PIEDMONT

1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer nctransportationmuseum.org

Formerly Southern Railway’s largest steam locomotive repair facility in the Southeast, the North Carolina Transportation Museum houses passenger rail cars, locomotives, a full-size replica Wright Flyer, firetrucks, a restoration of the Piedmont Airlines’ Potomac Pacemaker DC-3, and an automotive exhibit. The Barber Junction Depot, an authentic train station built in 1898, serves as the museum’s visitor center.

4401 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro nczoo.org

With 500 developed acres, the NC Zoo is the world’s largest natural habitat zoo, housing 1,700 animals of more than 250 species, primarily representing Africa and North America. See elephants, zebras and giraffes grazing in open fields, polar bears Payton and Anana swimming in icy waters, chimpanzees swinging from high branches, flamingos foraging for food, and other fascinating animals. Watch animal feedings and training sessions in “Meet the Keeper” encounters.

134 S. Elm Street, Greensboro sitinmovement.org

900 Old Salem Road, Winston-Salem oldsalem.org

Established in 1776, Old Salem shares the cultural history of the early South, with special emphasis on the Moravians in North Carolina, enslaved and free people of African descent, and indigenous peoples of the Southern Woodland. Tour the various buildings that enabled the village to thrive, including tradesmen’s workshops and the Doctor’s House, the Single Brothers’ House and the Boys’ School for ages 6–14. Play Colonial-style games and purchase Moravian baked goods at the historic Winkler Bakery. Learn about Moravians of African descent at the St. Philips African American Heritage Center before exploring St. Philips Moravian Church—the oldest standing African American church in the state.

The International Civil Rights Center & Museum is dedicated to the understanding and advancement of civil and human rights. It commemorates the sit-ins of the 1960s that began when four college students from North Carolina A&T State University occupied a whites-only lunch counter—acts that helped renew the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. Housed inside the former Woolworth store where the first sit-in took place, the museum offers 35,000 square feet of exhibit space that includes the restored lunch counter in its original location, audio and video narratives, artifacts, interactive components and a captivating look at the A&T Four. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are encouraged.