Wake Forest North Carolina Historic Downtown and Joyner Park

Why visit Wake Forest

The town grew up around Wake Forest College, which stayed here for more than a century before moving to Winston-Salem in 1956. Today it pairs that college town history with a lively main street, family parks and easy access to Falls Lake.

Historic downtown

White Street and downtown

Downtown centers on White Street, where independent shops, cafes and restaurants fill historic storefronts. Park once and explore on foot for an hour or two, and check the town calendar for street festivals and outdoor concerts.

Wake Forest Historical Museum

The Dr. Calvin Jones House, built in 1820, holds the town museum with photos, furniture and college memorabilia that tell the story of the community. It is a short, rewarding stop of about an hour.

The original college campus

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary now uses the original Wake Forest College campus, with stately brick buildings and old trees. A quiet walk around the grounds shows where the town began.

Parks and the outdoors

E. Carroll Joyner Park

Joyner Park is the town favorite, with rolling meadows, walking trails, a historic farmhouse and an amphitheater. The Wake Forest Dance Festival is held here each fall. Bring a picnic and allow a couple of hours.

Falls Lake State Recreation Area

Falls Lake spreads across thousands of acres of water and woodland west of town. You can swim, paddle, fish or hike from several access areas, and summer weekends get busy, so arrive early.

Falls Lake dam and the Neuse River

Below the dam, the Neuse River begins its run south toward Raleigh. The area is a calm spot for a short walk and views of the spillway.

DuBois Center

The former W. E. B. DuBois School served Wake Forest's African American community from 1926 and is now a community center listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Neuse River Greenway Trail

The paved Neuse River Greenway runs south from the Falls Lake area toward Raleigh. Rent or bring a bike and ride a section along the river.

Food and local flavors

Southern comfort food fits the town well. Look for pulled pork barbecue with vinegar sauce, fried green tomatoes as a starter and a tall glass of sweet tea. Downtown has cafes, bakeries and breweries within a few blocks, and the Wake Forest Farmers Market brings local growers into town on market days.

Where to stay

Downtown Wake Forest suits visitors who want to walk to restaurants and events. Heritage, a residential area west of downtown, is quiet and close to golf and the lake. Wakefield, just across the line in north Raleigh, has more hotel choices and quick access to the highways.

Best time to visit

Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons, with mild days and the busiest calendar of downtown events and the fall dance festival. Summers are hot and humid, perfect for the lake. Winters are mostly mild.

Getting there and getting around

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is about twenty miles southwest. Wake Forest sits along US 1, also called Capital Boulevard, with NC 98 heading west toward Falls Lake. There is no passenger train station in town yet, so a car is the easiest way to get around. If your car needs attention on the road, Doc's Garage Inc in Wake Forest is one of the best rated auto shops in town on WiserMap.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Start at the historical museum, walk White Street and the old campus, then spend the afternoon at Joyner Park before dinner downtown.

Second day

Head to Falls Lake for a morning swim or paddle, then ride part of the Neuse River Greenway and finish with barbecue.

Practical tips

• Check the town events calendar, since festivals can close downtown streets.
• Falls Lake access areas may charge entry, so check the state park website first.
• Bring insect repellent for lake and trail days in summer.
• Plan a car for your visit, since most sights are spread out.
• Book a table on weekend evenings, when downtown restaurants fill quickly.

A trusted local pick

Road trips around the lakes and back roads add miles quickly. Doc's Garage Inc is a highly rated Wake Forest auto service on WiserMap, rated 4.8 by more than a hundred customers. Check recent reviews and call ahead before your visit.

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