Things to Do in Winston-Salem

Standing on a platform, eco-tourists pause to admire the view before stepping from their perch to soar across a high wire and admire the complex ecosystem of animals, plants, and Swiss Family Robinsons that lives in the scenic canopy. This moment—both tranquil and adrenaline-filled—occurs every day at Carolina Ziplines Canopy Tours, where experienced guides lead safely harnessed visitors on excursions through the verdant treetops of the Carolina forests nestled in the shadow of Pilot Mountain, near Hanging Rock State Park. The zipline course weaves from platform to platform, culminating in a 1,000-foot-long uninterrupted soar. After tours, guests can linger to have a picnic on the historic grounds, enjoy a bonfire when the weather’s cool, or even stay overnight in a cozy inn.

Floyd County's annual Bluegrass & BBQ Festival welcomes friends and families to convene on Chantilly Festival Farm's 101 acres of grassy, rolling hills and celebrate local barbecue and music. Two stages showcase bluegrass veterans, aspirant local musicians, and overhead stage lights that always dreamed of hitting the big time. After licking fingers clean of prize-winning barbecue, guests can scope antique tractors and cars, fly kites, or explore myriad children's activities.

American saddlebred horses trot across more than 55 acres of verdant countryside at Jansal Saddlebreds LLC’s training facility, where experienced equestrians devote themselves to riding, breeding, and caring for their trusty mares and stallions. Budding riders bond with carefully selected mounts as instructors teach them to trot, canter, and conduct clopping symphonies in private or group lessons held in an outdoor arena or a lighted, climate-controlled indoor arena. Pastures, turnout paddocks, and scenic trails await beyond the arenas’ fences, where professional trainers Janelle D’Amato and Bobby Jones occasionally lead rides. The facility’s professional roster includes a litany of show-ring champions and a barn manager who curates shows in which horses can display their finest salt-lick sculptures.

From tents perched on either side of Main Street, 15 local vineyards dispense wine samples to festivalgoers during the annual Budbreak festival, now in its third year. Guests amble from spot to spot, pausing between tastings to peruse glass art, sculpture, and custom jewelry crafted by local art vendors. Pleasing sips can be paired with grub from food vendors including 13 Bones and Maples Restaurant at Olde Mill. Guests can stand up and shake their tail feathers to live music, or take in the tunes from a shady seat while sampling a favorite bottle. Among the festival's performers are veteran Rolling Stones saxophonist Bobby Keys, known during his touring days for fermenting an entire orchard of pinot grapes with a single magnificent C note.