What is a great wedding venue in Greensboro?

It is the season of love in this hot summer air - many couples are getting married, while others are promising to marry each other and sealing it with an engagement ring. As these newly engaged couples search for a wedding venue in their hometown of Greensboro, NC they may find themselves stumbling upon the beautiful Blandwood Mansion.

The Blandwood Mansion is a restored historic home of former governor John Motley Morehead (served 1841 - 1844). As governor, Morehead hosted several significant people of his time, including mental health activist Dorthea Dix and architect Alexander Jackson Davis.  The mansion is the oldest building in Greensboro, having been built in 1795. It was originally built as a home on a farmer's 100 acres of land. Originally a rural home, it has survived urban development as downtown Greensboro grew around it. Interestingly, the mansion also carries national significance as the oldest Tuscan Villa in the United States (named a National Historic Landmark in 1988), meaning it was the first home built that attempts to imitate the architectural style of Italy. Tuscany's villas feature low rooflines, casement windows, a tall prospect tower, overhanging eaves, and stucco-on brick veneer.

The mansion and its 4 accompanying acres were saved by Preservation Greensboro Incorporated in 1964, and was opened as a museum in 1976. The house still serves as a memorial to Governor Morehead. Part of the Blandwood Mansion includes the Carriage House, an octagonal two-story building and gardens that hosts special events, including weddings, concerts, picnics, and historical events.

The historic home is located at 447 W Washington St, Greensboro, NC, 27401. Stop by anytime to view the beautiful architecture and its fantastic gardens!

Where can I take the family on a Sunday evening this summer?

It's Sunday evening. The week has consisted of driving the kids to swim lessons and baseball games, finishing up a final project at the office, cooking meals, doing laundry, cleaning, and trying to find enough time to give your poor dog a walk for once. There is nothing you would like to do more than to lay a blanket in the grass, relax in the cool summer air, listen to some soft jazz, and let the week's stress slip away. So you grab your blanket, the kids, the dog, and a snack and head out to the MUSEP concert of the week.

Greensboro must have realized what its residents wanted to finish off the weekend when they created MUSEP (MUsic for a Sunday Evening in the Park), an event that features different local bands from week to week. The event is hosted at a different city park from week to week, and is completely free of charge. Hundreds come out each week to hear the Philharmonia, jazz bands, or soul music of the week.

The event is very family friendly, as no alcohol is allowed inside the city parks. Many people bring their dogs and a picnic for the family. Most parks have a large green area unoccupied by picnic blankets in which you can find large groups of children playing soccer, football, or frisbee. The children are making new friends as the adults sit back and relax. Some concerts even have a small dance floor for those couples that feel like practicing their swing.

This week's concert will feature 2 bands: Sweet Dreams and Knights of Soul. It will be a fantastic night of Blues, R&B, Jazz, and Soul music. Sunday night's groups will play in downtown Greensboro at Gateway Gardens on East Lee Street. To view the complete schedule, click here. MUSEP is also responsible for hosting Greensboro's July 4 fireworks at the White Oak Amphitheater, giving Greensboro residents another chance to hear the Greensboro Philharmonia.

See you there!

Where in Greensboro can I find a fine dining experience?

During the summer, many find themselves with more time to enjoy themselves - especially by dining at restaurants! Greensboro has hundreds of restaurants, ranging from cheap drive-through burger joints to sit down places with perfect cuts of steak. Some places are in the middle of the spectrum, such as the Green Valley Grill. Located near Friendly Shopping Center next to the O'Henry Hotel on Green Valley Road, the Grill has a fairly central location that is convenient to most within the Guilford County area.

Green Valley Grill is known for its wine, with 75 by-the-glass wine selections to choose from. In fact, their wine list is awarded the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence each year. For the wine connoisseurs of the area, the Grill offers a Wine Flight for a private wine tasting. The restaurant prides itself on its "old-world European culinary sensibilities and flavors" combined with its "informally elegant fine dining."* In other words, customers can enjoy the food of a very fine dining experience with the atmosphere of a relatively informal restaurant. Some of their enticing dinner entrees include wood-fired rotisserie chicken, pan seared smoked paprika dusted scallops, or heirloom tomato flatbread. Furthermore, the restaurant always asks for people with food allergies to inform the chef so that they can create a special hypoallergenic meal.

The decor of the Green Valley Grill is beautiful, transporting you into a world seemingly much further away than just a couple of miles away from downtown Greensboro. The restaurant also has a fantastic outdoor area with a large variety of greenery. This area is particularly beautiful in the summertime, as many of the flowers have bloomed and the leaves have all reached their green peak.

The restaurant also offers the unique service of pre-ordering food. Customers simply need to call, make a reservation, and place their order by 11 AM for lunch or by 4 PM for dinner. The food will be ready within minutes of their arrival. If you need catering for any event such as weddings, fundraisers, or business meetings, the Grill offers that service as well. If you ever find yourself at a catered event at the O'Henry Hotel, that has also been catered by the Green Valley Grill. 

Due to its partnership with the O'Henry, Green Valley Grill has been enabled to be more than just a restaurant. Cooking and cake decorating classes taught by the Grill's chefs are offered at the Hotel, as well as afternoon teas hosted by parties. Fun family events include special themed teas, including a Wizard of Oz Tea, a Mad Hater, Tea, and a Nutcracker Tea.

       

Green Valley Grill is more than just a restaurant - it is a place to build community. Stop by today for the ultimate food experience.

*All quotes and information can be found at www.greenvalleygrill.com