West Salem - Winston-Salem, NC

Established in 1782, West Salem is the second-oldest neighborhood in town. Originally acting as farmland used to serve Old Salem, West Salem eventually became an urban expansion of Winston-Salem in the early 1900s. With over 1,000 homes of varying architectural styles, West Salem remains one of the most vibrant communities in the city. In the heart of West Salem, you will find Historic Granville Park where area residents gather for events and activities.

West Salem sits just down the road from Old Salem, a district committed to preserving the area's Moravian foundations. Here you will find a living history museum composed of various buildings depicting original way of life. Visitors can stop by to watch blacksmiths, cobblers, gunsmiths and bakers as they practice their respective trades in the same methods that original settlers did. Old Salem holds annual events such as the Spring Festival and Easter Festival.

Several dining options surround the neighborhood, offering residents plenty of places from which to choose. Many residents label Willow's Bistro a local favorite. The restaurant utilizes fresh ingredients from local farmers to create seasonal menus to satisfy any taste. Try house specialities like the fried green tomato BLT and the Prince Edward Island mussels.

While it's located a little farther away, locals love to stop by Milner's American Southern for traditional Southern dishes. Using locally-sourced ingredients and butchering most cuts of meat in-house, Milner's refers to their cuisine as "refined" Southern, adding their own unique flair to each dish. Popular dishes include Moravian cookie and pecan-encrusted salmon with sweet potato flapjacks, and buttermilk fried chicken. Take a seat by the warm fireplace and indulge with one of Milner's creative cocktails or a glass of wine from their award-winning menu.

If you want to catch a game or enjoy a beer with friends, head over to First Street Draught House. They offer an impressive beer list on 25 rotating taps and have plenty of televisions on which you can watch your favorite team play.

If you are looking for a more lively nightlife option, you will likely have to head into downtown Winston-Salem. Fortunately, it sits just a short distance away and provides numerous bars and clubs from which to choose.

The Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation services the Winston-Salem area, complete with several stops in West Salem. Residents can take advantage of bus routes to travel downtown and to nearby communities.

If you are looking for a neighborhood where you can easily hail a cab from the sidewalk, West Salem is not it. However, there are several cab companies that will provide transportation with prearranged services. If you find yourself in need of a quick and reliable transportation option, consider using Uber.

Major area highways surround West Salem on three sides, making driving the preferred transportation method for most residents. There are plenty of public parking options throughout the area. Walking and biking are uncommon transportation methods due to few designated bike paths and not many nearby establishments within walking distance.

West Salem residents maintain prime access to Washington Park, where they can enjoy walking trails, Salem Creek and a fenced-in dog park. The 75-acre park boasts athletic fields, open spaces and picnic pavilions. From the park, you can access the Salem Creek Greenway, a 5-mile paved path that runs across southern Winston-Salem. A short distance west of the neighborhood sits Miller Park, in which visitors can enjoy walking trails, picnic areas and children's playgrounds.

There are a number of annual festivals in the Winston-Salem area worth mentioning, even though the event locations lie outside the neighborhood boundaries. One of the most popular is the annual Twin City Rib Festival, a four-day event featuring BBQ ribs and live music, complete with a rib cook-off competition.

Just north of downtown sits the ground of the Dixie Classic Fair. Occurring every October, it's the second largest agricultural fair in North Carolina. This event is a kids' favorite, offering rides, animal exhibits and lots of food. This event is one you truly do not want to miss.

The cost of living in West Salem remains fairly consistent with that of Winston-Salem. Urban bus fares prices sit at $2.40 for adults, and $1.20 for seniors and students.

When residents of West Salem go out to meet friends for a drink at a nearby pub, they expect to pay around $8 for a beer. Gas prices in Winston-Salem rise roughly 1% above the national average.

The well-known Hanes brand calls Winston-Salem its home, and residents of West Salem have prime access to the Hanes Mill Outlet. Customers can enjoy up to 50% off of their favorite brands like Hanes, Bali, Leggs and Champion. Hanes Mall serves as the largest shopping plaza near the neighborhood, and offers brands like H&M, Old Navy, American Eagle Outfitters and Forever 21. For more boutique-style shopping, you will have to head into downtown Winston-Salem. However, with the neighborhood's proximity to downtown, it's not too much of a hike. Several different grocery stores serve West Salem residents. Compare Super Market is the closest grocery store to the neighborhood, offering budget-friendly options. The healthy eaters tend to head north to Whole Foods. For something in between, venture down the road to Trader Joe's or Harris Teeter. Every April marks the beginning of the Old Salem Cobblestone Farmer's Market, held every Saturday just down the road from West Salem. Visitors can expect vendors selling locally-grown produce, farm-raised meats and fresh-baked goods.