The North Carolina Zoo is the most popular thing to do in Asheboro. But it’s not the only thing to do. Visitors can explore the North Carolina Pottery Highway, shop for antiques, explore the area’s fascinating history, and enjoy fantastic food.
And it’s a perfect day trip destination or weekend getaway. Why?
Because Asheboro is only 30 miles from the geological center of North Carolina, it’s less than two hours from Fayetteville, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, and Charlotte. You’re never far from Asheboro, no matter which direction you travel through the state.
Keep reading to learn about the things to do in Asheboro, where to eat and stay, and why you should trust what I write about the charming destination.
Table of Contents
- Millstone Creek Orchards
- North Carolina Zoo
- North Carolina Pottery Center
- Pisgah Covered Bridge in Uwharrie National Forest
- North Carolina Aviation Museum
- American Classic Motorcycles Museum
- Brewskie’s
- Four Saints Brewing Company
- The Randolph Arts Guild
- Leo’s Whiskey Bar
- Collector’s Antique Mall
- Sunset Theatre
- Linbrook Heritage Estate
- Richard Petty Museum
Map of Things to Do in Asheboro
How to use this map: Click the icon in the top-left corner to open the Map Legend, then click on any of the legend items to display more information. If you have a Google account, click the star beside the map’s name to save this map to your account, then access the map from your smartphone during your trip.
Bottom: An example of a perfect peach.
No. 1
Visit Millstone Creek Orchards
Opened in 2004 by Nick and Beverly Mooney, Millstone Creek Orchards is a day trip destination for lots of fun and savory food. The heart of the family-owned business is the self-pick experience in the fruit orchards – blackberries, blueberries, and peaches in the summer and apples in September.
Not interested in picking your fruit? That’s no problem at Millstone Creek. The open-air retail building has freshly picked fruits, flowers, and baked goods. Granny’s Kitchen is always cooking something – fresh apple cider and apple donuts in the fall are one of the most popular items all year. Throughout the rest of the year, you’ll find cakes and jams stacked on shelves.
No. 2
Explore the North Carolina Zoo
Sprawling across 2,600 wooded acres just fifteen minutes from downtown Asheboro, the North Carolina Zoo offers encounters with animals living in natural habitats. Enclosures are measured in acres instead of square footage as the animals roam across prairies and bathe in lakes. Visitors wander concrete paths beneath bamboo forests or take the easy way – a tram that quickly whisks them between different sections of the zoological park.
Visitors can see polar bears and arctic foxes at Rocky Coast, elk and bison herding across a prairie, squawking birds and towering trees in the Forest Aviary, and herds of elephants, rhinoceroses, and antelopes at the Watani Grasslands Reserve.
Plan to spend a day exploring the entire zoo, but it will be a comfortable day. The tram makes three stops throughout the zoo for easy transportation. Outposts feature snack bars, restaurants, and gift shops. And there are plenty of places to sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds of one of the most natural zoos in the country.
No. 3
Visit the North Carolina Pottery Center and the North Carolina Pottery Highway
Seagrove is a small town just fifteen minutes south of Asheboro, but it will be a place you’ll spend at least half a day. The North Carolina Pottery Highway is a 30-mile stretch of Highway 705 starting in Seagrove. More than one hundred pottery studios, some of them run by the descendants of the original potters in the area, are located along the highway.
Start in Seagrove with a visit to the North Carolina Pottery Center. Learn about the history of the area, explore the pottery exhibits, and pick up a map to help you find the local studios. Jugtown Pottery is one of the oldest in the area, located inside an old log house – today it’s run by Travis and Bayle Owens. Ben Owen Pottery is one of the most modern facilities with a gorgeous show room to explore.
Return to Seagrove to finish the day with the one-room shop at Seagrove Stoneware Pottery. The studio is run by the husband-and-wife team of David Fernandez and Alexa Modderno. You’ll likely find Alexa in the studio show room, but David spends a lot of time just a few minutes away at The General Wine & Brew. It’s the only bar in Seagrove, and Fernandez and Modderno built it themselves in their former studio space in an old general store.
No. 4
Visit the Pisgah Covered Bridge in Uwharrie National Forest
Pisgah Covered Bridge is one of only two extant covered bridges in the state. The original bridge was built in 1911 by J.J. Welch, but a flash flood destroyed it in 2003. Volunteers recovered about 90% of the original building materials and rebuilt the bridge using the same design plans.
Driving to the bridge will feel remote, but it’s only twenty minutes from downtown Asheboro. It’s located in Uwharrie National Forest, an area for local hiking trails and outdoor recreation. The bridge is open to visitors during daylight hours.
