Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Seagrove, NC - Travel Tips and More!

 

How To “Do” Seagrove, the Pottery Capital of the USA 

Seagrove, NC is known as the Pottery Capital of the United States has around 80 working potters can be found here at any one time with around 50 shops, studios and galleries open to the public. Some potters here are ninth generation potters. Others have relocated from across the United States or other countries for internships or to get off the “show circuit” and immerse themselves in this creative, pastoral community. Even the mayor of Seagrove is a potter! 

Read more about the history of Seagrove’s pottery tradition here 



Visitor tips:

    What is Seagrove, NC? It's  a rural crafts town located in #TheHeartOfNC, an hour and a half north of Charlotte and west of Raleigh. We’re 45 minutes south of Greensboro. Asheboro is the largest city near Seagrove, an easy 20-minute interstate drive. The nationally ranked golf community of Pinehurst sits 40 minutes southeast of Seagrove.

   What kind of pottery? Search on the #SeagrovePotters or #SeagrovePottery hashtag to get a feel for the diversity of shapes, styles, colors and selections online. 

     When to visit? Thursday, Friday and Saturday offer the easiest access for the public--and the most chance to drop by a working shop to see pottery made. If it’s convenient, ask the owner to go behind the scenes and see the kiln.

     Call ahead if you plan to visit on other days of the week as most shops are family-owned, operated, and staffed. Sometimes, the potters may step out of the shop and run a quick errand.

     Visit The NC Pottery Center start your pottery quest at the official State pottery museum that showcases the history and pottery from the mountains to the sea with rotating exhibitions and one area devoted specifically to Seagrove work. It’s especially helpful if you’re trying to decide what potters you’d like to see.

     Grab a Map - Pick up a Pottery Map at the I-73/I-74 Heart of NC Visitor Center in Seagrove, the NC Pottery Center or one of the pottery shops. Or download it here.


Lodging in Seagrove:

           ●     Duck Smith House Bed & Breakfast 

           ●     The Seagrove Stoneware Inn is a potter-owned AirBnb. 

      ●     variety of hotels are just 20 minutes away in Asheboro. 

          

        

       Wine And Dine in Seagrove:

     The General Wine & Brew is a wine and beer bar. Potter-owned, that is known for its trademark glass bar that showcases the family’s collection of political, humorous, and historic buttons. The bar offers light snack foods. Food trucks are often parked on the weekends.

     Fresh Cuts Butcher and Seafood Market is the place to grab sandwiches, pimento cheese, chicken salad and NC-made pickles for a picnic on a pottery shop’s front steps. This purveyor of wine, beer, and groceries offers a hot bar and deli. Known for their country breakfasts and weekend specials, the team here is known for their hospitality and friendly nature.

     Plus More Nearby

       Events & Festivals in Seagrove:

Each year - the weekend before Thanksgiving - Seagrove welcomes visitors to enjoy the popular Pottery Festival Weekend. Two festivals celebrate the traditions of pottery making with vendor spaces open for shopping throughout the weekend.
 
The 40th Annual Seagrove Pottery Festival is held at Seagrove Elementary School and hosts potters and craftsman from across North Carolina and Seagrove. 

The Celebration of Seagrove Potters Fall Festival & Studio Tour will allow visitors to experience an indoor show at Luck's Cannery and a self-guided driving studio tour. Local food trucks will be on site along with information tents to enhance the visitor experience.

Can't make it for Pottery Festival Weekend? Check out this calendar for events throughout the year - celebrating American Craft Week, Spring Kiln Openings, Pottery Pumpkin Patch, and Tea with Seagrove Potters, to name a few!

     
   
    Expand Your Trip
:

     Consider spending a full day or afternoon at the North Carolina Zoo, the largest natural habitat zoo in the world in Asheboro, NC. An AZA-certified destination, the zoo leads animal and field conservation programs in more than 10 countries. Encounter 1,800 animals along a five-mile walking trail, take a spin on the endangered species carousel, tackle a ropes course, hop on the ZooFari tour or feed a giraffe. Walk through the seasonal butterfly garden and gardens made for kids. The outdoor art and sculpture collection is worth zoo admission alone.

     Carolina Bronze Sculpture and Garden in Seagrove offers tours by appointment. Established in 1990, the bronze foundry casts sculptures for a global list of clients. Tour the foundry, and visit their sculpture garden.

     Seagrove Orchids Seagrove Orchids is a working orchid nursery cultivating and offering nearly 220 different species of beautiful orchids. You can tour this working orchid nursery on Fridays and Saturday. All other days by appointment only. Seagrove Orchids has quickly established itself as "the orchid nursery" in North Carolina.


For more information, call the Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau at 336-626-0364, or visit https://www.heartofnorthcarolina.com/ for a detailed list of Seagrove Potters and their events! 

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Gift the Experiences of the Heart of NC!

