One of my favorite North Carolina cities to visit is Greensboro for its amazing art, history, and food scene. Â David and I love it for a weekend getaway and it is the perfect girls’ overnight spot as well. We always look forward to a return visit to try new places, plus making stops at our favorites as well! Here are our favorite things to do in Greensboro!
This post was originally written in March 2017 and has since been updated and recirculated in June 2023.
15 Best Things to Do in Greensboro, NC
Greensboro Travel Guide: What to Do & See
Grab a Seat at O.Henry Thursday Night Cocktails and Jazz
Since 2015, the O.Henry HotelO.Henry Hotel has offered jazz in their hotel lobby, and it is better than ever! Every Thursday from 6:00-9:00, play a variety of jazz music in the Social Lobby and serve cocktails and small plates, including truffle fries! The O.Henry Hotel offers a jazz package that features one night’s gracious accommodations, limited preferred seating at our O.Henry Jazz in the social lobby, and a $50 dining credit. It is such a great event and made for such an enjoyable start to our trip because after checking in and freshening up, we headed right downstairs to this event and unwound before dinner.
Explore the Greensboro Science Center
The Greensboro Science Center is a hidden gem in my opinion! I had no idea what to expect on our visit here and it ended up including meeting penguins, seeing a baby hippo, a baby red panda, and lots of interesting things in the aquarium section. It was truly a highlight of our trip and we have not been able to stop talking about how much fun we had and how much we learned. There is so much to do here that it is at least a half-a-day trip, though I could make an argument for spending a full day. It is a must-visit on your trip to Greensboro!
Take in a Turning Point in History at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum
Photos by Tammy Torres Photography
Greensboro was a key city in the Civil Rights Movement as it was the beginning of the sit-in movement in 1960. The International Civil Rights Center and Museum is located in the Woolworth building and the original lunch counter and stools have been preserved. There are various tour options, including the staff-guided tour, which is how I have visited the museum. I have visited the museum several times and it is an incredibly reflective and emotional experience. Book your tour here.
View the Collections at Weatherspoon Art Museum
Photos by Tammy Torres Photography
Weatherspoon Art Museum is located on the campus of UNC-Greensboro and truly encompasses the spirit of the campus. A few years ago, I visited to see the “Dread and Delight: Fairy Tales in an Anxious World” that was curated by Dr. Emily Stamey, which I still talk about incessantly because it was such a fantastic collection. I love that the Weatherspoon Art Museum has interactive collections for its visitors! Check out their current and upcoming collections here.
Enjoy the Outdoors at Lake Brandt
Lake Brandt offers several ways to enjoy the outdoors, from their 10.9-mile trail loop to fishing to kayaking, stand-up paddling boarding, and canoeing. David and I have taken a kayaking class offered by REI at Lake Brandt and thoroughly enjoyed our experience! There are kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes available to the public for in-season daily rental. On the first and third Thursdays from June-August from 8:00-10 PM, Lake Brandt offers a guided moonlight paddle and has kayaks available to rent. See more information here.
Take a Stroll at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
Photos by Tammy Torres Photography
This park is enormous and has so many interesting trails, including my personal favorite, Monuments Trail. 2023 is the Year of the Trail here in North Carolina, so check out all of the trail options at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park here. While we only saw a small portion of the park, it was quite a scenic drive to get to the section I wanted to check out. Your history lesson regarding this park is that it was the site of an incredibly important battle during the American Revolution. Â Read more here.
Cheer on the Greensboro Grasshoppers at First National Bank Field
David and I will always look to attend a baseball game whenever possible, and we really enjoyed the Greensboro Grasshoppers at First National Bank Field. The Grasshoppers are a high-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The stadium opened in 2005 and has some of the best stadium food we’ve had! We definitely recommend cheering them on if the team is playing at home while you are visiting!
Additional Things to Do in Greensboro
- Greensboro Cultural Center: Â The Cultural Center in downtown Greensboro houses several arts organizations and City arts. Some gallery favorites are GreenHill, Center for Visual Artists, and the African American Atelier.
- Wet & Wild Emerald Pointe: Cool off in the warm months at Wet & Wild Emerald Point with their various attractions, including a lazy river, cabana rentals, and much more!
