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16 Free Things to Do in Greensboro, NC (+ Map)

Bench at the Greensboro Arboretum, one of the free things to do in Greensboro, NC
Greensboro Arboretum, one of the free things to do in Greensboro, NC

Having fun in Greensboro doesn’t have to cost a dime as there are many exciting free things to do in Greensboro.

With all the free activities in the city, Greensboro is a great place to visit if you’re on a budget. From beautiful gardens to events at a library to interesting museums about history and art, there’s a lot to choose from.

In this Greensboro free things to do guide, you can find a large variety of fun and absolutely free activities in the city. With these activities, I’m sure you can have a great and affordable time if you visit the city!

Free Things To Do in Greensboro

Go to the Gateway Gardens

Nature and fruit chairs at the Gateway Gardens
Fruit chairs at the Gateway Gardens – Amanda Reyes / Shutterstock.com

The Gateway Gardens in Greensboro can be great to visit if you like nature.

This is a beautiful botanical garden where you can see many different plants, flowers, and trees, that are very beautiful to see.

But that’s not all that you can see in this garden. There are also interesting sculptures and other works of art, many of these works are very colorful.

Besides that, there are several different gardens at this place. For example, you can check out the Heritage Garden at this place.

Also, you could go to the Michael Family Children’s Garden if you are traveling to this garden with children. This makes going to the garden one of the best kid activities as well.

Address: 2800 E Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27401

See Art at the Weatherspoon Art Museum

Want to see amazing art for free in Greensboro? Then, you can go to the Weatherspoon Art Museum.

This is a wonderful art museum with 6 different galleries and a sculpture courtyard.

The museum has a large collection of modern and contemporary works of art, and the museum focuses on American art of this type.

The permanent collection of the museum includes works by many famous artists such as Cindy Sherman, Willem de Kooning, and Andy Warhol.

What’s great is that there are often temporary exhibitions. In fact, each year there are more than 15 different exhibitions.

Also, the museum organizes interesting activities that relate to art.

Address: 1005 Spring Garden St, Greensboro, NC 27412

Do a Self-Guided Tour of Greensboro

Greensboro from above
View of Greensboro

One of the best ways to explore the city of Greensboro is by doing a self-guided tour, and what’s great about this type of tour is that you can do it completely for free.

This is a type of tour that you can do on your phone or you can use a print-out.

There are many websites where you can get a route of the city of Greensboro, and then use that route to go for a walk in the city.

The route guides you to great places in the city and at each place you can get information to learn about the city.

For example, you might want to do a tour through which you can learn about history which is one of the most interesting free activities in Greensboro.

Go to a Free Event at the Greensboro Public Library

If you want to attend a free event while you are in Greensboro, the Greensboro Public Library is a great place to check out.

The library, which has several locations in the city organizes interesting free events that you could go to.

For example, you could join a club at the library, such as a chess club, and play chess with others.

The library also organizes free classes through which you can acquire new skills.

Or you can join a trivia quiz at the library.

Whatever type of event you like, there’s likely an event that you like and that you can go to for free!

Address: 219 N Church St, Greensboro, NC 27401

Check Out the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden

Building and nature at the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden
Building at the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden

The Tanger Family Bicentennial Gardens can be nice to check out as well if you are looking for a free place to visit with beautiful nature.

At the Tanger Family Bicentennial Gardens, you can find walking trails that take you along beautiful plants and flowers.

There are also special gardens at this place that focus on one particular type of flora.

For example, there is a “Sensory Garden” where you can engage all your senses. This garden has beautiful elements, such as a stream water element.

This place in the garden is also a perfect place for some relaxation!

Address: 1105 Hobbs Rd, Greensboro, NC 27410

Visit the ACC Hall of Champions

This is one of the best free activities if you like sports.

You can go to the ACC Hall of Champions, which is a museum that is dedicated to the Atlantic Coast Conference.

At this place, you can learn about the history of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its future.

You can find all sorts of objects here that relate to the ACC.

For example, you can see mascots, photographs, and clothing that relates to the ACC. Also, there are trophies and there is a multi-media display with highlights.

What’s great is that there is no admission fee to visit the ACC Hall of Champions. You can find this place at 1921 West Gate City Boulevard.

Address: 1921 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27403

Go to the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

Statue and trees at the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
Statue at the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

The Guilford Courthouse National Military Park is another place to check out if you’re looking for free things to do in Greensboro.

This is a place that is dedicated to the Battle of Guilford Court House which took place in the year 1781, an important battle in the Revolutionary War that the Americans won.

At the military park, there are all kinds of monuments and markers.

It can be very interesting to check out this park to learn new things, and what’s great is that there is no admission fee to go to this park.

You can visit the park most days of the year, except for a few holidays.

Address: 2332 New Garden Rd, Greensboro, NC 27410

Visit the Greensboro History Museum

The Greensboro History Museum is a wonderful place where you can learn about the history of the city of Greensboro.

The museum is located inside the former First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro.

Inside the museum, there are interesting exhibits that together tell the story of the city of Greensboro.

