Summer Bucket List in the Heart of NC

Your childhood vacations may have included a station wagon, soggy PB&J sandwiches, layers of sunscreen, and pesky mosquito bites. But we are sure they also included campfire stories, games of freeze tag with cousins, and harvesting fresh vegetables from the garden. Relive the affordable experiences your parents offered you as a child and let’s explore the Heart of North Carolina together. With several once-in-a-lifetime adventures for your family, we want to offer you options of indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy. We invite you to refresh your spirit, rejuvenate your mind, and reconnect with nature while making memories with loved ones.

Outdoor Fun

• Get back to nature with a walk, hike, or bike ride on any of our 19 nature trails with lots of visible markers and multiple levels of expertise along the Deep River State Trail.

Photo Credit: Piedmont Legacy Trails

• Soar through the forest in the shadow of Purgatory Mountain on Richland Creek ZipLine - 14 zip lines, three sky bridges, and one swinging bridge for an adrenaline rush in some of the Heart of NC’s most scenic wilderness areas.

Photo Credit: Richland Creek ZipLine

• If a farm adventure is what you are seeking, plan a visit to Millstone Creek Orchards to pick your own seasonal fruits or vegetables, take a hayride tour, and weekly farmers market through August.

Photo Credit: Millstone Creek Orchards

• The ultimate outdoor adventure park is conveniently located near I-85 in Archdale. Kersey Valley Attractions is known nationwide for its fall haunted attraction Spookywoods, yet there is activity on this 70-acre farm all year round. NEW this year to Kersey Valley is Bomb Bowling, a mashup between football, bowling, horseshoes, and cornhole. Additional group activities include: Axe Throwing - in a controlled environment with a guide throughout the 18-hole course | Laser 
Tag – an outdoor high tech military grade tactical laser from Laser Tag Pro that shoots harmless infrared light over 1,000 feet with the protective gear required! | Escape Room – choose from five amazing-themed rooms and solve the puzzles in time to escape in record time. Individual challenges include: Zipline - a first-class zip line featuring a closed course aviation theme with 14 lines and 1.5 miles of cable employing massive, engineered sky towers representing airport city codes from across the country and around the world

Indoor Inspiration

Consider a fun museum crawl while learning historical facts across Randolph County.

• North Carolina Aviation Museum & Hall of Fame – home of Piper J-3 "Flitfire" flown by Orville Wright
• See one of the largest private collections of antique Harley-Davidson® motorcycles in the country including 45 bikes ranging from 1936 to 1978 at the American Classic Motorcycle Museum 
• Race into the Petty Museum showcasing the careers of this four-generation NASCAR Hall of Fame racing family including Lee, Richard, Maurice, Kyle, and Adam Petty. Follow the family from the early “dirt” days to the present with displays of cars, trophies, and awards.
• View more than 26 fully restored John Deere™ tractors, a 1926 return tube boiler from P&P Chair Company in Asheboro (producers of the Carolina Rocking Chair used by President John F. Kennedy), and multiple steam engines from the 19th century at the Neal Agricultural & Industrial Museum.
• See more than 800 pieces of pottery, artifacts, and photographs tracing NC’s pottery history from Native Americans to the present at the North Carolina Pottery Center.

• Shop your way around several antique stores in Downtown Asheboro – one is home to over 95 dealers within a 35,000 sq ft space.
• Specialty boutiques and shops are abundant throughout our area. Check out the Randolph Arts Guild Shop and Morings Art Center Gallery for local artists and unique gifts. Shop Southern Swag Farmhouse for rustic farmhouse goods, repurposed and new home decor, vintage jewelry, and boutique clothing. Take a step back in time at Melvin’s Variety & Hardware Store (celebrating 59 years in business!) specializing in household goods, tools, seasonal décor, and vintage games.

• Plan your own Seagrove Pottery tour in “The Handmade Pottery Capital of the United States” with more than 100 individual potters to visit. When you take a piece of Seagrove pottery home, you are also supporting this large family of artists who make a living in this craft.

Feed Your Mind & Soul

Whether you need a quick coffee and pastry break at The Table Farmhouse Bakery, a hearty steak dinner at Holly Ridge Golf Links on their breezy patio, or live music and a food truck with an intimate setting at The General Wine and Brew – our dining establishments are top notch experts in their safe hospitality and cuisine!

Photo Credit: Food Diary of a City Girl  

Relax & Recharge

Check into your overnight accommodations after your adventure-filled day. Choose from affordable hotel brands – located in Archdale and Asheboro, quaint bed & breakfast inns – in the Town of Seagrove, fun themed & family-friendly campgrounds in Asheboro – near the North Carolina Zoo, or our newest remote tiny cabins, Getaway Asheboro. Insider tip: do not forget to ask about their military discount offerings. For a complete list of options, visit our website, HeartofNorthCarolina.com or click here

Photo Credit: Getaway Asheboro

Family-friendly Summer Itinerary Ideas

We have taken the work into our own hands and created a weekend of fun for your family! Get inspired and plan your time in the Heart of North Carolina with this quick itinerary link HERE!

We look forward to following along during your visit – tag us at #theHeartofNC. Make sure to order your FREE travel guide bit.ly/FREETravelGuide for more planning tips.

Ultimate Foodie Guide in the Heart of NC

An invitation to an extraordinary dining experience at The Table located in Downtown Asheboro

Visitors and residents that want to support local restaurants can begin with our ultimate foodie guide. Filled with quick bites, sweet treats, southern cuisine, authentic international dishes, and farm-to-table meals. There is a seat at every table in #theHeartofNC...grab your napkin and read on for our MUST eat spots!