Greensboro Travel Guide: Where to Drink
Pull Up a Chair at Little Brother Brewing
Photos by Tammy Torres Photography
Greensboro has such a great brewery scene, and one of my favorites is Little Brother Brewing. The staff makes you feel right at home and they have so many nods to local folks. There are opportunities for home brewers to have their beer through Little Brother’s “resident brewer” program. Local musicians have a stage to play in the space and artists can showcase their work as well. One of my favorite touches is the local artists who create the artwork for the resident brewers’ information. Not only is the beer good, but the brewery also stands for community.
Steel Hands Brewery
One of the newest breweries in Greensboro is Steel Hands Brewery, located right across from the Greensboro Coliseum! The outdoor space is great and we really enjoyed their beer selection. David tried their Tropical IPA while I had their Champagne Lager. The Steel Hands Brewery is hosting Nashville musicians this summer in their “Nashville Nights” series. See the full line-up here! The taproom also serves up wood-fired pizzas, so it is a great spot to hang out for an evening.
Greensboro Travel Guide: Where to Eat
Green Valley Grill
Green Valley Grill is located adjacent to the O.Henry Hotel and offers fresh seasonal Old World European and Mediterranean flavors from the wood-fired rotisserie and grill. The space is stunning and the patio is so lush and green! Order the grilled salmon or their flatbread special.
Crafted the Art of the Taco
One of my favorite spots to have lunch or dinner when in Greensboro is Crafted the Art of the Taco, located right down the street from the International Civil Rights Center and Museum. Their menu offers a delicious offering of burgers and tacos. On our most recent visit, David and I opted to make our tacos into bowls and got chips and queso as our side. I had the Baja style with grilled chicken while David ordered the Honky Tonk. We also ordered their Mexican-style lager, which is a collaboration with Little Brother Brewing.
Boba House: the Vegetarian Restaurant
Photos by Tammy Torres Photography
Boba House is a Greensboro staple and has been around since 2003 serving up vegetarian Vietnamese and Thai dishes. It is a short walk down the street from the Weatherspoon Art Museum and offers delicious vegetarian options with beautiful decor. I ordered the Boba pad Thai with “chicken” and it was the best pad Thai I’ve ever eaten.
Print Works Bistro
Print Works Bistro is a French bistro located adjacent to the Proximity Hotel. Their brunch is outstanding, especially the duck confit hash. This is another great spot for a pre-dinner drink and their truffle fries are out-of-this-world good! Print Works Bistro offers and extensive wine list and is such a beautiful space.
Historic Magnolia HouseÂ
Not only is the historic Magnolia House an important historic landmark in Greensboro, but it also serves up a delicious weekend brunch and dinner menu. Their fried chicken and their fried fish, shrimp, and grits are staples on their menu! I cannot recommend the fried fish, shrimp, and grits dish enough! It was absolutely unreal. Make a reservation and head here for brunch while in town. And be sure to check out their community events as well!
Additional Places to Eat in Greensboro
- Machete: When I tell you that I am daydreaming about this menu, I mean it lives rent free in my head. The space is unique and welcoming, the menu is a unique and creative take on dishes, and their cocktails look incredible. Add it to your list!
- Hops Burger Bar: I love a good burger spot and Hops has been on my list for a while now. It’s the first stop on our next trip to GSO!
Greensboro Travel Guide: Where to Stay
O.Henry Hotel
O.Henry Hotel is located in Greensboro’s Friendly neighborhood and is such a wonderful experience. The O.Henry Hotel offers a variety of packages and has an onsite outdoor pool, a beautiful garden, artist-in-resident, weekly jazz music, and expansive rooms. It is a true gem and sure to be your home-away-from-home in Greensboro!
Proximity Hotel
Photos by Tammy Torres Photography
Proximity Hotel is located in the Friendly neighborhood of Greensboro and is right near great restaurants and a short Lyft ride to hopping Elm Street. The Proximity is a green hotel with sustainable practices, gorgeous common areas, modern rooms with lots of natural light, and original artwork from the artist-in-residence.
Thank you to Visit Greensboro for partnering with us and coordinating our experiences! As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
