There’s a zoo and a smallish aircraft museum. So what should I do to fill the rest of my weekend?

Anything to do on the way back towards Maryland (still in NC or Southern VA)?

I’m not finding much inspiring on Trip Advisor.

-Rob

You could go visit Uwharrie National Park.
It's just south of there.

Sir Pizza is pretty good considering it's a chain. I'm not familiar with any other pizza or BBQ places around there.

The Zoo is one of the best on the East Coast. It is divided up into regions (Africa, North America etc) and is set up in an open concept. It could take a couple of days to see it all. Bring comfortable shoes!

Don’t know who else is going or their ages but about 45 minutes south of the Zoo there is the Village of Pinehurst with lots of cute shops (for the ladies), great restaurants and more golf courses than you could count. There is almost always something going on in the Village on the weekend too.

What smlsig said. There’s lots of small shops, breweries and restaurants that have popped up in the area in the last few years. That whole part of the state is full of Revolutionary and Civil War history.

If you had the time, I'd recommend swinging northwest from Asheboro and pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway on the return trip. Speed limits vary. Blue Ridge Music Center near Galax, VA might be a good place to visit.

I can attest to the North Carolina Zoo as I have been there many times. Asheboro is my mom's hometown so we have spent many a day there.

+1 on hiking in the Uwharrie National Forest and Mount Sheperd as well. My grandfather was an arrowhead junkie and we used to find quite a few there. I recall the fishing in High Rock Lake is not shabby either.

45 minutes west is the NC Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC. The town is cute too.

I’d drive 45 minutes to see it without a doubt. Especially if you have any interest in trains. Most of it is in non-air conditioned massive buildings. It’s bearable but fair warning. I’ve been there at 95 degrees and didn’t regret it.

https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/

I think they’re used to be a Cheerwine museum, but I don’t see it anymore. That was in Salisbury.

There’s not much else I would recommend someone go out of their way to do in that part of the state.

If you go towards the mountains, and up Interstate 77, I would recommend a stop in Elkin or Mount Airy (Andy Griffith’ home town/Mayberry’s inspiration). Both have nice downtown areas with a few places to eat. Mount Airy has a nice army/navy type store called Robbie’s but the town is a little ways off 77. It’s probably the nicest little downtown anywhere around up there.

If you go up from there to MD, Lexington and Front Royal in Virginia are both neat towns.

The Richard Petty Museum is at Randleman, about 10 miles north on I-73. Pictures at https://www.flickr.com/photos/...m-72157632003223100/

Caraway speedway is at Sophia, NC also about 10 miles north of Asheboro and west of Randleman. A few photos in the above link.

The American Classic Motorcycle Museum and Café are at Asheboro (1170 US Hwy 64 W
Asheboro, NC 27205). Large collection of antique Harley-Davidsons, including the "Captain America" bike from the movie "Easy Rider".
100_6853.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr
Photos of that museum are also in the above link.

I was on my way home from my 85-day auto trip in 2005 and decided to spend the night at Asheboro. Prior to that I'd spent several hours at the AAF Tank Museum in Danville, VA, which is about 75 miles north on US-29. Photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157631991057902/

Hope this helps.
flashguy

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quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:
There’s a zoo and a smallish aircraft museum. So what should I do to fill the rest of my weekend?

Anything to do on the way back towards Maryland (still in NC or Southern VA)?

I’m not finding much inspiring on Trip Advisor.

-Rob

I mentioned it in my earlier post--the AAF Tank Museum in Danville, Virginia is worth a visit. It's about 45 miles up US-29 from Greensboro (up I-73 from Asheboro). It is not particularly easy navigate to the museum from the south, because US-29 totally bypasses the city--it is necessary to use US-29B (Branch) through the city, unless things have changed since 2005 (I came down from the north). If you want to visit them, their phone is (434) 836-5323 and I'm sure they'd be glad to give you driving instructions. Address is 3401 US Hwy 29B, Danville, VA. The museum is only open on Friday and Saturday 1000-1600. https://www.aaftankmuseum.com/plan-your-visit US-29B is called Main St. and another address for them is 3321 N. Main St.
e-mail aafmuseum@gmail.com

flashguy

Where in Maryland? I've created a map from Baltimore, MD to Asheboro, NC, with an alternate return with the AAF Tank Museum and the Luray Caverns on the return. The "to" route goes around DC, but I've done that and would myself prefer to avoid DC entirely. My route also goes through Charlottesville, VA and both Monticello (Jefferson's home) and Montpelier (Madison's home) are near there.

The route also passes through Lynchburg, VA. Located there are the Appomattox Courthouse and the National D-Day Memorial at nearby Bedford, VA.

A significant portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway is also near and parallel to the route. If you like I can move the route to use it. It is a beautiful drive, but it is leisurely, not quick.

flashguy

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