Sunday, January 23, 2022

Romance in Randolph County

 Romance in Randolph County 

Enjoy these date ideas in the Heart of North Carolina - Surprise the ones you love with romance in Randolph County.  It's a getaway - 30 minutes from Greensboro, and 90 minutes from Charlotte and Raleigh, NC. Make it a day or weekend. Love is in the air. Enjoy these activities together. 

Wine and Beer Taste  -  Taste Randolph County at our brewery, wineries and bottle shops. Share a flight and learn how the drinks are made and what foods pair well with them.

    Zimmerman Vineyards 

        Address: 1428 Tabernacle Church Rd, Trinity, NC 27370

    Native Sons Winery 

        Address: 1511 Mamie May Rd, Franklinville, NC 27248

Lumina Wine & Beer 

    Address: 152 Sunset Ave, Asheboro, NC 27203

Four Saints Brewing Company 

    Address: 218 S Fayetteville St Asheboro, NC 27203

Take a Class -  Get crafty and make memories that can be taken home. Enjoy a paint class on a canvas or refresh a piece of furniture in Randolph County.  

    The Preppy Possum 

        Address: 830 S Cox Asheboro NC 27203

    Chat & Chew 

        Address: 10301 N Main St, Archdale, NC 27263

    

B3 Artisan Studio

        Address: 126C East Ave Seagrove, NC NC

  Collective Interiors, Design & Paint Studio

     Address: 113 N. Church St Asheboro, NC 27203

Picnic  - Pack a lunch and enjoy the views in Randolph County. These spots offer spectacular views of our area in North Carolina that can't be beat.

    I-73/74 Visitors Centers 

      Northbound Address: 4393 I-73/I-74, Seagrove, NC 27341

     Southbound Address: 4390  I-73/I-74, Seagrove, NC 27341


Pisgah Covered Bridge 

    Address: 6925 Pisgah Covered Bridge Rd, Asheboro, NC 27205                              

Get charcuterie boards or picnic items to-go and elevate the meals with Randolph County's own makers - - 

    Boards Con Sabor,  Basket'N Boards,  Crafted Charcuterie


Sweeten it up  -  Enjoy sweets with your sweetheart. These ice cream shops offer items that are good enough to share.  

    Creative Creamery

        Address: 1442 E Dixie Dr, Asheboro, NC 27203

    Arbol Ice Cream 

        Address: 161 NC-42 Ste E, Asheboro, NC 27203

For baked goods and additional options to explore try one of our bakeries and coffee shops too. 






Go Big  - Let the thrill of adventure take your date to the next level. Zip line along the trees or test your skills in an escape room. See animals of all sizes from North America and Africa. 

     Kersey Valley Zip Line 

        Address: 1615 Kersey Valley Rd, Archdale, NC 27263

    Richland Creek Zip Line

        Address:  2728 Fairview Farm Rd, Asheboro, NC 27205

    Kersey Valley Escape Room 

        Address: 1615 Kersey Valley Rd, Archdale, NC 27263

North Carolina Zoo 

        Address: 4401 Zoo Pkwy, Asheboro, NC 27205

Dine  - Randolph County offers many dining options from chains to family-owned and operated establishments. A couple of our favorites are listed below that offer an intimate option that can't be beat. 

    Hamilton's Steak House

        Address: 328 Sunset Ave, Asheboro NC 27203

    Taste of Asia 

        Address: 127 E Taft Ave, Asheboro NC 27203

Positano

        Address:  130 C South Church St Asheboro, NC 27203

Visit more of Randolph County dining options.

Pottery Shop - Explore the history and craft at the U.S. Capital of Pottery - Seagrove, NC. 

        Home to over 50 working potters, making one-of-a-kind crafts learn more and plan a visit today at https://discoverseagrove.com/ 






Planning a romantic visit to Randolph County? Share your tips with us #TheHeartofNC 

Friday, January 14, 2022

Winter Whites in Seagrove, NC

Seagrove, North Carolina offers an inspiring take on “winter whites” with work from the over 80 working potters. This collection of white, off-white, beige and neutral pottery from several makers captures the imagination this season--and inspires blissful home décor dreams.

About Seagrove

Seagrove, NC, in the heart of North Carolina, represents the largest concentration of potters in the country. Home to over 50 shops and galleries open to the public, some potters have been mastering the craft in the area for multiple generations. Others have relocated from across the country to enjoy the community of craftsmen and enthusiastic visitors. 

Winter Whites Wares

Kitchen-smart creations made by Alexa Modderno of Moddware are available at Seagrove Stoneware Pottery, the studio and shop she shares with her husband.

Winter white pottery created by Alexa Modderno at Moddware in Seagrove NC
Winter white pottery plates created by Alexa Modderno of Moddware in Seagrove NC
Winter white utensil holder created by Alexa Modderno of Moddware in Seagrove NC

Linda Potts at Potts Pottery is a Cole family descendant. The name is synonymous with generations of functional pottery makers. She and husband Jeff work together to make a complete array of tableware in a variety of colors, including white. Most white pieces have a signature streak of color.

