Old Salem Museums & Gardens

There were very few people around on a Saturday afternoon in September. I’m told this is very different from mid-Ictober to December, as well as March-July. And 5 hours were not enough. The interpreters were very friendly and knowledgeable, and even though we could visit very few of them, we learnt a lot from each of them. We particularly enjoyed the passion each interpreter brought to their work, and the efforts they made to keep the materials and processes authentic. It was an easy day trip from the Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill area.

Wandering through Old Salem felt like stepping into an 18th-century Moravian village. I was captivated by the aroma of fresh Moravian sugar cake from Winkler Bakery and loved chatting with artisans in authentic shops. The period-dressed interpreters and beautiful gardens made history come alive. A peaceful, charming, and unexpectedly immersive visit—one of my favorite NC experiences!

I enjoyed spending a day in Old Salem. The museums were interesting as was the architecture. Good way to spend half to a whole day.

This building seems to be the visitor center for Old Salem its set up nicely with different historical displays and lots of information regarding Old Salem inside there's a gift shop and ticket Information desk as well as a auditorium great place to start your adventure on your walk through the historic moravian district of salem

Another FIVE-STAR experience in Winston-Salem, strolling through Old Salem Museums & Gardens during the late afternoon hours. We checked into the Historic Brookstown Inn and walked three blocks up to the South Main Street entry point to Old Salem (the location of the historic Mickey Coffee Pot Maker). Easy! Old Salem is an immersive experience offering beautifully preserved and interpreted 18th-19th century history, I was surprised to see a marker on the property where the first Krispy Kreme doughnut store WAS located (see photo). Obviously not 18th-19th history, but still important NC history (love those doughnuts!). Old Salem is perfect for families, history buffs, or anyone who appreciates the heritage and period architecture. Be sure to check out Winkler Bakery, still in operation since 1800! Check out the shops, homes, schools, churches, and the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts.

Absolutely loved walking around here and learning from all the wonderful historical interpreters. My wife and I stayed at the nearby Brookstown Inn and in the evenings we walked down here after dinner just to enjoy the vibes. If you are buying a ticket to actually go inside the houses I would recommend the all access pass because there’s truly so much to see if you enjoy history, I believe you can definitely make a full day out of it.

Visiting Old Salem this past weekend was like stepping into a living time capsule, and it was pure magic. As a proud Salem College alum, returning to the community brought back so many cherished memories, but experiencing it through the eyes of my son and the rest of our tour group (which included a bunch of adolescent boys!) made it even more special. The historical interpreters—every single one—were phenomenal, keeping both the kids and adults engaged with their storytelling and knowledge. I want to give an extra special shout-out to Brother DJ and Sister Stacy in the Salem Tavern, who absolutely stole the show. Their passion, warmth, and authenticity made us feel like we had truly traveled back in time. Thank you, Old Salem, for preserving this history and sharing it in such a meaningful and memorable way. We'll be talking about this visit for a long time to come!

Old Salem Museums & Gardens stands out for rigorous preservation and clear interpretation of Moravian town life. Winkler Bakery occupies a 1799 bakery that remains operational with a wood-fired oven and historic recipes, representing one of North Carolina’s longest-running bakery traditions and a rare working foodways site. The Single Brothers’ House interprets Salem’s organised communal economy. As residence and training ground for unmarried craftsmen, it anchors narratives about skilled trades, self-sufficiency, and town planning; today it functions as a core exhibit building within the historic district. Across these sites, Old Salem advances an inclusive mission that foregrounds the stories of Moravian, Black, and Indigenous peoples, strengthening its significance as a research-grounded, living-history museum rather than a static streetscape. I highly recommend people to stop by to experience and learn about the history of these lands.