Learn about the annual celebration of the National Park System and read my travel guides to national park units across the country.
No. 5
Explore the North Carolina Aviation Museum
Almost hidden from downtown Asheboro at the small municipal airport, the North Carolina Aviation Museum is one of the most fascinating small aviation museums in the state. The idea for the museum began in 1994 when Jim Peddycord established the Foundation for Aircraft Conservation. After his tragic death three years later from a mid-air collision practicing for an airshow, local businessman Craig Branson picked up the torch. In 2001, the state of North Carolina officially established the North Carolina Aviation Museum.
A dozen aircraft, aviation components, and classic cars are spread between two hangars. The collection includes a Piper J-3 Fitfire flown by Orville Wright and a limousine used by President Truman.
No. 6
Visit the American Classic Motorcycle Museum
Inside the halls of the American Classic Motorcycle Museums, visitors can explore one of the largest private collections of antique Harley Davidson motorcycles. Motorcycles, parts, and interpretive panels are safely secured behind large glass walls. Enthusiasts could spend hours exploring the collection – but even the most casual visitor will need an hour or two.
No. 7
Start (or End) the Day at Brewskie’s
Brewskie’s is the kind of place to start your day with great coffee or end your day with a cold beer and live music.
Fresh ground coffee and strong lattes will get your day started in the mornings. Just a few minutes from downtown, it’s a quiet place to enjoy your caffeinated drink. Take up a place at one of the tables or one of the high-backed armchairs. In the evenings, flatbreads and wraps pair perfectly with craft beers.
The small stage at the front, flanked by studio speakers, is where you’ll find lively entertainment on most Friday and Saturday nights.
No. 8
Get a Drink at Four Saints Brewing Company
Did you know there are four patron saints of beer? When Joel McClosky and Andrew Deming opened Four Saints Brewing Company in Asheboro, they named the brewery in honor of Saint Wenceslaus, Saint Nicholas, Saint Luke, and Saint Augustine of Hippo.
READ MORE: 17 Craft Breweries You Need to Visit in Wilmington, NC
Four Saints Brewing Company is the only brewery in Asheboro – so far. The downtown taproom is located inside a renovated retail building. Tables and chairs are spread across the bare concrete floor. High-top chairs offer a chance to cozy up to the counter and chat with knowledgeable bartenders about their craft beers at the bar.
Visitors are welcome to get a glimpse at the brewery in the back half of the building. Just be sure to have a drink in your hand, or else you might offend one of the saints.
No. 9
The Randolph Arts Guild
The Randolph Arts Guild is an organization fostering local artists and promoting art education in the region. It’s one of the best-organized arts guilds in a small city or town I’ve visited.
The Sara Smith Self Gallery is a 12,000-square-foot exhibition space on Sunset Avenue in downtown Asheboro. The gallery displays works from artists worldwide, but focuses on local artists above others.
Summer Road Trips
Read itineraries and how-to guides to get you ready for a summer of road trips.
No. 10
Spend an Evening at Leo’s Whiskey Bar
Leo’s Whiskey Bar is an anachronism – sort of. When Tom Papas opened a bar in downtown Asheboro, he created a 1940s experience complete with old photographs hanging on the walls, jazz and big band music gently filling the air, and no Wi-Fi connectivity. The result is a charming bar that can only seat 25 people and an atmosphere that lifts your spirits.
Speaking of the spirits, Papas knows his whiskey. He named the bar after his dad, who would enjoy a drink or two after a long day at the steel mill. Bourbon, Rye, Scotch, and Irish Whiskey fill the shelves behind the small bar.
Leo’s Whiskey Bar is a members-only bar, but membership costs a mere $1 and can be purchased at the time you visit. However, space is limited. The best time to visit is a non-peak hour.
No. 11
Go Shopping at Collector’s Antique Mall
In 1993, the old Moore Department Store was converted into an antique mall. The Big Bear Supermarket and Cheek Sign offices were added to the sprawling mall in later years. Today, Collector’s Antique Mall spans 35,000 square feet across three floors in downtown Asheboro.
The mall features dozens of shops filled with individual sellers’ antiques, toys, clothing, books, and décor. Everything in the store is labeled and priced to make it easy to find something you want to take home. The difficult part will be exploring the entire store in just one visit.
No. 12
Attend a Show at the Sunset Theatre
In 1930, the Sunset Theater opened as the city’s first movie house. First-run films played until the 1970s, and then second-run films until it was finally shuttered in the 1980s. In 2005, the city purchased the building and began a long series of renovations to restore the historic theatre.
