If you are traveling to – or through – North Carolina, it’s easy to overlook Greensboro. With great destinations like Asheville in the west the Outer Banks in the east and Raleigh/Durham and Charlotte in the center, why bother?

But if you do overlook Greensboro, you’ll miss a thriving city and an interesting mix of old and new, conservative and trendy.

The downtown neighborhood South Elm Alliance is home to funky restaurants, shops and a unique artists cooperative.

Greensboro may not be a well-known North Carolina destination, but it is well worth a visit.