Bob McAdoo
There are only a handful of athletes who can say they’ve revolutionized their sport. Bob McAdoo is one them. The former Smith High Golden Eagle was one of the first post players whose offensive arsenal stretched all the way to the perimeter. While McAdoo won countless awards, including the 1974-75 NBA Most Valuable Player, he is commonly recognized for modernizing the role of NBA big men.
Girl Scout Candlefest
Girl Scouts in Greensboro do much more than sell cookies. Watch the calendar in early December for the date of Candlefest, and then bundle up and bring the whole family to the Arboretum, where you can take a stroll on paths bathed in candlelight from the thousands of luminaries put out by the scouts. It’s a great kick-off to the holiday season. And don’t forget to look for the S’mores!
Carolina Blues Festival
In the Piedmont of North Carolina, blues comes with roots in bluegrass and the pride of fans and artists sustaining something special. This year, the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society will host the 22nd Annual Carolina Blues Festival on May 3 in downtown Greensboro’s Festival Park. piedmontblues.org .
New Garden Nursery
This homegrown nursery has grown by leaps and bounds since its roots were planted. Here you’ll find sage advice for do-it-yourself weekend yard warriors. Also, a popular “we plan, you plant” program allows you to get your hands in the dirt after landscape designers have created a custom site plan. 5572 Garden Village Way, 336-665-0291; 3811 Lawndale Dr., 336-288-8893; newgarden.com .
Greensboro Children’s Museum
A hands-on wonderland for wee ones, the Greensboro Children’s Museum offers a playtime paradise with interactive exhibits, educa-tional programming, and special events. Just another reason to wish you were a kid again. 220 N. Church St.; 336-574-2898; gcmuseum.com .
Grand Prix Greensboro
Greensboro, start your engines! Grand Prix Greensboro brings the outdoor sport of karting inside and onto a quarter-mile track. The best part? No experience is needed. As long as you’re at least 8 years old, you can suit up, strap in, and burn some rubber. 302 Gal-limore Dairy Rd.; 336-664-6222; grandprixgreensboro.com .
Greensboro Coliseum
From American Idol to ACC Hoops, this 23,500-seat Greensboro Coliseum
continues to connect Greensboro to some of the biggest stars, athletes, and events in the world. 1921 W. Lee St.; 336-373-7400; greensborocoliseum.com .
The Ghosts of Greensboro
From the spirits patrolling Battleground Park to the Hobbs House at Guilford College, our area is known to have a few haunts. While we’re not saying Lydia actually appears at her famous bridge, or that a woman literally pushes your car up Richfield Road, we’re also not denying it. You aren’t scared of ghosts, are you?
Bog Garden
Pass through a small bamboo forest before making your way down the boardwalk toward the Benjamin Lake Overlook. Here, dozens of ducks, as well as the occasional goose or turtle, await your visit and may even move closer to greet you. Admission is free. greensborobeautiful.org/TheGardens.htm.
Yvonne Johnson
The people voted, and Greensboro has its first African-American mayor, who is also the city’s second female mayor. But what stands out even more about Yvonne Johnson is her proven background and passionate concern for her hometown community.
Ganache Restaurant and Bakery
Celebrations are sweeter with Ganache. Chocolate Madness (filled with fudge, truffle, and chocolate mousse layers) is a favorite, but the restaurant also offers cheesecake, poundcake, and pies, in addition to standard meals. 403 N. Elm St.; 336-230-2253; ganachebakery.com .
Sharon Dahlonega Raiford Bush
On September 29, 1975, history was made inside a Detroit newsroom. Greensboro native Sharon Dahlonega Raiford Bush be-came the first African-American female to forecast the weather for a primetime newscast. Bush, who went by Sharon Crews for years, would eventually return to her roots as a news anchor at WGHP.
Triad Stage
It’s hard to believe that Triad Stage will start its eighth season in September. Housed in a renovated downtown building, the company uses top-notch acting, a cozy environment, and inspiring sets to create a consistent pleasure. They’ve also just added a cabaret space for intimate crowds. 232 S. Elm St.; 336-272-0160; triadstage.org .