The theatre puts on concerts, live performances, lectures, and movies in a large space with comfortable seating. Check the event schedule to see if a performance aligns with your visit to Asheboro.
Learn about the annual celebration of the National Park System and read my travel guides to national park units across the country.
No. 13
Take a Tour at Linbrook Heritage Estate
I wish I’d known about Linbrook Heritage Estate during my visit to Asheboro. It’s only about a 20-minute drive through the countryside to the picturesque estate. It’s so gorgeous that it’s nearly constantly booked for weddings.
But there are other things to do with a day trip visit, even if you’re not getting hitched.
The 36,000-square-foot Linbrook Hall is the main attraction. It’s one of the largest privately owned homes in America, although not quite as big as the Biltmore Estate in Asheville. Visitors must call ahead to reserve a private tour of the gorgeous home.
The Neal Agricultural and Industrial Museum is open seven days a week for self-guided tours. The museum features an intriguing collection of John Deere tractors and other agricultural equipment used throughout the 20th century.
No. 14
Visit the Richard Petty Museum
Even the most casual NASCAR fan will enjoy the history and collections at the Richard Petty Museum. The museum is located on the same property where Lee Petty built his first garage and his son, Richard, firmly established his racing legacy. The museum opened in 1988 and offered a unique experience – a chance to explore an origin story.
Spread between multiple buildings, Richard Petty’s racecars are on display for visitors to admire the increasing complexity over the years. Petty’s additional collections of rifles, Smith & Wesson handguns, and belt buckles are spread among the cars.
Where to Eat
As more people discover Asheboro, more restaurants open throughout town. Mexican, Italian, Southern – there are many options in the small town.
Opened in 1954, Hop’s Bar-B-Q has been a staple of downtown Asheboro for longer than almost any other business in town. Don’t let the unassuming small brick building give you second thoughts. Inside, you’ll find savory Western-style barbecue and delicious sides.
The folks in the kitchen at The Taco Loco know how to make amazing tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and fajitas. Tacos are served on homemade corn tortillas, and all the menu items are made to order. Enjoy the meal inside the small restaurant on Sunset Avenue or sit outside to enjoy the fresh air.
Times Square Pizzeria won’t win any awards for restaurant design, but their gourmet pizzas will make you forget about the outdated tables and chairs. Choose from one of their dozens of recipes or completely build your own from scratch. Solo travelers will appreciate the option to order by the slice.
When Dustie Gregson decided to open a restaurant, she chose a rustic 1925 office building to build The Table. Asheboro native Chef Deanna Clement works hard behind the scenes to create savory breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals. Enjoy the food inside a restaurant with white walls, hardwood floors, and beautiful table décor reminiscent of a Pottery Barn advertisement.
The locals can’t stop talking about The Flying Pig Food & Spirits. It’s the quintessential neighborhood watering hole with fantastic food, a friendly staff, and lively entertainment. The menu covers a little bit of everything with pizza, hotdogs and burgers, and sandwiches.
Magnolia 23 knows how to make southern-style food. Using fresh ingredients means the menu changes almost daily, but you’ll always find fried chicken, pork chops, collards, and green beans. Sit inside the rustic building if you want, but the best seat in the house is outside in the courtyard beneath the shade of giant trees.
Positano Italian Restaurant is a casual upscale eatery in downtown Asheboro. Family recipes have been passed down through the generations for savory, authentic Italian cuisine. It’s the most gorgeous restaurant in town with maroon tablecloths on the tables, comfortable chairs, and booths beside floor-to-ceiling windows.
If you enjoy beef, the family-owned Hamilton’s Steakhouse is the place to go. Steaks are hand-cut daily and marinated for the ultimate flavor. The menu also includes pasta, seafood, burgers, and homemade desserts. The large restaurant features cushioned wood chairs and tables, comfortable booths, and a lounge area.
Restaurant Guide
Quickly find information about some of my favorite restaurants I visited during my trip.
