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Greensboro NC
Greensboro is not a highly regarded stop on any tourist's itinerary. NC undoubtedly provides many more attractive areas to visit (beaches, mountains). Greensboro is, however, undergoing a transformation and renaissance of sorts.
What was once a veritable wasteland of prime real estate is quickly becoming a bustling downtown. When I moved here in 2001 I would complain that there were only 3 bars to go to downtown. My neighbor would say, "Don't complain, there used to only be one!!".
This has drastically changed. There are now numerous places to go out downtown. There is a new brew pub (Natty Green's on Elm St), a middleastern themed club (complete with bellydancers) that has three floors including a restaurant and a rooftop bar/lounge. There is also a traditional Irish Pub, coffee shops, a cheescake shop and more clubs opening every year. Developers have built or are building 4 new condominium complexes. There is a new center city park (that frequently hosts festivals and music) and the ostensible new jewel, a new single-A baseball stadium to host the Greensboro Grasshoppers, an affiliate of the Floriday Marlins. The stadium opens in April and will have, just like in the former stadium, an outdoor "grandstand" that really is a standing room only bar with lots of beer choices.
Greensboro is home to 5 colleges and universities. There are two historically black schools - NC A&T (part of the UNC system) and Bennett College (a women's college). UNCGreensoro is part of the UNC system, Guilford College is a school founded by the Quakers (or apparently not, but the Society of Friends - or so reads the sign at the entrance of campus) and there is also Greensboro College near downtown. A downtown law school affiliated with Elon University is in the works to open in two years.
Greensboro is particularly worth a visit in October or mid-April which when the flora is at its more attractive. Greensboro in April is one of the most attractive places in the US!
For theatre/arts:
The downtown Triad Stage is a GREAT theatre. There are ongoing productions, some locally produced, some nationally.
Many art studios in the downtown area, particularly on Elm St. UNCG has very strong arts programs and frequent offerings for the public as well as a wonderful museum.
For sports:
Greensboro has minor league baseball and did have hockey, but currently the team was removed. Check back in on hockey. The Atlantic Coast Conference main offices are located in Greensboro so the ACC basketball tournaments are frequently in Greensboro (plus the NCAAs). Division I universities for Basketball, Baseball and Soccer. UNCG was ranked #2 in the NCAA for a while last season. There is also a PGA tour even that stops in Greensboro. Tiger Woods DOES NOT make the stop, but there are a number of big name golfers who do complete. That is a great event. For those who enjoy playing golf, Greensboro has multiple, nice, and inexpensive courses. Bryan Park is an especially exceptional bargain.
For outdoor enthusiasts:
The city maintains multiple parks with challenging, scenic, or relaxing hikes or mountain biking. You can also fish on the lakes.
For beer lovers:
There are two brew[ubs in town. The Red Oak Brewery (spring garden St) makes a couple of beers that can be found in most bars and restaurants in town. Red Oak is a red lager and Battleforest is a dark beer. Both are good. Natty Greene's is a relatively new pub on Elm St in downtown Greensboro. It has 5 brews and I enjoyed them all. When I was there it was possible to get small tasters for $1 and sample all 5.
