Museums of Winston-Salem: Children’s, Science, Art & More!

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Winston-Salem is a city steeped in history from its founding, combining two cities into one, to its renaissance, from a tobacco industry city to one of Arts and Innovation.

The famous pewter coffee pot on Main Street in Winston-Salem, NC
The famous pewter coffee pot on Main Street once stood at a local factory.

Below is a list of Museums to visit in and around the Winston-Salem area. You will find many different types of museums for all interests and all ages.

Historical Landmarks

Be sure to stop and see the two historical landmarks along your route:
1) The Old Salem Teapot, 400S. Main Street, Winston-Salem, near Old Salem.
2) The Last Shell Oil Company Clamshell Station, 1111E. Sprague Street, Winston-Salem. Not operational, but well worth a look.

Bethabara Park (First European Settlement)

2147 Bethabara Road
Winston-Salem, NC
336-924-8191
Website

Bethabara was the first European settlement in the Piedmont of North Carolina in 1754. The Visitor Center, when open, offers an informational video about the park’s history. Located in the visitor center is a gift shop that sells handcrafted items made by regional artisans representing the trades found in Bathabara during the latter half of the 18th century. Guided tours of the historic Gemeinhaus Church and Log House are also offered. Historic Bethabara Park has a blend of archaeological sites, restored original buildings, and reconstructions. There are over 40 stabilized archaeological ruins throughout the park. There are also gardens, including a community garden and a medicinal garden. The Park encompasses 183 acres of preserved wildlife, historic buildings, and grounds, walking and birding trails, and protected wetlands.

Hours and Admission

  • The Visitor Center is closed Mondays, Easter, Juneteenth, Thanksgiving Day, and mid-December to April 1st.
  • Tuesday-Saturday, 10:30 am-4:30 pm
  • Sunday 1:30-4:30 pm
  • Park Grounds are always open, free of charge, year-round, from dawn to dusk
  • Guided Tours are $4 for adults and $1 for students and children over 3

Cowboy Museum

807 Wrights Farm Road
Winston-Salem, NC
336-816-4589

The Cowboy Museum was opened with memorabilia collected over a lifetime by Richard Evans. If you want to get lost in the glory of the old West, this is the place to go. With four rooms full of photos, posters, life-size figures, autographs, and more of all your favorite TV and film Western stars, there is so much to see. In addition, there are movies and TV shows and a seating area to watch one of your old favorites. From the Lone Ranger to Roy Rogers to The Duke, Mr. Evans will be on hand to share memories with you.

Hours and Admission

  • Closed Thursday and Sunday
  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 9 am-4 pm
  • Free Admission

Kaleideum (Children’s Science Museum)

120 W 3rd Street
Winston-Salem, NC
336-767-6730
Website

The new Kaleideum is a hands-on children’s science museum with interactive exhibits, and educational programs. Exhibits include By Design, In Motion, Our nature, Wonders of Water, Digital Dome, and Rooftop Adventure. Visitors may enjoy activities such as, Little Innovators, Wonder Lab, Animal Encounters, and Digital Dome Shows. Memberships are available and offer free admission and Member’s Only Hours.

Hours and Admission

  • School Year Hours: Closed Monday; Tuesday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm; Saturday & Sunday, 10 am-5 pm
  • Summer Hours (Memorial Day – Labor Day): Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm; Saturday & Sunday, 10-5 pm
  • Admission: Adults, $15
  • Youth (1-19), $12
  • Seniors, $13
  • Military, $2 off admission during school year
  • Children 11 months and under, Members, and Educators (with valid ID), Free
  • EBT Cardholders $3 per person
  • Special Home School Rates Available

Kernersville Auto Museum

204 Holly Tree Drive
Kernersville, NC
336-414-4072
Website

Kernersville Auto Museum is always changing by adding new Vintage, Classic, and Exotic cars to its collection. Featuring over 100+ years of automotive history, this museum will bring back memories for the older generation and intrigue the younger generation. A great place to visit for a trip back in time.

Hours and Admission

  • Friday & Saturday, 10 am-4 pm
  • Sunday, 2-5 pm
  • No Fee, but a non-profit, so donations are appreciated

Körner’s Folly (Built In 1880)

413 S. Main Street
Kernersville, NC
336-996-7922
Website

Körner’s Folly built in 1880 was the home of artist designer, Jule Gilmer Körner. The house was originally designed to display his interior design portfolio. Visitors can now explore this unique 22-room house museum with its narrow staircases and passageways, low-ceiling rooms, carved woodwork, cast plaster details, original furniture, murals, and beautiful decor. The 3rd floor houses a theater. The self-guided tour allows you to take your time and enjoy this strange and wonderful house. Informational signs in each room help guide you. As a great addition to any tour, don’t forget to request a scavenger hunt for children or the young at heart! Most visitors take about an hour and a half to go through the house. no reservations are required. Amateur photography is permitted. Ladies don’t wear heels, and be aware that many of the stairs and doorways are tight and narrow.