Hop’s Bar-B-Q 240 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro, NC | 336-625-2710 | https://hops-bar-b-q.business.site
The Taco Loco 138 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro, NC | 336-628-0158 | http://orderthetacoloco.com
Times Square Pizzeria 242 South Fayetteville Street, Asheboro, NC | 336-629-4579 | www.ordertimessquarepizzeria.com
The Table 139 South Church Street, Asheboro, NC | 336-736-8628 | www.thetablefarmbakery.com
The Flying Pig Food & Spirits 208 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro, NC | 336-610-3737 | www.facebook.com/theflyingpigasheboro
Magnolia 23 23 South Fayetteville Street, Asheboro, NC | 336-672-2300 | www.facebook.com/Magnolia-23-in-Asheboro-124035774330112/
Positano Italian Restaurant 130 C, South Church Street, Asheboro, NC | 336-628-4701 | www.positano.cc
Hamilton’s Steakhouse 328 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro, NC | 336-610-5500 | www.hamiltonssteakhouseasheboronc.com
Where to Stay
The North Carolina Zoo, local retail shops, and fantastic restaurants have made a home in Asheboro. But the one thing the city still lacks is a variety of places to stay. Three moderately priced hotels are located adjacent to each other, about five minutes from downtown.
Learn more about the lodging affiliate links I use.
Fairfield Inn & Suites features a moderately nice indoor swimming pool and a spacious lobby. Rooms include two double beds or one king bed, and the suite includes a king bed and a sleeper sofa. Expedia.com | Hotels.com | Booking.com
Holiday Inn Express & Suites opened in 2021, the newest hotel in the city, and features an outdoor swimming pool and comfortable lobby. Rooms include two queen beds or one king bed. Expedia.com | Hotels.com | Booking.com
Hampton Inn is always a great place to stay with the best complimentary hot breakfast of any hotel chain. The hotel features a spacious indoor swimming pool and hot tub. Rooms include two queen beds, one king bed, or one king bed and a sleeper sofa. Expedia.com | Hotels.com | Booking.com
Getting to Asheboro
Asheboro is conveniently located near the geographic center of North Carolina. It’s an easy destination to visit along several scenic road trip routes. Here are a few ways you can get to Asheboro.
Flying to Asheboro
Four airports in neighboring cities surrounding Asheboro make it easy to fly into North Carolina, but it will involve a 1-2 hour drive from the airport.
Fayetteville Regional Airport (FAY) is a small regional airport. American Airlines and Delta provide daily flights to the airport. It’s conveniently located near Interstate 95, making it easy to rent a car and hit the road to Asheboro.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is one of the Top 50 busiest airports in the country, making it a primary hub for domestic and international travelers on the East Coast. Several major airlines offer daily flights to RDU, including American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, United, JetBlue, and Air Canada. RDU is about halfway between Raleigh and Durham along Interstate 40.
Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) is a few miles west of Greensboro between Interstate 40 and Interstate 73. It’s North Carolina’s third-busiest airport after Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport. American Airlines, Delta, and United operate daily flights to the airport.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is one of the Top 10 busiest airports in the country. It’s a significant hub for domestic and international flights, bringing specific pros and cons. The airport features some of the best amenities and facilities. However, it also has some of the worst traffic congestion, making it difficult to rent a car and get out of the city quickly.
CLT is a central hub for American Airlines – the carrier operates about 90% of the flights. Air Canada, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, and United also operate daily, direct flights to the airport.
Riding Amtrak to Asheboro
There are no Amtrak stations in Asheboro. However, there are a few options if you want to travel by train and rent a car for the final leg of the journey.
The Crescent route runs between New York City and New Orleans through central North Carolina. A few stations are conveniently located near car rentals.
- Greensboro Station (GRO)
- High Point Station (HPT)
- Lexington Station (LEX)
- Salisbury Station (SAL)
- Charlotte Station (CLT)
The Floridian route was recently created when Amtrak merged the Capitol Limited and Silver Star routes, creating one of the longest continuous passenger train routes in the country. The route allows passengers to travel from Chicago to Miami via New York City.
Two stations in Raleigh are conveniently located near car rentals:
Driving to Asheboro
Asheboro is a hub for scenic highways, which makes it a great road trip destination. It’s easy to drive from Arizona, New York, and all points in North Carolina to the small town.
Interstate 73 is a north-south highway between Greensboro and Rockingham, located entirely within North Carolina. It was initially designed as a “Great Lakes to the Sea” route that would have connected Michigan and Myrtle Beach, but that idea was abandoned in the early 2000s.
Interstate 74 is a discontinuous east-west highway between Davenport, Iowa, and Rockingham, North Carolina. The highway is incomplete through Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia; only portions have been completed in North Carolina. The highway allows quick travel from Winston-Salem to Randleman, where it joins Interstate 73.
U.S. Highway 64 is a 2,300-mile highway between the Four Corners and Nags Head. The scenic highway enters North Carolina near Murphy, following the route of the North Carolina Waterfall Byway through Brevard. The highway travels north of Charlotte through Statesville to Asheboro, then continues through Raleigh to the coast.
