We’ve all been there: Someone’s trying to give you directions by describing 10 lefts, 20 rights, and a jumble of cardinal directions. Isn’t it easier to just point out a landmark?
That’s exactly what we’re doing. We have 10 of the most recognizable Winston-Salem landmarks that are not only easy to remember, but they’ll also get you where you need to go in a jiffy.
Wells Fargo Center
Address: 100 N. Main St.
Nearby: City Hall, downtown
Built in 1995 as Wachovia Bank’s new headquarters, the skyscraper is known for being the tallest and the most recognizable of the Winston-Salem skyline. Its shape has been the target of jokes through the years (we’re looking at you, Conan O’Brien) but the architect said it was meant to resemble a rose about to bloom.
Wait Chapel
Address: 1834 Wake Forest Rd.
Nearby: Reynolda campus of Wake Forest University
Situated at the end of Wake Forest University’s Hearn Plaza, the picturesque chapel is the largest non-athletic indoor setting on campus. It can seat 2,250 people, making it an ideal space for cultural, religious, and public events.
Union Station
Address: 300 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
Nearby: Winston-Salem State University
Built in 1926, the structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The last train left the station on June 15, 1970. It was restored in 2019 and currently houses Winston-Salem’s traffic signal control operations, though talks to restore rail service are underway.
Shell Service Station
Address: 1111 E. Sprague St.
Nearby: Sprague Street Community Center
The unique building originally constructed as a marketing gimmick for Quality Oil Company is now the last of its kind. The clam shell eventually became a lawn mower repair shop and is currently a museum. Though you can’t go inside, the landmark makes for a great photo op.
Graylyn Estate and Conference Center
Address: 1900 Reynolda Rd.
Nearby: Reynolda Village
What was once the estate of Bowman and Nathalie Gray is now a top-ranked boutique hotel and conference center known for hosting elevated events. The Norman Revival-style manor house has been around since the 1920s when the former president and chairman of RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company built the home. Guests can indulge in endless complimentary ice cream during their stay, a nod to Bowman Gray’s favorite treat.
Green Street Pedestrian Bridge
Address: South Green Street
Nearby: Salem Parkway, Truist Stadium
The bridge connects the West Salem neighborhood and the north side of downtown. It was built as part of the Business 40 Improvement Project and received national recognition for its design — Roads and Bridges magazine named it the No. 2 bridge in North America in 2021.
Reynolda House Museum of American Art
Address: 2250 Reynolda Rd.
Nearby: Reynolda Village, Wake Forest University
The 1917 country estate of RJ and Katharine Smith Reynolds is now a museum that’s open to the public. The home with the iconic green roof was the site of a still-unsolved murder in 1932. The Ping Pong Room in the basement has been restored to give visitors a hand-on feel of recreation for the Reynolds family.
Mickey Coffee Pot
Address: 400 S. Main St.
Nearby: Old Salem Museum and Gardens
While it’s not brewing any beans, the 12-ft-tall pot can hold 740 gallons. The structure has been around since 1858 — it was originally crafted as an advertisement for brothers Julius and Samuel Mickey’s tin shop. It was relocated in 1930 to its current location, where Brookstown Avenue and South Main Street meet.
God’s Acre
Address: 501 S. Main St.
Nearby: Home Moravian Church, Salem Academy and College
The Moravian cemetery is still an active burial site and is where the Easter Sunrise Service has been held for 250+ years. You can see the downtown skyline from the top of the quiet hills. The headstones are all alike, reflecting the Moravians’ belief that God sees everyone equally.
Reynolds Building
Address: 401 N. Main St.
Nearby: Innovation Quarter, Downtown Arts District
What is now the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel and The Residences at the RJ Reynolds Building used to be the headquarters of RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company. The art deco skyscraper has been part of the Winston-Salem skyline for nearly a century. Its design inspired the Empire State Building.
Step inside a different era at the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel.
Photo by @tim_hutch
Know other landmarks that should be on our list? Let us know.
