bethabara park

It is a small venue, but a direct link to the settlement of Salem in Winston Salem. I have not read the poor reviews yet but it was and is basically a small settlement with a makeshift fort. This site is preserved very well and unique.

You get the feeling that you are living in the days of the Moravian culture. Buildings and grounds are really authenic (in most case they really are). A very nice compliment to nearby Old Salem.

My parents found this place while taking a drive. It is so cool. We went to a couple of festivals that they have through out the year. It is really neat to learn about local history especially if you are not from around here!

Learned a lot about the Moravian settlers and enjoyed the beautiful historic buildings and gardens. Wonderful, and free!

I've visited for Apple Festival as well as for the Celtic Festival and enjoyed both! The area is manageable to walk and level for elderly people and provides handicap parking. There are some buildings to see and a small gift shop as well as working gardens. When there are events there is lots to see and do. The Celtic Festival is my favorite because they usually have a Fish and Chips vendor! It's really a nice day trip.

Took the grandkids here to let them run about and learn about early Moravian settlers in NC. The staff was very helpful, I could have spoke with them for some time but the children were restless. The buildings, stockade walls and grounds were neat to explore; if we'd had time we would have had a guide. The garden was fenced off in part and the signs were a bit difficult to see and the brochure could use some pop of color, though it was chock full of information.

We were so surprised by this hidden gem in Winston Salem. The park was absolutely beautiful. The gardens were gorgeous. Our only regret was we were not there during a time the church and visitor's center was open. Already, we're planning a return trip.

Serious historical village. Very walkable. Good visitors center. Period buildings impressive. Worth devoting a few hours to a visit. Even a few Geocaches in the vicinity.

This park is well worth a trip. It was near our hotel off University Parkway. The grounds and visitors' center are free but a tour of the 1788 Moravian church was only $4 and was lead by a wonderful guide dressed in period costume. His wife ran the visitors' center and told stories of the history of the Moravian Church and local area...a real find for us.

We were passing through Winston Salem and saw signs for this so we decided to check it out. We had no idea this place was here. It's the first Moravian settlement from 1753. I don't think it's something children would enjoy but we thoroughly did. If you are already planning a visit to Old Salem you should also check this out. They were closed for tours when we were there but we were still able to go into the fort and walk around the grounds.

The annual highland festival is held around the first weekend in May and is a small gathering of Scottish and some Irish clans. The one day event has food, clan tents, activities like a fiddle competition and sheep herding dogs, vendors and all things celtic and Scottish. The Moravian village is also open and it is hard to believe you are in a city. There is handicapped parking and lots of cool shade. A fine, family outing. And it's free.

This park and visitor is about 15 minutes from downtown. There is a visitor center with a good video about the early Moravian settlers. The park has some good walking trails but they are not well marked so beware, it's easy to get lost although the park isn't large enough to get scary lost. Worth a trip if you have a few hours to spare. If you have to choose I'd recommend the Old Salem Village instead.

If you want to relax and listen to birds chirp, hear how the gardens and plant survive, see how simple, but elegant the church is, and listen to some fantastic Scottish Fiddlers...step back into the past at bethabra...

Best to visit when the buildings are open for tour since the small museum only tells part of the story. Love visiting during events, like Applefest! This is a wonderful, authentic way to immerse the family in the real story of early North Carolina life and how the Moravians settled in this area with a unique set of governance and education priorities. Very innovative for their times. Best to hear the story with the tour guides who are also eager to answer questions! Hike around the area and walk up to God's acre to appreciate the location where they settled and the natural surroundings.

It was so close to downtown. So surprised to see how well these two buildings are preserved. A lovely place to walk around on a chilly day. Quaint.