Asheboro, North Carolina, Has Stunning Hikes, a Full of life Downtown, and the World’s Largest Pure Habitat Zoo

Positioned in North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad area, the town of Asheboro has a wild aspect. It is house to the world’s largest pure habitat zoo — some of the standard points of interest within the state — in addition to plenty of outside actions, together with climbing Purgatory Mountain; the trailhead will be discovered close to the zoo entrance.

Close by, the Uwharrie Nationwide Forest spans 5 counties within the area, together with Randolph County the place Asheboro is located. The 55,000-acre untamed pure paradise affords climbing, wildlife, and the Pisgah Lined Bridge, one in every of solely two unique coated bridges within the state that the general public can go to. It’s each an area and federal landmark.

However outside exploration is simply a part of Asheboro’s attraction. Guests could make their approach downtown to buy, eat, and benefit from the rising nightlife. “There’s such a phenomenal surroundings downtown — the tempo is slower,” says Dustie Gregson, designer and proprietor of The Desk in Asheboro. Gregson is a Randolph County native, and felt referred to as to open a restaurant within the metropolis when she moved again house. “The character of our downtown feels slower in a great way.”

If all of this feels like your thought of a perfect trip, here is the right way to plan a memorable journey to Asheboro, North Carolina.

Greatest Motels & Resorts 

Getaway Asheboro

Positioned on Outdated Cox Street, Getaway Asheboro is a part of a nationally acknowledged chain of glamping properties. Keep in one in every of 32 luxurious tiny cabins on 31 personal acres of rolling hills with trails, and revel in catch-and-release fishing simply minutes from each downtown and the zoo.

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort

This family-friendly RV resort has a lot to supply that visitors can have an incredible time with out ever leaving the property. Positioned simply 4 miles from the zoo, kids can bounce on the leaping pillow, play laser tag, and watch films on the outside theater. Along with RV and tent websites, visitors can keep in glamping tents and cabins, with golf cart leases obtainable.

Again to Earth Farm

“We hire this place although we reside there,” Gregson says. There is a cabin on the property, and visitors can schedule excursions and meet the cows. “It’s truly the place we get our beef from. It feels such as you’ve traveled a great distance, but it surely’s proper right here in Asheboro.”

Residence on Attorneys Row

“Christie Luckenbach is an unbelievable designer in Asheboro, and she or he’s restored some [properties] with a loft really feel in downtown,” Gregson says. This one-bedroom, one-bath Airbnb is ideal for {couples} eager to be near downtown.

Zoo Metropolis Den

Positioned solely 5 minutes from the zoo, this two-bedroom Airbnb pays homage to the realm’s high attraction with wild animal decor. Facilities embody a hearth pit, plus it’s inside strolling distance of the Cone Well being ZooCity Sportsplex.

Greatest Issues to Do

Go to the North Carolina Zoo.

First-time guests can’t miss a visit to the largest pure zoo habitat on the earth. The park is thought for its accessibility; visitors can hire wheelchairs, digital comfort autos, and double strollers. Stroll or journey the tram throughout the 500-plus-acre park, from the North American aspect to the grasslands of Africa. The zoo is present process a significant growth so as to add Asia because the third continent, scheduled to open in 2026.

Immerse your self in nature.

There are many choices for climbing within the county. The Walkers Creek portion of the Uwharrie Path within the Uwharrie Nationwide Forest, for instance, is thought for its view of the Uwharrie Mountains. The Deep River State Path, in the meantime, runs all the size of Randolph County. It is notably distinctive as a result of it is a hybrid path, each land and paddle based mostly. 

Store for pottery.

Roughly 20 minutes from Asheboro, Seagrove is called the Handmade Pottery Capital of the U.S. Seagrove Potters invitations the general public into their studios each day. Test opening hours earlier than planning your go to.

Stroll alongside Sundown Avenue.

Come for a day of vintage buying, or wind down after a morning or afternoon on the paths at one of many many eating places in and round Sundown Avenue. For some leisure, get pleasure from a efficiency on the historic Sundown Theatre. RhinoLeap Productions typically hosts reside skilled theater right here and at venues all through the county. 

Really feel the necessity for velocity.

Tour the North Carolina Aviation Museum & Corridor of Fame and cease by family-owned Cox’s Harley-Davidson for an adrenaline rush. Typically, fortunate guests to Petty Museum in close by Randleman get to pose for a photograph with Nascar icon Richard Petty or get an autograph.

Greatest Procuring

The Maker and Service provider

Positioned within the Randolph Mall, consumers at The Maker and the Service provider will discover native and handmade items and jewellery, in addition to attire from almost 50 distributors. Select a pair of handmade earrings by AmberLynn or a deal with from Asheboro’s legendary Nannie Mae’s Cafe & Bakery.

