Monday, July 31, 2023

Fall Bucket List in the Heart of NC

Harvest, Haunts, and More!

Building your bucket list can be challenging. We are here to help you celebrate the fall season with haunts, harvests, wild animals, and one-of-a-kind artists. Randolph County has a little bit of everything that makes fall a great season to visit. Check out our suggestions below for your ultimate bucket list adventure, only in the Heart of NC!

Celebrate the Largest Community of Potters

Seagrove Pottery Community - Seagrove, NC

D Discover nearly 40+ shops of local potters in Seagrove located along scenic Pottery Highway, NC Hwy 705. This time of year the Potters Pumpkin Patch is an annual celebration of participating potters that sell their festive fall wares on weekends in Octobers. Talented potters showcase special items including pumpkins, gourds, autumn leaf pottery, woodland creatures, scented candles, and seasonal refreshments. Stop in at any of the shops and get your Potters Pumpkin Patch Map with event details for each location.

More Information on Potters Pumpkin Patch

Continue celebrating the crisp weather and beautiful colors by exploring Seagrove during Pottery Festival Weekend. This early shopping experience has been a tradition for the Seagrove Pottery community for over 30 years, now with TWO locations to shop - the Historic Luck's Cannery and Seagrove Elementary School. Join your pottery friends on the weekend before Thanksgiving to see live demonstrations, new seasonal wares, and holiday gift items.

More Information for Seagrove Pottery Festival Weekend at Seagrove Elementary School

More Information for Seagrove Pottery Festival Weekend at Historic Luck's Cannery

See Leaves Change

Pisgah Covered Bridge – Asheboro, NC

Randolph County's Pisgah Covered Bridge is one of North Carolina's two remaining covered bridges that was built in 1911 at a cost of $40. The bridge is 54 feet in length and crosses the West Fork Branch of the Little River within the Uwharrie National Forest. This site serves as a direct connection to Randolph County's past mode of transportation when horse and wagon were common and automobile travel was in its infancy. Walk this bridge and see why it is iconic to Randolph County and North Carolina.

Address - 6925 Pisgah Covered Bridge Rd, Asheboro, NC

Animals & Pumpkins

North Carolina Zoo – Asheboro, NC

Boo at the NC Zoo - Enjoy this family-friendly zoo tradition at the North Carolina Zoo and Pumpkin Palooza. Boo at the NC Zoo offers trick or treating for children and live music. Pumpkin Palooza gives you the option to see animal enrichment as they play with pumpkins. There are also many photo opportunities along the decorated trails with designated seasonal photo spots. This is THE fall event at our North Carolina Zoo.

Address - 4401 Zoo Pkwy, Asheboro, NC 27205

All Things Apples

Millstone Creek Orchards – Ramseur, NC

Millstone Creek Orchards is a working farm with opportunities for visitors to explore the 18-acre property with u-pick adventures, hayrides, fishing, and educational classes. Beginning in September, Apple Pickin' Adventures begin followed closely by Pumpkin Pickin' Adventures at Millstone Creek - check the website for exact dates and reservation requirements. We never leave the farm without trying a fresh apple cider slushie paired with hot apple cider donuts. Reservations are required for u-pick adventures - don't miss out on the fun!

Address - 506 Parks Crossroads Church Rd, Ramseur, NC

Get Scared

Kersey Valley – Spookywoods - Archdale, NC

Spookywoods at Kersey Valley - From the moment you arrive, you are fair game to all of the haunted creatures that reside on Kersey Valley land. Spookywoods has been a North Carolina tradition since 1985 and is one of America’s most famous haunted attractions. This haunted house has 15 scenes to walk through and along the way, you’ll encounter a few surprises. Haunts begin September 23rd in 2023!

Address - 1615 Kersey Valley Rd, Archdale, NC 27263

Spooky Bottom Haunted Trails - Seagrove, NC

Spooky Bottom Haunted Trail was recognized as Fear Carolina's 2020 Victims Choice Award winner for the best-haunted attraction in North Carolina. Continuously improving, this will be their best year yet, with all new scenes and an overall longer experience. Witness backwoods horror like never before. Do you have what it takes?

