Life is Good in the Deep End of the Piedmont
Stock car racing. Festivals. Fishing. Food. Hiking.
If any of these activities pique your interest, put the City of Randleman on your list of places to visit! A city built on grist mills, Randleman still thrives as a manufacturing hub in the heart of North Carolina, and is home to a host of furniture, metal, and machine works companies.
Just down the road from Asheboro, Randleman is in “the deep end of the Piedmont,” only about 90 minutes from Raleigh or Charlotte.
Randleman is hometown to stock car racing royalty. In downtown, a bronze statue of Richard Petty and his late wife Lynda (created locally at Carolina Bronze Sculpture in Seagrove) celebrates the Petty family legacy… a legacy that the City of Randleman wears like a badge of honor.
The statue, along with a host of activities and festivals, celebrates the spirit of racing and love for Randleman’s hometown heroes. Petty Family Attractions brings that legacy to life in one legendary stop, encompassing the Petty Museum, The Legendary Garage, and the historic Toomes-Petty House, birthplace of Richard and Maurice Petty. Here, walk among vintage race cars and decades of memorabilia, learn the stories behind the wins, and – if you’re lucky – you just might run into The King himself. The museum is closed on the weekends though, so plan your trip accordingly.
Always true to his family and community roots, the late Adam Petty once dreamed of a place where kids with medical challenges could come and just be themselves… kids. Victory Junction is Adam’s vision brought to life – a NASCAR-themed camp where children with serious illnesses can spend a week or a weekend for barrier-free camp experiences. Families don’t pay a dime. And kids get to do all kinds of fun things, from ziplining to fishing to horseback riding to archery, and even putting on theater productions. Since opening in 2004, the camp has served tens of thousands of children across the globe, giving them opportunities to discover themselves and make new friends.
Whether you like to walk the shoreline or ride the water, Randleman has a variety of choices. The Randleman trailhead of the Deep River State Trail follows the Deep River, taking hikers through a gorgeous 1.5-mile (or 3-mile roundtrip) trail, with plenty of places for scenic views. Take a picnic and enjoy the day! Or, if being on the water is more your speed, head out to Randleman Lake. With over 100 miles of scenic shoreline, the reservoir offers excellent fishing, boating, sailing, and kayaking, along with those breathtaking North Carolina views.
A Perfect Day in Randleman
Take a ride around the rolling hills and curves in the heart of the city, and you’ll find treasures all over. Stout Street Park is open daily with a playground, picnic shelter, nature trail, walking track, and the Robin’s Nest Splash Pad (open in the summer, with tickets available through the Randleman Community Center). Local history buffs will want to visit the St. Paul Museum to see artifacts, stories, and records central to the community’s heritage. And just outside town, Native Son Vineyard & Farm is a locally-owned vineyard specializing in Muscadine wines. Come sip wine, explore farm life, and soak in the pastoral beauty of the Randolph County countryside (HINT: Make an appointment before you come!).
Did you know? The folk ballad “Omie Wise,” one of the oldest folk ballads in American history, was inspired by the real-life story of Naomi Wise, a young woman from Randleman whose mysterious death on the banks of the Deep River in 1807 has never been fully explained.
Fuel up at The Biscuit Co. or swing by Randleman Café for a hometown breakfast that’ll set you up for the day. For lunch or dinner, Olympia Family Restaurant does comfort food right, and Sir Pizza has been a local favorite for decades (get the spaghetti!). The Wild Onion is open on weekend evenings and Sunday brunch, with a daily menu of all-you-can-eat sides and free dessert!
Commerce Square Park has a welcoming green space adorned with a mural by local artist Susan Harrell and plays host to festivals and events all year long.
Speaking of Festivals… Boy, Do We Have ‘Em!
Randleman knows how to throw a party. The NASCAR Day Festival and PettyFest bring the city’s racing roots front and center, drawing families and fans from all over the country. Car enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Randleman Cruise-In on the third Saturday in May and September, where classic cars, trucks, hot rods, muscle cars, and great stories roll in from across the region. Music lovers can catch free live performances on Friday evenings all summer long at the Market & Music Concert Series. Anglers can test their skills at the annual Reel-n-Randleman Fishing Tournament, and foodies will want to clear their calendars for the annual NC Food Truck State Championship, which draws some of the best mobile kitchens in the state to downtown Randleman. Whatever time of year you visit, there's a good chance something worth celebrating is right around the corner.
Come on Down. Just Don’t Drive Too Fast!
Randleman is an easy hour and a half drive from either Raleigh or Charlotte and is served by three major airports – Piedmont Triad International (GSO), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), and Charlotte Douglas (CLT). Accommodations in Asheboro and Archdale offer comfortable lodging just minutes away.
From the shores of Randleman Lake to the legacy of The King, this little city packs a lot of living into a small footprint. We’d love to have you for a visit. Just mind the speed limit on your way here!
Planning a trip to Randleman, NC? Check out our itineraries for day and weekend ideas.
City of Randleman | 204 S Main St - Randleman | 336-495-7500 | Gary Betts, Mayor | Henry "Hank" Raper, City Manager