Taking the High Road to High Point :: Part II

If you're just dropping in on Day 2 of our travel guide to High Point, no problem we are just starting our trip and you can still look back on Day 1 of our trip to catch right up!

Day 2 :: Old Salem  

On my first trip to High Point, I was traveling with my mother and she kept talking of this little historic town she wanted to take me where she still remembered eating warm sugar cookies from the bakery as a little girl.  

Just to go ahead and answer what you all are thinking, no, Old Salem does not have a history of witches and witch trials....that is Salem, Massachusetts.   But, Old Salem remains to be a town of rich history founded in 1766 by the Moravians. 

Home Moravian Church | 509 Church Street South

The Home Moravian Church was constructed in 1800 and is open to the public.  The copper topped belfry against the earthy red brick is a stunning feature of this historic place of worship.

Home Moravian Church

A. Butner

 Seeing all of the shop signs reminds me of being in Colonial Williamsburg - one of my favorite places I remember visiting as a little girl.

Miksch Garden & House | 532 South Main Street

 This house, constructed in 1771 and originally built of logs, was the first house in Salem to be occupied by a single family.

Salem Tavern Museum | 812 South Main Street

The Tavern was constructed in 1784 and served as the location for town meetings as well as an inn which housed visitors such as President George Washington.

The Tavern | 736 South Main Street

Hands down, the Tavern has the most phenomenal food in the area.  The Tavern was built in 1816 as an annex to the 1784 Tavern and is a family operated restaurant featuring dishes inspired by Moravian families living in Salem in the 19th century.

The Tavern Dining Area

During the day, guests dine by natural light pouring in through the windows and by candlelight at night.  The waitstaff are dressed in traditional Moravian attire as the icing on the cake for dining Moravian style.

The Tavern Fireplace in Dining Area

I love the simplicity of the interiors of the dining area and restaurant.

The Tavern Reuben + Sweet Potato Fries

While anything you select from The Tavern's menu is sure to please your tastebuds, my all time favorite which is also the dish they are known for is the Moravian Chicken Pie.  This is not your typical "pot pie" as it consists of a melt-in-your-mouth buttery, flaky crust topped with shredded chicken and smothered in Chicken Gravy.  A side of red skinned mashed potatoes with fresh green beans will have you cleaning your plate - literally.

View Full Menu Here

The Tavern for Dinner

The Tavern is open for lunch and dinner and offers a wide selection of wine, craft beer + mixed drinks to compliment your meal.

Home Moravian Church

 If you are seated on the second floor of the Tavern, this would be your view - what a gorgeous Spring day!

Architectural Detail

One of my favorite architectural details of historic homes is leaded glass.  I really must keep this architectural detail of a decoratively painted transom in mind - possibly for a garden house or guest house?

Old Salem

Private Residence | Old Salem

The private residences are just as lovely as the historic buildings themselves.  Each garden was lush yet carefully maintained and the homes themselves exude colonial times.

Old Salem

African Moravian Log Church | 913 South Church Street

The African Moravian Log Church was constructed in 1823 and served as an important part of the African American community.

Old Salem 

Well | Old Salem

 My travel partner & mother pumping some fresh water from the communal well located in the center of Old Salem.

Streets of Old Salem

Shops in Old Salem

Winkler Bakery | 521 South Main Street

Winkler Bakery was one of our final stops in Old Salem & the purpose for our visit....remember those warm sugar cookies my mother remembered eating as a child while visiting Old Salem?  Well, here we are, and yes they still bake the heavenly sweet breads and cookies right here.

The bakery was constructed in 1800 and the dome shaped oven is still heated with wood as it was 200 years ago.

Private Residence | Old Salem

 Another gorgeous architectural detail gracing the entrance to this historic home.

Private Residence | Old Salem

God's Acre Cemetery 

As we were leaving historic Old Salem, we came across this beautiful cemetery, God's Acre.  To read more on the history and significance of this cemetery go here.

