Living in the Triad: Greensboro, Winston-Salem & High Point Shine as NC’s Economic and Cultural Powerhouses

Good things come in threes. Such is the case with the region located in the middle of the state called the Triad. Three anchor cities, Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point showcase exceptional lifestyles, industries and attractions that continues to draw visitors and businesses. Industries are expanding their footprint in aviation (Sonic Boom, HondaJet, JetZero and more), automotive (Toyota battery plant) and the ever-evolving furniture market (the nation’s largest trade show). 
     From production to office operations, industries in the region are supported by a skilled workforce, central location and market access – all in a state with one of the most pro-growth (and highly rated) business climate in the country.
     A dozen higher education institutions call the Triad home with 12 colleges, universities and technical schools. Two HBCU institutions – NC A&T (the number one HBCU in the country for engineers) and Bennett College, are in Greensboro. Winston-Salem is home to the prestigious University of North Carolina School of the Arts and the nation’s first all-female college. In High Point, High Point University has transformed the city.
     Community colleges offer degrees at Forsyth Tech, Guilford Tech Community College, Randolph Community College (acclaimed photography degree), the state’s only viticulture program at Surry Community College and others.
     The performing arts are alive and well in the Triad from the Community Theatre of Greensboro, Barn Dinner Theatre, and Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts, to the High Point Theatre. For major Broadway productions, the Triad’s premiere venue is the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. 
     Breweries, wine bars, distilleries and a cidery make up a rich beverage landscape. Breweries serve up local, craft beer from small batches at Natty Greene’s, Little Brother, Wiseman and others. Wine fans relax with a glass of red or white at the Sofa Bar, Lewis & Elm, Rioja and others. In Lewisville, Old Nick Williams Farm & Distillery serves up bourbon made from a multi-generational recipe.
     Shopping is easy with local stores in Triad downtowns, old-school malls (Hanes Mall and Four Seasons Town Centre), shopping districts, Friendly Center, Thruway Shopping Center and Tanger Outlet Center.
     Greensboro is continuing to evolve from its days as a major textile manufacturer and the home of Levi denim jeans. The city has a long history tied to the civil rights movement captured by the Woolworth lunch counter at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. The city will always celebrate its textile roots but has transitioned to businesses and industries in aviation, technology, medicine and more.
Greensboro landed its biggest economic development effort in June when the city was awarded the JetZero project to build an assembly factory at PTI Airport. The jobs will have an average wage of $89,340 and eventually employ more than 14,000 workers. The announcement along with Boom Supersonic, Marshall USA maintenance facility and Honda Jet’s $55.7 million expansion, establish PTI Airport as a regional economic force. 
     The city called Tournament Town (the original headquarters of ACC sports) retains its commitment with collegiate sports, hosting ACC/NCAA basketball tournaments, national competition meets at the Greensboro Aquatic Center (the largest indoor facility of its kind in the U.S.) and soccer. Pickleball is making a splash in the city with 40 new courts at the Greensboro Complex. 
     Bryan Park Soccer Complex is a “field of dreams” with 21 fields. Tennis lovers get in “love time” at the recently renovated Spencer Love Tennis Center, one of the largest tennis centers in the state. In the summer, Greensboro cues up for the Wyndham Golf Championship, Grasshopper baseball and good times at Wet n’ Wild Water Park. 
     Entertainment is big business in the Triad with venues highlighting video, arcade, billiards and other games in multi-level venues, with restaurants and other amenities. Topgolf’s newest location opened in Greensboro in 2024.
     As the home of the nation’s first arts council, Winston-Salem’s identity is intertwined with the arts and innovation. The lively downtown is booming with shopping, performance and entertainment venues, a popular arts district, and highly rated restaurants headed by James Beard nominated chefs. 
     Innovation Quarter is a center piece for the downtown with its live, play and work complex. The district combines retail, co-working, apartments, business offices for companies like Inmar and research space for education and medicine (Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist).
     Art is on display at the Reynolda House Museum of Modern Art and Gardens, the original home of the RJ Reynolds family. Afterwards, visitors can stroll through the beautiful gardens. To see more art, locals go to the North Carolina Museum of Art (formerly SECCA), MESDA, Old Salem Museum and Garden and Kaleideum, a children’s museum, with the Rooftop Adventure exhibit, the first of its kind in the Carolinas. Sports fans watch the Dash baseball team, college sports and the Winston-Salem Open in August.
     The city of High Point packs a big economic punch in the Triad as the home of the High Point Home Furnishings Market – the country’s largest trade show and a billion dollar industry for North Carolina. The town is experiencing a revitalization moment with a growing downtown showcasing new restaurants, wine bar and other entertainment. 
     The city is the home of High Point University, a prestigious school that attracts students from across the nation. Nationally-known companies make their home in High Point including Old Dominion Freight Lines, Thomas Built Buses, Ralph Lauren and others. A repurposed textile mill is now a modern, co-working space, Congdon Yards. High Point is also a unique destination as the first Certified Autism Destination on the East coast.
     Scenic small towns offer easy get-aways for the day. Within an hour or less the towns of Kernersville, Pilot Mountain, Mt. Airy, Lexington, Asheboro and others are waiting for exploration. Locals and visitors stroll through quaint downtowns, dance outside during live music concerts, dine and drink in locally owned breweries, and enjoy local festivals. 
     In Dobson, spend the day at Shelton Vineyards, the state’s largest winery that scored 11 medals in the statewide competition, with wines made exclusively from North Carolina-grown grapes.
     Mt. Airy, the town based on the Andy Griffith Show, promises a day of nostalgia. The “Mayberry” personality is visible throughout the town with nods to the show everywhere from Floyd’s Barber Shop, Snappy Lunch, Andy Griffith’s childhood home and more. Unique shops line the downtown with Welcome Home Decor, modern apparel at F. Rees Ladies and the Spotted Moon, Fancy Gap Outfitters, and antiques at Mayberry Trading Post. Have a brew with lunch at the Angry Troll Brewery or a burger featured on PBS at Leon’s Burger Express.
     In Kernersville, see Korner’s Folly, the quirky house museum in Kernersville (aka “strangest home in America”). For antiques, yard art, produce and more, check out Junktique General Store.  
     Lexington, the town known for barbecue celebrates every October with its popular Lexington Barbecue Festival. The rest of the year, stroll through the quaint shops in the downtown for gifts and apparel. 
     In Asheboro, visitors explore the quaint downtown, unique museums (Richard Petty Museum, American Classic Motorcycle Museum and North Carolina Aviation Museum) and end the day at Four Saints Brewery. For many the biggest attraction is the NC Zoo, one of the largest natural habitat zoos in the world.