Greensboro sits at the geographic center of North Carolina on the I 85 and I 40 interchange. It is the third largest city in the state with a population over 300,000. It has some of the most important civil rights history in America, a revitalized downtown dining scene on Elm Street, three major universities, and entertainment venues that pull acts from across the country. Most people drive through on I 40. The ones who stop are usually glad they did.
History Worth Knowing
International Civil Rights Center and Museum
This museum is inside the original F.W. Woolworth's building at 134 S Elm St. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM. On February 1, 1960, four NC A&T freshmen sat down at the segregated lunch counter and refused to leave. The original 66 seat L shaped stainless steel lunch counter is still there. By the next day, 20 more students joined. By February 4th, over 300 were participating. By July 25, 1960, the counter was integrated. The sit in sparked a nationwide movement that changed the course of civil rights in America. Plan at least two hours for your visit.
Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
This park is located at 2332 New Garden Rd. Admission is free and it is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. This is the site of one of the most important battles of the Revolutionary War. On March 15, 1781, about 4,500 Americans under General Nathanael Greene fought 2,100 British under General Cornwallis. The British technically won, but they lost over 25% of their force. Cornwallis was so weakened that he withdrew to Wilmington and then Virginia. That retreat ultimately led to the American victory at Yorktown. Walking trails and monuments run throughout the park.
Parks and Gardens
LeBauer Park
LeBauer Park is at 208 N Davie St. It is free and open daily from 7 AM to 10 PM. This is a well designed urban park in the middle of downtown with a children's garden, dog park, performance lawn (capacity 3,000 to 4,000), food kiosks, and the Janet Echelman net sculpture overhead. It sits right next to the Steven Tanger Center, making it the perfect spot before or after a show.
Greensboro Science Center
The Greensboro Science Center is at 4301 Lawndale Dr and is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. It has an aquarium, zoo, and science museum all in one. You will find penguins, otters, sharks, and a stingray touch tank. It is a great family stop.
Bog Garden at Benjamin Park
The Bog Garden is at 1101 Hobbs Rd and is free to visit. It is a unique botanical garden featuring native wetland and bog plants. It is a good spot for a quiet walk and nature photography.
Downtown Dining
Elm Street is the backbone of Greensboro's dining scene. The stretch south from Market Street has filled in significantly over the past decade. MACHETE on Battleground Ave earned a James Beard nomination and was named a Top 50 Wine Restaurant in the US. Natty Greene's has been the downtown anchor since 2004. For the full downtown restaurant guide, check out Where to Eat in Greensboro.
Live Music and Entertainment
Greensboro has some of the biggest entertainment venues in the Southeast. The Greensboro Coliseum seats 22,000. The Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts at 300 N Elm St brings Broadway, symphony, and comedy to downtown. The Carolina Theatre on Greene Street hosts concerts and indie films. The NC Folk Festival takes over downtown every September with three days of free music. For the full guide, check out Live Music in Greensboro.
The Universities
UNCG
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro was founded in 1891. It has about 18,000 students and is one of the most diverse universities in the state.
NC A&T
North Carolina A&T State University was also founded in 1891. It is the largest HBCU in the United States with 13,885 students on an 800 acre campus. The four students who started the Woolworth's sit in were NC A&T freshmen, connecting the university directly to one of the most important moments in the civil rights movement.
Greensboro is one of those cities that rewards a little extra effort. Between the civil rights history, the food scene on Elm Street, and entertainment venues that can hold their own against any city in the state, it is worth more than a gas stop on I 40.