Fundaymonday

While many of Winston-Salem’s museums and shops take Mondays off, just as many are open for business.

By: Alice Touchette Manning

At the Prohibition-era-themed ROAR, a multi-floor dining and entertainment destination on the corner of Liberty and Seventh streets, Monday nights are one of managing partner Joseph Correll’s favorite times of the week. “We open our second floor at 4 p.m., and you can throw a strike at any of our 10 boutique bowling lanes — or practice your swing at our golf simulators.” Fords Food Hall is open for lunch and dinner, serving a range of flavors from Asian to Italian, American street food and seafood.

But that’s not the only option. Whether you’re in town for a long weekend or need a rain plan, read on for our fail-proof guide on making the most of your Monday Funday.

Head Outdoors

No ticket, guidebook, or art degree is required to hop on the Start Anywhere, Stop Anytime Outdoor Art Tour, which gives you a peek into the city’s history and soul through the eyes of its artists. Don’t miss ARTivity on the Green, which anchors Seventh and Liberty with bold metal towers rising from the colorful art-themed park. Or the newly unveiled wind sculptures at Merschel Park. Called Balancing Act, the 16 spinning spheres are dedicated to women who find imaginative solutions to balance life. Find a complete guide to the city’s murals and other public art at visitwinstonsalem.com

Open and free to the public year-round, Reynolda Gardens offers 134 acres to explore every day. Designed by Katharine Reynolds, wife to tobacco tycoon R.J. Reynolds, Reynolda Gardens includes lush sunken gardens, woodland trails, and more. Continue with a stroll through Reynolda Village, where shops and galleries inhabit the estate’s former silo, post office, and schoolhouse. A peaceful waterfall sets the perfect backdrop for a picnic.

Winston-Salem is home to dozens of parks and nearly 30 miles of greenways. Take a hike or stroll along one of the trails featured in our Play Date article on page 54.

The city’s suburbs contain numerous gems as well. It starts with Tanglewood Park, a recreation haven located 10 miles west of downtown along the Yadkin River. Among the park’s offerings is a lovely Arboretum with 26 unique gardens, including a bog garden, wildflower reserve, and children’s garden. Another stunner, the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden, sits 15 east of downtown in the town of Kernersville. Spanning seven acres, the gardens boast the largest spring bulb display in the region — more than 25,000 tulips — along with several showcase gardens. tanglewoodpark.org, cienerbotanicalgarden.org

Join Triad Eco Adventures for two-hour Twin City Trolley Tours and the Totally Salem Tours. Reservations are required on Mondays for this two-hour Segway or e-bike tour that gives visitors a taste of Old Salem Museums & Gardens, an 18th-century Moravian settlement, with an informative guide narrating your cruise through the historic district and surrounding areas including Salem College, the nation’s oldest women’s college, historic cemeteries, and the site of the first Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.

According to the guides at Carolina History & Haunts, some of the city’s former residents are said to have an “everlasting presence.” See for yourself by booking a 90-minute walking tour for secrets into the area’s local lore. Tours are offered nightly by reservation and travel through the historic West End neighborhood, adjacent to downtown. carolinahistoryandhaunts.com

Stay Inside

Shop or browse Mast General Store, located in the Downtown Arts District. Then walk over to Fourth Street and visit independent bookstore Bookmarks and discover Design Archives Vintage & Handmade Emporium, which houses more than 150 vendors and artists in a must-see art deco building that was once a car showroom. Drive about five minutes west to Thruway Shopping Center for popular retailers including J. Crew, Ann Taylor Loft, Athleta, and Talbots.

If you’re looking to grab a bite, dine at Earl’s for southern food and live music or West End Café for a lunch menu that’s a favorite among locals. And don’t miss the chance to visit Mrs. Hanes’ Moravian Cookie Factory for hand-rolled, hand-cut, and handpacked Moravian cookies.

Have a taste for craft beer?

Trivia night and food trucks are on tap at Wise Man Brewing. Bring your dog to Incendiary Brewery downtown in the revamped Bailey Power Plant, or hit up Hoots Beer Co. in West End for craft brews, pinball, and a dog-friendly patio. And Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Co. hosts live music at its open bluegrass jam on Mondays.

Appreciate Winston-Salem’s infamous local arts scene with a hands-on class at Sawtooth School for Visual Art or browse the galleries inside the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts.