My husband and I will be taking a trip from Atlanta to Hickory NC to look for furniture. I would like to take a side trip to Seagrove to look at pottery. Can anyone suggest a place to stay that is not a chain? I saw many chains in Asheboro, but would like something different. We will most likely take Hwy 49 back to Charlotte (unless someone can suggest something more scenic) so it doesn't have to be in Seagrove or Ashboro necessarily. Thanks for your help.

You will want to stay in Asheboro at the very least. It has only been in the last several years that you didn't have to pack a lunch to visit Seagrove. There was NOwhere to eat!! And to my knowledge there is no motel as yet. If you need rugs the Capel rug factory is in Troy, not far from Seagrove.
In order to do justice to Seagrove potteries you need the better part of a day.
Asheboro is about a half hour. Charlotte is 1 1/2 hours from Asheboro on 49--there isn't really a much better way.
From Hickory you would probably want to go I40 to Greensboro and drop south on 220--I don't have a map in hand, but that is my picture.
When are you planning this trip? After Christmas many potteries are closed/cleaned out!

I'm not sure if there are any places to stay in Seagrove.

A different way to Charlotte (depends on where you need to be) is from Seagrove take 220 south to highway 24/27. 24/27 goes through the Uwharrie National Forest. Lovely scenery. 24/27 will take you through Albemarle where you can continue onto Charlotte (entering on east side) or 'cut' back over to highway 49 on highway 73.

After looking at furniture in Hickory, you might want to continue onto High Point for more furniture shopping

Oh, good idea. We've always been in a hurry to get back so haven't gone that way but have spent many a night camping in the Uwharrie--the oldest mountains in the US.
And, the food situation is not a whole lot better even now--one, maybe two places right in Seagrove. You might want to think about picking up a picnic lunch and bringing it. The potteries (over 100) can be farflung.
Jugtown is considered a part of Seagrove so don't forget that historic pottery. Very nice shop there that sells several potters' works.

Thanks for the quick replies. We will actually be traveling around November 16th, so just in advance of Christmas. We had planned to shop Hickory on a Thursday, and maybe part of Friday (been to High Point and decided not worth the extra miles), then stay Friday night near Seagrove, shop the potteries and then head back to Atlanta Sat. The trip is long so I wasn't sure if we wanted to stay another night on the road. It looks like Asheboro is our best bet for Friday night and maybe Charlotte on Sat night - the trip through Uwharrie sounds great. If we take that route on 220, any ideas on how long it will take to Charlotte? Any suggestions for hotels, B&Bs in Charlotte? Thanks for all your help!

It wouldn't be much longer through Albemarle--probably 2 1/2 hours. I guess you mean to Atlanta on Sunday. I'd bid on a 4* hotel downtown in Charlotte on Priceline. Not sure if the Panthers are in town. If so, there won't be any deals.
You might want to look at Hendrix furniture. Not entirely sure which town it is in--might well be High Point.

Saturday will actually be our anniversary and I thought about staying at the Ballantyne Resort, but not a lot of posts about it. Any ideas? How about special restaurants? Thanks again for the help.

I am sure Ballantyne is absolutely lovely. The developers would not have it any other way!!
There is a very fine restaraurant in the area--Table. A sister resto to Blue, I think. Anyway, one of Charlotte's premier chefs there.
If you want suggestions in other areas, let us know. LOTS of good dining in Charlotte.

Gretchen - both Table and Blue look great and live music is an extra bonus. Any preference? We are non-smokers, will that make a difference in our choice of restaurants (I try to avoid all smoking restaurants when possible). Thanks again.

We haven't been to Table yet. Blue is perhaps the best restaurant in Charlotte--along with about6 others!!
There is certainly non-smoking in the restaurant. I really don't know many places in Charlotte for fine dining where smoke would be any problem.

Sorry about the smoking question, now that GA has banned smoking in restaurants that serve children under 18 I have gotten spoilt. I have made reservations for Blue and Ballantyne Resort - this is to make up to my husband for dragging him furniture and pottery shopping on our anniversary Gretchen - You have been so helpful with this. I know we are really going to enjoy our anniversary. Thanks again!

I am pretty sure you will not regret those decisions.
Do enjoy Seagrove/jugtown and don't shortchange your time there. I know of no other place on the planet like it--honestly. The clay used to be dug there which is why it happened almost 300 years ago now. The clay that Wedgwood makes jasperware from is in that area also.
On another trip to Charlotte "do" our Mint museum and its ceramics and pottery collection. It is world class.

Just wanted to follow up on our trip to Seagrove and Charlotte. Our Seagrove trip fell during the annual Pottery Festival they have the weekend before Thanksgiving. This was great as they had many of the area potters in one place - got some beautiful pottery. Took 24/27 and although the leaves were mostly gone, it was a lovely drive, very scenic. the Ballantyne Resort was very nice and although we did not get to take advantage of the spa or golf course, the room was very nice, I would definitely stay there again. And the restaurant suggestion - Gretchen, Blue was perfect for our anniversary. The food was wonderful, the presentation excellent and the service as good as any I have ever had. This restaurant would be top notch in any city. Charlotte is lucky to have it. I will definitely eat here again. Thanks for all the suggestions we had a wonderful trip

Glad it all worked out so well. Yes, the service at Blue is indeed a cut above almost anywhere. Good of you to notice. We do have a number of very very fine chefs in town now and Gene Briggs is right up there. come on back!!