Nearby Activities

Historical Places
    Walk Through Historic Hillsborough

        Founded in 1754  as an early Piedmont colonial town where the Great Indian Trading Path crossed the Eno River, Hillsborough became the capital of North Carolina for a short period in the late 18th century. Featuring a variety of historic homes, churches and businesses, Hillsborough's downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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    Museums & Historic Sites

        Founded in 1754  as an early Piedmont colonial town where the Great Indian Trading Path crossed the Eno River, Hillsborough became the capital of North Carolina for a short period in the late 18th century. Featuring a variety of historic homes, churches and businesses, Hillsborough's downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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    About Hillsborough

        Founded in 1754  as an early Piedmont colonial town where the Great Indian Trading Path crossed the Eno River, Hillsborough became the capital of North Carolina for a short period in the late 18th century. Featuring a variety of historic homes, churches and businesses, Hillsborough's downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Sports and Leisure
    Ayr Mount

        4 miles Southeast a Federal-era plantation house with Poet's Walk, a one-mile loop trail along ponds and the Eno River.


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    Montrose Garden

        4 miles Southeast, a 6-acre private garden; tours by appointment from October through May on Tuesday and Thursday at 10:00 am.

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    Confluence Natural Area

        6 miles North spanning between the East and West Forks of the Eno River, the 270-acre preserve offers 5 miles of hiking and a large pavilion for picnics.


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    Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail

        5 miles Southeast the site of a half-mile horse track that was later expanded and used by NASCAR, the Occoneechee Speedway is on the National Register for Historic Places.


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    Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area

        5 miles South scenic trails up and around Occoneechee Mountain overlooking the Eno River.

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    Panther Branch Natural Area

        10 mile drive West opened in 2023, this 56 acre mature hardwood forest has over 2 miles of walking trails meandering to the banks of the Eno River.


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    Riverwalk

        4 miles South three miles of greenway along the Eno River connecting the Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area and the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail.


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    Seven Mile Creek Natural Area

        7 miles South part of a larger 366 acre Upper Eno Nature Preserve this park has a 2 mile loop trail. 

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    Brumley Family Nature Preserve

        9 miles Southeast this 673-acre preserve has 2 separate areas North and South of Old NC 10 with trails of various lenghts around streams, wetlands, ponds and the Healing Labyrinth.


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    Cabe Lands Trail To Eno Quarry Trail

        12 miles Southeast part of the Mountain-to-Sea Trail, this almost 2-mile trail leads to the historic Pump Station, and a bluff overlooking the Eno River.


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    Eno Quarry Trail

        9.5 miles Southeast, a 4-acre, 60-foot-deep summer oasis, a 0.8-mile hike from the parking lot by way of the Cabelands and Eno Quarry trails.


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    Eno River State Park – Pleasant Green Access

        9.5 miles Southeast paddling access, Stone's Creek, Eno Quarry, western portion of Mountains-to-Sea State Trail through the park.


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    Eno River State Park

        12 miles East 30 miles of hiking trails paddling and fishing on the Eno River picnicking and camping.


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    Bluestem Conservation Cemetery

        15 miles North opened in 2022, this tranquil natural cemetery offers a network of trails for quiet contemplation.


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    Little River Regional Park & Natural Area

        14 miles Northeast, a 391-acre tract with 7 miles of hiking trails and 7 miles of mountain bike trails at the North Fork of the Little River.


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    Blackwood Farm Park

        8 miles Southeast a 152-acre site with 4 miles ofhHiking trails and a fishing pond .


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    Duke Forest- Korstian Trails

        14 miles Southeast trail system along New Hope Creek in the Korstian Division.


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    Johnston Mill Nature Preserve
    Hollow Rock Preserve
    Carolina North Forest

        15 miles South 750 acres of woodlands with a extensive trail system.


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    Shangri-La Stone Village

        16 miles North, retired tobacco farmer Henry Warren created a miniature village using quartz stones that his plow pulled out of his fields.


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    James M Johnston Nature Preserve

        6 miles Southeast, a 2-mile-long trail, part of the Mountain to Sea trail.


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    Duke Forest Edeburn Division
    Cates Creek Park with the Hillsborough Skate Spot

        13 miles Southeast, a 17-acre park with a picnic shelter, playground,

        pollinator garden and a skate spot.


