Things to Do in Greensboro: Neighborhoods, Food, Museums, and Outdoor Activities.
Sep 9, 2026 / Public Storage
Greensboro offers Civil Rights history, family attractions, gardens, local food, performing arts, and walkable Downtown areas. Plan your visit around Downtown, Elm Street, the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, and local gardens to combine nearby attractions in one day.
Greensboro Travel Essentials:
- Visit the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, Greensboro Science Center, and Guilford Courthouse National Military Park.
- Explore Downtown Greensboro, Elm Street, local galleries, restaurants, and public art.
- Walk the boardwalk at the Bog Garden at Benjamin Park and visit Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden.
- Attend a performance at the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts.
- Try North Carolina barbecue, Southern food, local bakeries, coffee shops, breweries, and international restaurants.
- Walk or bike the Downtown Greenway and other local trails.
- Use walking, biking, buses, rideshare, or a car based on your route.
Greensboro Travel at a Glance:
What Are the Best Things to Do in Greensboro?
The best things to do in Greensboro include visiting the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, exploring Downtown, walking through local gardens, and spending time at Greensboro Science Center. Visitors can also tour Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, attend a performance, or try local restaurants and breweries.
Plan each day by area. Combine Downtown museums, Elm Street dining, and the Steven Tanger Center in one itinerary, then schedule Greensboro Science Center, local gardens, or Guilford Courthouse National Military Park for another day.
What Can You Do in Downtown Greensboro?
Downtown Greensboro offers museums, restaurants, local shops, public art, performing arts, and seasonal events. Elm Street is a practical starting point for visitors who want to explore food, galleries, and entertainment on foot.
Downtown Greensboro attractions include:
- International Civil Rights Center & Museum: Civil Rights exhibits in the former Woolworth building
- Elm Street: Restaurants, cafés, local shops, galleries, and nightlife
- Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts: Theater, concerts, and live performances
- Public art: Murals, sculptures, and creative spaces throughout Downtown
- Local businesses: Boutiques, specialty stores, coffee shops, and bakeries
- Downtown Greenway: Walking, biking, and outdoor access between city neighborhoods
What Historic Sites Should You Visit in Greensboro?
Greensboro historic sites include the International Civil Rights Center & Museum and Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. These locations provide information about the Civil Rights Movement, Revolutionary War history, and Greensboro’s role in national history.
Popular historic sites include:
- International Civil Rights Center & Museum: Civil Rights history and exhibits in the former Woolworth building
- Guilford Courthouse National Military Park: Revolutionary War history, monuments, trails, and visitor information
- Downtown Greensboro: Historic buildings, public art, local businesses, and cultural attractions
- College Hill: Historic homes, local restaurants, and neighborhood streets near Downtown
What Can You Do at Greensboro Science Center?
Greensboro Science Center combines an aquarium, museum, and zoo in one family attraction. Visitors can explore animal exhibits, science displays, and educational programming.
Plan several hours for a Greensboro Science Center visit, especially when visiting with children. Check current tickets, operating hours, and activity schedules before arriving.
What Outdoor Activities Can You Do in Greensboro?
Greensboro outdoor activities include walking, biking, garden visits, park exploration, and local trail use. The Bog Garden at Benjamin Park, Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden, Downtown Greenway, and Guilford Courthouse National Military Park provide common starting points.
Popular outdoor activities include:
- Walking the boardwalk at the Bog Garden at Benjamin Park
- Visiting Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden
- Walking or biking the Downtown Greenway
- Exploring trails at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
- Visiting local parks, gardens, and public green spaces
- Attending seasonal outdoor events and community markets
- Walking through Downtown Greensboro and Elm Street
Bring water and weather-appropriate clothing. Check garden hours, trail conditions, and event schedules before outdoor activities.
What Can You Do at Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden?
Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden offers walking paths, botanical displays, public art, and outdoor space near Downtown Greensboro. The garden includes sculptures, seasonal plantings, and areas for a quiet walk or photo stop.
Pair the garden with a visit to the nearby Bog Garden at Benjamin Park. Check current hours and event schedules before visiting.
What Can You Do at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park?
Guilford Courthouse National Military Park preserves the site of a pivotal Revolutionary War battle. Visitors can explore the park’s monuments, walking areas, trails, and visitor information.
Use the park for a history-focused walk or combine it with other Greensboro outdoor attractions. Check current visitor center hours and park conditions before visiting.
What Food Is Greensboro Known For?
Greensboro offers North Carolina barbecue, Southern food, international restaurants, local bakeries, coffee shops, craft beverages, and neighborhood dining. Downtown, Elm Street, Lindley Park, and nearby districts provide varied options for meals.
Common Greensboro food experiences include:
- North Carolina barbecue
- Southern comfort food
- Local breweries and taprooms
- Coffee shops, bakeries, and brunch spots
- International restaurants
- Casual Downtown dining
- Farmers market food and seasonal local produce
Plan meal stops around your route. Pair a Downtown museum visit with Elm Street dining, or combine a garden outing with a nearby café or restaurant.
Which Greensboro Areas Should Visitors Explore?
Greensboro offers different options for history, food, parks, arts, local shopping, and family attractions. Downtown, Elm Street, College Hill, Lindley Park, the garden area, and the Guilford Courthouse area are practical places to start.
Consider these areas:
- Downtown: Museums, restaurants, public art, shops, and performances
- Elm Street: Dining, cafés, galleries, boutiques, and nightlife
- College Hill: Historic homes, local restaurants, and walkable streets
- Lindley Park: Neighborhood food, parks, and local businesses
- Garden area: Bog Garden at Benjamin Park, Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden, and outdoor walks
- Guilford Courthouse area: Revolutionary War history, trails, and park space
What Family Activities Can You Find in Greensboro?
Greensboro family activities include visiting Greensboro Science Center, exploring local gardens, walking park trails, and attending seasonal events. Families can also visit museums, public markets, and performances based on current programming.
How Should You Get Around Greensboro?
Use walking, biking, buses, rideshare, or a car to get around Greensboro. Downtown and Elm Street are easier to explore on foot when you group nearby restaurants, museums, shops, and performance venues.
A car or rideshare is useful for Greensboro Science Center, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, local gardens, and destinations outside Downtown. Check parking, event schedules, and weather before traveling.
Plan Your Greensboro Visit or Move.
Explore Greensboro by combining Civil Rights history, local gardens, museums, food, and Downtown activities into a clear daily route. Public Storage can help you put away permitted, clean, dry household items while you organize a move or settle into a Greensboro home.
Start Downtown. Keep exploring.
Greensboro Travel FAQs
What Are the Best Things to Do in Greensboro?
Popular Greensboro activities include visiting Greensboro Science Center, exploring the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, touring Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, and walking through the Bog Garden and Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden.
What Historic Sites Should You Visit in Greensboro?
Visit the International Civil Rights Center & Museum and Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. These sites provide information about Civil Rights history, the Revolutionary War, and Greensboro’s local history.
What Outdoor Activities Can You Do in Greensboro?
Greensboro offers walking, biking, garden visits, park exploration, and urban trails. The Bog Garden, Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden, Downtown Greenway, and Guilford Courthouse National Military Park provide common outdoor options.
What Food Is Greensboro Known For?
Greensboro offers North Carolina barbecue, Southern food, local breweries, bakeries, coffee shops, international restaurants, and neighborhood dining. Downtown and Elm Street provide varied options for food and drinks.
Do You Need a Car to Visit Greensboro?
You can walk, bike, use buses, or use rideshare services for many Downtown Greensboro destinations. A car or rideshare is useful for Greensboro Science Center, local gardens, parks, and attractions outside central Greensboro.