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Get Your Fun On: The Best Things To Do & Places To Visit In Asheboro, NC

The North Carolina Zoo is the reason to come, and it wants a full day to itself. Nothing else in Asheboro asks for that much time. Uwharrie National Forest is the pick if you want the day to cost you something physically. Skip the second museum unless the subject is already yours. The motorcycle collection and the Petty trophies both reward an enthusiast and underwhelm anyone else. Downtown is the low-effort option and it holds up better than that sounds.

Asheboro, North Carolina is a small city that punches well above its size. Outdoor adventures, historical landmarks and genuinely unusual experiences are all on the list here. What follows is the best and most interesting things to do in Asheboro, along with the top places to visit.

Nature lovers should start with the wild side of Asheboro. The North Carolina Zoo is the most popular attraction in the area, holding over 2,000 animals representing 250 species. Uwharrie National Forest covers the hiking, camping, fishing and hunting. For something with more adrenaline in it, the Richland Creek ZipLine Canopy Tour runs through the trees at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.

History gets its own list in Asheboro. The Randolph County Historic Courthouse dates back to 1909 and now houses the Randolph County Heritage Museum. The Asheboro Municipal Cemetery holds many notable figures from the city’s past. The North Carolina Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame covers the industrial side of the story.

Key Takeaways

• Asheboro, North Carolina offers a variety of activities and attractions for visitors.
• Nature lovers can explore the North Carolina Zoo and Uwharrie National Forest, while history buffs can visit the Randolph County Historic Courthouse and Asheboro Municipal Cemetery.
• Thrill-seekers can try the Richland Creek ZipLine Canopy Tour, and those looking for unique experiences can check out the North Carolina Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame.

The Wild Side of Asheboro

The wild fun in Asheboro is the strongest card the town has. Some of the most unusual attractions in North Carolina are here, running from the North Carolina Zoo to the Kaleidoscope Butterfly Garden. Animals and nature are well served.

North Carolina Zoo

The North Carolina Zoo is where the wild adventure starts. It is a natural habitat zoo, one of the largest in the country, and it holds over 1,800 animals from around the world. Polar bears and red pandas are both here. So are the African elephants, and seeing them in a habitat rather than an enclosure is the part people remember.

Natural Habitat Zoo

Natural habitat means the North Carolina Zoo builds its enclosures to mimic the environments the animals came from, so they behave more as they would in the wild. What that changes for you is the looking. You are not watching animals in cages here.

Kaleidoscope Butterfly Garden

For something more colorful, the Kaleidoscope Butterfly Garden is the stop. Hundreds of butterflies from around the world live in it. They fly around you as you walk through, and one will usually land on your shoulder before you leave.

Bears or butterflies, Asheboro covers both. The wild side of the town is the part not to miss.

Historical Attractions in Asheboro

History readers get three proper stops in Asheboro, and each one goes at the past from a different angle:

American Classic Motorcycle Museum

The American Classic Motorcycle Museum is the first. The collection of antique Harley Davidsons is larger than the building suggests, and it holds some of the most iconic bikes ever built. The history of the machines comes with them. An afternoon here is time well spent if motorcycles are already yours.

North Carolina Pottery Center

The North Carolina Pottery Center is the second, and it is the serious one for anyone interested in the craft. The collection draws on some of the state’s most famous potters, and the pieces are worth the trip on their own. The history of pottery in North Carolina runs alongside them. Workshops and events run through the year, so check the schedule before you go.

Petty Museum

The Petty Museum is the third, and NASCAR fans should not skip it. The museum is dedicated to the Petty family, who are legends of the sport, and the race cars on the floor are the draw. The history of racing comes with them, along with the family’s personal collection of trophies, helmets and uniforms.

Asheboro carries several other historical attractions as well, including the US National Register of Historic Places, the Old Planes, Military Artifacts and Civilian Memorabilia. History readers will not run short here.

