Plus, registration for Virginia Evans' talk reopens.
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City Guide

Peak adventure awaits

WStoday: Pilot mountain
Plan an adventurous hike with friends and family — or solo. | Photo by WStoday
Lace up your hiking boots. We’ve compiled a curated hiking guide for the Winston-Salem area with 15 trails and routes to help you plan your next adventure.

Note: Before heading out, we recommend checking park websites for further info, current trail conditions, and safest practices for the area. Remember that dogs in city parks must be leashed.

Key: Easy = 🥾 | Moderate = 🥾🥾 | Hard = 🥾🥾🥾

Wildlife walks

Stuart & Emma Thomas Memorial Trail, 1001 Reynolda Rd.
  • Difficulty: 🥾
  • Length: 1.5 miles out-and-back
  • Wheelchair accessible: No
  • Pet friendly: Yes, with leash
This trail will take you to the Winston-Salem skyline from the high points along the trail. Keep an eye out for the many varieties of birds flitting around — you can spot cows and goats, too. Move over to one of the connecting loops to extend your hike.
WStoday: Salem Lake trail scenic view

Salem Lake walking trail scenic view.

WStoday team

Best for a workout

Pilot Mountain State Park, 1721 Pilot Knob Park Rd., Pinnacle
  • Difficulty: Varies
  • Length: Varies
  • Wheelchair accessible: No
  • Pet-friendly: Yes, with leash
This Surry County gem (~30 minutes outside of downtown Winston-Salem) has multiple trails you can choose from, all ranging in difficulty level. For a good workout, we recommend the Grindstone Trail — a 3.5-mile strenuous hike that climbs uphill.
More trails to blaze

Events

Monday, April 13

Adult Softball | 6:30-10 p.m. | Washington Park | Free

Tuesday, April 14

Gardening Series: Spring Plant Sale Preview | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Reynolda House | Free

Face to Face Speaker Series: Earvin “Magic” Johnson | 7:30 p.m. | LJVM Coliseum | $78+

Wednesday, April 15

Trivia Night + Pizza Night | 8 p.m. | Tanglewood Pizza, Bermuda Run | Cost of purchase

Shag Dance Night | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Gatsby’s Pub | Free

Thursday, April 16

Evening in the Atrium: Freeport Jazz | 5-7 p.m. | 500 W. Fifth St. Building | Free

Friday, April 17

Shred Day: Paper Shredding | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Allegacy Federal Credit Union | Donations accepted

5th Annual Triple Crown Casino Night benefiting Pretty In Pink Foundation | 12 p.m. | Legacy Stables & Events | $175
See our full events calendar
Feature your event here, or make a bigger splash

News Notes

Mansion Monday

Set on 1.32 acres, this traditional home combines modern style with luxurious finishes. Editor Kellina’s favorite feature is the basement, complete with a bar area — perfect for hosting game night with friends and family. Take a virtual tour for yourself.

Read

More seats have been added for Virginia Evans in Conversation with Charlie Lovett, featuring the author of “The Correspondent.” The New York Times No. 1 bestselling author will debut her new novel at First Baptist Church downtown on Tuesday, April 21, at 6 p.m. Registration opens at 12 p.m. today, April 13.

Transit

Starting today, April 13, bus riders can use the new UMO app to pay fares, find bus schedules, and track passes. This is just one of the many updates coming to our transit system. Here’s what else is in the pipeline.

Biz

North Carolina clocked in at No. 10 on a new WalletHub ranking of the best states for working from home. The report weighed factors like internet costs, home size, and cybersecurity. It’s no surprise Winston-Salem delivers when it comes to finding places to network and cowork.

Try This

’Tis the season for celebrations — proms, graduations, and weddings. If you’re searching for the perfect backdrop for your memories, these local spots offer a mix of historic charm and modern energy that the Twin City has to offer.

Mailbag

“I love your emails that highlight all of the fun and good things happening in the Winston-Salem area. I no longer live in Winston-Salem, but tend to keep up with the changes happening there.” Thank you for your kind words, WStoday reader Catherine G. Have you checked out our new Biz Brief newsletter?

Arts

This Friday: Opening night for the RiverRun International Film Festival. Explore 178 world-class film screenings April 17-25 in Winston, Greensboro, and virtually, ranging from animated shorts to feature-length documentaries. Browse the lineup and buy tix.*

Plan Ahead

Hosting an event? Spread the word to our thousands of engaged subscribers. Explore our business promo portal to find the perfect fit for your budget — from standout banner ads to scroll-stopping social content.

The Buy

The Buy Editor Emily here. Recently, I used Embark’s Breed + Health Dog DNA Test to learn more about my dog Meredith (yup, that’s her above).

I didn’t know much about her breed, or how to best care for her. Thanks to Embark’s Breed + Health Dog DNA Test, that’s all changed. I’ve learned Meredith is a mix of American Pit Bull, Australian Cattle Dog, Dalmatian, and that she may be at higher risk for Intervertebral Disc Disease. Now I can take proactive steps to support her health — like keeping her on a balanced diet and opting for a harness over a collar to help reduce strain on her spine.

Try Embark for your dog, discover their unique DNA, and give them the best possible care.
Learn how to better care for your dog

The Wrap

Last week, I got to step out of my comfort zone and share three pieces of poetry during Poetry Slam at The Bookhouse. Needless to say, it was exhilarating. Got a piece of poetry you’d like to share? Share it with us.
WStoday:City Editor Kellina Wrap
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