an exciting adventure because you get to see some of your favorite places, and new places, through their joyful eyes. It is special to go back to a place you loved before kids, with your children, and Winston-Salem is one of those places for us. 

Thank you for being on this adventure with us!

Mom