Winston-Salem, North Carolina
There are six colleges and universities in Winston-Salem, technically twin cities since 1913, so it has much of the lively atmosphere that would be expected of a college town.
Visitors to the downtown area can find restaurants, boutiques, art galleries and a lively evening entertainment scene. For shoppers keen to take home a distinctly Winston-Salem find, the Design Archives Emporium has 1,000 square feet of space and features products made by more than 100 local vendors. Galleries and small shops abound in the Downtown Arts District. Here groups can find everything from artisan chocolates and custom-made hats to metalsmithing and calligraphy.
The Stevens Center is a restored 1929 silent-movie theater, now part of the University of North Carolina campus and the primary performance space for arts programming. A full calendar of music, dance and theater is scheduled throughout the year. Also in the heart of downtown are the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts and the Hanesbrand Theatre. Movie fans might want to enjoy a screening at the Aperture Cinema. The small cinema showcases independent, foreign and classic films.
When it’s time to eat, groups won’t go hungry in downtown Winston-Salem. Bistros, pubs, pizza parlors and fine-dining establishments can all be found, as can a selection of foreign cuisines. Barbecue is a serious business in North Carolina, and the Camel City BBQ Factory can fulfill those cravings for hickory-smoked pulled pork or brisket.
Hotels are in the downtown area and, thus, within walking distance of many attractions.
Beaufort, South Carolina
The small coastal town of Beaufort may consist of 13,000 people, but Robb Wells, vice president of the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce Tourism Division, wants to assure potential visitors that it has an emerging food scene that can rival Charleston. “We have some great choices for sea-to-table dining,” he said.
In addition to winning frequent accolades as one of the country’s best art towns, Beaufort was recently named the South’s Best Small Town by Southern Living magazine. Wells said the town offers “the South we remember — where locals are keen to wave and share a story with a visitor.” It’s the kind of place to which visitors just keep coming back. “You may come for a meeting or just pass through, but you’ll be back.”
The downtown area is home to the Beaufort History Museum, which has permanent exhibits charting the town’s history, from the Revolution through the Civil War and Reconstruction, and beyond. For the art connoisseur, 17 galleries feature all kinds of art, from fine watercolors to glassblowing. Meanwhile, guided tours cover everything from movie locations to local history to the region’s lowcountry cuisine. And then there are the restaurants, which encompass all manners of taste and budget.
Groups wishing to enjoy the best of downtown Beaufort have several historic inns to choose from, including the Beaufort Inn, now with the adjoining Tabby Place and Anchorage 1770. The innkeepers are happy to work together as necessary to accommodate larger groups.
Boone, North Carolina
For those wanting to combine traditional Appalachian mountain life with the modern vibe of a lively college town, Boone offers an eclectic and diverse downtown community that is worth a visit. The small town, nestled high in the mountains, is home to Appalachian State University, meaning that visitors will find vintage clothing and record stores alongside fine art and craft galleries. There’s even a climbing wall.
Virginia Falck, the downtown coordinator for Boone, said it is this diversity of cultures and experiences that makes the town so attractive to visitors. “We have so much to offer as a community,” she said. “Just five minutes from downtown, you can stay in a remote mountain cabin, but you are close to shopping, dining, and museums.” The university’s Turchin Center for Visual Arts offers year-round exhibits, and the town has an active public-art program. The Jones House Community and Cultural Center hosts regular exhibitions and live music concerts.
In addition to browsing the boutiques, shops and galleries, guests should be sure to explore Boone’s growing selection of restaurants and breweries. Eateries cater to a variety of tastes, from hot dogs and Mexican to Thai and sushi. For a more upscale dining experience, Vidalia specializes in local ingredients and regional wines. Or groups can head to the Lost Province Brewery for craft beer and handmade pizza.
There are a number of hotels in the area, and help is on hand for groups seeking to make bookings.
