Alright, so today I thought I’d test out free stuff here in Winston-Salem since my wallet’s lookin’ thin. Started simple: grabbed my sneakers and walked straight to Salem Lake Trail around 9 AM. Saw three dudes fishing near the pier – smelled like wet dirt and pine needles out there. Took me ’bout an hour to circle that lake, sweatin’ buckets but spotted a blue heron just chillin’ in the reeds. Pro tip: bring water.
The Midday Stumble-Through
Headed downtown around noon, stomach growlin’. Instead of cafes, I hit Krankies’ outdoor area – didn’t buy nothin’ but used their free WiFi to look up art spots. Wandered into the Arts District on Trade Street, peekin’ in gallery windows like a creep. Saw this wild mural behind Mast General Store with rainbow dinosaurs? Took some awkward selfies there.
- Stepped into Sawtooth School: Free lobby exhibits! Weird pottery sculptures shaped like melting TVs.
- Found Bailey Park: Empty when I went but benches everywhere. Watched pigeons fight over a pretzel chunk.
- Stumbled upon Bookmarks: That tiny bookstore let me read poetry books for 20 mins without shooing me out.
Afternoon Cheapskate Moves
By 3 PM, legs felt like jelly. Hopped on the free downtown trolley (bright green one!) – driver gave zero craps I wasn’t shopping. Rode loops for 40 minutes just people-watchin’: lady with purple hair walking poodles, some street musician bangin’ buckets. Got off near Wake Forest, pretended I was a student and ambled through the stone hallways hunting for art exhibits. Found one medieval-looking painting hallway near the library.
Finished at Reynolda Gardens near sunset. Didn’t pay for the freakin’ estate tour, just roamed the free gardens. Smelled roses while watchin’ rich folks leave wine tastings. Whole day? Spent twelve bucks total on a gas station hot dog and a banana. Felt smug as hell drivin’ home past all those paid parking lots.