Greensboro Farmers Curb Market
Savvy shoppers get to the Greensboro Curb Market early Saturday and Wednesday mornings to hear the occasional bluegrass band and sample baked goods, cheeses, and produce straight from local farms. If you snooze, you lose! The best stuff is usu-ally gone before noon. 501 Yanceyville St.; 336-373-2402.
223 South Elm
Located in the heart of downtown, the restaurant’s inventive take on dishes south of the Mason-Dixon line is sure to bring a plateful of comfort to any diner. Serving lunch and dinner, as well as a fine selection of wine, 233 South Elm melds big-city pa-nache with down-home flavor. 223 S. Elm St.; 336-272-3331; 223southelm.com .
Woolworth
While the chain went under in 1997, Greensboro’s location will live forever thanks to four courageous African-American college students. On February 1, 1960, they sat down at a segregated lunch counter and were promptly refused service. The snub led to six months of sit-ins and economic boycotts that helped fuel the U.S. civil-rights movement.
The Foucault Pendulum at the Natural Science Center
There’s a lot to love about the Natural Science Center, but the thing that has fascinated us from the get-go is the museum’s Foucault Pendulum. While it’s meant to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth, the real thrill is watching it knock over those tiny, helpless dominos. 4301 Lawndale Dr.; 336-288-3769; natsci.org .
Ricky Proehl
While his football career was productive, Proehl’s greatest accomplishments might be off the field. The Greensboro resident started the Ricky Proehl Foundation in 1999, offering support to North Carolina children with medical and/or social needs. The recent opening of Proehlific Park gives area youth a safe, exciting place to compete.
Eastern Music Festival
For more than 40 years, EMF has showcased music masterworks. The EMF School also allows dedicated students to spend five weeks learning, practicing, and performing. This summer, look forward to hearing more eclectic offerings provided through the new EMFfringe series. June 28 to August 2. easternmusic festival.org/festival.php.
Much and more
New York meets Miami in this chic, three-story venue. At the base is Much, the see-and-be-seen martini bar containing two waterfalls and a private alcove. On the second floor is Carmine’s Restaurant, which offers authentic Italian dining. And perched on top is Heaven, a rooftop nightclub that opens on Fridays. 113 S. Elm St.; 336-370-1311.
Piedmont Triad International Airport
To truly appreciate PTI Airport, try flying from New York La Guardia, Chicago O’Hare, or virtually any other airport in America. None are completely hassle-free these days, but PTI comes closer than most. 6415 Bryan Blvd.; 336-665-5600; fly-frompti.com.
The Green Bean
Thirsty Thursday is alive and well inside The Green Bean. The coffee shop serves up half-priced lattes on Thursdays, which are sure to give you a jolt toward the weekend. And on your way out, don’t forget to capture a Kodak moment in the old-fashioned photo booth. 341 S. Elm St.; 336-691-9990.
“The Gate City”
Like many things in our city, this moniker can be traced back to Greensboro’s native son, John Motley Morehead. In the mid-1800s, the former governor convinced officials to build railroad tracks through Greensboro. Soon after, the city became a transportation hub, with as many as 60 trains passing through its station on any given day.
Elizabeth’s Pizza
The beauty of this local chain of Italian restaurants is what it can do with a couple of simple ingredients. No one does more with dough, cheese, and tomato sauce. While the menu includes pasta and traditional Italian dishes, don’t miss the big and cheesy calzones. And certainly try the Margherita Pizza, with a taste so fresh you’ll start dreaming about your summer garden. Loca-tions vary. elizabethpizza.com .

Train Depot
Little captures the excitement and romance of travel like awe-inspiring train stations. Recent renovations have returned the Greensboro Southern Railway Depot, built in 1927, back to its regal self. Its airy main waiting room and detailed mural of the Southern Railway network in the 1920s will make you feel like you’re really going places. 236 E. Washington St.; 336-272-6755.
Country Barbeque
You know the really authentic Carolina barbecue places by their signs — they’ve got pigs on them. Case in point: Country Barbe-que. There, meat comes smoked, sauced, chopped, and sliced alongside hushpuppies sweetened with an extra helping of sugar in the cornmeal batter. 4012 W. Wendover Ave.; 336-292-3557.
While no one knows what the future holds, it’s obvious that our fair city is going places. With new roads uniting us and new projects enlivening us, Greensboro has opened the gate to a better tomorrow.