Best Things to Do in Kernersville NC
A little more than a decade ago, Körner’s Folly was the key point of interest that attracted visitors. The Folly has been significantly restored to become an even more popular attraction, but other historical features have been unveiled to complement Körner’s Folly The one-room schoolhouse located at 4th of July Park is often staffed to give visitors a glimpse of education a century ago. Revolving exhibits and a full-time staff person at the Kernersville Museum are helping people to better realize Kernersville’s rich history. The museum director also coordinates visitor use of the restored 1873 railroad depot.
Major sections of town have homes listed on the National Register of historic places, creating a great walking tour of the Carolina of “yesteryear.” A walking tour guide is available at Körners Folly, including historic cemeteries on the grounds of Main Street United Methodist Church and Kernersville Moravian Church. A short drive on South Main Street takes you to the St. Paul’s Cemetery, which was created as a final resting place for minorities prior to the Civil War.
The Kernersville Museum, located in the “Bellamy House,” near the intersection of Main and Mountain streets, has introduced its newest tobacco barn exhibit, as well as an ice skating rink for all to enjoy November through January.
A key attraction to the community is the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden, a seven-acre oasis in the historic district of downtown Kernersville. Each year additional gardens and features are added. When the botanical garden master plan is complete, it will feature 25 distinctive gardens. Admission is free to observe the various garden areas and fountains on the property. In addition, many weddings and upscale community events are held in the carriage house.
“Become a tourist in your own town”
Some people visit Kernersville for its wide sports appeal. The Ivey M. Redmon Sports Complex is home to the Kernersville Soccer Association game fields, as well as softball and youth baseball fields. The park is also the site of a cross country course that brings the top high school and ACC collegiate runners to the community for big meets. Across town, between Cash Elementary and East Forsyth Middle School, is the Bagley Lacrosse Complex, which hosts local and regional lacrosse tournaments. People also come to the Kernersville Family YMCA for some of the area’s largest swim meets in their eight-lane competitive pool. The Kernersville Community Pool, outdoor slide pool and waterpark attract families to the area for summer recreation.
People also visit Kernersville to show their respects at the Carolina Field of Honor, a veteran’s memorial that recognizes military service dating back to the Revolutionary War. It is located at Triad Park, which straddles the Forsyth and Guilford County lines. The park’s features an amphitheater that is used by the Arts Council and other groups for concerts and dramatic productions.
Tourism is also about shopping, dining and hotel accommodations. Kernersville has them all. The community is blessed with a large variety of dining options, from fine dining to fast food, where music fills the air. Downtown businesses participate in fun, community events year-round, to provide an exciting shopping experience for everyone.