Your Heart’s Adventure Awaits..
From embracing your wild side at the North Carolina Zoo, need for speed at the Petty Museum, meeting the makers in Seagrove, to outdoor adventures, quirky museums and farm fresh escapes, the Heart of North Carolina offers unforgettable getaways for the whole family. Home to the cities of Archdale, Asheboro, Randleman, and Trinity; and the towns of Franklinville, Liberty, Ramseur, Seagrove, and Staley, this area inspires once-in-a-lifetime family-friendly vacations year-round.
BECOME IMMERSED IN ANIMAL ADVENTURES | one of the largest attractions in the state, the North Carolina Zoo delivers fun for family and friends from exciting animal encounters to enchanting outdoor art, and is considered an International leader in animal conservation. Situated in the “heart” of central North Carolina near the scenic Uwharrie Mountains, the North Carolina Zoo is the world’s largest natural habitat zoo. Visitors can get up close and personal with elephants, rhinos, ostriches and more at the Watani Grasslands habitat by exploring the immersion walkway, which extends more than 100 feet, or jumping on board a ZooFari vehicle for an exclusive tour of this 40-acre habitat. Families can also enjoy hiking trails, an adventurous Air Hike via a new ropes and obstacles course, chill out at the Rocky Coast and take in the cool wonders of arctic polar bears, or check out the view from above at the Acacia Station Giraffe Deck.
GET TO KNOW THE FIRST FAMILY OF NASCAR | Racing fans know that NASCAR’s roots are soaked to the very tips in moonshine. In fact, the need for “blockade runners” to deliver moonshine to bootleggers in North Carolina created one of the most prominent family dynasty’s in NASCAR racing. Known as the first family of NASCAR, the Petty’s have won 10 NASCAR championships and more than 250 races. At Petty Family Attractions, families can explore the career of the King of NASCAR himself, Richard Petty, and the unparalleled success story of one of the founding families of stock car racing. The Petty Museum features cars, memorabilia, trophies and awards as well as life-size recreations of the Petty family’s characters from Disney-Pixar’s Cars. Most recently, NASCAR fans of all ages were thrilled by Petty’s reappearance in Cars 3 when he reprised his role of The King, Strip Weathers, and was joined by son Kyle Petty, who voiced the new Dinoco racer, Cal Weathers. Next door, racing aficionados can explore Petty's Garage and receive an up-close experience as a team of automotive professionals build high performance street cars, including custom builds and restorations.
MEET THE MAKERS IN SEAGROVE, THE POTTERY CAPITAL OF THE U.S. | Seagrove is a region of artisans that have made the area the nation’s largest community of potters; more than a mere collection of shops, part of Seagrove’s allure is the experience itself – it is a pottery lover’s paradise! While visiting all 70-plus shops and studios found along the Pottery Highway may be a bit of a challenge, visitors looking to learn from and see the artisans in action can take part in annual events such as the not-to-be-missed Seagrove Pottery Festivals Weekend, a staple for more than 35 years, and the Celebration of Spring that features more than 65 local potters hosting special events, offering studio tours, demonstrations, and pottery for sale. On the outskirts of Seagrove, in smaller hamlets dotting the countryside, visitors can find potters of national and International renown who trace their craft bloodlines back through as many as nine generations. For an even more immersive experience, plan an overnight stay at one of Seagrove’s two bed and breakfast inns, Seagrove Stoneware Inn and Duck Smith House Bed & Breakfast.
EXPERIENCE QUIRKY CULTURAL HAPPENINGS | Home to a range of one-of-a-kind arts and cultural offerings, visitors seeking a unique experience should look no further than the Heart of North Carolina. The Carolina Bronze Sculpture Garden & Foundry allows visitors to take in the area’s natural beauty which is enhanced with more than 15 large sculptures on display around the grounds. They can then peek inside the foundry to learn more about the fine art bronze casting facility where sculptors from all over the country build remarkable works of art. Nearby, the NC Aviation Museum & Hall of Fame provides an up-close look at stunning military artifacts and civilian memorabilia from WWI to the present, while the American Classic Motorcycle Museum houses one of the largest private collections of antique Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the country including 45 bikes ranging from 1936 to 1978. Visitors can take in local history and heritage during a tour of Linbrook Hall, Neal's Agricultural & Industrial Museum, and the Historic Hoover House at Linbrook Heritage Estate or try their hand at discovering hidden treasure at the Collector’s Antique Mall.
