Diane Villa, the North Carolina Zoo’s Director of Communications and Marketing, refers to The Heart of North Carolina as “The best kept secret that does not want to be secret”. Even if the beaches and mountains of North Carolina get the most fanfare, The Heart of North Carolina boasts a provincial romantic beauty and intrigue that should not be missed. Whether you are searching for a lovely weekend escape or are in need of a family-friendly getaway, Randolph County has it all. Most importantly, for this foodie, The Heart of NC has several culinary venues that rank among the best in North Carolina and the nation.
North Carolina Randolph County: Where to Stay
The Duck Smith House Bed & Breakfast
Marcia and Mark Willette are the owners of The Duck Smith House Bed and Breakfast, a cozy farmhouse retreat. Prior to my stay, I did not realize Seagrove was home to this charming B&B. The Duck Smith House offers four luxurious rooms, each with their own bathroom. I was fortunate to have experienced a stay in two of them.
On my first night, I stayed in The Waverly Room. The second floor room features two full size beds with matching blue and white comforters and curtains, and a spacious bathroom. The Waverly can accommodate up to four guests, which is perfect for a girl’s getaway or a family of four. On top of being comfortably spacious, the room is adorned with two lovely white wicker rocking chairs and white dressers.
On my second night, I stayed in The Summit Room. The second floor bedroom has one queen size bed with matching yellow and blue floral print comforter and window treatments. Although it is the smallest of the four rooms, I found it absolutely cozy. The Summit is ideal for the solo traveler and couples. It is nestled away from the other two rooms on the second floor, which provides additional privacy. As well as having its own bathroom, a couch sits outside of the room which serves as a sitting area to read or relax. As you walk outside of your designated room, masks are required in the halls and other shared living areas.
Marcia prepares her guests a delightful breakfast each day. During my stay, some of the items that she prepared included white chocolate raspberry scones, yogurt and granola fruit parfaits, stuffed French toast and more. The B&B also has a coffee and drink station on both the first and second floors. If you crave a snack at some point in the day, I love how Marcia has a nook near the refrigerator equipped with chocolates, popcorn and other snacks. If you are lucky like I was during my stay, she might prepare her Almond Joy Cake! If she does, pair the cake with some individual ice cream treats that she has in the freezer.
On the occasion that you plan to relax during your stay, take advantage of the B&B’s covered porch. A hot cup of coffee or glass of wine to sip by the covered porch will only make the experience lovelier.
Assuming that you will explore Randolph County, you will find The Duck Smith House centrally located to other cities and towns like Archdale, Asheboro and Ramseur. In addition to its wonderful location, the B&B’s best assett is Marcia. She is the most charming Bed and Breakfast host that I have met in my NC travels.
North Carolina Randolph County: Where to Eat
Randolph County has a little for everyone and more. Despite the fact that this is my second weekend trip to the area, I still have several more eateries that I have not tried. Along with visiting some of my favorite restaurants, I also had a chance to visit a few new ones, too.
Four Saints Brewing
Randolph County’s first and only brewery is definitely leading by example. There are a few simple rules to follow when visiting the brewery: wear your mask, stay 6ft apart and remain seated. Customers are required to both text their orders and request to close their tab to help reduce contact between the brewery’s employees and customers. That said, there is no sacrifice on customer service. Their service is exceptional. Apart from having beers on tap, Four Saints Brewing also features 32 oz Growlers and 16 oz-4 packs to go.
During my visit at Four Saints Brewing, I sampled the Effin Lemon-Lime, a bright and crisp hard seltzer. This drink is also gluten free, sodium free and low calorie. One of my others favorites is the Potter’s Clay Amber Ale. I had tried it on a previous trip and fell in love with its name and mild hoppiness. Thankfully and conveniently, the Potter’s Clay Amber Ale can be purchased to-go at the brewery in 16 oz-4 packs.
Faye’s Diner
Faye’s Diner is a food truck that serves elevated diner-style foods created by the talents of Urban Street Grill and Four Saints Brewing Company. Even with a small menu, the food truck prepares delicious staples that will appeal to both the sophisticated palate and the casual diner. Faye’s food truck parks in front of Four Saints Brewing Wednesday through Sunday. Guests can either order food-to-go or eat inside Four Saints Brewing. If you plan to dine at the brewery, reserve a table in advance.
Besides the Deluxe Burger, a couple of my other favorites are the Fried Yard-Bird Sando dripping in Hot Sauce and the Mustard Pretzels paired with Beer Cheese for dipping. Diner’s can find a full list of Faye’s offerings at the food truck and on the Four Saints Brewing menu. Not to be overlooked are Four Saints Brewing suggested beer pairings for some of the food truck’s menu items. As I consider past and present trips to The Heart of NC, Faye’s Diner ranks as one of my favorite dining spots.
