Want a friendly town with historic charm and big Carolina heart? Visit Kernersville, NC! Tucked between Winston-Salem and Greensboro, Kernersville is full of small-town appeal, Civil War history, and green spaces. Whether you’re touring quirky landmarks or strolling through local parks, this Triad town offers a peaceful yet lively escape.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Kernersville is during spring and fall (April–June and September–October). Expect mild temperatures, blooming gardens, and seasonal festivals. Summers are warm and ideal for outdoor fun, while winters are generally quiet and cool.
How to Get There
- By Car: Located off I-40 and US-421, Kernersville is about 20 minutes from both Winston-Salem and Greensboro.
- By Air: Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) is just 15 minutes away and serves major U.S. cities.
- By Train: Nearby stations in Greensboro and High Point offer Amtrak service throughout the region.
Where to Stay
- Hampton Inn Kernersville – Comfortable, modern lodging with free breakfast and easy highway access.
- Sleep Inn Kernersville – Affordable, convenient stay with clean rooms and friendly service.
- Airbnb Cottages & Homes – Charming local rentals perfect for a quiet, homey experience in town.
Top Attractions
⮕ Explore Eccentric Elegance at the Wonderfully Wacky Körner’s Folly
Eccentric 22-room Victorian house museum full of secret staircases and historic flair.
© Korner's Folly
Korner’s Folly in the central North Carolina town of Kernersville is considered to be a unique architectural wonder. The home of designer and artist Jule Korner, the interesting house was originally built back in 1880 as a place for displaying Korner’s interior design portfolio. Today, visitors can explore this 22-room house museum, including its elaborate hand-laid tile, carved woodwork, cast-plaster details, and original artwork and furnishings. A winding maze of staircases and doorways lead guests on an adventure through the three-story marvel. Korner’s Folly is open from 10:00am until 4:00pm Wednesday to Saturday and at 1:00pm on Sundays.
413 S Main St, Kernersville, NC 27284, Phone: 336-996-7922
⮕ Stroll, Play, and Reflect at the Expansive Triad Park
Expansive regional park with trails, playgrounds, sports fields, and a veterans memorial.
© wedninth/stock.adobe.com
Triad Park, located near High Point in Kernersville, North Carolina offers a wide variety of things to do within its boundaries. Open nearly every day of the year, the park features public restroom facilities, six picnic shelters, many picnic tables with grills, a hiking trail, a soccer field, a softball field, a rock climbing playground, a small pond for fishing, several playgrounds for children, a path system for cyclists, in-line skaters, and walkers, several sets of horseshoe pits, and seven sand volleyball courts. Triad Park is operated as a partnership between Guilford County, Forsyth County, and the State of North Carolina.
9652 W Market St, Kernersville, NC 27284, Phone: 336-703-2500
⮕ Breathe in Blooming Beauty at Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden
© Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden
The Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden consists of seven acres of beautiful gardens in the heart of Kernersville, North Carolina. The grounds include a nice visitor center, unusual plantings, and gorgeous gardens. Open seven days a week from 9:00am until 5:00pm, Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden features more than a dozen different gardens for visitors to explore, such as the Hillside Rock Garden, Children’s Garden, Woodland Garden, Karen Stuef Ciener Japanese Garden, Wetland Garden, Italian Terrace Garden, Hourglass Garden, SunTrust Foundation Courtyard Garden, Cutting Garden, Kitchen Garden, Tropical Garden, Perennial Garden, and the Pattern Garden.
215 S Main St, Kernersville, NC 27284, Phone: 336-996-7888
⮕ Fish, Picnic, or Paddle at Kernersville Lake Park
Relax by the water, fish, or paddle a boat in this peaceful nature spot.
© IvSky/stock.adobe.com
Kernersville Lake Park is a place that both locals and visitors alike of all ages can spend a few hours or even an entire day in the outdoors. From having a picnic along the shores of the lake to kids playing on the playground to learning about Kernersville, North Carolina’s history to fishing to taking a rowboat or paddle boat out onto the water, there’s plenty to do within Kernersville Lake Park. There are several shaded areas for picnicking and grilling and a natural trail. Dogs can come along to the park, as long as they remain on a leash.