Outdoor Adventures in Asheboro

Outdoor enthusiasts do well in Asheboro. The parks and hiking trails are good enough to fill more than a single visit. These are the outdoor adventures worth the drive.

Hiking at Uwharrie National Forest

Uwharrie National Forest is where the challenging hiking is. Over 50 miles of trails run through it, and the difficulty ranges from easy to hard, so the choice is yours to make before you set out. Bring water and snacks. Some of these hikes will take a good part of the day.

Picnicking at North Asheboro Park

North Asheboro Park is the picnic answer. Picnic tables and grills are plentiful, so burgers or hot dogs are a real option rather than a packed lunch. The playground keeps the children occupied while the cooking happens, and the scenery does the rest.

Frisbee Golf at Bicentennial Park

For an outdoor hour that asks nothing of you physically, frisbee golf at Bicentennial Park is the answer. The 9-hole course suits beginners and it costs nothing to play. It is a good way to spend time with friends or family without anyone needing to be fit.

Hiking, picnicking or frisbee golf, Asheboro takes all three. Get out and pick one.

The Quaint Downtown Asheboro

For a cozy afternoon, downtown Asheboro is the answer. Antique shops, restaurants and breweries sit close together, and the walking between them is easy.

Antique Shopping

Downtown Asheboro holds several antique shops, the Antique Mall of Asheboro among them. Hours go quickly among the unique and eclectic stock, which runs from vintage clothing to rare pottery. Talk to the shop owners while you are there; they know where the pieces came from and they will tell you.

Dining at The Flying Pig Food & Spirits

The Flying Pig Food & Spirits is where the hunger goes. The kitchen serves Southern comfort food, and the famous Pig Wings are exactly what the name says. The bartenders take the cocktails seriously, and the room is cozy enough for a date night or a night out with friends.

Brewery Hopping at Four Saints Brewing Company

Four Saints Brewing Company finishes downtown Asheboro properly. The craft beer runs from IPAs to stouts, and the bartenders are knowledgeable and genuinely interested in what they are pouring. The outdoor seating area is where to take the glass.

Downtown Asheboro is the quirky end of the town and it earns the visit. Antique shopping, dining and brewery hopping are all within walking distance of each other.

Asheboro rings its attractions around a small downtown. The North Carolina Zoo is southeast of town on its own road, far enough out to be a destination. Downtown holds the antique shops, The Flying Pig Food & Spirits and Four Saints Brewing Company. More antique stores line S Church St, and the restaurants sit on S Fayetteville St. The outdoors is east and south: Uwharrie National Forest, the Pisgah Covered Bridge and Randleman Lake. Most visitors do the zoo and drive home without parking downtown at all.

Unique Asheboro Experiences

For something different in Asheboro, the list below is where to look. This part of North Carolina hides more unusual experiences than it advertises:

Hayride at Pisgah Covered Bridge

A scenic hayride through the countryside takes you to the Pisgah Covered Bridge. The historic bridge is one of the few remaining covered bridges in North Carolina, and crossing it does something to your sense of the date. The surroundings are quiet. It is the right way to end a busy week.

Zip-Line Tour

For an adrenaline rush, the zip-line tour at Richland Creek Canopy Tours is the answer. You soar through the treetops with the forest below you, and the views come with it. The tour takes thrill-seekers of all ages, and it shows you Asheboro from an angle nothing else does.

Jumpie Fun Birthday Party

For a child’s birthday party with a difference, Jumpie Fun is worth the booking. Bounce houses and obstacle courses cover most of what a group of children want. The staff are friendly and helpful, which is the part that lets you sit down while the kids wear themselves out.

Asheboro has something unique going on whatever your interests are. A quiet day and an adrenaline one are both available, sometimes on the same afternoon in this charming town.

Asheboro Events & Concerts

Events and concerts in Asheboro, North Carolina are worth checking before you set the dates. A couple of favorites:

Live Music at Sunset Ave

For live music, Sunset Ave is the venue. It hosts some of the best local and regional bands around, and the range runs from rock and roll to blues.

