What Greensboro is known for

The Greensboro Destination has over 20 cities, the most popular and well-known being Greensboro, the namesake of the destination. The town, named after General Nathanael Greene, has historic buildings and a large downtown that has been visited by multiple historical figures. Greensboro has been visited by 17 U.S. presidents, the first being George Washington in 1791. The city was also where the first sit-in demonstration of the American Civil Rights Movement took place in 1960. Other historical events that took place in Greensboro were the Carolina Theatre fire, the establishment of Greensboro College as a state-charted college for women, and the Francis Mcnairy House, which acted as a hospital after the Battle of Guildford Courthouse.[6] 

In the city of Greensboro, there is a variety of activities that visitors can participate in. Some of these include the Greensboro Children's Museum, Greensboro History Museum, International Civil Rights Museum, the Tanger Center, Greensboro Coliseum, and the Greensboro Science Center.[1] In the nearby city of Winston-Salem, features such as the Old Salem Museums and Gardens, the Reynolda House, and Quarry Park are visited by tourists and citizens alike. Also in Winston-Salem are multiple breweries.[2] 

Located near the middle of the Greensboro Destination is Hanging Rock State Park. The park has 20 miles of hiking trails, 8.4 miles of mountain biking trails, and options for various activities. Rock climbing is available to those who have a permit. Dan River is located within Hanging Rock State Park, making it so that paddling is a possible activity. Other things to do within the park are camping, hiking, boating, fishing, swimming, and picnicking.[3] 

Greensboro has been described as friendly and welcoming with a population of 303,286 people. The city is 47.25% white and 41.40% African American or black.[9] Those looking to stay in the destination are recommended to come between April to June, which is said to be the best time to visit the region. Tourism in the area spikes during March and is the lowest in November.[7]

Geography

The Greensboro Destination, located in North Carolina and Virginia, has two major cities, state parks, lakes, rivers, and other environmental features. The region has over 20 cities, some of which are Greensboro, Bassett, Mt. Airy, Greensboro, and Martinsville. Overall, the destination can be described as a relatively square shape. The state line between North Carolina and Virginia is located about halfway through the area. Cities that border the Greensboro Destination are Ferrum, Floyd, Galax, Elkin, Harmony, Advance, Thomasville, Greensboro, and Yanceyville. 

There are multiple lakes, rivers, forests, and mountains in the region. Because of this, the destination receives rain throughout the year, along with snow during certain months. The area's general climate ranges from around 37 degrees Fahrenheit to about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The city of Greensboro gets rain throughout the year, with the highest possibility of rain in December. From November to April, snow is relatively a standard; when it snows, it averages to add up to around two inches high per month. The district is moderately humid, with the least humidity in February and the most in September. Generally speaking, wind extremities are relatively low in the area, though there are days when the wind is more prominent.  Because of Greensboro's temperature, precipitation, humidity, and wind levels, it is suggested that people visit the city from early April to the beginning of June.[7]

The Greensboro Destination acts as a home for a variety of flora and fauna. There are several types of ferns and horsetails in the district, along with common brackens, common junipers, northern white cedars, Canadian yews, eastern white pines, and a few different types of clovers. Often times the plants and animals are located in the same areas. Mammals in the region are groundhogs, American beavers, a few types of squirrels and rabbits, white-tailed deer, American black bears, North American river otters, coyotes, red foxes, and hairy-tailed moles. One of the most common types of animals that can be found in the vicinity are birds, including woodpeckers, killdeer, common loons, great blue herons, hummingbirds, hawks, and American robins, which are only a few types of birds that can be spotted in the area.[8]

Hanging Rock State Park is located near the middle of the region. It was created in the 1930s as a Civilian Conservation Corps project and has evolved into what it is today. It has over 20 miles of hiking trails and a 73-site campground. One of the most common activities within the park is rock climbing and multiple different climbing routes. There are more than 704 species of mountain flora in Hanging Rock State Park. Common mammals in the park are gray foxes, white-tailed deer, and raccoons, with bats also being a common animal in the summer months. Over the span of a few years, the exposed rocks have been cracked and weathered, allowing the soil to get into the small crevices.[3]

History

The first settlers in Greensboro, the city that the Greensboro Destination is named after, were mostly Quakers of Welsh and those of English descent, Germans, and Scotch-Irish. The permanent settlement of Greensboro started around 1740. When 1,900 redcoats threatened to invade North Carolina, American Major General Nathanael Greene deployed in three battle lines at Guilford Courthouse. There were 4,400 rebels in total, and the battles took place on March 15, 1781. Lord Cornwallis, the man who was leading the redcoats, lost one-quarter of his army during the fighting. Eventually, this would lead to his defeat at Yorktown. Later, a 42-acre tract of land was mapped out in 1808 to become a city, and it was suggested that it be named Greensborough after Nathanael Greene.[5] 

Today, Greensboro's downtown thrives as an economic center. The downtown was built this way in the late 19th century, where construction was constant during this time period. During the Great Depression, construction was especially noticeable. Later in the 1950s, businesses started to slow, causing people to move to the suburbs. Over the next 30 years, the population would die down from what it originally was; however, in the 1990s, the downtown area was repopulated. Since then, Greensboro's downtown has acted as an urban center.[5]

Most of the landscaping and architecture in Greensboro were done by iconic American designers, with the majority of it completed in the early 20th century when Greensboro's citizens hired designers from New England and the northern United States to help with the construction of new buildings.[5] 

During World War II, Greensboro was majorly impacted by the war in the 1940s. The city had a vast petroleum tank farm and a variety of industries supporting the wartime effort. As a result, the city was at risk of becoming an enemy target. Most of the citizens retreated to their homes at night. Curtains were drawn to hide the lights and prevent easy visibility of the houses. After the war, things in Greensboro returned to normal, and the city thrived in the prosperity of the post-Depression era.[5]

Health care in the city has improved over the years after its first hospitals were established during the Civil war to treat victims of the battles. Most of the early hospitals were located in warehouses and churches. Today, Moses Cone Health System is Greensboro's primary source of medical care; however, medicine is not the only thing that has changed over the years. There are multiple educational opportunities in the city, including five four-year colleges and universities. There is also a law school, a two-year community college, and a collaborative joint campus that is operated by two of the largest universities in the area. The different schools provide jobs for around 6,000 people who act as faculty and staff.[5]

Today, Greensboro has the nickname "Tournament Town" because of its wealth of athletic venues, as the city is characterized by courts, stadiums, fields, and pools. The city has hosted the men's and women's ACC basketball tournaments, the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, and the PGA Wyndham Championship. The Greensboro Coliseum Complex employs more people than Cone Mills, which was once known for being the world's largest producer of denim. In current times, some of the people of Greensboro participate in various sports, the most popular being basketball and baseball.[5]

Greensboro has a population of 303,286 people and receives a large number of visitors each year. The demographics of the city are 47.25% white, 41.40% black or African American, 4.98% Asian, and 1.49% Native American.[9]