Address - 6059 Union Grove Church Rd, Seagrove, NC 27341

Be sure to check out other seasonal bucket lists from the Heart of NC for your ultimate bucket list!

Monday, July 24, 2023

Family Friendly Fall FINDS in Archdale – Day or Night!

Fall can be defined by many people as colorful foliage, tasty homemade treats, and fun family traditions in pumpkin patches and corn mazes. In the northwestern portion of the Heart of North Carolina, Archdale and Trinity have many attractions for family fun during the day and spooktacular entertainment at night. Read on to plan your next memory making tradition with loved ones.

Where to FIND Fall Foliage

Take a seasonal stroll along paved walking trails at Creekside Park in Archdale or elevate your walk with the workout stations throughout the trail. Not only is this 107-acre park geared toward passive recreation there are multiple opportunities to take in nature by exploring the 1.24-mile orienteering course featuring 12 control points. Competitive fun for all ages continues with the 18-hole disc golf course designed by Russell Swartz in 2011. Children of all ages and abilities will enjoy multiple playgrounds with one being ramped and ADA compliant. Join an international 5k event - parkrun - weekly at Creekside Park, one of four in North Carolina, FREE registration. Convenient electric car charging stations available.

Photo credit: Doll Girl

Fall temperatures continuously attract golfers to Holly Ridge Golf Links, a premier public golf course that leads the way in challenging, affordable golf in the Piedmont Triad. While tee times are preferred for the area’s finest 18-hole course, feel free to drop in for a quick nine. Delicious food and beverages from the newly renovated bar and grill will keep you energized for continued entertainment in The Bunker, an HD golf simulator experience with six bays of virtual play from courses worldwide.

Holly Ridge Golf Links Photo credit: Richard Schaffer

The Bunker | HD Simulator Photo credit: Conner Jarrell

Where to FIND History

Privately owned with a primary mission of preserving North Carolina’s farming heritage and industrial legacy, Linbrook Heritage Estate is home to Linbrook Hall, Historic Hoover House, and Neal Agricultural and Industrial Museum. Connect agricultural history to today’s modern technology with tours of each site.

Linbrook Hall is the center piece of Linbrook Heritage Estate and is not only a house, but an event and fundraising venue. With four floors of antiques from all over the world, seasonal tours are offered to guests with reservations.

Linbrook Heritage Estate - Linbrook Hall

Relive Randolph County early farm life from 1905 to 1944 at the homestead of the Neal family is the Historic Hoover House. Restored to its original appearance, early farm equipment and hand-built tools are on display for viewing through guided tours.

Linbrook Heritage Estate - Historic Hoover House

See artifacts and more than 26 fully restored John Deere® tractors at the Neal Agricultural and Industrial Museum. View a 1926 return tube boiler from P & P Chair Company in Asheboro, producers of the Carolina Rocking Chair used by President John F. Kennedy, multiple steam engines from the 19th century, and see demonstration of the War of the Currents. Open daily to the public, children FREE admission!

Linbrook Heritage Estate - Neal Agricultural and Industrial Museum

Where to FIND Thrills & Chills

Explore fall colors from above at Kersey Valley Zipline with 14 lines and 17 sky decks providing a bird’s eye perspective. A pumpkin patch, corn maze, gem mining, and a jumping pillow will entertain the entire family building traditions and fall memories.

Kersey Valley Zipline

Guests can check off their thrill-seeking list with activities on this 83-acre adventure park at every turn. From intense themed Escape Rooms to a challenging Axe Throwing Course, adrenaline will flow into the late hours of the night with one of the top haunts in America – Kersey Valley Spookywoods. Each year, since 1985, movie quality sets with soul-shaking special environmental effects spook the bravest of guests. Get scared HERE, if you dare!

Kersey Valley Spookywoods

Where to STAY & Play

Rejuvenate from your fall exploration at one of our affordable hotel properties, conveniently located off I-85, near local dining establishments and a charming shopping district. Book your accommodations here before your visit!

Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Archdale

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.