Spraygrounds, City Art & a Science Center: Outdoor Excitement in Greensboro

Embrace your everyday activities like hiking and kayaking in Greensboro, and when you’re ready to kick it up a notch with spraygrounds at public parks, zipping through the trees like an animal and biking the best urban trail in the nation – you're in the right spot.

Day 1: Cycling, Sprayground & Inclusive Fun

Start your day in Greensboro by biking at Owl’s Roost Trail on the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway – it's been recognized nationally as a premier mountain biking destination and was named by Bicycling magazine as the “best urban biking trail” in the nation. This trail is also popular for bird watching, hiking and people walking their (leashed) dogs.

After your time on the trail, stop for lunch at JakJin Bistro to enjoy noodles, pho, sandwiches and other Vietnamese delights. Pro tip: The fried bananas are a must-try for dessert.

After lunch, head to Keeley Park, just a few minutes outside Greensboro. Enjoy time with the family at the Up in the Air all-inclusive playground, designed to provide equal play opportunities no matter your abilities. If you're visiting between Memorial Day and Labor Day, walk across the parking lot to cool off at the free sprayground, where interactive water features shoot and splash you with water for a refreshing afternoon in the sun. 

Then it's time to return to your hotel room for a break before dinner. For a boutique experience, try the Biltmore Greensboro Hotel (which has a working 1920s elevator) or Hotel Denim, which celebrates the city’s denim legacy. Other popular stays include the Grandover Resort & Spa, a Wyndham Grand Hotel; Proximity Hotel, one of the country’s first LEED Platinum Certified hotels; and the Greensboro Marriott Downtown.

Dinnertime calls for modern Southern cuisine at ‘cille and ‘scoe, which offers kids’ meals, gluten-free options and lighter fare – but save room for dessert again. Cheesecakes by Alex and its 20 cheesecake options are waiting just up the street. 

Return to your hotel for the night and rest for more outdoor adventures in the morning.

Day 2: Greensboro Science Center & the Grasshoppers

There’s no better way to start your morning than with a Southern favorite, chicken and waffles, and Dame’s Chicken & Waffles does it best. Dame’s offers house specialties, create-your-own options, kids’ meals and vegan dishes. 

After fueling up, head to the Greensboro Science Center. It’s part museum, part aquarium, part zoo. Start outdoors in the zoo, then enjoy a bird’s-eye view at SKYWILD, the center’s treetop ropes course adventure. Then cool off inside and explore the SciQuarium and other museum exhibits. Finally, take a spin on the Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel, where each panel shows a piece of the city’s history.

Stop for lunch at Bubble Bear to enjoy a bowl, poke, and various tea and smoothie options. 

Your next adventure is back near the science center. Enjoy a canopy walk through the trees at Country Park, fish at one of two fishing lakes (valid NC state fishing license required) and rent a pedal boat for a tour of the lake (seasonal).  

It’s time for an afternoon snack. Order a cone at Yum Yum Better Ice Cream and Hot Dogs, a Greensboro staple since 1906, and stroll the University of North Carolina Greensboro’s campus nearby. 

After a rest at your hotel, it’s taco time at Crafted – the Art of the Taco, where you’ll enjoy gourmet tacos and burgers, including vegan and kid-friendly options. 

Depending on the season, end your evening with a Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball game at nearby First National Bank Field, one of the country’s best minor league stadiums. Be sure to check their schedule for theme nights and fireworks. Other nearby nighttime options include performances at the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, the Community Theatre of Greensboro or the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.

Day 3: Public Art & City Parks

Start the day strong with breakfast at another local favorite, Scrambled Southern Diner. House specialties include fried green tomatoes, a breakfast burrito, shrimp and grits, and biscuits and gravy. 

Fun fact: Greensboro is home to more than 150 pieces of public art and murals. Take a stroll along the Downtown Greenway and search for the four cornerstones that recognize Greensboro’s history and unique character:

• Gateway of the Open Book at Motion Cornerstone – motion/education 
• Meeting Place at Tradition Cornerstone – history 
• Woven Works Park at Innovation Cornerstone – industry/textiles 
• Ascension at the Freedom Cornerstone – civil rights

You can also spot unique bicycle racks, benches and other public art along the Greensboro Downtown Greenway. 

End your outdoor art tour at LeBauer and Center City parks, both accessible from the Downtown Greenway and located directly across the street from each other. At LeBauer Park, look up and admire the “Where We Met” sculpture, play in the interactive fountain, and enjoy the children’s playground and outdoor games, then head to the lawn space at Center City Park. 

Finish your trip with lunch at Café Europa, adjacent to LeBauer Park. Café Europa is a European-style café with lunch options that include seafood, salad, sandwiches and pizza. Order your food to go and enjoy it outside at one of the parks before heading home from your Greensboro outdoor adventure.

This article was produced in partnership with, and all photos are courtesy of, Visit Greensboro.