Winston-Salem spreads across the Piedmont of North Carolina, formed from two towns that grew into one. Its older half, Salem, began as a Moravian settlement with its public buildings grouped around a central square; Winston grew beside it as a county seat and later a tobacco and textile town. That layered history is what shapes a visit today, with restored Moravian buildings, museums and a walkable downtown core sitting within a few miles of each other.
For a visitor, the practical question is which part of the city to base yourself in. The main choices cluster around the historic district, the downtown centre, and the university and shopping corridors to the west. This guide covers the areas worth considering, who each one suits, and how they connect to the sights, so you can weigh up a booking with confidence.
Best areas to stay in Winston-Salem
1. Downtown Winston-Salem
The downtown core is the most convenient base for a first visit. It puts you within a mile of Old Salem Museums & Gardens and a short walk from Bailey Park, with the Benton Convention Center and the city's main event spaces close by. This is where you find the largest concentration of full-service accommodation, including all-suite and larger hotels with restaurants, bars and fitness facilities on site.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone in town for a conference or an evening out, since the sights, dining and nightlife are all reachable on foot. Expect city views from some rooms and paid parking at the larger properties. If you want to walk to the historic district rather than drive, this is the area to choose.
2. The university and shopping corridor (University Parkway and Hanes Mall)
West of the centre, the University Parkway and Hanes Mall area is built around Wake Forest University, the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum and a major shopping centre. Accommodation here tends to be informal and practical, with complimentary breakfast, on-site laundry, fitness and business facilities, and seasonal outdoor pools common among the mid-range options.
This area suits families, prospective students and anyone visiting the university or attending an event at the coliseum, which is within walking distance of some properties. It is also handy for drivers, sitting close to Highway 52. The trade-off is that you are a few miles from Old Salem and the downtown sights, so a car or a short drive is part of the plan.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: The source material lists no budget properties for Winston-Salem, so treat this tier as limited. Expect to look at simpler motels and chain properties on the edges of the city, and compare what is actually available for your dates.
- Mid-range: Informal hotels and suite-style properties, often near the university, the coliseum and shopping centres. Complimentary breakfast is typical, along with Wi-Fi, microwaves, minifridges and coffeemakers, and sometimes a pool, gym or spa.
- Splurge: Polished downtown hotels and all-suite properties with restaurants and bars, fitness centres, indoor pools and event space. Some rooms add sitting areas or city views, and suites may have separate living and dining areas. Breakfast and parking are often charged separately.
Best area for a first visit
Stay downtown. It is the only area in the source material that puts you within a mile of Old Salem Museums & Gardens while also keeping you close to the convention centre, Bailey Park and the city's main dining and evening options. For a first trip, that combination of walkable sights and full-service accommodation is hard to beat.
Frequently asked questions
Which area is closest to Old Salem Museums & Gardens?
Downtown. The larger downtown hotels sit about a mile from the historic district, which makes it the most convenient base if Old Salem is a priority for your visit.
Where should I stay if I am visiting Wake Forest University?
Look at the University Parkway area, where accommodation sits close to the campus and the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, with some properties within a short walk of the coliseum.
Do I need a car to get around from these areas?
Downtown is walkable for the historic district, Bailey Park and the convention centre. The university and shopping corridor is a few miles out and sits near Highway 52, so a car makes those connections easier.
Is there budget accommodation in Winston-Salem?
The source material does not list any budget properties for the city, so availability at that level may be limited. It is worth checking current listings for your travel dates before you commit.
Compare live prices for your dates using the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.