Stonewall/Salemtowne - Winston-Salem, NC Area Guide

Historically, Winston-Salem and the surrounding area has been home and center of the textile and tobacco industries through the modern day. Higher education also flourishes here. Universities located close to Stonewall/Salemtowne include Wake Forest University, Mount Eagle College and University, Carolina Christian College and Vintage Bible College. A majority of the houses within the community were built between 1980 and 2000, and this construction correlates with growth of both the industrial and education sectors.

The Historic Bethabara Park is one of many historical museums found throughout Winston-Salem. Other significant museums include SciWorks science and nature park and Old Salem Museums and Gardens. The arts scene also thrives here in Winston-Salem. Many visitors make it a point to browse the collection at Di Napoli Mylet Studio/Murals. Popular annual festivals include the Annual North Carolina Wine Festival, Twin City Rib Fest and River Run International Film Festival.

Locals find restaurant choices in Stonewall/Salemtowne quite limited. Most establishments sit along University Parkway, Bethabara Park Boulevard and Shattalon Drive and can be described as casual and locally owned. Travel farther south along University Parkway for popular chain restaurants and fast food.

El Triunfo's on North Point Boulevard offers locals a chance to experience top-rated Salvadoran cuisine. A truly ethnic experience, this restaurant offers the best horchata in town alongside pupusas and tamales that will knock your socks off, all at diner prices.

North Point Boulevard houses the simply named Asian Bistro Chinese and Japanese restaurant. The affordable lunch specials remain a staple for the lunch crowd. Grab a plate of chicken with broccoli along with fried rice, soup or an egg roll for under $6. Huge portions of meat and veggies come with every meal: come hungry and expect to take home leftovers.

Only two nightlife options lie within Stonewall/Salemtowne. Break Time Billiards and Sports Bar, on University Parkway, serves basic pub grub, reasonably priced drinks and patrons can entertain themselves with a game of pool or darts. Alternatively, near to Bethania Station Road sits the Pine Tree Lounge Bar & Grill. More options for bars, nightclubs and music venues can be found closer to downtown Winston-Salem. Foothills Brewing, one of North Carolina's most popular microbreweries, is located in Winston-Salem.

Residents of Stonewall/Salemtowne find walking or biking to amenities difficult, and no bike lanes lie within the community. Close to 65 percent of locals drive their own vehicles to work, while another 30 percent utilize taxi transportation. This high-level of taxi usage remains unique to this community, compared to most other neighborhoods throughout Winston-Salem. Uber also operates within Stonewall/Salemtowne.

Those commuting by personal vehicle into downtown take University Parkway south into the center of the city. Interstate 40 can be reached by following Business Interstate 40 west. Residents and visitors to Stonewall/Salemtowne generally park along residential streets, as no parking facilities lie within the neighborhood.

Winston-Salem Transit Authority operates bus service to Stonewall/Salemtowne via route 44. Buses serve Shattalon Drive and Bethabara Park Boulevard hourly between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

One of Winston-Salem's most popular parks, Historic Bethabara Park, lies directly to the southwest of Stonewall/Salemtowne. The Moravians settled on this land over 250 years ago, and built a small community and trade center. Modern day Winston-Salem residents still enjoy the beautiful scenery and the preserved buildings of this historical settlement. Park amenities include walking trails, observation decks and archaeological ruins. This land also doubles as a wildlife preserve, and houses over 120 distinct bird species. Daily access to the park is free. Tours cost $4 for adults and $1 for children. Two miles east of the neighborhood lies the popular dog park, Horizons Park.

Historic Bethabara Park hosts Apple Fest every year in September. Visitors come from all over the city to enjoy historical re-enactments, food, games and all things apple This festival recognizes and celebrates the early apple harvesting practices of the 18th century Moravian migrants.

The cost of living in Stonewall/Salemtowne mirrors the rest of the city of Winston-Salem, and averages nine percent less than the national average. Housing costs lie 7 percent less than the state average of North Carolina, and renters can expect to pay $588 a month for a one-bedroom apartment.

Other costs that residents pay, such as transportation, utilities, goods and services, also remain equal to other neighborhoods within Winston-Salem. Trips on Winston-Salem Transit Authority buses cost riders $1 each way with free transfers. Gas prices sit two percent above the national average. Restaurants charge patrons between $4 and $5 for a pint of local beer, depending on the establishment.

Residents of Stonewall/Salemtowne drive east of the neighborhood along University Parkway for a majority of the area's shopping options. Other busy shopping corridors include Shattalon Drive, Reynolda Road, and Silas Creek Parkway. Most retail needs can be met near the intersection of University Parkway and Shattalon Drive. Box stores and small specialty shops here include Target, CVS, and Discount Tire. Small boutiques and upscale stores lie to the south of Stonewall/Salemtowne at the Thruway Shopping Center and Hanes Mall.

Historic Bethabara Park, operated by the city of Winston-Salem, houses the wonderful Edwin L. Stockton Visitor Center Gift Shop. This small store sells handcrafted Moravian arts, rocks and other natural gifts. Visitors enjoy browsing the selection of Moravian stars and wood-burned mementos. This store remains open Tuesday through Sunday from April through December.

The Closet Thrift Store, on Bethania Station Road, sells consignment clothes, jewelry, accessories furniture and other housewares. Shoppers looking for great deals on gently used décor love to browse the Closet Thrift Store's impressive selection. The store may seem a bit cluttered, just from the sheer volume of items present. However, the prices pack a bargain and the service is exceptional.

Locals purchase groceries at the Aldi and Food Lion along University Parkway, or the Harris Teeter on Reynolda Road. The Olde Salem Cobblestone Farmers Market, located on South Main Street in Olde Salem, opens Saturday mornings from May through November. Reynolda Village Farmers Market lies close to Stonewall/Salemtowne and operates on Friday mornings from April through October.