The Table Farm and Bakery
The Table Farm and Bakery was created for people to come together. Like many other restaurants, The Table had to change its model to manage the challenges presented by COVID-19. This included offering limited carry-out and family-style meals. Once the restaurant was able to reopen, indoor and outdoor dining tables were socially distanced and customers were required to wear masks.
As diners leave the indoor and outdoor dining area, each table is properly cleaned and sanitized. New diners that choose to sit at the restaurant will find a laminated post card which states that their table has been properly disinfected. For those that are not yet ready to dine at The Table Fam and Bakery, ordering to-go is still a great option.
I can say with conviction that lunching, brunching or dining at The Table Farm and Bakery is worth the road trip alone from anywhere in North Carolina. Their pastries, coffee creations and seasonal menu items are all fantastic. In the case that you have not visited the eatery, you will enjoy both the food and its ultra-modern farmhouse vibes. While this summer Custard Brioche French Toast may not be on the menu on your visit, I guarantee that you will find some wonderful items on The Table Farm and Bakery’s fall menu.
Magnolia 23
It is no secret that Magnolia 23 has the best fried chicken in Asheboro. In fact, it has been ranked among the top 100 in the nation. To provide a safe environment for both customers and employees, the restaurant is offering outdoor seating and carry out. Masks are required and there are no exceptions. Customers will also find a couple of sanitizing stations located on the patio.
Over and above the aforementioned measures, Magnolia 23 uses disposable plates and cutlery to serve their food. Whilst this was not the first time I dined at the southern home-cooking restaurant, I am glad that the fried chicken was as fantastic as I remembered it.
North Carolina Randolph County: the Best Things to Do
North Carolina Zoo
Asheboro’s North Carolina Zoo is the world’s largest natural habitat zoo. This means that the zoo has built habitats for animals similar to the environments that they inhabit outside of the zoo. Guests will immediately notice that there is no trace of skyscrapers, but rather a vast landscape.
The NC Zoo reopened on June 15th and is operating at a 30% capacity. To mitigate COVID-19 and ensure the safety of its employees and guests, the zoo has taken various measures. Visitors are required to enter via a one way path that has been created to control the amount of people visiting. Visitants are required to wear their masks for entry. Social distancing is encouraged throughout the zoo. Visitors should stay at least six feet apart from individuals that are not part of their social bubble. An additional prevention measure includes strategically placed antibacterial stations through the various exhibits and eating areas.
Despite the current closure of the North Carolina Zoo’s three indoor restaurants, there are outdoor kiosks and food trucks where guests can purchase both food and drink. I was fascinated to learn how the zoo’s culinary team sources local and seasonal fruits and vegetables, when possible. Over and above their farm to table practices, meals are created from scratch, as much as possible. To promote sustainability, the NC Zoo not only uses biodegradable disposal carry out plates and utensils, but they also have a composting facility behind the scenes.
After touring the Africa exhibit, I tried the Coop’s Nashville Hot Chicken Sammy and the Coop Waffle Fries. Had I not had a pending lunch reservation, I would have sampled much more food. On my next visit, I plan to eat at Wild Burger, which I understand is also fantastic. On the occasion that you visit the North Carolina Zoo before the Christmas holidays, this cute holiday insulated cup is a great purchase. The souvenir cups can be used to purchase coffee or hot cocoa refills for 99 cents.
Some other conservation efforts implemented at the zoo include a wetland marsh at Dragon Fly Pointe that naturally filters oil from the parking lot, the use of electric golf carts and electric vehicle charging outlets. As much as it is wonderful to see the animals at the zoo, the highlight of my trip was learning how the NC Zoo has not only implemented several precautions to create a safe experience for guests, but also how they are a leader in sustainability and conservation programs.
Millstone Creek Orchards
Millstone Creek Orchards is a wonderful spot to visit whether you’re single, coupled or have a family. I always walk away with a wealth of information after speaking to Beverly Mooney, the owner of Millstone Creek Orchards. Three items that guests must try are the Apple Cider Donuts and dipping sauce, Apple Cider Slushy and Wine Cake.
Millstone does require its guests to wear masks and encourages them to stay in their social bubbles. One of the advantages of Millstone Creek is the large sections of property where guests can wander and safely social distance from other Millstone visitors. Customers planning a quick in and out trip to the orchards should visit at soon as it opens to avoid the larger crowds that gather in the afternoons.
Seagrove Pottery
Not only does Randolph County have the world’s largest natural habitat zoo, but it is also home to Seagrove, the Handmade Pottery Capital of the United States. Visitors will find a combination of tableware and high end works of pottery for miles made by different pottery artisans. During my weekend trip, I visited Seagrove Stoneware Pottery, Seagrove Art Pottery, Pottery Road Studio, and Smith Pottery. Every potter has their own hours of operation, so call ahead and ensure that they’re open. Although none of the five shops I visited were crowded, all required masks at entry.
