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
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“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
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“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
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“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
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“Museums and Parks and People.”
Adam Arney
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“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
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“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
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“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
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“The Broach Theatre!”
Denise Oliphant
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“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
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“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
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“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
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“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
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“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
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“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
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“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
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“McCouls, Natty Greene’s, Grays Tavern ... need I say more?”
Carter H. Malloy
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“When you get more involved in the community and seem to always think ... 'What a small world!’”
Aden Hailemariam
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“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
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“Watching the homegrown fun of the Fourth of July parade in Kirkwood.”
Jeb Brooks
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“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
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“Finding a decent flight from PTI that saves a trip (and ungodly parking $) at RDU.”
Calvin Spealman
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