Greensboro is the third-largest most populated city in North Carolina after Charlotte and Raleigh.
The city is filled with lots of attractions to see as a tourist or resident.
For people who may be wondering, the city is vibrant and colorful with serene parks, children-friendly science centres, museums, and so much more.
Greensboro’s history dates back decades ago, beginning from the American Revolution to the Civil Rights Movement days.
In recent times, artists both local and international, and museums bring back history for visitors and residents alike with their works and exhibitions.
Kids are not left out while exploring this city as its many museums, an aquarium, a zoo, and a retro bowling alley all admit and keep them entertained.
Beer lovers are not exempted as they get to visit the city’s brewery and winery just outside the city.
Greensboro is full of surprises and here are the best things to do in the city.
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Greensboro History Museum
Source: Wikimedia/Tamar Hayardeni | CC BY-SA 4.0 Internationalone of the first places to visit is the Greensboro History Museum to learn about the culture and people.
It is beautifully preserved with many collections that depict the story of those who shaped the United States which includes Native Americans, African Americans, Germans, Scots-Irish, and Quakers.
The museum is over 17,000 square feet (1,500 square meters) of discovery. Kids are not left out as they get to immerse themselves in the interactive exhibit Gate City to get a firsthand experience of what life in the 20th century was like in Greensboro.
Address: 130 Summit Ave, Greensboro, NC 27401, United States
Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
Source: Wikimedia/Riokausa | CC BY-SA 4.0 InternationalA stop at the delightful Guilford Courthouse National Military Park which spans about 200 acres along Greensboro’s edge, it welcomes around 200,000 visitors annually.
It is a great place for biking and hiking as it hosts a large natural ecosystem with different landscapes and exhibits that provide the history of the park.
The park was developed as a memorial of the 1781 Battle of Guilford Courthouse. It is among the National Historic Register of Places.
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Address: 2332 New Garden Rd, Greensboro, NC 27410, United States
Breakout Games – Greensboro
Source: Unsplash/Jonathan Petersson | (Representative Image) | Unsplash LicenseThe Breakout Games Greensboro is an amazing place for families and adventurers to explore its escape rooms.
It is a 60 minutes experience that is immersive and entertaining, travellers get to escape from a normal life situation and become the hero of the day.
Some of the escapes include finding a kidnapper, exploring an island, restoring ancient relics to their owner, solving a murder, and so much more.
Breakout Greensboro allows visitors and groups to showcase their critical thinking skills to enjoy the thrills.
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Address: 700 Carnegie Pl, Greensboro, NC 27409, United States
International Civil Rights Center & Museum
Source: Wikimedia/Mx._Granger | Public Domain Mark 1.0After escaping the Breakout Games, tourists can explore the International Civil Rights Center and Museum for some historical knowledge.
It is situated in the same location where the Greensboro Four began the famous American Civil Rights Movement sit-in routine.
Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair, David Richmond, and Joseph McNeil first started the sit-in routines in the early 1960s, at the Woolworths lunch counter in protest of segregation.
The museum has a lot of rich history of real-life events during the days of segregation in America.
Exhibits span across the Ku Klux Klan robes, documents that helped push reforms for the legalization of black voting and so much more.
Address: 134 S Elm St, Greensboro, NC 27401, United States
Weatherspoon Art Museum
Source: Wikimedia/Ptncsu12 | CC BY-SA 3.0 UnportedWeatherspoon Art Museum is located at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, it offers a wide range of artefacts with six galleries and a courtyard dedicated to sculptures.
There are pieces from prominent artists including works from former and current UNC students.
Most recently, the museum featured works from living artists Lorraine O’Grady and Nick Cave.
The museum is open Mondays to Saturdays and admission is free with free parking too.
It is recommended that visitors book their tours three weeks ahead.
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Address: 1005 Spring Garden St, Greensboro, NC 27412, United States
LeBauer Park
Source: Wikimedia/Indy beetle | CC BY-SA 4.0 InternationalLeBauer Park is just downtown Greensboro with astonishingly beautiful green landscapes for tourists and locals to enjoy a relaxed and quiet time.
It is a great place for folks with sensory sensitivity because it has the Peacehaven Sensory Space with the park.
The Sensory Space has a sculptural wall that is designed for people with sensory processing disorders.
The park has a playground, two cafes, interactive fountains, and a lawn that is more than 17,000 square feet for outdoor activities.
Kids are not left out as they also get to enjoy the LeBauer Park Splash Pad.
Address: 208 N Davie St, Greensboro, NC 27401, United States
Gateway Gardens
Source: Unsplash/Henry Be | Unsplash LicenseIn the early 1900s, Greensboro was known as the Gate City based on its railroad hub.
Located at the East Gate City Boulevard (one of the entrances to Greensboro) is the Gateway Gardens.
Just under 3 miles from the city centre, it welcomes many tourists and residents alike.
The garden was certified a LEED Silver project in 2014, with it’s 11-acres of space, it includes a heritage garden, a rain garden, a children’s garden, and more.
There are numerous artworks on display throughout the garden and it is free to explore; additions such as a Japanese garden and an event garden are in the making.
Address: 2800 E Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27401, United States
Greensboro Arboretum
Source: Wikimedia/Ptncsu12 | CC BY-SA 3.0 UnportedLooking for somewhere peaceful and educating as well?
