PITTSBORO TO STATESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
GET THERE:
Pittsboro to Statesville
BACKROAD ROUTE:
2 hours 43 minutes, 116 miles
Pittsboro > Siler City > Liberty > Franklinville > Linwood > Statesville
Starting point:
S&T’s Soda Shoppe
85 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro
Graham Woodworking
3460 Silk Hope Gum Spring Road, Pittsboro
Head toward U.S. 64 Business from downtown Pittsboro and turn right onto N.C. 87 North. Turn left on Silk Hope Gum Spring Road and you’ll soon pass Graham Woodworking on the right, which is owned by a family of berry and vegetable farmers who also happen to be experienced woodcrafters. They lovingly craft aromatic red cedar chests out of logs harvested from nearby forests on an environmentally friendly bandmill, using every scrap of wood to make additional products such as red cedar grilling planks and hangers. The family sells their chests and other products every Saturday at the Carrboro Farmers Market. Learn more at grahamwoodworking.com.
Bottom of the Fox Farm
157 Joe Fox Road, Siler City
Continue on Silk Hope Gum Spring Road and turn left on Joe Fox Road to reach Bottom of the Fox Farm on the left. Customers are welcome to the self-serve seasonal flower bar near the farm entrance. Just drop cash in the green box for whatever flowers you take, or Venmo payment to @BF_Farm.
The farm also offers a 1966 Ford flower van on a pop-up schedule that serves up fresh seasonal bouquets or small bunches, and you can sign up for a tulip subscription at bottomofthefoxfarm.com. Follow the farm on Instagram at @bottomofthefoxfarm to learn more.
Hurricane Janes
161 S. Greensboro Street, Liberty
Silk Hope Liberty Road morphs into Silk Hope Road and then E. Dameron Avenue, which takes you to Hurricane Janes in Liberty, which offers a colorful exterior on the outside, and homemade specials, burgers and hot dogs on the inside for a classic American meal. Learn more at facebook.com/hurricanejanes.
Native Son Vineyard
1511 Mamie May Road, Franklinville
Head northwest on S. Greensboro Street toward W. Raleigh Avenue, then turn left on W. Swannanoa Avenue, which becomes Old Liberty Road. Drive through Grays Chapel and turn right onto Bruce Pugh Road, which veers right onto Bethany Church Road. Soon after, you’ll come to Native Son Vineyard on the right, which offers a wide variety of wines made from Noble, Magnolia, Carlos and Summit muscadines; along with muscadine cider, hot pepper jelly and salsa. The property is also home to rescue horses, mules, sheep, pot-belly pigs, and a donkey. Learn more at nativesonvineyard.godaddysites.com.
220 Cafe
220 S. Center Street, Statesville
Head southwest on U.S. 29/U.S. 70 West toward Spencer, then turn right on Charles Street and right again Hollywood Drive. Turn right on U.S. 601 North. Turn left on W. Ridge Road, then hop on U.S. 70 to Center Street in Statesville, and turn right toward downtown Statesville, where you can enjoy a meal at 220 Cafe, a family-owned tavern-style restaurant offering salads, sandwiches, burgers, and full entrees.
AND BACK AGAIN:
Statesville to Pittsboro
BACKROAD ROUTE:
2 hours 28 minutes, 213 miles
Statesville > Mount Ulla > Salisbury > Asheboro > Pittsboro
Starting point:
220 Cafe
220 S. Center Street, Statesville
West Rowan Home & Garden
11575 N.C. 801, Mount Ulla
Take Amity Hill Road out of Statesville and turn left on Ostwalt Amity Road, which eventually turns back into Amity Hill Road. Turn right on Umberger Road and left on N.C. 801. Soon after, make a right onto Graham Road to arrive at West Rowan Home & Garden, which specializes in one-of-a-kind, hand-painted barn quilts, and offers a variety of other vintage, antique, and handmade items. Hours vary. Learn more at westrowanbarnquilts.com.
Salisbury National Cemetery
202 Government Road, Salisbury
Head northwest on Graham Road toward N.C. 801 North, then take Sherrills Ford Road to Military Avenue and then Government Road, where you’ll find a beautiful tribute to members of the armed forces. At Christmas, wreaths are honorably hung on each gravestone. As of 2020, a total of 26,000 veterans and their family members were buried in the cemetery’s original and annexed sites. The cemetery is is the final resting place for 11,700 Union soldiers who died in Salisbury’s Confederate Prison during 1864—the largest number of unknown burials in any national cemetery. Learn more at cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/salisbury.asp.
Tamarac Marina
9120 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury
After leaving Salisbury National Cemetery, head north on Government Road toward South Railroad Street, then turn right on East Monroe Street and left onto South Long Street. Turn right on Bringle Ferry Road and after about 10 miles, you’ll come to Tamarac Marina, where you can take in a view of 15,180-acre High Rock Lake and grab a bite to eat at the marina restaurant. Learn more at tamaracmarina.weebly.com.
Back to Earth Farm
3175 Trotter Road, Asheboro
Head southeast on Bringle Ferry Road and turn right on Lick Creek Church Road for about 5 miles, then turn right onto Handy Road, and left on N.C. 49 North. Drive for about 8 miles, then turn right onto Trotter Road, which heads straight toward Back to Earth Farm in Asheboro, a farm that produces 100 percent grass-fed beef and offers overnight stays via an Airbnb cabin. You can also book a farm tour via Airbnb. Learn more at backtoearthfarm.com.
S&T’s Soda Shoppe
85 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro
For the last leg of your trip, take N.C. 49 to U.S. 64 to exit 378 onto U.S. 64 Business toward downtown Pittsboro. Turn right on West Street into the traffic circle around the town’s historic courthouse. Exit onto Hillsborough Street—the heart of downtown Pittsboro—and end your trip at S&T’s Soda Shoppe for a vintage experience and much-deserved ice cream sundae.
Traveling With a Four-Legger?
Head over to Yadkin County Dog Park at 11127 Old Salisbury Road in Linwood for a doggie stretch break. From Native Son Vineyard, plug the park’s address into your GPS. You’ll take a series of roads that lead to U.S. 29 in Linwood. The dog park is located next to Yadkin River Park, where there are trails you can walk as well.