Greensboro is home to a vibrant, growing arts and cultural scene. Here are 10 fun things you can do in "The Gate City."
With various attractions and entertainment, there is never a dull moment in Greensboro, North Carolina! Greensboro is located in the heart of the Piedmont Triad and is North Carolina’s third-largest city. The city has a rich history, spanning from the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in 1781 to a sit-in that served as a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Today, Greensboro is home to artists, museums, theaters, shopping, restaurants, parks, and numerous special events. Visitors, families, and residents alike can continue to engage in and enjoy Greensboro’s growing arts scene! Here are ten fun things to do in Greensboro, NC!
1. Greensboro Cultural Center
Located in the center of downtown Greensboro, the Greensboro Cultural Center is home to numerous public art galleries and nonprofit organizations, including ArtsGreensboro. Visitors can enjoy viewing art installations in galleries, such as the GreenHill Center for NC Art. The GreenHill Center for NC Art is dedicated to presenting and promoting contemporary visual art and includes the artwork of children, adults, and local artists. Installations and exhibitions often combine a variety of multimedia elements and offer visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in art. Entry to the Greensboro Cultural Arts Center is free and parking is available nearby.
2. Steven Tanger Center for Performing Arts
The Steven Tanger Center for Performing Arts is a hub for live entertainment in downtown Greensboro. The 3,000-seat performing arts venue hosts touring Broadway productions, concerts, Greensboro Symphony Orchestra performances, comedy shows, and other live entertainment for families and all people. Recent performances include the Broadway sensations Wicked and Disney’s The Lion King. Tickets for upcoming performances and events can be purchased on the Steven Tanger Center for Performing Arts website.
3. International Civil Rights Center & Museum
The International Civil Rights Center & Museum is located in the same building where the Greensboro Four — college students at NC A&T — began sit-ins during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. Exhibits inside the museum bring to life powerful stories of the Civil Rights Movement and celebrate those who fought for equal rights and racial equity. Staff-guided and seated tours are available to visitors and can be booked on the International Civil Rights Center & Museum website. In addition, the museum offers virtual tours. Walk-ins to the museum are welcome.
4. Weatherspoon Art Museum
Situated on the campus of UNC-Greensboro, the Weatherspoon Art Museum is home to a wide variety of modern and contemporary art pieces. Collections in the museum include the 1900 to Present Collection, the Dillard Collection of Art on Paper, and newly acquired works from the 20th and 21st centuries. Group and self-guided tours are available to museum visitors, and free visitor parking is available near the museum.
5. Lebauer Park
Visitors of Lebauer Park are welcome to enjoy the park’s fountains, playground, paved walkways, and lush green spaces. Sculptor Janet Echelman’s piece entitled Where We Met hangs high above the park. The design of the sculpture was inspired by Greensboro’s textile industry and railroad system. Lebauer Park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. unless otherwise posted for special events. Parking is available at nearby parking decks.
6. Elsewhere
Elsewhere is an interactive, living museum in a former thrift store in downtown Greensboro. The museum is home to a quirky, unique collection of memorabilia and an artist residency program. Visitors are encouraged to explore the museum’s interactive exhibits, and tours are available. Both street parking and paid parking are available on nearby streets.
7. Greensboro Science Center
A museum, aquarium, and zoo all in one! The Greensboro Science Center is filled with activities and exhibits for visitors of all ages to get in touch with nature and explore the world of science. In addition, visitors can also purchase tickets for SKYWILD, a treetop ropes course at the science center. The Greensboro Science Center is open year-round, except for several holidays, general admission tickets are available to purchase on their website. Parking is available in nearby parking lots.
8. Community Theatre of Greensboro
Founded in 1949, the Community Theatre of Greensboro is one of the oldest arts organizations in the city. The theatre hosts a variety of live community performances along with youth theatre programs, such as Centerstage and various summer camps. Tickets for performances are available to purchase on the Community Theatre of Greensboro website.
9. Ambleside Gallery
The Ambleside Gallery is home to paintings and sculptures from more than thirty artists. Guan Weixing, a renowned watercolorist from China, has various pieces on display at the art gallery. The gallery was originally founded in England but moved to Greensboro in the summer of 2003. Guests are encouraged to enjoy the gallery’s exhibitions, workshops, lectures, seminars, and cultural performances, on occasion.
10. Carolina Theatre
The Carolina Theatre first opened its doors in 1927 and was billed as “The Showplace of the Carolinas.” The theatre still retains its historic charm and today continues to host live performances, concerts, and movie screenings. Tickets for performances and movie screenings are available for purchase on the theatre’s website. Visitors can schedule a tour of the historic theatre for a fee.
Check out our blog for updates, events, and more about Greensboro’s growing arts scene!
About ArtsGreensboro:
ArtsGreensboro invests in programs that provide access to the arts for all citizens, support arts integration in our schools, build capacity for our arts community, and unify the community through the power of the arts.