For example, there is an exhibit of an outdoor square and there is also an exhibit of an old classroom.

Besides that, there are all kinds of historic objects and there are interesting panels with information through which you can learn a lot of new things.

Furthermore, throughout the museum, there are interesting historic objects, such as clothes and photographs.

Address: 130 Summit Ave, Greensboro, NC 27401

Go for a Stroll at LeBauer Park

Sign, grass, and trees at LeBauer Park
Sign at LeBauer Park

Want to relax while you are in Greensboro? Then, you can go to Carolyn & Maurice LeBauer Park, which is a city park in downtown Greensboro.

You can visit this 4-acre park for free.

There is lovely nature and a beautiful and very interesting outdoor art installation at the park.

Address: 208 N Davie St, Greensboro, NC 27401

Check Out the Ambleside Gallery

The Ambleside Gallery in Greensboro is a lovely fine art gallery that is located in downtown Greensboro. You can find this gallery at 528 S Elm Street.

At the gallery, you can see a variety of beautiful works of art by many different artists.

There are paintings, sculptures, and other objects that are very interesting to see at the gallery.

The objects differ a lot in media and style.

I’m sure you’ll have a great time when you go here to see art, and if you like a piece of art at the gallery a lot, you can buy it!

Address: 528 S Elm St, Greensboro, NC 27406

Go for a Stroll at Center City Park

Center City Park and buildings
Center City Park on a cloudy day

The Center City Park is a small city park that you can find in Downtown Greensboro and going there is a great free activity in Greensboro.

There are walking paths, there is beautiful nature, and there are fountains. All these elements. make the place very beautiful and relaxing.

Also, what’s great is that there are often events at Center City Park.

For example, there are often events with live music and food at Center City Park.

Address: 200 N Elm St, Greensboro, NC 27401

See The Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel

The Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel is a carousel that you can find in Country Park. The carousel is operated by the Greensboro Science Museum.

It is a beautiful hand-painted carousel with on it beautiful figures of all kinds of animals.

Seeing the carousel can be a lot of fun and the carousel is also a lot of fun to check out when you are going to Greensboro with kids.

There is no admission fee and the carousel is open year-round, but the hours per day can vary.

Address: 4301 Lawndale Dr, Greensboro, NC 27455

Go to the GreenHill Center for North Carolina Art

The GreenHill Center for North Carolina Art is a lovely art gallery that you can find at 200 North Davie Street, and it is located inside the Greensboro Cultural Center.

The center is a non-collecting gallery that is dedicated to promoting and showcasing visual art made by artists from North Carolina.

You can see many different types of art at the gallery. For example, there are sometimes exhibitions with photography made by local photographers from North Carolina.

If you want to get to know the local art scene of the state of North Carolina and you want to do so for free, this is a great place to check out.

Address: 200 N Davie St, Greensboro, NC 27401

Visit the Greensboro Arboretum

Path at the Greensboro Arboretum

Here’s another great free thing to do in Greensboro if you want to see beautiful nature.

You can go to the Greensboro Arboretum during every month of the year.

This is a 17-acre arboretum where you can find many different collections of plants. In total, there are 14 collections that all are dedicated to different types of plants.

Furthermore, there are various gardens at the arboretum that all focus on different natures.

Because of the large variety of plants, I’m sure you will learn a lot about going here.

Address: 3299 Starmount Dr, Greensboro, NC 27403

Go to the University Galleries

The University Galleries are part of the North Carolina A&T State University.

There are two different galleries here: the H.C. Taylor Gallery and the Mattye Reed Gallery.

The collection of these two galleries is very diverse.

One of the galleries focuses on the culture of the African Diaspora and there are many works by famous African American artists.

Furthermore, there is a collection of sculptures, masks, musical instruments, textiles, and other objects.

You can see the collection of these galleries for free, and what’s great is that you can also see the A&T Four Monument on the front lawn of the museum.

This is a monument that honors the four students from A&T State University that played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement.

Visit Elsewhere

Elsewhere is a very interesting museum to check out as well.

This is a living museum with living installations that can be very interesting to see through a tour.

Also, there are performing arts shows at Elsewhere that can be great to see.

What’s unique about this place is that it is located inside a former thrift store.

The museum has a collection that consists of objects from when the thrift store shut down. This collection can be interesting to see as well.

And what’s nice is that you can visit Elsewhere completely for free!

Address: 606 S Elm St, Greensboro, NC 27406

More Greensboro Articles

Things to do at night in Greensboro

Weekend in Greensboro itinerary

Weekend trips from Greensboro

Greensboro Free Things To Do Tips

There are many great free activities in Greensboro, but you might also plan on visiting places that aren’t free. There are still ways to save money when you go there!

For example, there are some places where you can get a discount if you are a student or a senior. I recommend taking proof with you, such that you can get the discount that applies to you.

View of buildings in Downtown Greensboro
Downtown Greensboro

Free Things To Do in Greensboro Map


As you see, there are lots of free things to do in Greensboro. I hope you found some great activities for you!

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