I've Lived in the South for 30+ Years-This Is the Most Underrated City Everyone Should Visit Once

"There's a strong spirit of reinvention in Winston-Salem, and you see it everywhere. What's great about Winston-Salem is that it doesn't tear down its past. It builds on it, reshapes it, and gives it new life."

"Situated in the original 1929 office building of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel oozes upscale art deco charm. You'll get a serious Empire State Building vibe here-and for good reason. The architectural firm that designed the skyscraper went on to design New York City's iconic gem."

Winston-Salem, North Carolina has reinvented itself from its tobacco industry roots into a compelling cultural destination. The city preserves its industrial and historic spaces while transforming them into attractions that encourage visitors to explore. Key landmarks include the Reynolda House, the former estate of R.J. and Katharine Reynolds, which showcases Gilded Age architecture blended with Southern agrarian design. Old Salem operates as a beautifully preserved living-history museum, and a thriving, walkable arts district adds to the city's appeal. The transformation reflects a philosophy of building upon the past rather than erasing it, reshaping historic elements to create new experiences. The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel exemplifies this adaptive reuse, occupying the original 1929 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company office building and featuring art deco architecture designed by the same firm that created the Empire State Building.

Read at Travel + Leisure