Get around

Greensboro offers public bus service through the Greensboro Transit Authority, but also provides 30 minute service on all 14 routes Monday through Friday from 5:15AM-6:30PM, and evening service every hour from 7:30PM-11:30PM. On weekends, however, buses run hourly on Saturday from 6AM-10PM (evening service is from 7PM-10PM) with limited service on Sundays (from 6AM-6PM).

College students can ride the HEAT bus system for free by showing a valid college ID.

See

• Take a look around the campus of UNC-Greensboro. Good people watching and Weatherspoon Art Museum is fun on a rainy afternoon.

• Visit the site of the historic Woolworth's Sit-In, a landmark in the 1960s civil rights movement. Elm Street south of Market, downtown.

Do

• Greensboro Historical Museum

• Natural Science Center of Greensboro and the new Animal Discovery Zoological Park

• Greensboro Cultural Center at Festival Park

• War Memorial Auditorium - Home of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra (GSO) and the Greensboro Pops

• Guilford Courthouse National Military Park is a beautiful park with jogging/bike trails and interesting information on the revolutionary war battle that occurred there. Old Battleground Rd in North Greensboro.

• Grasshopper's Baseball Game at First Horizon Park- If it's baseball season and the Hopper's are at home you will regret not going to a game. The team built one of the newest and most beautiful ballparks in the southeast. There are areas for children and seating on the grass, in the stands, boxes, and standing at the huge outdoor bar by left field. Thursdays are extremely packed due to the cheap beer and you may want to consider that (although usually only the bar area is shoulder to shoulder). The atmosphere is very family oriented and easily accessible as the park is downtown. Parking can sometimes be a problem but if you're willing to walk 10 minutes then free parking is not a problem.

Buy

• Four Seasons Town Center, An indoor mall adjacent to Koury Convention Center offering over 180 stores and restaurants anchored by Belk, JC Penny's and Dillard's.

• Friendly Shopping Center, A 75-acre open village shopping center with over 1 million square feet. It is anchored by Belk, Hecht's and Sears and offers more local stores than the mall.

Next door to Friendly Shopping Center, is their new addition--The Shops at Friendly Center. Stores include, but not limited to REI, Ann Taylor, Brooks Brothers, Coldwater Creek and more. Restaurants include P.F. Chang's, Flemings's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Ben & Jerry's and Mimi's Cafe. The large Harris Teeter grocery store offer hot bars, pizza, sushi and a great salad bar.

• Downtown. There are a number of unique shops along South Elm Street downtown.

Eat

• Bert's Seafood - Excellent selection of seafood dishes but on the pricey side.

• Saffron - Very fresh Indian cuisine. Noteworthy vegetable samosas.

• Sriri Siam - Best Thai restaurant. Tucked behind Pizza Hut on Guilford College Rd. Offers an excellent and lengthy list of lunch specials.

• Pho Hien Vuong or Saigon - Good Vietnamese.

• Natty Greene's - Downtown pub with several very good microbrews.

• The Melting Pot - High-quality fondue restaurant

• Sushi Republic (previously Sushi 101) - Best sushi in town. Owned by two Korean brothers and located on Tate St. on the edge of UNCG campus. There are some very interesting and delicious concoctions offered on their menu.

• Fishbones - Possibly the best bar food in town. Located on the Corner of Walker and Elam streets. A 2 minute drive or 15 minute walk from UNCG. A variety of imported beer, liquor, and wine and has outdoor seating.

• Ghassan's - Best steak sub in town. Also serve a variety of middle eastern dishes such as kabobs, falafel, hummus, and gyros.

• Lucky 32 Kitchen and Wine Bar, A local favorite for 18 years for "Honest Seasonal American Fare." They also have 60 wines by the glass.

• Green Valley Grill, Located adjacent to the O.Henry Hotel, they feature seasonal food using old-world European culinary sensibilities and flavors. Their wine list features 50 wines by the glass and wine flights.

Drink

• Natty Greene's - Downtown microbrewery. Very large place and crowded on the weekends.
• M'coul's Public House - Irish bar downtown on the corner of Elm and Mcgee streets. Over 17 beers on tap from around the world as well as a large selection of scotch and whiskey. Two levels, both with outdoor seating. One of the best places downtown to see a sunset. Large menu including: salads, sandwiches, and traditional Irish fare. Most food costs between US$7-12. A very diverse demographic frequents this restaurant/bar. The upstairs bar is smoking, tends to be the rowdier section and can get quite crowded on the weekend. The downstairs bar is non-smoking and is much more relaxed and "Irish" looking. There is a fiddle player and acoustic guitar pair on friday nights that plays downstairs (outside when the weather permits).
• Old Town Draught House - Located on Spring Garden St. directly on the edge of UNC-G campus. Popular with students, professors, and locals that want to have a good sandwich and cheap beer. Great food specials daily and very popular on Wednesday nights.
• Green Bean Coffee Shop - Downtown next to Natty Green's. Has WiFi available and sells beer and wine along with excellent coffee and baked goods.
• Cheesecakes by Alex - Downtown on Elm St. Serves exceptional cheesecake, cookies, and other baked goods as well as coffee. Also has WiFi.

Sleep

• Andrea's Troy-Bumpas Inn, Bed and Breakfast, 114 South Mendenhall Street, 1-800-370-9070 (fax: +1 336-370-1970). In Greensboro's Historic College Hill District adjacent to downtown, offers luxurious accommodations with private baths.

• AmeriSuites Greensboro/Wendover, 1619 Stanley Road, +1 336-852-1443. Located only minutes from the Greensboro Coliseum Complex and the Greensboro International Airport.

• Microtel Inn Greensboro, 4304 Big Tree Way, +1 336-547-7007. A Great Room at a Great Price.

• Sheraton Greensboro Hotel at Four Seasons, 3121 High Point Road, Front Desk: +1 336-292-9161, Reservations: 1-800-242-6556. Just off I-40; the most prominent hotel in Greensboro.

• O.Henry Hotel, 624 Green Valley Road, +1 336-854-2000. AAA Four Diamond Hotel located in central Greensboro by Friendly Shopping Center. This locally owned, passionately run hotel features gracious hospitality, oversized guest rooms, afternoon tea, complimentary full breakfast, outstanding amenities and an attentive staff.

Stay safe

Greensboro is a charming southern city but has its share of crime just like any other large area in the state. Common sense is your best friend; don't ever leave your car unlocked or with valuables visible. Walk in well-lit places at night, especially downtown. The South and East sides of the city are a bit rougher than the rest, and Lee Street in particular is rather sketchy. Best to drive through if you don't have specific business there. When going to places late night on High Point Road, be aware of your surroundings--this is one of the areas that has seen the most increase in late-night crime. Cops are everywhere and generally helpful but remember they are VERY serious about what they do.

Get out

• Old Salem - Twenty-mile west drive to Winston Salem for a recreation of Moravian life in the early 1800s. Try the Moravian cookies.

• Seagrove - Forty-mile drive south to a community of more than 90 potters. All styles and price ranges available. Makes great Christmas gifts.

• Asheboro - North Carolina zoo.

• Hanging Rock State Park - Gorgeous mountain park offers camping, picnicking, and hiking trails with various levels of difficulty. Several waterfalls.