If you don't have time to visit the Biltmore, the first stop recommended in our Travel Guide to High Point, you really should take the time to visit the quaint town of Old Salem - it only takes a few hours to get the full tour and who can turn down those decadent Moravian sugar cookies?!

Next on our guide - HIGH POINT!

Taking the High Road to High Point...

A Travel Guide to High Point Market

April is one of my favorite times of the year not only because warmer weather is on the horizon and everything is in bloom, but it is also the time to see what is new and fresh in interiors at High Point!  I am completely bummed that I will be unable to make the trip up this April, so I am going to create my own guide for High Point Market right through Quill Notes.

Not only is market full of inspiration in itself, but if you are able to take a few days to make the trip up to High Point, there are a few other things that you simply must do while in the area and along the way.

Day 1 :: Biltmore Estate

A visit to the Biltmore, nestled in the mountains of Ashville, NC, is an absolute must when taking the high road to High Point.  This stunning estate will easily take a day to visit, but its grandiose architecture with rooms draped in luxurious silks & velvets and enough antiques to suit royalty, will make it well worth your time. 

Biltmore Estate Grand Entrance

You will notice all of my photos are of the exterior of the estate, which is no less impressive than the interior, due to the fact that photography was prohibited once inside the estate.

Biltmore Estate Fascade

The stunning and ornate architecture - 4 stories worth + the basement -  literally takes your breath away.

Italian Garden

Garden Sculpture in the Italian Garden

View from the South Terrace

I certainly wouldn't mind waking up to this view every morning.  

South Terrace Tea House

South Terrace

View of the Biltmore Estate from the South Terrace

Green Man Fountain in the Pergola beneath the South Terrace

My Mother + Travel Partner - Looking out the South Terrace

Wisteria covered Pergola beneath the South Terrace

Wisteria covered Pergola beneath South Terrace

Who wouldn't love a wisteria covered terrace? The attractive purple blooms draping in graceful clusters from a full, hardy vine is certainly a sight to see while relaxing in ones garden.  However, seeker beware as wisteria can overtake and become out of control if note pruned properly.

Quill Notes Tip ::  Create a pergola with its specific purpose being to display this hardy vine.  Make sure to research the best species to grow in your area and most of all how to prune and train it to grow how you'd like without becoming destructive to other structures or plants in your garden.

Looking through Walled Garden onto blooming Tulips

Conservatory

The arched windows of the conservatory are absolutely stunning.  It's like looking through a looking glass into a space bursting with life.

Conservatory window detail

Inside the Conservatory

In love with these Rococo style chairs + that grate!  

View of the Biltmore Estate from Conservatory

View from South side of Etsate

Biltmore Estate + Pergola beneath South Terrace

Biltmore Estate

Biltmore Estate Architectural Detail

It still amazes and intrigues me at the ornate architectural details found at every corner of this grand estate.

Front Lawn

Biltmore Estate Architectural Detail

Love the stone pattern + layering of wood, stone and iron.

Architectural Detail of Horse Stables

View of Biltmore Estate from Horse Stables

The Biltmore Estate

Fountain/Terrace  Detail across front front of Biltmore Estate

As you leave the main grounds, you cannot miss the tour of the winery.  Their champagne is absolutely divine as is their other selections of wine from sweet blush to dry red.

Hometown Favorite, Belle Chevre, Found at the Winery Gift Shop

As my mother and I were going on our way and leaving our tour of the Biltmore, we made a little discovery - BELLE CHEVRE!!!  This delicious goat cheese is made right in the heart of Elkmont, Alabama and right outside of my hometown, Athens, Alabama.  If you haven't already discovered this lovely treat, you MUST try it soon!  

Available for purchase here

Roadtrip Picnic

Everyone knows if you are going on a road trip, it's the #1 rule to have fabulous snacks for the ride!

Road Trip Muchies:
Belle Chevre Goat Cheese Spread here
Effies Crispy Corncakes here
Starbuck's Coffee

Stay tuned for Day 2 as I continue my Travel Guide to High Point!