One of my favorites pottery stores that I encountered on this trip was Smith Pottery. When I walked into the store, I was taken back by the dragonfly motif on their pottery. Even though I arrived shortly before closing, the owners were kind enough to keep the shop open a little later than their close time. This type of service is not something you encounter every day. Some of my purchases include a pie dish, two soup bowls with handles and a covered soup bowl.
While I was in the market for functional kitchen stoneware, there are miles of pottery shops that can appeal to all tastes. Driving Seagrove’s Pottery Highway offers more than 70 working potters. Their studios can be found off the highway or tucked among barns, cattle fields and gas stations. The largest community of working potters is not only a pottery lover’s paradise but it is place that garners both national and international acclaim.
Kersey Valley Attractions
Kersey Valley entertainment venue is a family friendly park that initially started as a farm house turned haunted house in 1985. Tony Wohlgemuth created the haunted house with a $2 entry fee. 36 seasons later, that one haunted house was supplemented by a Zipline, four Escape Rooms, an Outdoor Axe Throwing, bomb bowling, Sunflower tours, Laser Tag, High Ropes Course, Maize Adventure and a Spooky Woods Haunted Attraction. To safely manage the number of people in the park, appointments are required.
With such a large venue, Tony had to pivot quickly during COVID-19. Once they were able to open the park, he created a virtual cue lining. Customers pull into the park and their tickets are scanned while in their vehicle. The virtual cue was created to encourage social distancing and monitor the amount of guests in the park. As a business owner, Tony was fortunate not to have reduced his task force. In spite of the park’s three month closure, Tony had to hire additional artists to prepare for October.
Other safety precautions Tony has implemented include cleaning and sanitizing the park tram between uses. Friendly ghosts are used as dividers to create social distanced seating on the tram. More than that, there are no characters inside the park to further encourage social distancing. Notwithstanding the modifications that have been implemented to create a COVID-19 safe experience, there are some exciting interactive text games in the works to make waiting in the virtual cue a fun experience.
Guests visiting Kersey Valley in October have a chance to visit their Sunflower Extravaganza. Though sunflowers have a short life span, there are four sunflower fields that have been planted at different points in time with eleven different sunflower varieties. Visitors not only have a chance to participate in a you-pick and cut and purchase their own sunflowers, but there are contract photographers on site to take pictures of guests. Portrait sessions can be booked online at sunflowerextravaganza.com or call the studio at (336) 687-2071. The last day to take advantage of the Sunflower Extravaganza is October 14th.
Seagrove Orchids
Linda Thorne started Seagrove Orchids with the purchase of one plant that grew for years. As a person that has been gifted several orchids over the years with a 0% survival rate, growing an orchid as a novice is no small feat. That one orchid led Linda to build a working orchid nursery that now offers more than 200 different species. Whether its your first time buying an orchid or you are an experienced orchid lover, Ms. Thorne will lead you in the right direction.
As a small business owner, Linda quickly pivoted to make her business safe for her and her customers. Every customer entering the nursery must wear a mask. If a customer forgets their mask, Linda has new disposable masks available. As an additional safety measure, no more than four people can be in the greenhouse at the same time.
Prior to entering the greenhouse, Linda opens the door. If a customer opens the door, she cleans and disinfects the handle. At purchase, Linda offers a seamless and contactless payment process. If the customer comes into contact with the counter, it is cleaned and disinfected. Regardless of the amount of customers that visit Seagrove Orchids, the counter is cleaned every day and night.
Upcoming Fall Events in North Carolina Randolph County
The Annual Potter’s Pumpkin Patch Trail kicks off in October along the NC Pottery Highway 705 . A select group of potters will offer special items for the fall season including ceramic pumpkins, gourds, seasonal refreshments and more. Participating pottery shops include Blue Hen Pottery, Seagrove Stoneware Pottery, The Triangle Studio, Crystal King Pottery and Thomas Pottery.
If you are in the mood for a little spooky fun, Kersey Valley’s Spooky Woods Haunted Attraction and Escape Game Rooms are for you. I toured both the haunted attraction and escape rooms and I can personally attest that they are very scary. The amount of artistry and creativity to build one of the nation’s largest haunted attraction is evident. For individuals that are fanatics of escape game rooms, families have the choice between family-friendly and scary escape rooms. Visitors looking for a scare, should check out Sanitarium and Autopsy.
As you have read, Randolph County has many great options for the solo-traveler, couples and families. It can be as low-key as you like or an itinerary filled with visits to Seagrove pottery shops or day-filled adventures at Kersey Valley and more. Whatever your plans include, always carry a mask and be prepared to wear it at designated areas. Remember to social distance and be aware of any policies implemented by restaurants and other small businesses.
If you enjoyed reading about this recent North Carolina Randolph County trip, you will also like reading about my trip to Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock. Click here, to read my review of the family-friendly mountain resort.
