Discover the growing craft brewery scene in Greensboro, where there's a brew for every palate! With seven (and counting) craft breweries, Greensboro is at the heart of the NC Ale Trail By Rail experience—a journey that blends the joy of train travel with the fun of tasting exceptional local beers. The Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau teamed up with the NC Ale Trail by Rail for this experience, which runs between Raleigh and Charlotte.
Plan an unforgettable day trip, overnight stay, or a week-long whistle-stop crawl, and experience Greensboro's exciting beer scene. Cheers to the adventure!
Day 1: Arrival and Downtown Exploration
Morning:
Start your adventure by arriving in Greensboro on NC By Train’s Piedmont Route. The Amtrak station is conveniently located downtown at the J. Douglas Galyon Depot, close to breweries, hotels, attractions, parks, and more!
Check-In: Drop your bags at your downtown Greensboro hotel. Nearby hotels include The Biltmore Greensboro Hotel, Hampton Inn & Suites Greensboro Downtown, Hyatt Place Downtown Greensboro, and Marriott Greensboro Downtown.
Afternoon:
Begin your brewery tour with lunch at one of Greensboro's iconic breweries, Natty Greene's Brewing Co. Enjoy a variety of craft beers and delicious pub food.
Explore Downtown: Stroll along Elm Street, visiting local shops and historic sites including the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, home of the February 1, 1960 sit-in that sparked the modern Civil Rights Movement, and the Greensboro History Museum.
Evening:
Head to Hidden Gate Brewing Co. for an evening of unique brews and a relaxed atmosphere.
Just a short walk away, enjoy global-inspired gourmet tacos and burgers at Crafted – The Art of the Taco. Pair your meal with a local brew.
Save room for dessert! Head across the street to Cheesecakes by Alex, which offers more than 20 flavors of cheesecakes plus other delicious desserts.
Day 2: Brewery Hopping
Morning:
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast at places like the newly-opened Chandlers or the Sage Mule.
Start your brewery hopping day at family-owned Oden Brewing Company, known for its historical setting and diverse beer selection.
Afternoon:
Enjoy lunch and a fresh brew at SouthEnd Brewing Company, where the vibe is always welcoming and the beers are made in-house. Food options include elevated pub fare designed to compliment SouthEnd’s beer selection.
After lunch, venture to nearby Whitsett and the famous Red Oak Brewery. Red Oak is a Bavarian-inspired lager haus – North Carolina’s oldest and the nation’s best lager-only craft brewery. Brewery tours are available on Friday afternoons, but the lager haus is open Wednesday-Sunday.
Evening:
Return to downtown Greensboro for dinner and drinks at M’Couls Public House. This Celtic watering hole pours UK beers alongside Irish-American bar food.
End your day around the corner at Little Brother Brewing, where you can enjoy small-batch brews in a cozy setting with live music.
Day 3: Last Stops
Morning:
Enjoy brunch at Print Works Bistro, known for its sustainable practices and delicious menu.
If you have time before your train, revisit your favorite brewery or check out any you might have missed, including Joymongers Brewing Co., Pig Pounder Brewery, and Steel Hand Brewing.
Afternoon:
Return to the Depot and continue your NC Ale Trail by Rail journey to your next destination!
ALTERNATE OPTION: Experience Greensboro’s beer scene by pedal trolley with Brew Peddlers. Greensboro’s first and only pedal trolley fits up to 14 people (must be 21+) and allows you to try out downtown Greensboro’s best beer, wine, and food while pedaling throughout downtown.
The NC Ale Trail by Rail is a partnership between the NC Craft Brewers Guild, NC By Train, and local destination marketing organizations.