Then the Greensboro Arboretum is the best place to visit. It first opened in 1991 and it is a public garden with over 14 varieties of plants.
The Arboretum is open all year-round with completely free admissions.
It is filled with hills and trees that cannot be overlooked, fancy fountains, rare species of trees we didn’t know existed, colourful flower cascades, and so much more.
This is truly a nice and calm place to unwind.
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Address: 3299 Starmount Dr, Greensboro, NC 27403, United States
Blandwood Museum
Source: Wikimedia/Chaddavis.photography | CC BY-SA 2.0 GenericThe Blandwood Mansion in Greensboro is a great historic attraction and was once home to Governor John Motley Morehead.
It is a National Historic Landmark and it signifies the start of North Carolina’s Romanticism.
The architecture, decorative arts, and landscape all illustrate its Italian-style design.
The Blandwood Museum houses collections of art and furnishings which include original pieces of the house.
Some of the portions of the house were completed in 1795 known as Bland’s Wood which was later bought by the Morehead family.
Architect Jackson Davis designed the expansion and additions for the Morehead family which was later completed in 1846. It is a piece of marvel.
Address: 447 W Washington St, Greensboro, NC 27401, United States
Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway
Source: Flickr/bobistraveling | CC BY-SA 2.0 GenericThe Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway stretches from North (Lake Brandt) and South to Greensboro County Park.
The Greenway is a collection of three segments of greenway which are; the Battleground Rail-Trail, the Lake Brandt, and the Bicentennial greenways.
The rail trail covers the old Atlantic-Yadkin Railroad which was operational between 1899-1950. The rail was used for transporting granite and sometimes visitors to the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park.
But today it is giving travelers a view of Lake Brandt, pines, hardwood forest, and wildlife.
Get more details here.
Crooked Tail Cat Cafe
Source: Unsplash/Yerlin Matu | Unsplash LicenseThe Crooked Tail Cat Café is a place where cat lovers go to relax and help rescue efforts through support and donations.
This is a great place to visit for travellers who are cat enthusiasts.
It is a sanctuary for stranded or lost cats and it houses about 12 cast at one time until they get a forever home.
The cat lounge can be visited anytime but reservation is highly recommended on weekends as they only admit 10 persons.
Proceeds from donations are used to cater for the cats and they roam free, visitors can also play with them.
Visitors can relax at the café for beverages and snacks. Kids from ages 5-12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Address: 604 S Elm St, Greensboro, NC 27406, United States
Antique Market Place Greensboro
Source: Unsplash/Jez Timms | Unsplash LicenseFor travellers or residents in Greensboro who love hunting for special one-of-a-kind items such as pieces of jewelry, furniture, antiques, and different collections from the day’s past.
The Antique Market Place Greensboro is highly recommended.
With over 45,000 square feet of the facility, it has been around for over 27 years and has as many as 130 vendors dedicated to giving high-quality and unique items with stories behind them.
It is the perfect place to get antique gifts and many more for friends and family.
Address: 6428 Burnt Poplar Rd, Greensboro, NC 27409, United States
Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park
Source: Unsplash/Yianni Mathioudakis | Unsplash LicenseWet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park is an amazing place to take the kids and it is also a great place for adults to have fun.
It is North Carolina’s iconic amusement park located in Greensboro.
There are a lot of fun things to do such as riding the waterslides, enjoying bubbling jacuzzi baths, plunging in pools, and so much more.
It has several of America’s most heart-pumping water activities such as the Daredevil drop, Dr Von Dark’s Tunnel or Terror, and many more.
Address: 3910 S Holden Rd, Greensboro, NC 27406, United States
Woods of Terror
Source: Unsplash/Tom Roberts | Unsplash LicenseWoods of Terror in Greensboro is one horror place that will also get travellers’ adrenaline pumping.
Sitting on over 40 acres, the Woods of Terror stretches more than 11 miles outside Greensboro and is considered to be the home of many souls who passed on throughout the Great Depression in America.
The house was owned by a Father Eddie Howie McMillan, who passed it on to Eddie Howie McLaurin, his great-grandson in 1970.
The place opened officially in 1991, with attractions such as Industrial Nightmare, Chaos 3D, Night Stalkers, and Slaughterhouse.
Address: 5601 N Church St, Greensboro, NC 27455, United States
Greensboro Science Center
Source: Wikimedia/Defi22 | CC BY-SA 4.0 InternationalLooking for where to find a zoo, an aquarium, a museum, a 3D theatre, and so much more in Greensboro?
Look no further, the Greensboro Science Center is a science-themed place for nature and animal lovers.
It is a pocket-friendly place that allows admission into the zoo, aquarium and more with a single ticket.
The SKYWILD ticket admits kids age 8 or older, it is a treetop adventure in the centre that allows kids to imitate the movement of several animals on a suspended rope course.
The rope course is intriguing and visitors can get thrilled by it.
Address: 4301 Lawndale Dr, Greensboro, NC 27455, United States
Conclusion
Greensboro is a great place to relax and also learn while on a business trip or vacation.
The city has a lot of gardens, parks, arboretums, science centres, and one of the biggest antique shopping malls to explore.
Some of its amazing attractions include the Greensboro History Museum, Breakout Games, and Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Water Park for kids and adults to cool off.
A city that opens its doors to travellers and basks in history, is the ideal place to visit.
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