Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center is located in Winston-Salem, the cultural and industrial hub of one of the fastest growing areas in the United States.

Winston-Salem is a pleasant city of 223,000 people–large enough to afford the pleasures of city life without the discomforts. Trees shade the sloping streets, and rose-covered fences border major highways. Many older neighborhoods have been renovated, providing comfortable housing in areas close to the Medical Center and downtown.

Young profressionals enjoy the pace of the city with affordable housing and abundant cultural activities.  A downtown revitalization project has resulted in a number of residents finding housing in the newly created lofts.  Weekly downtown concerts offer a variety of music along with wine tastings, art displays and delicious food options.

 

The City of the Arts

Winston Salem is known as one of the great southern cities for both visual and performance art.  Downtown Winston Salem is full of artist shops and displays.  At the core of the Art District resides The Stevens Center for the performing Arts and the Sawtooth Center for Visual Arts.  The city is also the home of The North Carolina School of Arts, and they frequently produce theatre, music, movies, and visual pieces for the public.

The City on the Rise

Over the recent past Winston Salem has transitioned from a city known for tobacco to one known for research and technology, while maintaining a Green approach.  Recent completion of a downtown research park and a Wifi wired downtown have resulted in designation of "Top 10 Digital City" and one of the "Hottest Cities for Buisness."  All this while maintaining our status as a "Tree City" and a "Green City."

More than 240 manufacturing industries are located in the Piedmont Triad, including The Hanes Group of Sara Lee Corp., AT&T Company, GMAC, Westinghouse, Wachovia, Krispy Kreme, and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. 


Wake Forest University

Wake Forest University was first moved to Winston Salem in 1956 and has represented an important role in the community ever since.  Known as one of the top academic institutions in the south, Wake Forest University boasts strong Law and Medical schools which supplement the prestigeous academic history.  The Demon Deacons have a strong basketball and football following, providing yet another source of entertainment in Winston Salem.

Recreation

The area's mild climate, beautifully-maintained courses and spectacular scenery make Forsyth County a golfer's paradise.  Thirteen courses, eight of them public, are open for play during most seasons of the year.
	Winston Salem's more than 50 neighborhood parks provide swimming pools, tennis courts, softball and baseball fields, indoor basketball courts and lakes for fishing and boating.
Hanes Park, with the city's largets tennis complex, a track and playing field, is only two blocks away from the Medical Center.  Both the YMCA and YWCA are within walking distance.

With a professional baseball team (the Dash) in Winston-Salem and major collegiate athletic program at Wake Forest University, the calendar for spectator sports is kept full.

The Piedmont Triad 

The city is located in the Piedmont section of North Carolina. The word "Piedmont" means "foot of the mountain" and is an apt geographic term. The Blue Ridge Parkway, America’s longest federal park, is only an hour’s drive to the west; skiing on the longest run south of the Catskills is only an hour farther; and, for the fisherman, trout abound in the streams of Western North Carolina.

Sand, sun and surf on the Carolina coast, one of the nation’s best, is an afternoon’s drive away.  But there are opportunities near at hand to enjoy nature. Winston-Salem has an extensive park system with many small and large parks in residential neighborhoods and within walking distance of the Medical Center. 

The History of Winston-Salem:

The roots of the city can be traced to 1766 when Moravian settlers carved the town of Salem from the Carolina wilderness.  The Moravians, a devout Protestant sect who immigrated to the New World from Central Europe, established Salem as  trade and crafts center.  They were industrious artisans who made their wares - pottery, cloth and guns with great pride.  Music was  part of their religious services and their everyday lives.  Their love of the arts created a culture and a legacy in what is now Winston-Salem.

In the late 1800's the city of Winston was established as the county seat one mile north of Salem Square.  By 1913 the growth of the two towns closed the game and the "Twin City" was created.  You can still visit Old Salem to relive the old artisan ways.

Links to more information:

City of Winston Salem

Visit Winston Salem

Entertainment Guide

Visit North Carolina