 

 Give the Gift of Experiences to

Make Memories in the Heart of NC

Purchasing gifts for loved ones can often be a challenge. Consider giving the gift of experiences this upcoming season. We have compiled a perfect list of all ages of experiences that are unique to our area. When you think of a gift you may think about why you would give someone a gift, it may be to show appreciation for their friendship, it could be an item they need, or it could be an activity that makes them happy. Make memories and by trying something new with your loved ones in the Heart of NC from this list of family-friendly adventures.

Family-Fun for all at the North Carolina Zoo

*Gift idea: North Carolina Zoo Annual Membership

Photo credit: North Carolina Zoo

More than 1,800 animals call the North Carolina Zoo home. These wild animals represent two continents, African and North America, with Asia coming soon! At the world's largest natural habitat zoo, the animals have acres of room to roam, and so do you! With 5-miles of walking trails inside the park, nature play areas for children, a zoo animal-themed carousel, and an expansive collection of art exhibits located throughout the Zoo – make sure you lace up your walking shoes for this adventure.

The North Carolina Zoo is open daily (closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Days). Begin new traditions or continue old ones with your loved ones this holiday season at the North Carolina Zoo. 

Purchase Annual Memberships Here 

 

Thrill-seeking Fun at Kersey Valley Attractions

*Gift idea: Kersey Valley Attractions Gift Card

Photo credit: Kersey Valley Attractions

Kersey Valley Attractions will satisfy any adrenaline seeker on your gift list this season. Choose one or more experiences found on this 83-acre farm to check off your bucket list. Zipline along the tree lines on the aviation-themed flight path or take a shot at the state-of-the-art laser tag outdoor course. If you want to stay at ground level, Bomb Bowling or Axe Throwing may pique your interest. The Piedmont Triad’s best real-world adventure game rooms offer family-friendly, creepy, and scary Escape Rooms.

Seasonal experiences include the award-winning Kersey Valley Spookywoods, an immersive haunted house attraction featuring a family-friendly corn maize adventure during the day. The Christmas season is filled with joy, hot cocoa, lights, Santa, and a train ride around the park. Kersey Valley Christmas is in its second season and has expanded the light display for even more Christmas cheer for all ages!

Purchase a Gift Card for Kersey Valley Attractions – good for most adventures!


Take a Scenic Drive and Explore the Pottery Highway

*Gift idea: Handmade items only found in Seagrove! 

Photo credit: VisitNC

Oftentimes the best memories can be made on a winding country road. One of the most beautiful back roads in Randolph County takes visitors to Seagrove, NC, nestled in the southern part of the Heart of NC. The true experience of the Seagrove Pottery community is meeting the makers of this craft, some are 8th generational potters. Driving down NC Hwy 705, Pottery Highway, you will encounter historic areas of North Carolina which have been making and selling hand-thrown and hand-built pottery since the eighteenth century. 

Insider tip – plan to explore the charming dining and unique shops throughout the Downtown Seagrove area as well to support the small businesses. 


Begin Planning Your Visit Today!

 

Off-Broadway Entertainment Comes to the Heart of NC

*Gift idea: RhinoLeap Productions Season Pass

Photo credit: Jeremy Skidmore

RhinoLeap Productions is a professional theater production company based out of Randolph County since 2015. The upcoming production season is filled with comedy, drama, tragedy, documentaries, podcasts, and seasonal entertainment. Production subscriptions include a ticket to each RhinoLeap performance for 2022 - 2023. 

Learn About Productions and Purchase Tickets Here

 

Legendary Entertainment at the Liberty Showcase Theater

*Gift idea: Liberty Showcase Theater performance tickets

Photo credit: Randolph Hub

Live music and world-class entertainers perform in an intimate vintage movie theater in the downtown area of Liberty. Established in 1949 as The Curtis Movie Theater, this historic venue now hosts legendary artists from the music industry across several genres including bluegrass, country, and gospel. Theater owners, Dewey, and Leslie Brown are also known to entertain their guests with original music written and performed by the couple. Consider the gift of music for your loved one to make memories and check off bucket list items by visiting the Liberty Show Theater.

Learn About Performances and Purchase Tickets Here 

 

Fuel for the Adventures - Dining Local

*Gift idea: Gift Cards to Local Dining Establishments


Some of the fondest memories are made around the dining table. Delicious food has a way of bonding people together. Additional highlights of the entertainment and adventures mentioned above include having a meal, or two, among our extensive list of local award-winning dining establishments. From farm-to-table and tastes of comfort to pizzas made in a wood-fired oven or delicious burritos from an authentic taco stand; some of our dining options have been in business for over 75 years. Grab a drink at our brewery, wineries, and tasting room to sample beers and wines made right here in Randolph County.

See Our Foodie List in Randolph County Here!

When can we expect you? Visit HeartofNorthCarolina.com for places to stay and special military discount offers! Order a FREE travel guide and check out the listing of annual events on our bit.ly/HNCVBCalendar . We look forward to following along on your visit. Tag us at #theHeartofNC.

                     

 

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