Fall in Love with the Heart of North Carolina

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Fall in love with Asheboro, North Carolina – the heart of North Carolina this fall – with dramatic leaf colors, crisp cool weather, and fun festivals for all ages. Grab your cozy sweater and seasonal flavored drink (pumpkin or apple) to begin your seasonal adventures. 

History meets trails 

Soak in the fall scenery around our numerous trails with gorgeous views and historic sites in an around Asheboro, NC. The change of the season brings cooler temperatures, and the Heart of North Carolina boasts 19 trails for you to explore. A complete Randolph County Trail Guide from Piedmont Legacy Trails can be found here.

Girl standing at Faith Rock Trail in Heart of North Carolina

Faith Rock Trail – 1306 Andrew Hunter Rd, Franklinville, NC

Faith Rock Trail

This access point of the designated Deep River State Trail has an easy 3/4-mile loop with a big payoff. Cross over the historic bridge, take in the beautiful views of the river, and step back in time from the top of Faith Rock – where American Patriot Andrew Hunter was cornered by the Tory Army in 1782 during the Revolutionary War. Access Faith Rock Trail from the Riverside Park in Franklinville, NC. Franklinville is about a 15-minute drive from central Asheboro, NC.

Pisgah covered bridge framed by red, yellow, green and orange fall colors

Pisgah Covered Bridge – 6925 Pisgah Covered Bridge Rd, Asheboro, North Carolina.

Pisgah Covered Bridge

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 in the heart of North Carolina 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. Pack a picnic, plan a photoshoot, and take a quick trek through nature and history at this historic site. The Pisgah Covered Bridge is about a 20 minute drive south of downtown Asheboro, North Carolina. Use this handy Google map for directions to the Pisgah Covered Bridge.

Mother and son rhinos at Asheboro Zoo in Heart of North Carolina

NC Zoo – 4401 Zoo Pkwy, Asheboro, NC | www.NCZoo.org

North Carolina Zoo Trails

We love to explore the trails inside the North Carolina Zoo to discover animal adventures on a large scale, but did you also know that the Zoo has trails for exploration with no admission? Check them out when the season change. The main mission of the trails is to protect native wildlife and their natural habitats. Take your pup (on a leash) and walk the well-groomed NC Zoo hiking trails. The zoo is about a 15 minute drive from the heart of Asheboro, NC.

Father and son in pumpkin patch at Millstone Creek Orchards

Millstone Creek Orchards – 506 Parks Crossroads Church Rd, Ramseur, NC | MillstoneCreekOrchards.com

Fall Harvest

There is no better place to celebrate fall's changing leaves and beautiful landscapes than the farm itself. Randolph County’s rolling hills offer lots of farm fall activities for all ages to enjoy in the heart of North Carolina.

Millstone Creek Orchards

This working farm offers opportunities for visitors to explore the 18-acre property with u-pick adventures, hayrides, fishing, and educational classes. There is no better place than Millstone Creek Orchards for apples and pumpkins this fall. Visitor tip – 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 this family friendly fun in the heart of North Carolina! 

From Asheboro, North Carolina, you can reach Millstone Creek Orchards in a little over 20 minutes. Use this Google map to Millstone Creek Orchards.

Kersey Valley train ride in Heart of North Carolina

Kersey Valley – 1615 Kersey Valley Rd, Archdale, NC | KerseyValley.com

Kersey Valley Attractions

Kersey Valley Attractions is home to family-friendly adventures during the day and a haunted attraction once the sun sets. Get lost in the Kersey Valley Maize Adventure, a corn maze experience for all ages in the heart of North Carolina; includes a train ride, jumping pillows, pedal carts, treehouse village, and a dinosaur discovery zone. Looking for a seasonal scare? Kersey Valley Spookywoods started out with a dare in 1985 and has grown into one of America's most popular and scary haunts. Reservations are encouraged on weekends in September and October. 

Kersey Valley Attractions is about a 20 minute drive north of Asheboro, NC, near the town of Archdale, NC. Use this Google map to get directions to Kersey Valley Attractions. Be sure to share photos of your adventures with the Carolina Traveler Facebook Group!

Exquisitely handcrafted pottery is displayed at the North Carolina Pottery Center in Seagrove, NC

Amazing and functional works of art are displayed at the North Carolina Pottery Center in Seagrove, NC.

Seagrove Pottery — A Must-See In The Heart Of North Carolina

Pottery Highway in Seagrove, NC is scenic any time of year, but the fall brings seasonal pottery and new adventures. Explore over 50 pottery shops within a 20-mile radius this season and treat yourself to an autumn color palette. For an ultimate road trip adventure through the heart of North Carolina, plan a visit to Seagrove, the Pottery Capital of the US. 

You can get to the NC Pottery Center in a little under 20 minutes from downtown Asheboro, North Carolina. Plan your route using this map to the NC Pottery Center. Seagrove, North Carolina is a charming town and your pottery adventure will have you crisscrossing the Heart of North Carolina as you visit different pottery shops and studios.

Potter's Pumpkin Patch — Participating Shops Throughout Seagrove, NC

The Potters Pumpkin Patch

An annual celebration of participating potters opening their shops in the heart of North Carolina along scenic Pottery Highway, NC Hwy 705, to sell their festive fall wares. Our 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.

Festivals and events in the heart of North Carolina are vibrant and fun. September kicks off festival season with the biannual Liberty Antiques Festival boasting over 400 dealers – no replicas allowed. October weekends are filled with street festivals focusing on arts and crafts, live music, all the deep-fried foods – we even honor the King of NASCAR! We wrap up the fall season with our Seagrove Pottery community during their annual Pottery Festival weekend, the ultimate holiday shopping experience for pottery lovers. For a complete list of upcoming events in the Heart of NC, check out our calendar. We invite you to share your fall adventures with us by tagging #theHeartofNC during your visit.

RANDOLPH COUNTY SPONSORED CONTENT

There are plenty more stops in and around Asheboro, North Carolina. You can find even more things to do in Asheboro, NC in our annual Museum Central issue.

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