Plan the ultimate mountain getaway this holiday season
Presented by Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge
What’s your favorite holiday treat? Ours is peppermint hot chocolate with marshmallows. | Photos provided by Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge
If the cooler temperatures have you thinking about holiday plans already, don’t stress — we have some ideas.
Pack up the car and prepare to head over the river and through the woods to spend the holidays in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Located less than a two-hour drive from Winston-Salem, the Roanoke Region offers vibrant small towns, charming holiday traditions, and cozy mountain vibes.
This is what you can expect during Downtown Roanoke’s beloved holiday tradition:
Soak up small-town charm
What better way to explore a new city than on a horse-drawn carriage ride, complete with roasted chestnuts? This is what you can expect during Roanoke’s beloved holiday tradition, Dickens of a Christmas, held on the first three Fridays in December.
Then head to the Hotel Roanoke to warm up and see Fashions for Evergreens, where dozens of decked-out Christmas trees take over the lobby. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite.
You can also see festive trees at the Botetourt Tinsel Trail in Historic Fincastle, an adorable town full of holiday charm.
Holiday lights, camera, action
Head to Explore Park, located off the Blue Ridge Parkway, to experience a walking trail featuring 650,000+ twinkling lights.
Then trade holiday lights for stage lights at any of the region’s theatrical performances, including “The Nutcracker” by various local ballet companies, holiday concerts by the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, and a production of “A Christmas Story” by Mill Mountain Theatre.
Sip, savor, and shop
Discover unique gifts for loved ones at any of the region’s holiday markets popping up throughout November and December. Then treat yourself at the Salem Gingerbread Festival or snag some eggnog at Homestead Creamery in Franklin County.
The internet is buzzing about pilates, and Winston-Salem is catching the wave. Check out ÉTÉ The Studio renovated space pilates studio at 826 West Fourth St., toward the West End neighborhood. The studio offers infrared mats, fusion classes for all fitness levels — but first, here’s what you need to know before you go.
Edu
The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education is considering closing Cook Literacy Model School and reassigning students to nearby elementary schools. This comes after the board said they noticed declining enrollment over the past five years. Share your feedback with the board through Tuesday, Oct. 28.
Number
A report of city employees’ salaries is out. Triad Business Journal reports City Attorney Tonya French as the second highest-paid employee, earning $200K+ salary. Can you guess who comes in first? According to NC state law, city employees’ salaries are public records, among other factors. (Triad Business Journal)
State
The Tar Heel state could see some restructuring ahead of the 2026 election season. State leaders are expected to vote on a new congressional map Monday, Oct. 20. The goal of redistricting is to maintain an equal representation of voters in each district as populations shift every year. (WXII 12 News)
Health
$6.5 billion. That’s how much medical debt has been wiped for many North Carolinians. Over 100,000 patients in Forsyth County have been relieved of nearly ~800 million in unpaid bills. Participating hospitals that agreed to forgive old medical debt are able to receive extra funding through Medicaid. (ABC 45 News)
Quoted
“My favorite pizza is from Mediterraneo in Clemmons. Their brick oven Neapolitan pizzas are my favorite. Those taste just like pizza in Italy,” says WStoday reader Reggie P. Share your favorite restaurant with us, and we might feature it in a future newsletter. Psst... we think Reggie has impeccable taste.
Biz
Good things come to those who wait click. That’s why we curate only the best local content for our thousands of engaged subscribers. Ready to reach them with your message? Visit our advertiser dashboard + see your promo here in as little as two days. Bonus: First-time customers use code NEW15 for 15% off your first ad buy.
Discover the life-changingHorizon IX hearing aid, praised by audiologists nationwide. It adapts and enhances conversations in real time, prioritizing speech clarity for a distraction-free experience. It’s easy to use and seamlessly fits into your daily routine. Unlock the clarity you’ve been missing with a no-risk trial.*
Biz
Thanks to your nominations, the spotlight is on some truly amazing local businesses. We’re now gearing up for the voting phase WStoday’s Best — sorting, organizing, and making sure everything’s ready to go. Mark your calendar: Voting opens Oct. 20.
Editor’s Pick
You can also go on horse rides in the town of Lewisville during Christmas. | Photo by WStoday
Why not explore the fall foliage from an elevated view? And there’s no better view than from a horse ride. Lucky for you, Winston-Salem’s beautiful scenery is hard to miss. Whether you’re planning a date, a friend’s outing, or a solo activity, hop into a saddle and spend a relaxing time outdoors at these three horse riding stables.
Tanglewood Stables | Rides are 45-55 minutes and available until 5 p.m. daily. Cost: $40
Cash Lovell Stables | Learn to ride a horse in the countryside. Beginner lessons last about 30 minutes. Cost: $45+
Blowing Rock Trail (~2 hours from Winston-Salem) | Rides typically last 2 hours, looking over the mountain view in the High Country. Cost: $120
The Buy
An ultrasonic jewelry cleaner with cleaning solution. It features high frequency technology + multiple settings to remove dirt and grease from your jewelry, glasses, watches, and more — all for under $50.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
My last horse riding experience was when I was 8 years old. Though it was a family tradition, I loved watching the horses (more than riding). For the animal lovers — there are plenty of ways to get involved with Red Feather Farms, a nonprofit organization that focuses on supporting vulnerable equines.
}})