Grab a drink, sit down and let the set run. The lineup changes, so check the schedule and plan around it. There is a fair chance you leave with a new favorite band.

NASCAR at Richard Petty’s Place

NASCAR fans should give Richard Petty’s Place an afternoon. The museum and event center is dedicated to the legendary driver, and the exhibits and memorabilia go deeper than the casual visitor expects.

Richard Petty’s Place also runs NASCAR events through the year, from car shows to driver meet and greets. Something is usually on at this iconic venue.

Rev up your engines and head over to Richard Petty’s Place. It delivers.

Asheboro’s Hidden Gems

Asheboro carries a number of places that tourists walk straight past. For something off the usual route, these local favorites are where to look.

Randleman Lake

For a peaceful escape from the noise, Randleman Lake is a short drive from Asheboro. Fishing, kayaking and hiking are all on offer, and the views take in the surrounding mountains. Pack a picnic and give it the day.

Local Restaurants on S Fayetteville St

The local restaurants on S Fayetteville St are where the eating is. Classic Southern cuisine and international flavors sit on the same street. Try the fried chicken at Magnolia 23 or the sushi at Sakura Japanese Steakhouse, and save room for dessert at The Table Farmhouse Bakery.

Antique Stores on S Church St

Antique lovers should walk S Church St. The street holds several antique stores carrying everything from vintage furniture to rare collectibles. The Farmer’s Wife Antiques is the one for home decor, and The Vintage Cottage is where the one-of-a-kind gifts are.

Next time you are in Asheboro, work through the list above. What turns up is different every visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the wildest animal I can see at the North Carolina Zoo?

The North Carolina Zoo will not disappoint on that front. Lions, tigers and bears are all here, along with gorillas, elephants and rhinos. For the wildest of the wild, go to the Watani Grasslands Reserve. The African wild dogs are there, also known as painted dogs, and these rare and endangered canines are among the most efficient hunters in the animal kingdom. They are rarely still.

Where can I find the best late-night eats in Asheboro?

Asheboro covers the night owls. The Waffle House is the classic American diner answer, open 24/7 and serving waffles, burgers and hash browns at any hour. For something further from home, El Acapulco Mexican Restaurant runs to 11 in the evening on weekdays and midnight on weekends, and the tacos and margaritas are the reason to go.

Can you recommend a cozy and affordable place to stay in Asheboro?

For a cozy and affordable bed, the Randolph Inn and Suites is the answer. The rooms are clean and comfortable, the Wi-Fi is free and the continental breakfast starts the day properly. It sits right in the heart of Asheboro, which keeps you close to everything else on this list.

What’s the one thing I absolutely have to do in Asheboro?

That is the hard question, because Asheboro has more good options than a short visit allows. If it has to be one, make it the North Carolina Zoo. It is the largest natural habitat zoo in the world and holds over 1,800 animals from around the globe. A whole day goes into the exhibits, the animal feedings and the behind-the-scenes tour, and none of it feels padded.

Frequently asked questions about Asheboro, North Carolina

How long do you need at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro?

Give it the whole day. The zoo holds over 1,800 animals in natural habitat enclosures, and the walking distance between the exhibits is what catches people out. Start when it opens, do the Watani Grasslands Reserve early, and leave the animal feedings for the afternoon when your legs have had enough.

Which trail is best for hiking near Asheboro, North Carolina?

Uwharrie National Forest, which carries over 50 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult. Pick the difficulty before you set out, because some of the hikes run long. Carry water and snacks. For an easier hour instead, North Asheboro Park has the picnic tables and the playground and asks nothing of you.

Is the Pisgah Covered Bridge worth the drive from Asheboro?

Yes. It pairs with a slow afternoon rather than a busy one, and it is one of the few remaining covered bridges in North Carolina. The scenic hayride through the countryside is how most people see it. Do it after the zoo day rather than before, since it works better as a close than as an opener.

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