Yeah, you are pretty much in the middle of small town NC. Most of my travels through there have been kid related. The statewide NC zoo is there, which is very nice. Up and down Rt 220 from Asheboro is an area / town named Seagrove I think. There are numerous pottery artists in the area.

50 Miles North/West is Greensboro or Winston-Salem, 2 very nice mid-sized cities. I think Winston has the better food. A bit farther easy is Pinehurst, golf mecca. On the far side of Pinehurst is Ft Bragg / Pope Air Force base. You might find more aviation based stuff there.

Have fun!
Chuck