Seagrove hosts the nation’s largest community of working potters—individuals of national and international reputation. Some families trace their craft bloodlines through nine generations of potters.
Tour and meet 70-plus working potters at work. Studios dot the countryside, tucked among barns, cattle fields, and country gas stations. November’s Celebration of Seagrove Potters brings together roughly 70 artisans exhibiting everything from tableware to high-end works of art at the Historic Luck’s Cannery. The Celebration of Spring, held annually in April, features more than 65 potters and includes a pottery sale, special events, studios tours, and demonstrations. For the ultimate immersion, stay overnight at one of Seagrove’s bed and breakfast inns: Seagrove Stoneware Inn and Duck Smith House.
Known as the first family of NASCAR, the Pettys have won 10 NASCAR championships and more than 250 races.
At Petty Family Attractions, families can explore the career of the King of NASCAR, Richard Petty. Experience the unparalleled success story of this stock car racing family, including Lee, Kyle, and Adam Petty and Dale Inman. The Petty Museum features cars, memorabilia, trophies and life-size recreations of the Petty family’s characters from Disney-Pixar’s “Cars” movies.
Get close to some of the most majestic animals on our planet at the North Carolina Zoo.
An international leader in animal conservation, the 500-acre North Carolina Zoo sits in the “heart” of the state. Visitors are able to see elephants, rhinos, ostriches, giraffes, and more on the magnificent 100-foot immersion walkway at the Watani Grasslands Reserve. Families can climb aboard a ZooFari vehicle for a guided tour of the 40-acre habitat; enjoy the new “Birds of Prey” show; try the Air Hike ropes and obstacles course; chill out at the Rocky Coast; take in the cool wonders of arctic polar bears; or, check out the view from above at the Acacia Station Giraffe Deck.
Want even more adventure? Check out the science camps and overnight camping at the Zoo, or visit exhibits during animal feedings times.
Railfans from across the world say Thomasville is the #1 train watching spot in North Carolina.
People have traveled from as far away as Japan to watch the trains, with over 40 trains passing through the heart of historic downtown Thomasville on Norfolk Southern’s main line in a 24-hour period.
This location is perfect for photographers, videographers, and train chasers. The visitors center is housed in the historic train depot sitting right beside the tracks, which is the 2nd oldest depot in the state of North Carolina (built in 1870). Railfans can also visit Mike’s Trains shop which also has a perfect view for train spotting. Don’t forget to visit Thomasville for Trackside Train Day, usually held in April each year
Whether you need meeting space for a work event getaway, a much needed family reunion, or the perfect wedding ceremony & reception venue, Thomasville, North Carolina offers a variety of venues to fit perfectly for the occasion.
Nestled in the center of the piedmont Triad, Thomasville’s 11 venues offering experiences from quaint farm locations to wineries, downtown Main Street Band stand, to the elegant, historic Finch House- there is something to fit everyone’s venue criteria.
Discover North Carolina’s only museum dedicated to the study of global cultures.
Intimate exhibitions illustrate the story of humanity past and present through artifacts from the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Learn about people around the world through their everyday objects, ceremonial artifacts, and visual arts. A rotating schedule of exhibits highlights the LAM Museum’s diverse collections of artifacts from more than 90 countries and 350 cultures.
Exhibits include hands-on activities for children and adults. The LAM Museum is located on the campus of Wake Forest University and admission is free.
Inspired by the blending of art and science, Kaleideum is a perfect representation of a timeless space where children and adults can explore immersive exhibits that inspire wonder, curiosity, and lifelong learning outside the boundaries of a formal classroom. The name was inspired by the free choice learning experience of playing with a kaleidoscope.
By climbing the Beanstalk, exploring constellations in the Planetarium, creating a story in the Enchanted Forest, or discovering the forces of motion in our wind tunnel, Kaleideum is a place of constant change and challenges. Multifaceted, open-ended experiences prompt children to test theories, seek answers to questions, think critically, and explore at
their own pace — all skills that are necessary for their success in a world that constantly changes and continually surprises, yet remains wondrous for all ages.
This Historic Park is the site of the first settlement in Forsyth County.
Founded in 1753 by German-speaking Moravians, Bethabara was the first European settlement in the North Carolina piedmont. Today, Historic Bethabara Park preserves the history and heritage of the “Old Town.” A National Historic Landmark and Local Historic District, the Park encompasses 183 acres of preserved wildlife, historic buildings and grounds, walking and birding trails, and protected wetlands.
Historic Bethabara Park has a blend of archaeological sites, restored original buildings, and reconstructions. There are over 40 stabilized archaeological ruins throughout the park. Guided tours includes 1788 German Church and reconstructed fort. Medicine Garden and nature preserve on site.
Reynolda House Museum of American Art boasts one of the nation’s premier collections of American art viewed in the restored 1917 home of RJ and Katharine Reynolds.
Completed in 1917, Reynolda House Museum of American Art was originally the home of Katharine Smith and R.J. Reynolds, founder of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Promising a healthier lifestyle, the more than 34,000-square-foot historic home was the centerpiece of a 1,067-acre estate and model farm. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, the Reynolds family’s 64-room historic house stands as one of the few well-preserved, surviving examples of the American Country House movement.The museum has over 6,000 historic objects, but also a collection of world-renowned American art on view in the historic house and special exhibitions in the Babcock Gallery.
Raising thousands of Monarchs each year, All-A-Flutter is lovely oasis of peaceful nature.
This little piece of heaven is the ideal place to raise beautiful Monarch butterflies as well as a vast array of host & nectar plants. While the areas around the farm have been developed, the farm is still home to an old barn, guinea hens, deer, raccoons, turkeys, a bluetick hound, and all sorts of wildlife.
All-A-Flutter Farms welcomes school groups, daycares, camps, and other organizations to visit the farm. Tours of the facilities can be scheduled, along with an age-appropriate lecture for students, complete with demonstrations of all stages of development: from the instar (caterpillar) stage to the chrysalis, to the emergence of the brilliantly colored adult butterfly. Visitors can even hand-feed the butters!
