A Visitor’s Guide to Asheboro, North Carolina: The Heart of NC
The Heart of North Carolina refers to the small-town gems of Asheboro, Randleman, and Seagrove. While travelers on I-73/74 pass by the signs frequently, how many people stop to look around? I know I drove by several times, not knowing what amazing treasures these towns held. It is places like this that really stir my heart and make me so anxious to share my finds, giving new meaning to the Heart of North Carolina.
Where to Dine in Asheboro
While there are typical chain restaurants in Asheboro, there are also impressive local eateries, some of which are even farm-to-table.
Something Different Restaurant and Catering, serving American and International food in a casual setting, has delicious varieties of kabobs. I did not expect to find such a diverse menu of ethnic eats in this part of North Carolina, but every bite of the food I ate at Something Different was done quite well. Start with the Hummus Platter. It is maybe the best I’ve ever eaten outside of Turkey. I had the Bayou Chicken for dinner which was extremely flavorful, served over rice with sautéed onions, tomato, mushrooms and peppers in Cajun tomato sauce. Something Different’s owner is from Turkey so maybe that is why everything I tasted was so fabulous!
Upscale Bia’s Gourmet Hardware is impeccable for fine dining. Bia’s serves locally sourced ingredients, a feature I am always proud to support. The Jarret Bay Oysters and Charcuterie & Cheese Plate are amazing, but the velvety Pimento Cheese Fondue is a life-changer! For dinner, the Scottish Salmon and Petite Filet Mignon are both delicious choices. Bia’s Gourmet Hardware desserts are the wow factor here, so save room. I recommend the Chocolate Pots de Creme, with fresh whipped cream and salted caramel.
Amazing dishes and dessert sampling from Bia’s Gourmet Hardware.
What to Do in Asheboro
The North Carolina Zoo
Asheboro is home to the North Carolina Zoo, one of the top-rated attractions in the state. This isn’t your typical zoo; it’s the world’s largest (over 500 acres) so be prepared to walk and spend a good portion of your day here. The North Carolina Zoo is a natural habitat zoo with plenty of animals to showcase in their natural habitat so you will not find animals in cages and steel here. You can feed giraffes, watch polar bears swim, admire the elephants, ride a carousel, or take a Dino bus. The North Carolina Zoo also has a wonderful aviary with 3,000 tropical plants and exotic birds.
Pro tip: Animals are more active in the earlier part of the day, so plan your visit accordingly.
Four Saints Brewing Company
Stop by the Four Saints Brewing Company for a beer sampling or flight. Although a brewery, it is a fantastic neighborhood hot spot where families meet to have a tasty brew, eat from the local food truck outside, socialize, play games, and just relax. Being a travel/food writer, I’ve toured many breweries around the United States and none were as wholesome or friendly as the Four Saints Brewing Company. My favorite beers were the German Hefeweizen and the Omie Blonde Ale. No aftertaste!
Petty Museum
Nascar King Richard Petty’s Museum and Garage are only 10-15 minutes away from Asheboro in the town of Randleman. You don’t have to be a NASCAR fan to love every minute of this intriguing museum, filled with winning cars, Petty family memorabilia, awards, and a working garage. You might even see Richard Petty himself like we did. What a nice man he was, taking time out to speak to us, pose for photo-ops, and converse with the rest of the visitors.
You have no idea how excited I was to get photos with Richard Petty!
Seagrove Pottery
Last but not least, visit the world-famous Seagrove Pottery, only 20 minutes away. Spread over nearly 70 individual studios, the highly-sought-after pottery and crafts attract visitors from around the world. It is home to the largest community of potters in the country. Make sure Owens Pottery is on your list of studios to visit; their vibrant red pieces are breathtaking!
Boyd Owens of Owens Pottery was established in Seagrove, NC in 1895.
Where to Stay in Asheboro
The Fairfield Inn and Suites Asheboro is perfect for your travels. It is affordable (under $100), stylish, comfortable, and offers a tasty complimentary deluxe continental breakfast. I found the staff extremely friendly. The breakfast server went out of her way to make conversation with her guests, pick up after them, and have the buffet looking top-notch. The hotel features a heated indoor pool and hot tub.
