Greensboro

Greensboro is a city of almost 300,000 people (2020) in North Carolina. It is named after Nathanael Greene, a Patriot general who fought a battle here during the Revolutionary War. It's nicknamed the "Gate City" for its historical role as a transportation hub for the Piedmont. The famous author William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry, was born here. It can be sleepy and genteel but is enjoying a newfound reputation as a great place for young people. Downtown especially is experiencing a surfeit of bars, music venues and restaurants.

By train
Greensboro is served by Amtrak through its Piedmont and Carolinian services from Charlotte to Washington, D.C. and New York City, and its Crescent service between New Orleans to New York City. The station, officially but generally known as "The Depot", is downtown at 236 E Washington St, and doubles as the city's main bus station. The Depot has restrooms, Wi-Fi, and a small cafe.

By bus
Greyhound has daily intercity bus services from several destinations in North Carolina, and long-distance buses from Washington, D.C. and New York City. All long-distance buses arrive at the Depot downtown.

PART (Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation) provides bus service between several cities around Greensboro, including High Point, Winston-Salem, Mount Airy, Chapel Hill, Durham, Asheboro, Lexington. Buses arrive at the Depot.

By car
Greensboro is served by four interstate highways, I-40 goes east-west, I-85 goes north-south, and when completed I-73 will go north to Michigan and south to Myrtle beach, and I-74 will go north to Cincinnati and the Quad Cities. US highways 29, 70, 220, and 421 travel through Greensboro.

By bus
Greensboro offers public bus service through the Greensboro Transit Authority, and also provides 30 minute service on all 16 routes Monday through Friday from 5:15AM-6:30PM, and evening service every hour from 7:30PM-11:30PM with 7 buses with two or three combined routes running 'hourly'. On weekends, on Saturday from 6AM-10PM with evening service starting at 7PM until 10PM; however, the same evening service ran during the week and Saturday runs only from 6AM-6PM.

College students can ride the HEAT bus system for free by showing a valid college ID. There are 7 HEAT routes that carry the college community and the general public; non-students ride for the regular bus fare of $1.50 or a GTA bus pass

By bike
The bike sharing program LimeBike operates in Greensboro.

By foot
Downtown and the adjacent College Hill neighborhood are very pleasantly walkable.

Do

 * Hit the lakes - Lake Brandt, Lake Higgins and Lake Townsend all offer canoeing and kayaking.
 * Hit the lakes - Lake Brandt, Lake Higgins and Lake Townsend all offer canoeing and kayaking.
 * Hit the lakes - Lake Brandt, Lake Higgins and Lake Townsend all offer canoeing and kayaking.
 * Hit the lakes - Lake Brandt, Lake Higgins and Lake Townsend all offer canoeing and kayaking.
 * Hit the lakes - Lake Brandt, Lake Higgins and Lake Townsend all offer canoeing and kayaking.
 * Hit the lakes - Lake Brandt, Lake Higgins and Lake Townsend all offer canoeing and kayaking.

Buy
There are a number of unique shops along South Elm Street downtown, including numerous art galleries, boutiques and cafes.



Sleep

 * Grandover Resort Golf Spa Weddings Meetings 1000 Club Road 800 472 6301 http://grandover.com/
 * Grandover Resort Golf Spa Weddings Meetings 1000 Club Road 800 472 6301 http://grandover.com/
 * Grandover Resort Golf Spa Weddings Meetings 1000 Club Road 800 472 6301 http://grandover.com/
 * Grandover Resort Golf Spa Weddings Meetings 1000 Club Road 800 472 6301 http://grandover.com/
 * Grandover Resort Golf Spa Weddings Meetings 1000 Club Road 800 472 6301 http://grandover.com/
 * Grandover Resort Golf Spa Weddings Meetings 1000 Club Road 800 472 6301 http://grandover.com/
 * Grandover Resort Golf Spa Weddings Meetings 1000 Club Road 800 472 6301 http://grandover.com/
 * Grandover Resort Golf Spa Weddings Meetings 1000 Club Road 800 472 6301 http://grandover.com/

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. Best to drive through if you don't have specific business there. When going to places late night on Gate City Blvd., 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.

Connect
The Greensboro Public Library has free Wi-Fi, and the branch is conveniently located downtown. Computers with internet access are available too, but you need a library card or a guest pass (available if you show an out-of-state ID) to log on.

Free public Wi-Fi is also available at the Depot.

Go next

 * Chapel Hill - Lively college town 50 miles to the east, home to UNC Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Tar Heels.
 * Winston-Salem - Twenty-mile west drive for a re-creation of Moravian life in the early 1800s in Old Salem. 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.