We all know that what truly makes a house a home are the people inside it. However, we’d venture to say that a close second are the things inside it. The thread-bare quilt that you can’t bear to part with, the bedroom set you picked with your spouse right after getting married, and the ancient end tables that have been in your family for generations. If you get sentimental about heirloom pieces and have a penchant for interior design, then it’s high time you took a trip to High Point, North Carolina.

The Home Furnishing Capital of World is best known for being home to more than 100 furniture stores and outlets, but in recent years the small city has been making waves for much more than just dining tables and armoires. From new art galleries to hip dining halls, breweries, and a soon-to-come Home Furnishings Hall of Fame, there’s plenty to see and do on a weekend trip to this Piedmont Triad town. Here are the best things to do on a visit to High Point, North Carolina.

Browse Furniture Stores in High Point

High Point’s reputation as a furniture and home furnishings destination dates to the 17^th century when an abundance of timber from forests in the area and easy transport along the Southern Railway made the town an ideal spot. The Southern Furniture Market made its debut in 1909. Today the massive trade show, now known as High Point Market, is the largest furniture trade fair in the world. While the market brings in more than 75,000 people each year, it’s exclusive to retail buyers and licensed interior designers, so unless you work in the industry, you won’t be able to snag a ticket.

For the casual furniture enthusiast or at-home designer, High Point still has plenty of places to get your shop on. There are more than 100 furnishings stores that specialize in everything from lighting to fabrics to antiques. A few shops not to miss are Ashley Interiors by Braxton Culler for an expansive selection of wicker and rattan pieces; Capa Imports, known for its gorgeous rugs and pillows; and High Point Furniture Sales (plus their separate Clearance Center) for a huge high-quality selection of furniture from more than 150 manufacturers, all at bargain prices. And of course you can’t leave High Point without paying a visit to Furnitureland South, the world’s largest furniture store. There are more than 1 million square feet inside the store (not counting its separate outlet building), so you may want to set aside more than just an entire afternoon to peruse.

Best Attractions and Activities in High Point

Enjoy Arts & Outdoor Activities

Outside of its obvious furniture-related attractions, there’s plenty more to explore in High Point. If you’re traveling with a family, head to the Nido & Mariana Qubein Children’s Museum or High Point City Lake Park, where you can rent kayaks and paddleboards, ride a miniature train, play mini golf, and even take a scenic lake tour on a pontoon boat.

Head Downtown

While High Point has plenty of history to its name, it’s also become an incubator for new growth and energy. Congdon Yards, a mixed-used development in the heart of downtown High Point, is the best place to see it all. When you go, be sure to stop into its new art gallery and grab a cup of java at Lil’s Coffee Bar. Be sure to check the events calendar at fellow multifunctional space COHAB Space for live music performances and pop-up dinners. Don’t leave without visiting its gallery space and retailers like Design Build Found, too.

Take a Tour

Other must-do activities include a walk around High Point University’s gorgeous campus and stop on Hamilton Street to get your picture in front of the world’s largest chest of drawers. The popular roadside attraction and town landmark was built in 1926 and remodeled in 1996. Standing 38 feet tall and featuring two giant neon socks hanging out of one of the drawers, it’s truly a sight to behold. And if you want a little more background on High Point’s homey history, stop into the High Point Museum.

Best Restaurants in High Point

Grab Breakfast, Lunch, and Bites

Dining is no afterthought in High Point. Breakfast is best at local favorite The Biscuit Factory. The biscuit sandwiches are giant, providing enough fuel for a full day of activity. For lunch, grab no-frills barbecue and burgers at Sweet Old Bill’s. If you’re in the mood for something lighter, try the homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches at Alexandria’s Bistro 1605. If you and your travel companions can’t settle on one cuisine, Stock & Grain is your spot. The food hall features a number of local merchants selling everything from sushi to pizza to hot dogs to classic soul food to mini doughnuts.

Make Dinner Reservations

Early evening is the ideal time to snag a table on Magnolia Blue’s rooftop patio. On the menu you’ll find classic American and Southern dishes like Prime Rib, Pot Roast, and Bourbon Chicken. Other worthy dinner spots include Lulu & Blue, specializing in Italian dishes and homemade pasta, and Southern Roots, a farm-to-table restaurant focused on local and regional produce.

Enjoy Drinks With Friends

For a happy hour drink or post-dinner nightcap, head to Brown Truck Brewery for craft beer in a relaxed environment, or check out newcomer Nomad Wine Works. Founded by industry veterans David Armstrong and Aaron Sizemore, Nomad features fermented beverages including still and sparkling wines, meads, and ciders in a modern tasting room.

Best Places to Stay in High Point

Since High Point is such a hotspot for design, it only makes sense to enjoy your stay in a beautifully designed room. The best place to get that is at Pandora’s Manor, an expertly curated boutique hotel, where each of the six rooms is designed in a different style by a prominent interior designer. We’re utterly in love with the Madcap Cottage room. Another great option is the J.H. Adams Inn, a Trademark Collection by Wyndham property that’s housed in a 1918 mansion on the National Registry of Historic Places. The hotel features a mix of modernly designed guest rooms, as well as two historic guest rooms that are original to the historic inn.

Read the original article on Southern Living