6408 Old Valley School Rd, Kernersville, NC 27284, Phone: 336-703-2500
⮕ Tear Up the Trails at Kernersville MTB Park
© schankz/stock.adobe.com
The Kernersville Mountain Bike Park is the town’s park specifically designed for mountain biking and was built in phases over several years, ultimately resulting in a nearly four-mile loop finished in 2018. The park now features a tool shed, as well as several trail amenities and features hand-built by the town’s KCC build team, along with projects completed by Eagle Scouts. The trail of the Kernersville MTB Park provides a challenging, yet fun experience and can be ridden in both directions, but visitors should be mindful at all times of the two-way traffic and are asked to yield to uphill riders.
567 Smith Edwards Rd, Kernersville, NC 27284
⮕ Step Into Local Legacy at the Kernersville Museum
Explore local history and heritage with rotating exhibits and family-friendly programming.
© Kernersville Museum
Love and pride for the town of Kernersville is easily seen through the
Kernersville Museum. Created by a partnership between the Kernersville Historic Preservation Society and the town itself, the museum was established in 2013 to showcase Kernersville's unique history. Housed in its own historical landmark, the museum found its home in Bellamy House which dates back to the 1800s. There, visitors can view a number of digital and physical exhibits including the Tobacco Barn exhibit and several exhibits focusing on prominent community members throughout history. Kids will also enjoy the museum’s hands-on educational experiences for a deeper and more memorable visit.
127 West Mountain Street, Kernersville, North Carolina 27284, Phone: 336-497-4869
⮕ If You’re Swinging for a Laid-Back Round, Tee Off at Pine Knolls Golf Club
© amenic181/stock.adobe.com
Play in a golfer’s paradise at the Pine Knolls Golf Club. The club offers a challenging 18-hole golf course which is meticulously maintained for the best golfing experience. Designed by the Poindexter Brothers, the Par 72 course features wide open fairways covered in short Bermuda grass, bent grass for the greens, and 6,338 yards from the longest tees. Players of all skill levels are welcome on the course as well as the driving range where they can warm up or perfect their swing. The club also offers personalized lessons by golfing professional Ryan Winfree. Be sure to stop by the Pine Knolls Pub after a game and enjoy their selection of sandwiches, burgers, and other snacks.
1100 Quail Hollow Road, Kernersville, North Carolina 27284, Phone: 336-993-8300
Where to Eat
- Prissy Polly’s BBQ – Famous for Lexington-style barbecue, hushpuppies, and Southern comfort favorites.
- Fitz on Main – Classic local diner serving up hearty breakfasts and burgers in a retro setting.
- Giada’s Trattoria – Upscale Italian-American eatery with pastas, steaks, and craft cocktails.
Local Events
- Spring Folly Festival (May) – Family-friendly street fair with rides, food vendors, crafts, and live music downtown.
- Honeybee Festival (August) – Celebrate pollinators with honey tastings, kids' activities, and educational booths.
- Kernersville Christmas Parade (December) – Holiday floats, marching bands, and community cheer light up Main Street.
Day Trips Within 30 Minutes of Kernersville, North Carolina
- Winston-Salem (15–20 min) – Explore Old Salem, tour Reynolda House, or enjoy downtown’s vibrant arts and dining scene.
- Greensboro (West Side) (25–30 min) – Visit the Greensboro Science Center, stroll Bicentennial Gardens, or shop Friendly Center.
- High Point (North Side) (25–30 min) – Tour furniture showrooms, explore local parks, or visit the High Point Museum.
- Walkertown (10–15 min) – Enjoy quiet parks, explore community trails, or grab a bite at a local eatery.
- Oak Ridge (20–25 min) – Visit local farms, enjoy scenic drives, or stroll historic town sites and greenways.
- Colfax (10–15 min) – Browse antiques, shop farmers markets, or explore the grounds at Triad Park.
- Jamestown (25–30 min) – Tour Mendenhall Homeplace, walk the historic district, or paddle City Lake Park.
- Summerfield (25–30 min) – Hike local trails, explore horse country, or enjoy peaceful countryside charm.
- Rural Hall (25–30 min) – Visit vineyards, relax in local parks, or take a scenic drive through rolling hills.
FAQ
-
Where is Kernersville located?
-
Situated between Greensboro and Winston-Salem in central
North Carolina, the town of Kernersville is a great stop for
tourists passing through the region or a place to escape the busier cities nearby.
-
What outdoor attractions can visitors enjoy in Kernersville?
-
From exploring parks to visiting the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden
in the downtown district, which consists of more than twenty distinctive gardens,
there’s much to enjoy outdoors.
-
What is Korner’s Folly?
-
Visitors can explore the architectural oddity that is the famous
Korner’s Folly, making Kernersville a surprisingly varied destination for people of all ages.
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents: