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LIFE

What’s fun about Greensboro? Plenty

Sunday, May 30, 2010
(Updated 6:45 am)

As you may recall, Forbes.com recently ranked Greensboro as the best place in North Carolina to run a fun business.

So in an effort to get at what makes the city so much fun, we turned to you, our readers, for your views.

For my money, a perfect day would be a visit to see the lemurs, the giant anteater and the tigers at the Natural Science Center, grab a chicken salad sandwich at Lindley Park Filling Station, take a walk at the Greensboro Arboretum, celebrate a win by the Greensboro Grasshoppers at NewBridge Bank Park, then finish up with a delicious dinner at Bianca’s, Village Tavern or Green Valley Grill.

While I go make reservations, look inside for some more fun things that you told us, in your e-mails and letters, and via Twitter and our blogs.

— Janet Brindle Reddick

• • •

“Vietnamese fresh rolls on Monday at Pho Hien Vuong; Saffron’s Indian buffet on Tuesday; Southern shrimp and grits at Lucky 32 on Wednesday; Jerusalem Market’s Syrian sandwich on Thursday; fried N.C. croaker at Libby Hill on Friday; oysters at Green’s on Saturday; and brunch at Taste of Thai on Sunday. Now that’s fun.”
David Bailey

• • •

“We’ve lived in 9 states; but here, wow! Nature! People! Hummingbirds return with friends! Every yard is an aviary! Gardens go from seed to fruit in a blink! Every race and class is a genuine friend to keep! Friends + Hike + Greensboro = Fun!”
Jodi Cunningham

• • •

“The best cultural event in Greensboro is the Bryan Series. It is one of the most anticipated events of the year providing our beautiful city with inspiring speakers in an enjoyable, intellectual, thought-provoking and humorous way. This is big city entertainment and Greensboro at its finest.”
Sherry Tow

• • •

“Museums and Parks and People.”
Adam Arney

• • •

“Having been coming to Greensboro for summers since 1979, I’d say there are numerous fun things about Greensboro. For me, first off, it’s my job. ... Whether it’s concerts in Dana, at UNCG or Founders Lawn, EMF provides Greensboro with weeks of wonderful music. Also, love the Hoppers, barbecue and the Arboretum.”
Gregory Cox, principal trombone of the EMF, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

• • •

“Approximately 190 students come from all over the country to study with professional musicians and perform difficult orchestral repertoire, piano recitals, and pops concerts ... two professional chamber music series, and an orchestral series, as well as our Fringe series ... . All of this makes for a wonderful summer of great music!” 
Barbara Morgenstern, co-chairwoman of the EMF

• • •

“Greensboro is a fun city because of all the beautiful golf courses, parks and hiking trails in the area. There are also many great restaurants and local theater productions.”
Sandy McCulloch

• • •

“The Broach Theatre!”
Denise Oliphant

• • •

“The annual Greensboro Summer Solstice Festival every June ... at the Greensboro Arboretum. Guaranteed to be an eye-popping sound explosion with drumming, fire performance, face painting. Lots of vendors selling whimsical, arty, one-of-a-kind items. People dress up in all manner of fairy, wood sprite and summer dancer costumes.” 
Carol Poling

• • •

“As the economic development people will tell you, Greensboro, with its excellent central location is just a short drive from the state’s great beaches or just a couple of hours from the mountains — and that’s what makes it fun: Greensboro is very close to somewhere you would actually want to be.”
Scott Yost

• • •

“As the organizer of the German Language Meetup Group, I am constantly searching for new restaurants for one of our monthly meetings. I have found many great restaurants but one of my favorite outings is brunch. Places like Cafe Europa, Ganache or the Green Valley Grill make my mouth water.”
Katja Brown

• • •

“One of my memorable moments at the Coliseum was this past winter at the monster truck show. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The best part about it was the ending when all the trucks were roaring around, then Grave Digger comes FLYING out of the air to have a grand (finale) of smashing all the cars on top of the mound!”
Katie Allegro

• • •

“I had the best time at Greensboro Coliseum in June of 2009 when me and 10 of my other best girlfriends came to see Beyonce. We all ate and toasted to Beyonce beforehand and came to the concert there. It was the best time!”
Lesley Erin Wright

• • •

“Greensboro is a fun place to live because of the fun stuff including, concerts, Grasshopper baseball games, downtown bars, movies, plays, parks, the Carolina Theatre, farmers’ market, and special events are affordable and accessible within a 10 minute drive from anywhere in town.”
Hugh Williams

• • •

“There are many others, but two of my favorite theaters are Triad Stage (www.triadstage.org) and the Open Space Cafe Theatre (www.openspacecafetheatre.
blogspot.com). I’ve had countless unforgettable moments at both of these theaters, as well as others in our community. While often well-attended, these theaters and their stars sometimes don’t draw the audiences they deserve.”
Seymour Hardy Floyd

• • •

“McCouls, Natty Greene’s, Grays Tavern ... need I say more?”
Carter H. Malloy

• • •


“When you get more involved in the community and seem to always think ... 'What a small world!’”
Aden Hailemariam

• • •


“Watching fellow northerners second guess every school closing due to winter weather. ... The Greensboro Children’s Museum and The Natural Science Center.”
Kisha Carmichael-Motley

• • •


“Watching the homegrown fun of the Fourth of July parade in Kirkwood.”
Jeb Brooks

• • •

“What makes Greensboro fun? Stopping to admire the beauty of the Kress Building on S. Elm St. just about every time I walk past it.”
Ben Tietje

• • •


“Finding a decent flight from PTI that saves a trip (and ungodly parking $) at RDU.”
Calvin Spealman

Comments

This article has been closed to new comments. Comments are generally closed after 14 days. However, comments may be closed earlier at the discretion of the News & Record.

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pippi69

May 30, 2010 - 4:51 pm EDT

Dear Scott - "and that’s what makes it fun: Greensboro is very close to somewhere you would actually want to be.”

perhaps, then you should move to somewhere that 'you'd actually want to be'. You know, the whole point of N&R asking for input for this quaint article was to have optimistic and perhaps, informational / inspirational, input. Yours was not - obviously you are a cynic.
I know the liquor store always has good boxes, in case you want to start packing.

tledford

May 30, 2010 - 10:20 pm EDT

All you have to do is read the "frequent commenters" on the N&R website to come to understand that Greensboro is a worthless piece of garbage that should cease to exist. The taxes are too high, African Americans have too much influence, the Coliseum is a waste of money, too much attention is given to luring companies that offer decent jobs, the police department is too accommodating to African American officers, parking is terrible downtown and oh yeah, did I say minorities in the community are too demanding, expecting to be treated equally and so on and [...] need I go on?

Fortunately, they're all wrong. But Greensboro WOULD be a better place if they would leave.

onbe1kanoby

May 31, 2010 - 11:56 am EDT

WOW I've never read so much BS in my life, are you like a 10 generation American? Well my mother's for father's and mother's are, they were there as the May Flower came across! Those African Americans are what build a hold lot of what is now the United States of American! For yourself, whom never has been outside of Greensboro in your life, get a life, learn to live and grow together, they aren't going now where else! So see to it that everyone gets a education, and then you will have a higher tax base... WHAT that sound like a good way decrease your future taxes...

KimberlyGSO

May 31, 2010 - 2:58 pm EDT

I am shocked by your countercultural comments and embarrassed to live in the same city as you, tledford.

tledford

May 31, 2010 - 5:24 pm EDT

I think both you guys missed my sarcasm. :-)

jbradford27409

May 30, 2010 - 11:35 pm EDT

I think Greensboro would be a WONDERFUL place to live if TLEDFORD would leave!

beach35

May 31, 2010 - 2:49 am EDT

Greensboro stinks if you are single, educated, a catch, very handsome, and have standards. It's my honest experience, and it is what it is. I am only here now so I can save money until I move to a bigger city in September. The dating life is HORRIBLE. There are no decent women here to date that don't have kids, aren't divorced, and don't smoke. Ugh. After awhile, you either relax your standards ( my friends did- they married women they never would have pictured themselves with in a million years), or you lose your mind.

The fact is if you are VERY easily entertained, used to living in cities even smaller than this, retired, or have a family, these are really the only circumstances where this place can be tolerable.

Even when I was dating someone, I was still very bored with this place. It doesn't change for me if you are in a relationship- it still stinks here. If some are mad at my post, I really don't care, either. Try living in a city that isn't full of hicks, with cute women, and tons of things to do, and then move to Greensboro. See how you like it then.

JoeScott

May 31, 2010 - 8:38 am EDT

Beach,

Having met and married my wife in Greensboro, from my own personal experience, I think you don't know what you're talking about.

Ever try meeting a woman outside of a bar? Join a book club, or some other social group based on something you are interested in. Also, a little humility could go a long way. You refer to yourself as being both "a catch" and "very handsome" in the same sentence. No wonder decent women steer clear of you. Maybe if you ended the great love affair with yourself, you would find a great woman who could love you ALMOST as much as you do.

MyOpinion

May 31, 2010 - 9:07 am EDT

The BEST place to meet other singles is Church. I know, not all church-goers truly love the Lord, but most do. And I guarantee a date and/or a mate that loves the Lord is the best Love/companion/partner that you could ever hope for. Bottom line on this subject is you have to search in the right places. You can't look for look for diamonds in a coal mine.You can't search for roses in the city dump. So you cant be surprised if you haven't found a great date from looking in bars, parties, or anywhere that does not attract the best people. And when I say "best" people, I mean as measured in all the ways that counts in God's eyes: which will bring you true happiness, not how the world usually judges.

And finally: If you can't find fun, peace, and happiness right where you are - where do you expect to find it? Because where-ever you are at, that is where you are;-)

Don't be deceived and fall into the trap that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

tuffi

May 31, 2010 - 10:59 am EDT

I love Greensboro. I have lived in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Atlanta. I enjoyed living in those places when I was there but, couldn't wait to get back to GSO after living in LA and having the earth move under my feet. One can tell by Beach's comments that he is a nothing. Can't imagine anyone wanting to have a relationship with a person who is so self centered. Takes all kinds to make a world. Greensboro will be better when that twit moves away! Bon Voyage! If you'll give us your address, maybe we could send checks to help you out of here.

KimberlyGSO

May 31, 2010 - 3:03 pm EDT

Are you still complaining, Beachy? Didn’t you tell us how great you are and how Greensboro stinks over a year ago? Do I need to repeat to you that taking all your dates to the now recently flunked Chop House around the corner from your house is not impressive?

crosstrojan

May 31, 2010 - 11:24 am EDT

This guy tledford is a caveman, maybe you are the one who need to leave Greensboro, African Americans, and other minorities are the people who keep this place going, I'm not a racist person, but it seems to me that Greensboro is crawling with people like you, the scum of the earth, you are probably the type of person who will smile in the face of a black man, or woman, or a Hispanic man, or woman, talk that talk about how much you love them, then you run to your computer, and spew hatred, I bet you are a so-called christian too aren't you? but to me, you are one thing, and one thing only, a racist, weak minded, sniveling COWARD!, now have a good day

onbe1kanoby

May 31, 2010 - 12:14 pm EDT

Thank you!!! That hit the spot!!! I enjoy the read!!!

tledford

May 31, 2010 - 5:25 pm EDT

Again, I think you missed my sarcasm, guys. :-)

DivineMindPower

May 31, 2010 - 1:05 pm EDT

What makes it fun is laughing at all the uneducated backa chewing jobless hatemongers try to re spark hilly billy backwoods mentalities which society has moved past . But we still have pockets of resistance that still lurk mad at the world because.. My city manager is black my police chief is black my school super is black and to top it all of my president its black.. What a sad day when rednecks have to bow down to the brown.. So to them.. Greensboro is not FUN!!!! Like the episode of south park.. "dey tuk er jerbssss"

KimberlyGSO

May 31, 2010 - 3:29 pm EDT

My favorites: The Comedy Zone (especially now b/c NC is smoke free!), Leblon Brazilian (the restaurant for meat lovers), Boba House (the restaurant for veggie lovers), reading YES! Weekly (sorry GoTriad, you’re ok, too), shopping at Friendly Center (when I have money, that is), visiting Elsewhere downtown, The Natural Science Center, Wet & Wild in the summer, The Bark Park, Natty Greene’s (and I don’t even like beer), and when I was a bit younger – the new downtown night clubs.
Someone else mentioned the Summer Solstice Festival and I have to agree – it’s become a must-do on my calendar!

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