High Point, North Carolina
Do you love looking at beautifully crafted furniture? If
so, then a trip to High Point is a must. Known as the furniture
capital of North Carolina, and possibly the United States,
High Point has over 100 places to purchase, or just look
at, furniture. In High Point, you can also see the world’s
largest chest of drawers on North Hamilton. However, you
want to be sure to plan your visit so that you are NOT there
during the spring or Fall Furniture Market.
If you are looking for that special piece de’ resistance
for your home, then you should head to 430 South Main Street
and Atrium Furniture Mall. With 20+ galleries, you are sure
to find the right piece—or least have fun looking! If you
prefer a guide to High Point’s many shops, then go by the
visitor’s center, also on South Main, for more information
on the area outlets.
High Point does have other attraction, besides furniture.
You will find a visit to the Mendenhall Plantation quite
a contrast to the decorative furniture in the show rooms.
The Mendenhall Plantation was once owned by Quakers and
 contains
much simpler items. John & Abigail Staley, the original
owners, helped smuggle slaves to freedom on The Underground
Railroad. At the Plantation, you will see a false bottomed
wagon which is believed to be one of only two such wagons
left in America.
If you are doll collector, then be sure to visit Angela Peterson’s Doll Museum. The doll museum is one of the largest in the country and contains nearly 2,000 dolls from 53 countries. Some of the collections included are the 130 piece Shirley Temple collection, the celebrity dolls (Churchill, Stalin FDR, etc...), literary dolls (Shakespeare, Othello, Falstaff, etc…) and even paper dolls.
At the Furniture Discovery Center Museum, you can learn how furniture is made. You will see the carving, shaping, sanding and finishing of a highboy and have the opportunity to operate a lathe cutter head. Other area attractions include the High Point Museum and Historical Park which can answer your queries on how the city became what it is today, you may choose to hike the trails and environmentally friendly facility at Piedmont Environmental Center or go to Castle McCulloch which was once a gold refinery.
Even if you are not in search of the perfect piece of furniture, there is much to keep you busy in High Point. From museums to plantations, simple or elaborate, there is something for everyone!
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