Carriage Home Tea and Brightside Gallery

Carriage Home Tea and Brightside Gallery in downtown Asheboro share a little bit inexperienced bungalow (throughout from the courthouse). One aspect is tea and the opposite options native crafts, oils, and handblown glass friendship balls. Proprietor Mary Murkin will even carry out walk-in weddings on web site.

Walker Sneakers & Attire

For greater than 50 years, Walker Sneakers & Attire has been offering footwear for Asheboro and the Randolph County space. Previously identified for its work sneakers, the shop has far more to supply now. Standard manufacturers embody Ariat, Carhartt, and Timberland. Along with sneakers, flip-flops, and boots, you may discover attire and a bit for youngsters.

Minkology

Positioned downtown, Minkology focuses on house decor, girls’s clothes, equipment, and soaps. Buyers can herald their very own furnishings to color, or the crew can do it for them. Additionally they have Scoops by Mink, an in-house ice cream parlor serving frozen treats from Homeland Creamery.

Antiques & Geeks Collectibles on Sundown

This Sundown Avenue mainstay is beloved by adults and kids. Grown-ups respect the classic Gucci baggage on the extremely curated store, whereas child favorites embody comics and Pokemon playing cards.

Greatest Nightlife

4 Saints Brewing Firm

When proprietor Joel McClosky first opened his brewery, native potters helped increase cash for the startup. Although not particularly named in Nicholas Sparks’ guide, “Counting Miracles,” a “native brewpub” is talked about — and locals are fairly positive 4 Saints served because the inspiration. 

Leo’s Whiskey Bar

Positioned on North Avenue, Leo’s is a comfortable, speakeasy-style whiskey bar, named after Leo Papas, a veteran, metal mill employee, and handyman. Outdated-school cocktails like Leo’s whiskey bitter and Leo’s old school, together with music from the Nineteen Forties make guests really feel like they’ve stepped again in time.

Greatest Eating places

The Desk

Positioned on the location of a former hosiery mill, Gregson’s restaurant, The Desk, is an area favourite. Breakfast and lunch are served; go for a bowl or sandwich — each standard choices, as are the Anigrahams cookies and Merely Granola.

Black Powder Smokehouse

Black Powder‘s chef and pitmaster Keith Henning focuses on artisan smoked meats and hearty sides like gouda mac and cheese, served cafeteria-style.  

The Flying Pig

This Sundown Avenue sports activities bar is greatest identified for its specialty pizzas and energetic environment. The homeowners mentioned they’d open a pizza place when liquor by the drink handed in Asheboro, laughing and claiming that may occur “when pigs fly” — therefore the identify. Right this moment, the restaurant is a part of the Zoo Metropolis Social District. Save room for dessert: A number of flavors of cheesecakes rotate via the menu, and all are selfmade. 

Magnolia 23

“Their fried rooster is simply unbelievable,” Gregson says about Magnolia 23, a restaurant that serves down-home cooking, together with rooster and dumplings and collard greens. “I like the proprietor. He’s so form, and the best way he treats you is an expertise and a style of the South.”

The Taco Loco

The Taco Loco serves recent Mexican favorites. A preferred selection is the seafood cocktail, served in a goblet together with recent avocado and crackers.

Greatest Time to Go to

Arguably the very best time to go to Asheboro is autumn for the Fall Pageant — hosted by the Randolph Arts Guild since 1952 — and pumpkin patches. Plus, the weekend earlier than Thanksgiving, the Seagrove group hosts the Pottery Pageant Weekend, which incorporates the Celebration of Seagrove Potters Present and Studio Tour.

Learn how to Get There

Asheboro is about half-hour south of Greensboro and 1.5 hours from Raleigh. Most individuals drive to city, however for individuals who desire to fly, the Piedmont Triad Worldwide Airport (GSO) is about 35 miles north, whereas the bigger, Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) is about 67 miles east.

Neighborhoods to Go to

Downtown

The downtown space round Sundown Avenue is well walkable and affords dozens of native retailers and eating places. A part of downtown, the Zoo Metropolis Social District — set off by animal footprints within the crosswalks and a giant polar bear mural — nods to the zoo. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 11 p.m., alcoholic drinks bought from collaborating companies could also be consumed in outside public areas throughout the district. 

Learn how to Get Round

The downtown Asheboro group round Sundown Avenue is simple to navigate on foot. You may want a automobile to transcend downtown and different areas exterior of that, like Seagrove and Franklinville. Rental automobiles can be found via the native Enterprise workplace. Uber and Lyft are additionally obtainable with restricted drivers and repair.