3 ways to experience Nicholas Sparks' new book set in North Carolina
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Pisgah Covered Bridge in the Uwharrie National Forest. Photo: Courtesy of HeartofNorthCarolina.com
Beloved author Nicholas Sparks' new book "Counting Miracles" comes out Sept. 24. It's set in Asheboro, N.C., about a 90-minute drive from Charlotte and Raleigh.
Here are a few ways to explore Asheboro like the characters in the book.
Head to the zoo
Tanner Hughes, one of the main characters in "Counting Miracles," visits the North Carolina Zoo.
If you go: The state-owned zoo is at 4401 Zoo Pkwy. Hours vary by season. General admission is $15 for adults and $11 for children ages 2-12. Children under age 2 get in free.
- [Go deeper: 13 kid-friendly things to do in and around the Triangle / 20+ family-friendly activities to check out around Charlotte]
Go for a hike
Uwharrie National Forest is a central part of the story.
If you go: Check out Pisgah Covered Bridge at 6900 Pisgah Covered Bridge Road Asheboro. You'll find a 0.25-mile hike here.
Check out Birkhead Mountains Wilderness for a moderate or strenuous hike. You can access 15 miles of trails at these trailheads:
- Thornburg: 3977 Lassiter Mill Road Asheboro
- Tot Hill Farm: 3091 Tot Hill Farm Rd Asheboro
Head downtown
Explore Asheboro's downtown, including Four Saints Brewing Company (218 S Fayetteville St Asheboro, N.C.) and Antiques & Geeks (227 Sunset Ave.).
- Fun fact: From Thursday to Saturday, Asheboro is a social district, meaning you can buy an alcoholic drink from a participating business, then sip and stroll through a designated part of downtown with it.
Zoom out: Most of Sparks books have been set in North Carolina, as you can see on the map below:
What's next: Sparks' "Counting Miracles" book tour will stop in Charlotte on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Barnes & Noble in The Arboretum (3327 Pineville-Matthews Road) at 5pm.
- Event tickets cost $32.17 and include a signed copy of the book and a photo-op with the author.