INDULGE IN COUNTRYSIDE DELIGHTS & DOWNTOWN DINING |
Foodies and travelers alike can indulge in all the best the Heart of North Carolina offers, from taking in the countryside at top-rated vineyards to experiencing one-of-a-kind downtown dining destinations. Downtown Asheboro offers big city fare with a side of Southern charm at The Table Farmhouse Bakery, Positano Italian Restaurant, The Flying Pig Food & Spirits, and Magnolia 23. Four Saints Brewing Company, its very first brewery, features a seven-barrel brewhouse and taproom focusing on both traditional and inventive award-winning craft brews to enjoy. For a bit of country living, travelers can take a leisure ride out to Millstone Creek Orchards and pick their own seasonal fruit. Visits to local vineyards including Native Son Vineyard & Farm’s tasting room and Zimmerman Vineyards’ rustic flagstone terrace and unique stone bar that offers a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside are not to be missed.
WITNESS A CULINARY REVITALIZATION: FROM FARM TO TABLE |
From locally-sourced farmer’s markets to on-farm dining, the Heart of North Carolina is undergoing a culinary revitalization fueled by agritourism. A foodie revolution led by farmers and downtown chefs, including award-winning Goat Lady Dairy whose popular “Dinner at the Dairy” events offers a special opportunity for foodies to enjoy a farm tour and gourmet meal in the unique atmosphere of their dairy barn. Downtown chefs are also proud local farm supporters, including The Table Farmhouse Bakery, who proudly foster long standing relationships with local farmers and purveyors throughout the region
EMBRACE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE, BE IT LARGE OR SMALL | The Heart of North Carolina inspires visitors to both reconnect with nature in the great outdoors and test their limits with adrenaline-pumping adventure offerings. In a state known for its ample outdoor exploration opportunities, this region welcomes thrill seekers of any level to experience lively outdoor activities. Adrenaline junkies can zip through the trees and take on ropes courses that bring them to the tops of trees. Travelers looking to get back to nature and enjoy the outdoors at a slower pace can explore hiking trails in the Uwharrie National Forest and Deep River Rail Trail. Adventure opportunities truly abound throughout the area.
EXPERIENCE HEART-POUNDING THRILLS | Offering exciting adventures, both indoors and out, the Heart of North Carolina’s thrills are not for the faint of heart. At Kersey Valley Attractions, visitors can fly through the trees via an aviation- themed zipline that is one of the largest closed-course ziplines in the country while enjoying spectacular scenic views. High flyers can also take a turn on Kersey Valley’s high ropes course or test their skills at outdoor laser tag and an escape room challenge. Soar through the forest along Richland Creek and Mendenhall Waterfalls in the shadow of Purgatory Mountain on Richland Creek ZipLine & Canopy Tour with 14 zip lines, three sky bridges, and one swinging bridge. The North Carolina Zoo also offers a thrilling Air Hike themed ropes course for adventurers to test their skills on, featuring more than 20 obstacles in the air.
GET BACK TO BASICS | Beyond adrenaline pumping adventures, the Heart of North Carolina offers a diverse variety of leisure sporting activities for travelers. Golf aficionados can indulge in a round at one of a handful of beautiful, yet affordable public golf courses in the region, while disc golf lovers can catch a game at Creekside Park Disc Golf Course, an 18-hole championship disc golf course with beginners’ loop, orienteering course, and three miles of scenic walking trails along Muddy Creek. Those looking to get back to nature can enjoy a relaxing stroll along the newly developed Deep River Rail Trail or over the Historic Pisgah Covered Bridge. The nearby Uwharrie National Forest offers trails for every hiking level, inviting outdoor enthusiasts to explore the 46,000-acre national forest. Travelers that prefer to relax out on the water can try their hand at fishing at Randleman Lake & Marina. No matter the outdoor adventure, unlimited family fun awaits in the Heart of North Carolina!