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    Kings Highway Park

        4.5 miles South, an 18-acre park with a short trail next to the Eno River and Lake Ben Johnson.


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    Duke Forest Hillsboro Division
    Orange County Sportsplex

        5 miles Southeast regulation size ice skating rink; Aquatic Center with a 1-foot deep Wading/Baby Pool, a 3 to 4 ft deep Recreation Pool and a six foot deep Competition lap pool; fitness center

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Art Galleries
    Saltire Gallerie

        Timeless Beauty of Fine Art. Experience unique and captivating original art by renowned artists. Featuring 19th and 20th-century Scottish and European Art.

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    The Skylight Gallery

        Established in 1992, the venerable Hillsborough Artists Cooperative is the home of 6 Artist’s Studios and the Skylight Gallery.

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    Eno Arts Mill - Orange Co. Arts Commission

        Our mission is to promote and strengthen the artistic and cultural development of Orange County, North Carolina.

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    Thomas Stevens Gallery

        Come and browse the gallery at your leisure. Thomas Stevens specializes in painted art of area (Hillsborough mostly!) landscapes and figures. The gallery is open by appointment, during Last Fridays, and select Special Events; or you can stop by anytime to see the artwork through the large expansive glass from the sidewalk of King Street.



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    Hillsborough Arts Council Gallery and Gift Shop

        For more than thirty years, Hillsborough Arts Council has been developing and providing arts events, programs, and educational opportunities for the people of Hillsborough and surrounding communities. Committed to providing a unique shopping experience in downtown Historic Hillsborough, the HAC’s Gallery and Gift Shop offers a beautiful and varied selection of high-quality gifts from local artists. 

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    Hillsborough Gallery of Arts

        The Hillsborough Gallery is owned and operated by local artists. Located in the historic Mercantile Center, a 1920’s building with spacious, well-lit rooms, old wood floors, the warm and elegant setting creates an environment for ultimate art appreciation. Established in 2007, the art gallery represents established artists exhibiting modern and contemporary fine art and fine craft for homes and businesses. Artworks include paintings, pottery, photography, metal sculptures, sewn textiles, fiber collage, mosaics, encaustics, enamels, glass, jewelry. and wood.



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    Margaret Lane Gallery and Studios

        Margaret Lane Gallery is a family owned and operated art gallery that opened up January, 2017. The gallery focuses on three main practices; Accessibility, Inclusivity, and Expanding Horizons.

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Shopping
    Eno River Farmers Market

        The heartbeat of Hillsborough, the Eno River Farmers Market offers a wide variety of naturally grown fresh local produce, prepared foods with vegan and gluten free options, and craft items all year round along with live music during the warmer months.

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    Weaver Street Market

        A few hundred feet from the Riverwalk, this eclectic coop offers a great variety of fresh fruits and vegerables along with a hot bar and patio dining under a line of linden trees. It also has an incredible gluten free sandwich bread named Imagine That and a melts-in-your-mouth gluten free Challah from JP's Pastry. 

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    The Little Market

        Their mission is to provide a fresh, engaging space where artists and the community connect through art. We aim to foster creativity, support artistic exploration, and create new opportunities for both established and emerging NC artists.


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    Purple Crow Books

        Welcome to Purple Crow Books, a literary meeting place. Find new and used books. Come in, relax, sit and peruse the latest works by local authors. Because we specialize in local authors, Purple Crow Books is a favorite tourist destination.


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    Leland Little Auctions

        5 miles Southeast, nationally known auctions house, also has community events.

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Restaurants
    The Colonial Inn

        A Boutique Historic Hotel Built for Memorable Experiences.

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    Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant

        We take great pride in making our fresh food “from scratch.” We are so dedicated to freshness that we hand-make our tortillas, perhaps the only Triangle restaurant to use this “standard operating procedure.” 

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    Nomad

        Welcome to Nomad, where a world of flavors awaits you right in the heart of Hillsborough. Our locally based and welcoming owners have curated a dining experience that is truly one-of-a-kind. Nomad takes you on a culinary journey like no other, offering a diverse range of traditional ethnic dishes and expertly crafted cocktails, each with its own unique twist. 

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