U.S. Highway 220 is a 700-mile highway between Sayre, Pennsylvania, and Rockingham, North Carolina. The highway traverses the Appalachian Mountains through remote towns, eventually crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway in Roanoke, Virginia. The highway parallels Interstate 73 from Greensboro, passing through downtown Asheboro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Asheboro is near the geographic center of North Carolina, halfway between Charlotte and Fayetteville, and about 30 minutes south of Greensboro.
Asheboro is about 1.5 hours from Raleigh along U.S. Highway 64, and 2 hours from Raleigh along Interstate 40 and 73.
Asheboro is about 1.5 hours from Charlotte along Interstate 85.
Asheboro is about 30 minutes from Greensboro along Interstate 73.
Asheboro is most commonly known as the home of the North Carolina Zoo, but there are many other things to do in Asheboro. Visit one of the local museums, enjoy outdoor recreation in Pisgah National Forest, explore the North Carolina Pottery Highway, or dive into the local cuisine.
No, Asheboro is far from the North Carolina mountain region.
Asheboro and Asheville may share a similar name, but the two cities are far apart. Asheboro is about 170 miles from Asheville.
Spring and Autumn are the best times of the year to visit Asheboro, NC. The North Carolina Zoo is the city’s largest attraction. Zoo animals are more active in cooler temperatures, and you’re more likely to see them wandering around the enclosures on cool spring and autumn days than during the hot and humid summer days.
Why Trust What I Write About Asheboro?
My first rule about content on Road Trips & Coffee is to only write about topics in which I have personal experience. I am less concerned about Google rankings, website traffic, and ad revenue than I am about helping people discover amazing places to travel.
I visited Asheboro for 3 days during a road trip across North Carolina in 2021. It was one of my favorite kinds of road trips – no set itinerary, just a determination to explore as much as I could across the Tarheel State during a two-week road trip from the beaches to the mountains.
The local tourism folks at Heart of North Carolina hosted me. They paid for my hotel, food, and arranged free admission to the local attractions. This is standard practice for many travel writers, especially smaller brands like mine. However, no one had any editorial control over the content I wrote on this website or social media. They saw the articles at the same time as you.
I visited almost every place I included in this travel guide. But there were a few places I missed because I only had three days. And I only had a few hours to explore the North Carolina Zoo. That’s the part of the trip that hurt the most because I think it’s one of the most astoundingly natural zoos I’ve ever seen. I could have spent an entire day walking through that bamboo forest and watching the animals on the Watani Grasslands Reserve.
Like many places I visit, I have a bucket list of things to do if I ever return to Asheboro. But, sadly, my life rarely offers a chance to return to a destination. It’s one of the most bittersweet aspects of my life as a travel writer.
You can trust what I write about Asheboro because I spent three days visiting the attractions, retail shops, restaurants, and museums. I write everything from a first-person perspective because I was there. And no one had editorial control over my content.
8 Responses
I once drove down 64 and saw a giant man with animalistic red hair crawl out of a dumpster while wearing a skirt made from what appeared to be a burlap sack. I felt bad for him, because there’s no way that a dumpster in a wasteland like Asheboro could have anything good in it.
Be sure to keep in mind the lawyer density. When a town this small has that many lawyers, it means the courthouse is the main economic structure. Paired with the list that is heavy on drinking holes, its a trap.
Hey I grew up in Asheboro moved to Florida 34 years ago I am now 60 was the best thing I ever did that town is worth less and ran by a bunch of Crocks it’has to be the worse place to live and raise kids there school sucks
I grew up in Asheboro, NC and had the best life! I return frequently to see my sweet Mom and I am amazed at the vibrancy of downtown! It is bustling during the daytime and restaurants are busy at night. The boutiques are fabulous and most restaurants are worth trying. I recently met friends at the Flying Pig and Sir Pizza on different days, but for lunch and dinner respectively on the same day!! Central Bakery is one of my favorites and I pray it never goes out of business! I also, love the NC Zoo!
Thanks for this comprehensive list.
Another place to stay is Yogi Bear Jellystone Park in Asheboro. A campground that has cabins to rent if you don’t own an RV or Tent. It’s just 5 minutes from the NC Zoo & it’s open year round.
Magnolia 23 was not good . The fried chicken had globs of fat still attached . Small portions and little small packs of salt and pepper . If I remember maybe plastic utensils but not sure . To me it wasn’t worth the money . CJ’S is a great restaurant .
Lived in Asheboro for 20 years. Except for the Asheboro Zoo & Magnolia 23, you can find what the city offers just about anywhere. In other words, Asheboro isn’t anything special.