Though beautiful to visit all year, Körner’s Folly truly is incredible at Christmas time when it is decorated for the holidays.

Hours and Admission

  • Self-Guided Tours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am-4 pm (last allowed entry is 3 pm)
  • Adults, $12 + tax
  • Child (6-18), $6 + tax
  • Under 6, Free
  • Tickets may be purchased online or upon arrival at Aunt Dealy’s Cottage (a small white house adjacent to the parking lot)
  • Group Guided tours available by reservation

Lam Museum of Archeology

Wake Forest University
Palmer Residence Hall
Carroll Weathers Drive
Winston-Salem, NC
336-758-5282
Website

Lam Museum of Archeology is North Carolina’s only museum dedicated to the study of global cultures. Learn about people from around the world through everyday objects, ceremonial artifacts, and visual arts. The museum rotates exhibits several times a year. Exhibits include hands-on activities for all ages. Explore the Exhibits on Display Now.

Hours and Admission

  • Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Admission is free; Donations are gratefully accepted

Old Salem Museums and Gardens

Old Salem Visitor Center
900 Old Salem Rd
Winston-Salem, NC
336-721-7350
Website

Old Salem Museum is a historic Moravian settlement that engages visitors in an educational and memorable historical experience. Tickets are required for entry to most of the buildings in Old Salem, including Timothy Volger Gun Shop, St. Philips African Moravian Church, Blum House Joinery, Potter’s workshop at T. Bagge, Single Brother’s House, Boy’s School, Miksch Hosue and Gardens, Doctor’s House, Seed Saving Lab. Winkler’s Bakery and Muddy Creek Cafe do not require tickets.

All-In-One Tickets allow visitors a self-guided tour of all open venues in the Historic Town of Salem with the hands-on learning experience of living history and historic trade demonstrations and access to the self-guided galleries in the Frank L. Horton Museum Center (including The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts). It showcases a wide collection of decorative art and craftsmanship of the Southern lifestyle of 18th and 19th-century settlers, including architecture, ceramics, furniture, needlework, paintings, prints, and more.

2-Stop tickets allow visitors access to two ticketed venues, including the Frank L. Horton Museum Center.

Hours and Admission

  • Wednesday-Saturday, year-round, except January and holidays
  • All-in-One-Tickets (February 1-November 11) $27/Adult, $13/student or child (undergraduate student must show college ID) + tax; Free entry children 0-3
  • 2-Stop Ticket (February 1-November 11) $18/Adult, $9/student or child (undergraduate student must show college ID) + tax; Free entry children 0-3
  • HOLIDAY All-In-One and 2-Stop Tickets COMING SOON
  • Tickets can be purchased in advance online or on-site at the Visitor Center and the Frank L. Horton Museum Center

Reynolda House Museum of American Art

2250 Reynolda Road
Winston-Salem, NC
336-758-5150
Website

Reynolda House Museum of American Art, a 64-room house, was built in 1917 and was originally the home of Katharine and R.J. Reynolds, founder of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. It is one of the few surviving, well-preserved historic examples of The American Country House Movement. The original house included a first and second floor, an attic, and a basement. Later an enclosed breezeway, indoor pool, and squash court were added. There are 6 bedrooms, most with sleeping porches, in the home. Inside you will find over 6,000 historic objects and a collection of world-renowned American art. The beautiful gardens are also a feature of this historic home.

Hours and Admission

  • Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 am-4:30 pm
  • Sunday, 1:30-4:30 pm
  • Closed the month of January and holidays
  • The gardens are open to the public year-round, from dawn to dusk
  • Museum Admission is $18
  • Free Admission: 18 and under; Member, Member guest; WFU Faculty, Staff & guest, Student; college student; Veteran; North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM); Southeastern Reciprocal Museum Association (SERM); EBT Card Holder and up to 3 guests; Library Card Holders (all Forsyth Libraries have free Reynolda House passes, sponsored by Wells Fargo)

Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA)

750 Marguerite Avenue
Winston-Salem, NC
336-725-1904
Website

Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art is an affiliate of the North Carolina Museum of Art. It features exhibitions, experiences, performances, events, and programs focusing on regional artists, as well as exhibitions of national and international contemporary artists. See current exhibitions.

Hours and Admission

  • Wednesday & Friday, 1 pm-5 pm
  • Thursday, 1 pm-8 pm
  • Saturday & Sunday, 10 am-5 pm
  • Closed Monday, Tuesday, & Major Holidays
  • Admission is Free

Where Are The Best Winston-Salem Art Galleries?

Experiencing and learning are for all ages, and we should never stop doing either. A visit to a museum is not only engaging at the moment but opens up a conversation after the visit. Why not keep the exploring going by visiting one of Winston-Salem’s interesting art galleries while out and about?

What museum did you enjoy visiting the most? Let us know in the comments!

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