Winter white pottery bowl created by Potts Pottery in Seagrove NC
Winter white pottery mug created by Potts Pottery in Seagrove NC
Winter white pottery bowls created by Potts Pottery in Seagrove NC

Tom Gray Pottery studied Japanese pottery techniques and has trained at the Virginia Beach Art Center and Sandpiper Pottery. He continues to draw inspiration from around the world for his pieces with clean, serene lines. His whites have a subtle grey undertone, perfect for today’s sleek kitchens.

Winter white pottery plates and mugs created by Tom Gray in Seagrove NC

 

Bobbie Thomas at Thomas Pottery serves up stylish tabletop and home décor pieces. Her signature textured look with an occasional note of whimsey keeps pieces classic and contemporary for years of use and enjoyment. 

Plan a Visit

Seagrove, NC offers plenty of pottery with all colors of the rainbow. The shops listed above are ones that you can explore while shopping and learning about this handmade art. Plan your visit by calling before you go - as potters tend their own shops and their families, too. You can meet the makers of the work for sale, ask questions, and learn about future kiln openings. Kiln openings are when a potter fires a kiln of  their works, then open it up to sell the pieces straight to the visitors after it cools down.

Seagrove is 1.5 hours west of Raleigh, NC, and 1.5 hours north and slightly east of Charlotte, NC. Plan a visit and explore all of The Heart of North Carolina, Randolph County. Randolph County includes Archdale, Asheboro, Franklinville, Liberty, Ramseur, Randleman, Seagrove, Staley, and Trinity. 

- Guest post by Susan Dosier, DK Communications Group

-Edited and modified by Heart of North Carolina staff (01/13/2022)

Sunday, January 2, 2022

Get Inspired in Randolph County

Find your Motivation in Randolph County, NC 



Whether it's a new year, a new feeling, or a desire for change, Randolph County offers you the motivation you need to get started and grow.  


Randolph County is home to 19 trails covering all nine municipalities. Get back to nature along the trails. Pause and reflect at the lakes and streams found in the county, take a stroll along the Deep River State Trail - check out this link for ideas in Franklinville and Ramseur. Explore the Uwharrie National Forest. Reflect at Creekside Park in Archdale, Clay Presnell Park in Seagrove, and North Carolina Zoo. Randolph County offers you a chance to explore the Piedmont of North Carolina like no other. For a quick reference, check out our collaborative effort with Piedmont Legacy Trails, as the first county in the Piedmont to list options for difficulty levels and lengths of trails.

Joining us from cities outside of our area? Consider booking a guide. Issa Vibe Adventures is a Charlotte-based, black-owned hiking company with a mission of making the outdoors accessible to the black community and all types of hikers with a variety of backgrounds and experience levels. They were tapped by Visit North Carolina to be part of a special video campaign filmed at our Faith Rock Trail with national travel site, Matador Network. They have hiked several trails in Randolph County and across North Carolina.





Learn about Conservation throughout the World - North Carolina Zoo 

From the wilds of Africa to your backyard, the North Carolina Zoo is advancing conservation and research on animals. Learn what you can do to help and see animals in the world's largest natural habitat zoo in the world. Proceeds from admission go right back into conservation funds. 





Get Healthy 

 Keye to Healthy & S&L Natural Foods  in Asheboro, & The Only Earth in Archdale
Shop independently owned health food stores in Randolph County and learn ways to improve your health. Keye to Healthy in Asheboro offers classes and meals for the "Next 56 Days Program." They sell items that are gluten-free, sugar-free, and taste amazing. S&L Natural Foods in Asheboro offers supplements, sports nutrition, and natural groceries.  The Only Earth in Archdale carries vitamins, grocery items, and body care items.






Art and the Earth - NC Pottery Center 


Connect with the earth through art at the Handmade Pottery Capital of the US - Seagrove, NC. North Carolina's state material is clay and it can be found and used in Seagrove, NC. Over 100 individual working potters are located in and around Seagrove, NC. The artists make unique pieces of art with clay. Check out the North Carolina Pottery Center - home to seasonal classes on art and  extensive history and exhibits on the craft. 




Start Exploring - Road Trip Randolph County 

Did you know if you start at the top of Randolph County near Guilford County and drive south to the end near Montgomery County, it would take you about 40 minutes? That is not all you can see on a drive through Randolph County. See Uwharrie Mountain Ranges, stop at locally-owned shops, or dine at classic roadside diners. Hit NC Highway 705, also known as Pottery Highway, and see generational shops similar to what is listed above. Reflect on what the road can show you when you start a road trip in Randolph County. 


Share your inspiration in Randolph County with #TheHeartofNC