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

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

 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 

  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 – 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

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 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!

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.  

Take a Hike - Trails 

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