Fresh made crullers at Glaze King

Glaze King- Wake up with a sweet tooth? This locally owned and operated doughnut shop puts the big names to shame with their homemade creations. Grab a fresh cup of coffee, your favorite confection, and enjoy the morning a little bit more in the Heart of NC with apple fritters, crullers, and bear claws!

Heritage Diner- End your search for a traditional southern breakfast with all the fixin’s because Heritage Diner brings it to the table. Don’t miss a visit to the American Classic Motorcycle Museum located above the diner for the largest, privately-owned collection of Harley Davidson® in the country.

The Chat and Chew- For specialty coffees and pastries, head over to The Chat and Chew for one of our favorites, the “Irish Moo” a hazelnut and Irish cream coffee creation. With an extensive offering of desserts, cheesecakes, and hand-dipped ice cream – make this stop an afternoon pick-me-up destination.

Outdoor dining for furry family members at Brewskie's

Brewskies- A local favorite offering a menu of espresso, craft beer, and wine paired with delicious flatbreads, sandwiches, and bakery items. A family-friendly dining option – for your furry family members too!

Sweet Baby Brown from The Table

The Table - From delicious blended coffees and pastries to fully plated meals, this farm-to-table style restaurant has fulfilled many cravings. We invite you to try the avocado smash toast, grits and greens, or one of their delicious, fresh salads made with seasonal fruits and vegetables. Pair any dish with a specialty drink – we’re talking about you, Sweet Baby Brown (espresso, brown sugar, whole milk in a mason jar!) - for the ultimate dining experience.

Jalapeno Margarita at The Taco Loco 

The Taco Loco- What started off as a hidden gem has become a local staple. Authentic Mexican cuisine in a stylish location refurbished in the heart of downtown Asheboro. Fresh guacamole and salsa, tacos made to order, and specialty margaritas. A foodie bucket list location to check off of your list!

Specialty made to order pizzas at The Flying Pig Food & Spirits

The Flying Pig Food & Spirits- Want to catch the big game? We saved you a seat, as long as you share your plate of Pig nachos (pulled pork drenched in queso and barbeque sauce over a heaping pile of nachos) or a slice of buffalo chicken pizza. *Local tip* – save room for a piece of signature cheesecake, made fresh by the owner daily.

Fresh Cuts Butcher & Seafood Deli- Take a break from pottery shopping in Seagrove and grab a quick bite to eat at the local deli. Fresh Cuts offers a "hot bar" with a menu that changes daily, but is always full of our southern cuisine favorites!

Signature southern dish at Magnolia 23

Magnolia 23- The fried chicken at Magnolia 23 has earned this little hideaway the honor of being one of the 75 best fried chicken restaurants in America by the Daily Meal! Grab a seat in the cozy southern restaurant, or take your food to go and relax under the shade of live oaks in the courtyard - either way, this is a meal you'll make a habit.

Snyder Farms Restaurant- A favorite stop for The King of NASCAR, Richard Petty to find country-style “mashed taters”, fried chicken, and hush puppies. You may need a nap after your meal here, it is practically like eating at Grandma’s on Sunday afternoons.

Something Different Steaks & Kabobs- Something Different Steaks & Kabobs offers a mix of American, Greek, and vegetarian dishes influenced by Chef Sinan’s years spent in Turkey, France, and America. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with local pottery from Seagrove, the handmade pottery capital of the U.S. and offers a wonderful ambiance for couples, families, and groups.

50 oz Tomahawk Ribeye with sides at Hamilton's Steakhouse

Hamilton's Steakhouse- Offering fresh-cut, in house certified Angus beef steaks, fresh seafood, and homemade pasta! This place is the perfect spot for date night with tasty cocktails, perfectly sized apps, and desserts made for sharing.

Holly Ridge Bar & Grill- Enjoy weekly specials while dining on the open-air patio overlooking the scenic greens of Holly Ridge Golf Course. Offering specialty sandwiches, fresh salads, tacos, or hand-cut rib eyes and pork chops!  

Lumina Wine & Beer- After dinner and dessert, head over to Lumina Wine and Beer for a nightcap on the string-lit porch. Find over 75 different craft beers and bottles of wine and one-of-a-kind art pieces created by local artists. Several options for entertainment include live acoustic music and wine tastings events during the week.

House favorite, Leo's Whiskey Sour at Leo's Whiskey Bar

Leo’s Whiskey Bar - A place to sit back and relax, listen to tunes from the 1940s and reflect upon a simpler time. Enjoy fine whiskey, bourbon, or scotch and visit with friends and neighbors.

Local craft beer at Four Saints Brewing Company

Four Saints Brewing Company- Local craft brew creating “great beer for great people” since 2015. Offering trivia nights, music bingo, and food trucks – plan a family night out! Grab a Potters Clay Amber Ale or one of their seasonal small-batch brews, and kick back for a great night in the Heart of NC.

 

For a complete list of dining in #theHeartofNC visit https://www.heartofnorthcarolina.com/things-to-do/index.htm?category=Local+Dining 

*The restaurants listed are recommendations with supported information from the Randolph Public Health Department scores of 90 or above.*

We look forward to following along during your visit – tag us at #theHeartofNC. Make sure to order your FREE travel guide bit.ly/FREETravelGuide for more planning tips.