High Point
Introduction
High Point sits in Guilford County in North Carolina, south and southwest of Greensboro within the Piedmont Triad region. The city's outskirts reach into Randolph, Davidson and Forsyth counties, so the surrounding countryside shifts from one county to the next as you travel outward from the centre.
Getting there
Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) is the closest airport, with flights to most major hubs on the east coast and a location about 12 miles from downtown. Taxis, rental cars, and Lyft/Uber are available at the airport. PART also runs bus service from the airport to High Point: take Shuttle 27 to the transportation center, where you can transfer for free to Route 3 to High Point. Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in the Research Triangle and Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte are also relatively close. When the High Point Market is happening, shuttles are provided from all three airports.
By car, the route depends on your direction of approach. From the south, travel north on I-85, take Business 85 North near Lexington, remain on Business 85 when it splits with Highway 52, and exit at Highway 311 North (Main Street). From the west, take east I-40 past Winston-Salem to Highway 311 South (Exit 196). From the north, travel south on I-85, take Business 85 at Greensboro, and exit at Highway 311 BR north (Main Street). From the east, take I-40 west to Greensboro, take I-85 South where it splits from I-40 West, then Business 85 and the Highway 311 BR north exit (Main Street).
By train, High Point station sits at 100 West High Avenue and is served by three Amtrak services: the Carolinian, Piedmont and Crescent. By bus, High Point is served by Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART), with buses from Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and other cities and towns in the area.
Getting around
High Point is a small Southern city that's easiest to explore by car, but you have several alternatives. High Point Transit runs local buses within the city, the main public option for moving between neighbourhoods and downtown. For regional connections, the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART) links High Point with Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and other nearby cities and towns. If you're arriving by air, PART's Shuttle 27 runs from Piedmont Triad International Airport to the transportation center, where you transfer for free to Route 3 to reach High Point; fares are paid in cash on board. Amtrak's Carolinian, Piedmont, and Crescent all stop at High Point station on West High Avenue, putting you within reach of the downtown core. Taxis and ride-hailing services such as Lyft and Uber are available, including at the airport, and are your most flexible choice for specific addresses, especially outside bus hours or when your destination isn't on a bus route.
Walking works best downtown, where Market buildings, events, and the Amtrak station are clustered; for trips beyond the centre, a car or bus is the more realistic choice. If your visit coincides with the High Point Market, free shuttles change the picture: two downtown shuttles move you between the various Market buildings and events, and additional shuttles connect hotels, park-and-rides, and other locations in and around the city. During the Market, shuttles also run from all three regional airports, so you may be able to leave the car behind for much of your stay.
Where to stay
High Point’s accommodation is limited, but you can choose between a distinctive Southern-style stay and a practical option near the airport. The J.H. Adams Inn on North Main Street is a very nice Southern-style hotel where each room is different, furnished with custom traditional furniture. A free breakfast is included, and you can enjoy a free glass of wine in the evenings.
- J.H. Adams Inn – Southern-style hotel on North Main Street; individually decorated rooms with custom traditional furniture, free breakfast and an evening glass of wine.
- Wingate by Wyndham High Point – on Sedgebrook Street, just a few minutes from Piedmont Triad International Airport; suites come with fireplaces, stocked mini bars and microwaves.
Food & drink
For a sit-down meal, Rainbow Family Restaurant on Westchester Drive serves hearty fare in a casual setting, while BBQ Joe's Country Cooking on South Main Street specializes in barbecue and Southern comfort dishes. Both are straightforward, family-friendly spots where you can count on generous portions and familiar cooking. The source lists no dedicated bars or nightlife, so plan your evening around your meal rather than a separate drinking destination.What to see and do
High Point's story is a furniture story, and you can trace it at the High Point Museum & Historical Park on E. Lexington Avenue, where changing exhibits cover local lifestyles through the years. In the adjacent Historical Park you can tour the Blacksmith Shop along with the 1801 Hoggatt and 1786 Haley Houses. Note that the museum and the historic park keep separate schedules, so plan your visit around which part you most want to see. On N. Main Street, the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library holds a vast collection of books on the history of furniture, and on N. Hamilton Street you can see the World's Largest Chest of Drawers, a roadside homage to the town's furniture-centered past.
For something outdoors, the Piedmont Environmental Center on Penny Road offers hiking trails across its acreage beside High Point Lake, a nature preserve, the North Carolina Mapscape, small animal exhibits, and access to the Greenway Trail. If you're in town for the furniture trade show, High Point Market, held in April and October with dates that vary from year to year, it provides airport shuttles and travel assistance to help attendees plan.
Three days in High Point
Day one begins with arrival: High Point sits in Guilford County, North Carolina, within the Piedmont Triad, and you can fly into Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) or reach the city by shuttle or bus routes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in the Research Triangle or Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte. Taxis, Lyft and Uber are available for the final leg. Settle in and orient yourself along Main Street and West High Avenue, the city's central corridors, before an evening exploring downtown High Point on foot.
Day two, head out into the wider Piedmont Triad. Guilford County's neighbouring communities include Greensboro, and the surrounding counties of Randolph, Davidson and Forsyth put Winston-Salem and Lexington within easy reach by car via the interstate highways that converge here. If your visit coincides with High Point Market, plan your day around it; otherwise use the day to explore the region's towns and back roads at your own pace.
Day three, keep things local before departure. Take a final walk through downtown High Point, then head for the airport or shuttle connection. Allow extra time if you are travelling to RDU or CLT, both of which are further afield than GSO.