Asheboro, Seagrove, Randleman, Liberty
In the center of North Carolina, the ancient, eroded Uwharrie Mountains create a picturesque, rolling countryside. Here, you’ll find numerous lakes, excellent back roads for driving or cycling, mild temperatures, and an array of diversions that’s hard to beat.
Asheboro is the focal point of the area. Smaller communities like Seagrove, Randleman, and Liberty form the backdrop. Understand that the Uwharries are not about bright lights and city nights. A trip here is about open areas, national forests, and interesting places tucked along the backroads. Given all of the natural beauty here, it’s no wonder that the area is home to the North Carolina Zoological Park.
Whether you choose to peruse an outstanding collection of Harley-Davidson motorcycles or admire the artistry of Seagrove pottery, you’re sure to come away relaxed from a weekend trip to the Uwharries.
Where to Stay
Located in Asheboro, the 1905 Victorian Country Bed and Breakfast (336-626-4706; http://donrey.koz.com/community/victoriancountry) has original chandeliers, whirlpools, and period furnishings. If you’re headed to pottery country, stay in the Duck Smith House Bed and Breakfast (888-869-9018 or 336-873-7099; www.bbonline.com/nc/ducksmith) in Seagrove. The jams served at breakfast come from fruit trees on the property. If you favor the northern side of the area, stay at Rising Meadow Farm and Inn (336-622-1795; www.risingmeadow.com) in Liberty. This inn follows the European tradition of a working farm stay; you can help gather eggs or feed the animals. Located near Albemarle, the 1880s Pine Plantation Inn (800-711-1134 or 910-439-1894; www.innsites.com/inns/A001149.html) was once the center of a 1,500-acre plantation.
Where to Eat
You’ll find mostly chain restaurants in the area. However, if you’re hungry for barbecue, try Henry James Bar-B-Que, which has served Asheboro residents generous portions for 25-plus years. And at the risk of starting a competition, I’ll tell you that the hush puppies here are the best in the state—light and crispy with just a hint of sweetness. The Jugtown Café outside Seagrove serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Ways to While Away the Day
Antiques
Sunset Avenue in downtown Asheboro is quite the antiques mecca. First is Collector’s Antique Mall (336-629-8105), located at 211 Sunset Avenue. It’s open Monday from 10 A.M. to 8 P.M., Tuesday through Saturday from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M., and Sunday from 1 P.M. to 5 P.M. You’ll find Paynes Stained Glass at 131 Sunset and Paynes Antique Mall at 222 Sunset. Both shops are open Monday through Saturday from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. and Sunday from 1 P.M. to 5 P.M.; call 336-625-6940.
Golf
The rolling hills of the ancient Uwharries make for some of the best golf around, particularly during the fall and spring. In Asheboro, Asheboro Country Club (336-625-6810; www.asheborocc.com), Tot Hill Farm Golf Club (800-868-4455; www.tothillfarm.com), and Uwharrie Golf Club (336-857-2651) are open to weekend golfers.
Heritage
You don’t have to travel to Vermont to see a covered bridge. Honest! The Pisgah Covered Bridge is one of two such structures still standing in North Carolina. The 54-foot wooden structure, complete with a foundation of river stones and wide wooden planking, spans a branch of the Little River. From U.S. 220 five miles south of Asheboro, turn right (west) onto Pisgah Covered Bridge Road (S.R. 1114). After about six miles, Pisgah Covered Bridge Road bends sharply to the right. (If you drive straight, you’ll be on Pisgah Road, which isn’t where you should be.) About a mile from the sharp bed, you’ll see a gravel road to the left that marks the entrance to the parking and picnic area. The bridge is open daylight hours only.
Museums
The recently relocated Richard Petty Museum in Randleman still smells like tires. The museum celebrates Petty’s life and accomplishments. Be sure to watch the awesome film clips of “the King” winning his seven Daytona races. The cars are, of course, dazzling in their Petty blue paint. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. An admission fee is charged. For more information, call 336-495-1143 or visit www.pettyracing.com.
Love Harleys? Then visit the American Classic Motorcycle Museum. The collection includes 35 Harleys, the oldest from 1936, the youngest from 1972. The 1936 Knucklehead (Model EL 61) is thought to be one of only two left in existence. The 1953 Hummer looks a little frail next to some of the bigger bikes, while the 1963 Sportster may evoke the siren call of the open road. The museum is located near the intersection of U.S. 64 West and N.C. 49 South. Admission is free. You can visit Monday through Saturday from 10:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. or Sunday from 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. For more information, call 336-629-9564.
