1. Remember The Good Old Days At The Clamshell Gas Station
Just a little north of Interstate 40, hidden among residences and businesses, is a little pearl of history—a restored clamshell gas station from the 1930s. Back in the day there were eight of these iconic stations in the area, but only one stands today, in all its bright yellow and red glory.
It’s not actually a gas station anymore, but remains a reminder of the city’s past—and a seriously awesome photo op.
2. You Might Never Find These Hidden Waterfalls
There are two bodies of water in Winston-Salem that you’ll never find: The Vulcan Quarry and Bath Branch Falls, both hidden in plain sight. The Vulcan Quarry is a freshwater lake hidden in a heavily wooded area and filled with tiny, freshwater jellyfish and various types of bass. It’s gorgeous and looks like something straight out of Hawaii, with 100-foot gray cliffs surrounding it.
Bath Branch Falls is right downtown, but hidden by kudzu and briars in the heart of the city near City Yard. It’s said that the falls are around nine feet tall, but there’s really no way to prove it since no one can find them.
3. Pass The NaCI At The Periodic Table
You may have seen a periodic table before, but have you seen a periodic table table? If you’re a chemistry geek then this is going to be the best thing you see maybe ever. It’s actually a public art project, built by a couple of Wake Forest seniors in 2003, and located just outside the chemistry building (of course).
4. Stuff Your Face At The Original Krispy Kreme
Is there anything better than Krispy Kreme donuts? Not really. Except when they come from the original location. Krispy Kreme donuts can be found everywhere from Arkansas to Tokyo, but there’s only one original, and it’s located right here at 259 South Stratford Road.
It’s not actually a secret, since it’s a working donut shop, but not everyone knows that this unique shop (with a window behind the counter that lets you watch these fluffy, sweet, calorie bombs being made) is the original. It’s worth a trip to Winston-Salem no matter where you live.
5. The Brookstown Inn Is Quaint With A Touch Of Creepy
How do you feel about paranormal activity? Does the idea of whispering ghosts, creaking floors and phantom children running down the halls sound like fun? If so, then you have to check out the Brookstown Inn.
The popular Historic Inn is a pretty charming place to stay, but it’s also rumored to be very haunted. Most of the paranormal activity is reported on the fourth floor, and if you want the creepiest experience, ask for room 401. You were warned.
6. The Empire State Building’s Dad Lives Here
Bet you didn’t know that the Empire State Building was modeled after a prototype in Winston-Salem. The 21-floor, 314-foot Art Deco skyscraper known as the Reynolds Building (decked out in lights in this picture) was the tallest in the South when it was completed in 1929.
In the beginning it was home to RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company and Reynolds American sold the building in 2009. It’s now awaiting its next incarnation. But every year the Empire State Building sends a Father's Day card to the Reynolds Building. Seriously.
7. No, The Ringing You Hear Is Not In Your Head
It’s hard to miss the ringing of the Harris Carillon every weekday evening, but few people have actually seen this 12-ton instrument.And even more elusive is the carillonneur, the actual person who plays the organ-like instrument with 48 bronze bells.
While the instrument is controlled by a keyboard it’s still operated manually, so there is an actual person up there in the tower of Wait Chapel, playing the notes. If you can find it.
8. Don’t Miss Out On This Tribute To Winston Salem’s Past
Protestants originally from the Czech Republic, also known as Moravians, settled here about 250 years ago. The historic district of Old Salem is basically a living history museum, with over 70 percent of the original buildings and a ton of Moravian history.
For even more insight into the city’s roots check out the Old Salem Museum and Gardens, with cobblers, carpenters, blacksmiths, tinsmiths and bakers. And don’t miss the Moravian chicken pies and Mrs. Hanes Moravian cookies. That’s the best secret I could give you, trust me.
9. Dream About Drinking 11,840 Cups Of Coffee
The ‘Mickey Pot’ is a whopping 7 feet and 3 inches tall, so it isn’t exactly hard to see, but it is nestled inside the Moravian Village of Old Salem. The country’s oldest giant roadside coffee pot was crafted in 1858 to help the Mickey brothers, Julius and Sam, advertise their tinsmith business.
Of course the coffee pot is not a working coffee pot, but if it was it is said to hold 11,840 cups of joe. Can you imagine? Pass me ALL of the cream and sugar, please.
10. No Matter Where You Are, You Can Keep Some Art In Your Pocket
No one wants to walk around without a little original art in their pocket, right? Thankfully Art-O-Mats are hidden all around the city. What are they exactly? Well, they are old cigarette vending machines that spit out original works of art in exchange for your $5 bill. Pretty nifty.
What’s more, actually finding these instant art-dispensers is an adventure in itself. There are 11 Art-O-Mats in various businesses around the city, including the ones at Krankies and Old Winston Social Club. It’s up to you to find the others.
11. 10,000 Burials Hidden In Plain Sight
The Odd Fellows Cemetery is located right next to an large apartment complex and up until recently, it was just an empty 10-acres covered in kudzu and tall grass. What people didn’t know, not even those who lived adjacent to the lot, was that underneath all of the tangled vines and overgrowth, it was littered with gravestones.
It’s estimated that there are nearly 10,000 people buried in Odd Fellows, many of them former slaves. Only recently has it been cleaned up by The Odd Fellows Reclamation Project. Even now it still feels a little creepy, and unless you check out the historical marker you’d probably still miss the fact that you’re standing where 10,000 people were put to rest.
12. This Garden Really Is Secret—Half Of The Time
Hidden inconspicuously on three acres at The Children’s Home is a volunteer run garden that helps feed the area’s homeless and other people in need. The Food Bank Garden sits pretty quietly during winter, but watch out—every summer it basically explodes with nearly 5,000 lbs. of food.
The garden grows everything from watermelon to sweet potatoes and donates all the food to various community programs including shelters, food pantries and soup kitchens. This is one secret that I don’t feel bad about spilling.
13. No Wineries? Winston-Salem Says No Problem
Sure, you don’t think of wine when you think of Winston-Salem. There aren’t any wineries located in the city, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get uncorked, because for one day a year North Carolina wineries flock to the downtown area, rain or shine, for ‘Salute!’
I know what you’re thinking… “How did I not know this existed?” Somehow this NC wine spectacular has slipped under the radar for most people, but word is starting to spread, so get there before it’s too mainstream.
Feature Image Source: Old Salem Museum and Gardens via Facebook
Did we miss anything? Tell us your favorite secret spot in Winston-Salem? Tell us in the comments below! 