Asheboro, North Carolina Is Special
Asheboro is a place that you will want to run home and tell your friends and family about. There is something special about the tight-knit community, friendliness of the locals, and laid-back charm that the town of 25,000 offers. You will be happy that you visited! Safe travels.
Thanks to the Randolph County Tourism Development Authority for hosting my familiarization trip to the Heart of North Carolina. All opinions and reviews are 100% mine and unbiased.
Asheboro, North Carolina Photo Gallery:
A lovely and delicious catered meal from the North Carolina Zoo.
Ahhhh, the Pimento Cheese Fondue from Bia’s Gourmet Hardware is phenomenal!
Four Saints Brewery offers really tasty brews and impeccable service.
Enjoyed reading about our small town:) You did a GREAT job covering this!
Was so nice hanging out with you for the day!
Thank you so much! You live in a special place! 😉 I had a great time. Nice meeting you as well!
The food looks incredible. I wonder how Asheboro compares to Ashville because I have also heard that Ashville has a huge foodie scene and is very trendy now. Your trip really looks like fun. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Henry! Thanks for reading. Well, I’m pretty sure there is no comparison because they are totally different towns. Asheboro is the heart of North Carolina, small but mighty. Asheville is on a playing field for one of the best foodie cities in the nation. It is certainly North Carolina’s crown jewel (food and beer), but I loved small Asheboro just the same. The local folks really added to its allure. Hope this helps!
I actually have peeps living in that area. My aunt lived right in Asheboro. Dang it, though, I have not visited. Looks like Four Saints and the Petty Museum gotta be seen!
Yes! This is the only brewery that I’ve really loved! 😉 Road trip!
I’ve explored quite a bit of North Carolina this past year but it looks like I need to go back and visit Asheboro now. I have a thing for pottery so I’d really like to visit Seagrove Pottery.
Nice! The best and most-famous in the country!
Good food and craft beer? I’m sold! Bia’s Gourmet Hardware sounds right up my alley. The food looks and sounds so amazing. And, now I want one of those desserts!
Yes, you would love Bia’s! Can you imagine me liking a brewery so much? I was shocked! LOL
The dessert plate from Bia’s Gourmet Hardware looks so delicious. I want to try everything on there! Maybe I’ll be using my airline miles to head to NC!
You uncovered some great North Carolina jewels yourself this year. Yes, Bia’s has your name all over it!
Feed giraffes???? You know that’s all I have to hear! I confess I have never heard of any of these towns!
I really found some hidden gems in North Carolina this year. 😉
I have never heard of Ashboro. Richard Petty was my grand dad’s favorite driver, but I never really got into NASCAR. The food looks amazing, though.
I really did enjoy reading about this quirky little town (Asheboro). I never even heard of it. I think the highlight for me to try would be trying out the local brews 😉
Food in Asheboro looks very inviting! I also really much like the dish presentation, it’s rich and classy at the same time!
Well I happen to know a few people who would spend the entire weekend at the Petty Museum! But I love that there is something for everyone. Amazing what you can pass by without much thought! We would definitely make the stop if we are in NC. That charcuterie board has my name on it!
Awesome! I know, you are so right. Too bad our maps on the phone don’t share all the juicy details about what is only steps away. 🙂
I remember Seagrove Pottery during our road trip in 2010 but I didn’t find the others. Should go back!
Awesome! I have been stopping by their pottery shops for years myself. 😉
One of my favourite things to do on a trip is perusing the local artisan shops. I think I’d have to make room in my luggage for some of that pottery.
Asheboro looks really charming. First of all some amazing food, the dessert looks like a temptress waiting to seduce the unsuspecting. The town has some really nice places to visit as well including the Zoo which looks so vast and well kept. The Petty museum is another fascinating place that I would be interested in.
You’re such an expert at finding these amazing little towns that seem to have that wonderful history and vibe to them as well as some awesome local places to eat too.
Haha! Thanks so much! I have really lucked out for the past 18 months! 😉