City Cheat Sheet: High Point, North Carolina

Ashley Powell Nosek, Editor of The Scout Guide Triad – Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point (left) with Assistant Editor Stacy Calfo. Photo by Wendy Riley Photography.

High Point Market is the largest furniture trade show in the world, bringing some 75,000 furniture buyers, interior designers, and other design professionals to quaint High Point, North Carolina, every fall and spring to see the latest home furnishings and products, discover new brands, and shop for art, antiques, and unique pieces. With 180 buildings and more than 2,000 exhibitors, Market attendees have a lot of ground to cover —11.5 million square feet of space to be exact. Therefore, we asked Ashley Powell Nosek, Editor of TSG Triad, which covers North Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point, for insider tips on navigating the area.

Nosek started attending the furniture market with her family when she was just 8 years old, and has visited a few dozen times over the past few decades, so she knows her way around High Point well. “I love how it changes from season to season,” says Nosek. “It’s a lot of fun to see the latest design trends as things evolve, and also to see that what is old is new again. There is a really great energy at market.” Here, the Triad native gives us a list of the best watering holes, eateries, sights and shops near the furniture show.

WHERE TO STAY // Bunk at the posh Proximity Hotel (704 Green Valley Road) in nearby Greensboro. The contemporary boutique hotel was the first LEED Platinum-certified hotel in the state. Adjacent to the hotel is the French Print Works Bistro, which offers comfort food crafted from fresh, local ingredients. “There’s a great outdoor patio where you can grab cocktails and dinner in good weather,” says Nosek.

Winston-Salem’s Graylyn (1900 Reynolda Road), formerly a historic home, was transformed into a luxury hotel and conference center with both casual and fine-dining restaurants. Tucked away on 55 acres, the private estate offers a quiet retreat after a long day exploring the Market.

WHERE TO EAT // En route to High Point Furniture Market in the mornings, swing by The Sweet Shoppe (2008 North Centennial Street, High Point), a from-scratch bakery for a pastry. “They’ve been in business since the 1940s, and it is still run by the same family,” says Nosek. “They have truly delicious baked goods—croissants, cinnamon buns, cookies, cupcakes.”

Penny Path Café & Crêpe Shop (104 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, High Point) is a family-owned cafe located in the heart of downtown High Point that is perfect for lunch during the market or unwinding after a day of browsing with a casual dinner. Sweet and savory crepes ensure there is something for every craving.

Refuel midday at DeBeen Espresso (709 West Lexington Avenue, High Point), a quaint little local coffee shop that is just a stone’s throw from the Market. An added bonus: The cafe carries locally made gelato from Sweet Josephine’s, another bakery in town.

Southern Roots (119 East Main Street, Jamestown), which serves up tasty Southern dishes, is just a quick 15-minute drive from High Point in Jamestown. Think bacon jam, fried green tomatoes, and pimento cheese. Open for lunch and dinner, this spot emphasizes a farm-to-table philosophy with fresh, local ingredients that go into each dish.

For your Carolina barbecue fix, head on over to Lexington Barbecue (100 Smokehouse Lane, Lexington), also known as “The Honeymonk” or “The Monk” to locals. Although it’s 30 minutes outside of town, this classic and casual barbecue joint is worth the journey, as it has received national acclaim for its smoky meats.

Southern cuisine meets fine dining at Winston-Salem hot spot Mozelle’s (878 West 4th Street, Winston-Salem). “This restaurant is one of my favorite places to eat in Winston,” says Nosek. The menu also embraces the Far East with a few Asian dishes like the Southern spring rolls and Korean barbecue pork spare ribs.

1618 Downtown (312 South Elm Street, Greensboro) is an excellent option for lunch or dinner, with an extensive wine and cocktails list and offerings ranging from a kale caesar salad to a truffle roast beef sandwich to ancho barbecue-glazed confit duck legs, all served up in a casual-cool atmosphere.

If burgers and beer are your calling, Hop’s Burger Bar (2419 Spring Garden Street, Greensboro), a Greensboro hole-in-the-wall, is your go-to spot with a “build your own burger” menu and an array of loaded fries options. And there’s plenty of beer to wash it all down.

WHERE TO WET YOUR WHISTLE // After a long day on your feet at Market, you’ll want to kick back and relax with a refreshing beverage. Brown Truck Brewery (1234 North Main Street), a brand-new microbrewery on High Point’s main drag, is conveniently located and serves up an array of ales. Also nearby in High Point is Blue Bourbon Jacks (1310 North Main Street), a local whiskey joint that has live music in the evenings. Grab a beer and unwind while shooting some pool or watching the game.

If Greensboro is your home base, Nosek recommends a tour of Downtown Greensboro’s breweries. “North Carolina has become known as the location of one of the largest number of craft breweries in the nation,” says Nosek. “Greensboro has its fair share, and most are clustered in a few blocks’ radius in downtown.” Be sure to stop by Gibb’s Hundred (117 West Lewis Street), Joymongers Brewing Co. (576 North Eugene Street), Natty Greene’s Pub & Brewing Co. (345 South Elm Street), and Preyer Brewing Co. (600 Battleground Avenue). Also in downtown, Nosek says The Bearded Goat (116 East Lewis Street) is a quirky dive bar with a great craft beer menu, and Pig Pounder (1107 Grecade Street), another local brewery, is just a 5-minute drive from downtown.

WHERE TO SHOP // “This is the place for high-end shopping in the Triad,” says Nosek of Reynolda Village (2201 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem). Shops are housed in the old R.J. Reynolds estate’s buildings, which were modeled after an English village. Be sure to stop by Gazebo for attire and Monkee’s for shoes (you may need a new pair after your first day at High Point). “There are art galleries, a lovely children’s store, and numerous high-end gift shops and clothing stores,” says Nosek.

For an array of locally owned boutiques, hit up High Point’s Millis Square (1109 North Main Street)Wright Choices for cute clothes, Blo Dry Club for a quick blowout, and About Face for beauty products.

If in Greensboro, swing by The Shops at Friendly Center’s (3110 Kathleen Avenue) local shops—Simply Meg’s for the latest styles, Swoozie’s for fun gifts, Palm Avenue for Lily Pulitzer, and BohoBlu for casual clothes.

WHERE TO GET SOME R&R // For a quick pick-me-up head, to Ageless in the Triad Med Spa (900 Old Winston Road, Suite 204b, Kernersville) for a massage, facial, or other service that will make you feel relaxed and pampered. “It’s a little out of the way coming from Market, but well worth the drive,” says Nosek. Bonus: The spa is planning to run a 20-percent-off special on treatments for High Point Furniture Market attendees.

In High Point, About Face (1107 North Main Street, Suite 104, High Point) day spa offers everything from a quick eyebrow shape to full-body massages. They sell an array of beauty products to boot.

For more recommendations for what to do and see in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point, North Carolina, follow Ashley on Instagram