UNC Greensboro is located in the heart of a vibrant and thriving city with plenty to do, morning, noon, and night.
Now that many are vaccinated and COVID-19 restrictions have been loosened for businesses, events, and public spaces, residents and visitors alike can enjoy all that Greensboro offers – arts and entertainment, restaurants, cultural experiences, and parks and recreation activities.
Below, you’ll find the University Communications guide for a long weekend in the G. Have fun!
Day 1: From campus to downtown
9 a.m. – Campus wake up
Grab coffee at alumni-owned Tate Street Coffee House, on the edge of the historic College Hill neighborhood, and visit the Weatherspoon Art Museum on UNCG’s campus to see the best of modern and contemporary art.
11 a.m. – Downtown’s Southside
Explore South Elm Street in downtown Greensboro with its unique stores and the Elsewhere Museum. Nearby, visit the historic Magnolia House, Greensboro’s famous Green Book hotel.
Have lunch at one of the alumni-owned restaurants like Chez Genèse or Dame’s Chicken and Waffles.
1 p.m. – Elm Street commerce and history
As you proceed north down Elm Street, stop by Scuppernong Books, Greensboro’s local bookstore. During the evenings there, you might catch a reading by UNCG MFA Writing Program students or presentations by various local organizations.
Continuing up Elm Street, you’ll pass Triad Stage, and at the next block, right across from Feb. 1 Place, you’ll encounter the International Civil Rights Center and Museum. The museum, located in the former Woolworth’s building where four N.C. A&T students sparked the national sit-in movement, is a must-see.
3 p.m. – Center city culture
Cut over to Davie Street at Center City Park to reach the Greensboro Cultural Center where, in addition to dance, music, theater, and visual art classes, there are a variety of galleries open to the public, including the Greenhill Center for North Carolina Art.
Next door, LeBauer Park offers a playground, a dog park, a splash pad, and a peaceful open lawn for events. Just on the other side of the park, discover more history of the city through the Greensboro History Museum exhibitions.
5 p.m. – Find the pulse
Enjoy live music and diverse food trucks along the Downtown Greenway, at breweries on Lo-Fi Park and Gate City Boulevard, or, return to Elm Street’s South End district for haunts and hangouts in the very place of the old beer halls and former antique shops. Try your skills at the downtown bowling alley or arcade.
During the school year, return to UNCG’s campus for performances at UNCG Auditorium, Taylor Theatre, the School of Music, or Dance Theatre.
Day 2: Greater city tour
9 a.m. – Morning wander
On Saturdays, enjoy coffee, pastries, and fresh produce at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market or the Corner Farmers Market in Lindley Park. Take a stroll through the Bog Garden, Greensboro Arboretum, or Bicentennial Gardens.
From there, if you’re in the mood to shop, Friendly Center includes a wide variety of retailers.
12 p.m. – Science time
Visit the Greensboro Science Center, with an aquarium, museum, zoo, and treetop adventure park, just a few miles from UNCG’s campus. As you drive north on Lawndale, catch a glimpse of Greensboro’s Midtown with restaurants, a movie theater, and retailers.
2:30 p.m. – Trails and lakes
Greensboro’s Parks District – which includes Country Park and Guilford Courthouse National Military Park – is the perfect place to get some exercise or simply enjoy the area’s natural beauty. You can kayak or canoe at Lake Brandt or Lake Higgins, and hike or bike any of the 40+ miles of greenways and trails along the local lakes.
6 p.m. – Date night
Take a stroll through Lindley Park, near campus, and grab dinner at one of the handful of restaurants at the corner of Walker and Elam Avenues.
Return to downtown Greensboro to see a show at the brand-new Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, or cheer on the Greensboro Grasshoppers at First National Bank Field.
Or, for a laid-back summer evening, lie on the grass in LeBauer Park and gaze up toward Janet Echelman’s iconic sculpture “Where We Met.”
Day 3: Further afield
9 a.m. – A dive back in time
After a short drive out east on Friendly Avenue, enjoy a morning hike in the majestic and historic Guilford Woods. While there, be sure to stop by and see the famous Underground Railroad Tree.
From there, a drive along the historic old Highway 70 brings you to the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum.
1 p.m. – North by northwest
Heading back toward downtown, a drive up to Revolution Mill on the north side of Greensboro brings you to the historic mill district.
Stop in for lunch at Kao, owned by UNCG alum Kayne Fisher, then take a stroll around the renovated Mill to catch a glimpse of some of Greensboro’s newest creative spirit through startup galleries and innovative small businesses.
On the second floor of the mill, be sure to visit the permanent “The Fabric of Memory” exhibit, created by UNCG Public History graduate students.
Story by Alyssa Bedrosian, Matthew Bryant, and Susan Kirby-Smith, University Communications
Photography by Martin W. Kane and courtesy of City of Greensboro
