Union Station is a local historic landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places.|Photo courtesy of City of Winston-Salem
Train travel is booming. In the last year, The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) has served 24+ million riders, and in 2023, Greensboro’s station served 157,429.
The more sustainable, often scenic, and middle seat-less cousin to flying, train travel could play a part in your next vacation — here’s how to do it locally.
Stations near us
While Winston-Salem doesn’t have an Amtrak station of its own (yet), there are several within a 45-minute drive:
All three stations use trains on the Carolinian, Crescent, and Piedmont routes.
WiFi | Carolinian trains come equipped with free Wi-Fi, so you can keep scrolling WStoday. Pro tip: Outlets are more accessible in first or business class + sleeper cars.
Food + Drink | The Carolinian has its own cafe menu, but no other food and beverage services.
Accommodations | The Carolinian features coach and business class seating. You can reserve sleeper cars on Crescent trains.
Where it takes you
Maybe you’ll take the midnight train, but you don’t wanna go just anywhere. Check out a few places you can journey from all three stations. Prices and travel times vary by trip and station.
Boston, MA | ~15-18 or ~25-26-hour trip | Coach: $110-$400 | Business: $215-$600 | Private rooms: $700-$1200
Just down the track…
In December 2023, Winston-Salem received a $500,000 grant to explore adding new passenger rail routes. In more recent news, the North Carolina Railroad Company received a federal grant totaling $105 million last week to improve passenger rail service at seven locations, including Greensboro.
Asked
Asked
Which of the following is a real perk of riding Amtrak?
A. You can BYOB in Sleeping Car accomodations B. There are no middle seats C. You can bring dogs/cats on trips for a small fee D. 1 personal, 2 carry-ons, 2 checked bags are included in ticket price for most trains
HalloWheels Trick-or-Treat Ride | Monday, Oct. 28 | 6:30 p.m. | Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Co. | Free | Dress up in your costume, decorate your bike, and get ready to hear ghost stories along the 10-mile ride.
Tuesday, Oct. 29
2025 Strategic Plan Public Input Drop-In Session | Tuesday, Oct. 29 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Carl H. Russell Community Center | Free | Share your thoughts on the city’s current strategic plan and provide feedback about community investments for the next 24-48 months.
Wednesday, Oct. 30
Meditative Movement and Dance | Wednesday, Oct. 30 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Mary Alice Warren Community Center, Lewisville | Donations accepted, RSVP | The gentle and fluid movement sequences will help you release negative energy and improve your health — email elbedal99@gmail.com to register.
Thursday, Oct. 31
Night Moods, Vol. VII: Halloween Edition | Thursday, Oct. 31 | 6-10 p.m. | Hanes House, NC Museum of Art | $13 | The nocturnal concert will explore visual projections, potions, and more spooky surprises.
Friday, Nov. 1
Fall Artisan Showcase | Saturday, Nov. 2 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | The Coffee Mill, Lewisville | Cost of purchase | Shop for items like homemade breads and treats, woodworking + metal engravings, portrait arts, and crocheted items from local makers.
Saturday, Nov. 2
The Gingerbread Craft Fair | Saturday, Nov. 2 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Masonic Center of Winston Salem | Cost of purchase | Shop for holiday gifts from local artisans, plus get some baked goods and seasonal items from The Gingerbread Café.
Sewer work might force you to make a detour. A contractor will close 7th Street between Spruce and Buxton streets + a northbound lane of Cherry Street between 8th Street and Northwest Boulevard between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily this week. Work should be complete by Friday, Nov. 1.
Opening
Ginger Bread Man Bakery will celebrate its soft opening tomorrow, Oct. 29. The new spot on 1318 S. Hawthorne Rd. in Ardmore will serve vegan sweet treats.
Eat
Indulge in Southern cuisine from your favorite local chefs, alongside featured cocktails and mocktails + brews at the 14th annual Taste of the South Thursday, Nov. 14. The event benefiting artists in WNC will take place at the Generations Center from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. — tickets cost $80.
Plan Ahead
Calling all book lovers.Get a preview of the Friends of the Central Library Big Book Sale on Thursday, Nov. 14. Email friendsofcentrallibrary@gmail.com and pay a $25 fee to get first dibs on thousands of genres, audiobooks, CDs and DVDs.
Number
Up to $48 million. That’s how much the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine could receive to study treatments for scar-causing injuries. The first portion of the eight-year federal grant totals $18 million. (Triad Business Journal)
Environment
Did you know plastic bags don’t belong in the recycling bin? City officials say they can tangle up the machines and make the recycling process harder. You can reuse or take them to a designated drop-off spot.
Try This
Looking for a last-minute Halloween-themed treat? It’s easy (and fun) to put together these Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkin Spiders, and it makes for a great kid-friendly activity. Bonus: No cooking is required. Snag the supplies.*
Shop
These THC gummies tap into the body’s endocannabinoid system and get you feeling right within five minutes. Get 20% off with code FIRST20.*†
Job
We’re looking for a rising star media seller to be our Sales Executive in charge of National Brand Partnerships. Want to lead sales efforts for new products, identify and secure partnerships, and grow existing client relationships, all with a lucrative compensation plan? Apply to join.
Category
Seasonal
🍂 Fall in love
Take a stroll while enjoying beautiful fall views with a curated tour of the iconic places downtown.|Photo by Sparky’s Rickshaw Co.
Fall is the perfect time to fall in love. Whether you’re looking to (pumpkin) spice things up with your sweater half — or have a gourd time with friends, these fall activities will leaf you feeling fired up.
A little competition never hurt anyone. Cheer on the Carolina Thunderbirds or catch a basketball game at home.
Salsa your way into their heart by taking dance classes — whether you’re into ballroom, Latin, or swing dancing.
Use them as your muse for a masterpiece at Sawtooth from pottery to photography and painting — the choices will a-maize you.
Hop on a 90-minute rickshaw tour downtown. Plan it yourself or let the professionals handle the hard work for you.
Nothing says I like you a latte like visiting one of our local coffee shops and sipping on seasonal fall drinks.
Take a cooking class at Southern Home and Kitchen. After all, life doesn’t get feta than this.
The Buy
The Buy
The cowboy hat you’ve been looking for to complete this year’s costume, just in time for Halloween (it should ship fast for Prime members).
I’ll be gone for a few days, but you’ll be in good hands with City Editor Cambridge and Senior City Editor Mitch. I can’t wait to share what I’ve been up to with you all.
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