The Peddycord Flying Museum (also known as the North Carolina Aviation Museum) houses aircraft, some of which were used to fight World War II. It’s a grand museum full of bombers, Avengers, Piper Cubs, and Cessnas. If you’re lucky, you might get to talk with some of the owners—many of whom fought in World War II or served as test pilots—about what it was like to fly and fight. The museum is located off N.C. 49 two miles west of Asheboro; signs point the way after you exit U.S. 64 West onto N.C. 49 South. You can visit Monday through Saturday from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. or Sunday from noon to 4 P.M. An admission fee is charged. For more information, call 336-625-0170.
Outdoors
Hiking
Hey, it’s the Uwharries! And that means forest trails. Over 15 miles of trails wander Morrow Mountain State Park, plus you can summit three ancient peaks. For good lake views, hike the 4.1-mile Fall Mountain Trail. If you don’t mind a moderate climb, hike the three-mile Morrow Mountain Trail. For more information, call 704-982-4402 or visit http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/momo/home.html. Over 46,000 acres comprise Uwharrie National Forest, so it’s no problem to find a hikeable trail. One good choice is the 5.6-mile Birkhead Mountain Trail, which departs from S.R. 1163 (Tot Hill Farm Road); parking is on the side of the road. Because trail blazes seem to occur in fits and spurts, you’ll find your pathfinding abilities mildly challenged. For more trail information, contact the United States Forest Service by calling 910-576-6391 or visiting www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc.
Pottery
The North Carolina Pottery Center in Seagrove is so full of beautiful pots that you’ll either morph into a pottery hound or be inspired to learn the art of slinging mud. The center contains exhibits showing the history of pottery in North Carolina from the 1700s until today. It also displays sample pieces turned by area potters. Best of all are the maps the center provides so that you can easily find the potter of your choice. It’s open from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Tuesday through Saturday. An admission fee is charged. For more information, call 336-873-8430 or visit www.ncpotterycenter.com.
Scenic Drive
The Pottery Byway, which begins in Seagrove and rambles along N.C. 705 to Eagle Springs, really shows off the beauty of the Uwharries. At last count, 14 potteries were on this drive and another 56 in the vicinity. Along the way, you’ll pass through the community of Whynot, so named because the residents, having gone through several names—why not this? why not that?—couldn’t decide what else to name their town when the post office arrived. So, why not visit Whynot?
Tidbits
The roots of North Carolina’s pottery tradition can be traced to seven families from Staffordshire, England, who settled in the northwestern corner of Moore County in the early 1800s. Though they still turn traditional pots, today’s potters also experiment with modern forms.
Zoo
Something tells me it’s all happening at the zoo! The North Carolina Zoological Park, the country’s largest walk-through natural-habitat zoo, houses some of nature’s most magnificent creatures. Five miles of trails wander among habitats faithful to the North American and African continents. You’ll see polar bears, vampire bats, seals, sea lions, seabirds, river otters, bison, elk, alligators, elephants, rhinoceroses, chimps, baboons, gorillas, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, and tropical birds. Be sure to take comfortable shoes. Hours vary. Visitors can dine at the restaurants inside the gates or at the picnic areas outside. An admission fee is charged. For more information, call 800-488-0444 or visit www.nczoo.org.
Festivals/Events
| March | Seagrove Pottery Spring Open House |
| April | Seagrove Pottery Spring Kiln Opening |
| Early May | Migratory Bird Day is celebrated at the North Carolina Zoological Park. |
| July | For 30-plus years, the Threshers’ Reunion has taken place outside Denton. |
| September | The Liberty Antiques Festival is one of the largest events of its kind in the state. |
| October | NASCAR Day Festival, Randleman |
More Resources
For information, contact the Randolph County Tourism Development Association by calling 800-626-2672 or 336-626-0364 or by visiting www.visitrandolph.org.
If you want to spend lots of time enjoying Uwharrie National Forest, consider investing in Don Chidrey’s Uwharrie Lakes Region Trail Guide, which contains the most complete information available about hiking and mountain biking in the forest.
For other nearby activities, see the “Weekend in Greene’s Neighbourhood” chapter.
