EXPLORE!
— SPECIAL SECTION —
250 YEARS OF ORANGE COUNTY
In 2026 celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and read about how Orange County played a role in our country’s history as we progressed through the years. See our special Orange County 250 section on pages 32-39.
CHAPEL HILL/ORANGE COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU 308 West Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC (USA) 27516 888.968.2060 | 919.245.4320 info@visitchapelhill.org www.visitchapelhill.org
Folclor Latino performs as part of Fiestas en la Calle on Weaver Street in Carrboro, August 2025. PHOTO: Town of Carrboro
Takiri
LISTEN!
ORANGE COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU
Come hear our artists, authors, storytellers and musicians during a visit to Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough.
EAT!
Have a culinary experience trying dishes unique to the area by award-winning chefs, or sip our locally brewed craft beer, cider or wine.
CHILL!
Relax and unplug at one of our numerous accommodations or visit around one of our fun festivals.
EXPLORE!
Experience our history, gardens and scenic beauty. Visit our museums and historic sites.
SHOP! Shop for special keepsakes.
READY FOR A VISIT! Let Curiosity Lead You Here...
Dining outdoors on an idyllic
Where History, Culture, And
Chapel Hill
North Carolina evening in Southern Village.
Photo: Donn Young
Sublime nights with friends and craft brews at Eno River Brewing along side the Eno River.
Rich History, Scenic Trails,
Hillsborough’s downtown historic district — listed on the National Register of Historic Places — features more than 100 homes, churches and other structures from the 18th and 19th centuries. Learn more about Hillsborough’s history at the Alexander Dickson House, Orange County Historical Museum, Burwell School, and Ayr Mount Historic Site.
Explore the outdoors on the scenic Riverwalk or hike the Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area. Walk the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail, a one-mile loop around the former oval speedway from the early days of NASCAR.
Hillsborough is a haven for artists and writers. Wander the numerous local art galleries. Retail ranges from wine, vintage, jewelry, home décor, unique gifts and more along Churton and King streets.
Dining options include Hillsborough Bakeshop & Pasta Co, Nomad, Wooden Nickel, Saratoga Grill, the Village Diner and Hillsborough BBQ. Have a drink at the new Rookery.
HILLSBOROUGH VISITORS CENTER
150 E. KING ST, HILLSBOROUGH MON - SAT, 10AM – 4PM; SUN, 12PM – 4PM. 919.732.7741
Hillsborough
PHOTO: Donn Young
Hillsborough and Local Flavor
Orange County
Orange County Helpful Resources
SENIORS
ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENT ON AGING orangecountync.gov/154/aging Oversees two senior centers:
JERRY M. PASSMORE SENIOR CENTER
103 Meadowlands Dr, Hillsborough 919.245.2015
ROBERT & PEARL SEYMOUR CENTER SOUTHERN HUMAN SERVICES CAMPUS 2551 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill 919.968.2070
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
CHAPEL HILL PUBLIC LIBRARY chapelhillpubliclibrary.org
100 Library Dr, Chapel Hill 919.968.2777
ORANGE COUNTY MAIN LIBRARY orangecountylibrary.org
137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough 919.245.2525
ORANGE COUNTY SOUTHERN BRANCH LIBRARY
Drakeford Library Complex
203 S. Greensboro St, Carrboro 919.918.7364 orangecountylibrary.org carrboronc.gov/3122/the-drakefordlibrary-complex
MEDICAL
UNC HOSPITALS unchealthcare.org
101 Manning Dr, Chapel Hill 984.974.1000
430 Waterstone Drive, Hillsborough 984.215.2000
The Drakeford Library Complex
BUSINESS & RELOCATION
CHAMBER FOR A GREATER CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO carolinachamber.org
104 S. Estes Dr, Chapel Hill
919.967.7075
CHAPEL HILL DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP downtownchapelhill.com
136 E. Rosemary, Chapel Hill 919.928.5352
HILLSBOROUGH/ORANGE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE hillsboroughchamber.com
200 N. Churton St, Hillsborough 919.732.8156
ORANGE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT growinorangenc.com
131 W. Margaret Lane 2nd Floor, Hillsborough 919.245.2325
CHAPEL HILL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE chapelhilleconomicdevelopment.org
125 E. Rosemary St, Chapel Hill 919.968.2740
CARRBORO ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICE carrboronc.gov/152/economicdevelopment Town Hall
301 W. Main St, Carrboro 919.918.7319
INNOVATE CAROLINA JUNCTION innovate.unc.edu
136 E. Rosemary St, Chapel Hill
ACCESSIBILITY
ORANGE COUNTY ACCESSIBILITY GUIDE
MORE INFO
Scan the QR for more information about accessibility on our website. visitchapelhill.org/accessibility
See Orange County’s Accessibility Resources and Services: www.orangecountync.gov/2151/ accessibility-resources-services
ACCESSIBILITY ON CAMPUS eoc.unc.edu
UNIVERSITY COMPLIANCE OFFICE 214 W. Cameron Ave, Chapel Hill 919.966.3576
FOR CAMPUS ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS move.unc.edu/parking/accessibilityaccommodations
ATHLETIC EVENTS
Accessible seating is available at all UNC Athletics ticketed sporting events. Accessible seating is reserved exclusively for customers with accessible needs and their companion(s).
For more details visit: goheels.com news/2018/12/20/ 209723098
The Drakeford Library Complex is Carrboro and Orange County’s new center for culture, learning, and connection. This purpose-built, sustainable facility hosts the Orange County Southern Branch Library, Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department, Durham Tech, WCOM Radio, the Skills Development & NCWorks Career Center, the Guardian ad Litem program, and multipurpose rooms- all under one roof. Parking deck attached.
The University of North At Chapel Hill
History In The Making
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, often called “UNC” or “Carolina,” was chartered in 1789. The cornerstone to the nation’s first state university building, Old East, was laid on October 12, 1793. The university opened its doors for students in 1795 making it the only public university in the U.S. that awarded degrees to students in the 18th century. Wander the campus and see the familiar stone walls and tree-filled green grassy quads. The nation’s first public university, UNC ranks among the world’s leading research universities. Committed to making its high-quality education accessible and affordable, UNC-Chapel Hill has ranked as a top five national public university for 24 straight years according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” rankings.
THE UNC VISITORS CENTER
Make it your first stop when visiting the campus! Insight, access, guidance, and orientation to all things Carolina. Contact the center for tours.
Photo: Jon Gardner
North Carolina
UNC Sports
UNC is home to 52 NCAA Division I team national championships. There are Varsity teams in 13 men’s and 15 women’s sports.
Men’s basketball is played in the Dean Smith Center. Don’t forget to drop by the nearby Carolina Basketball Museum. Carmichael Arena is home to UNC women’s basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and wrestling. The UNC Baseball team plays at Boshamer Stadium where fans can also enjoy the UNC Baseball Hall of Honor. Tar Heel Football, which welcomes new head coach Bill Belichick, takes the field in Kenan Memorial Stadium.
The Karen Shelton Stadium on Ridge Road is home to Carolina Field Hockey, while the men’s and women’s soccer and lacrosse teams play in Dorrance Field. The Track & Field Complex is at Finley Fields near the Finley Golf Club. Softball plays in Anderson Stadium, while Swimming & Diving is in the Koury Natatorium. Tennis plays at the Cone-Kenfield Indoor Courts and the new outdoor Chewning Tennis Center on Friday Center Drive.
Discover a variety of lodging options conveniently located near our charming downtowns, the university, and major interstate routes.
where to stay
AC HOTEL DOWNTOWN CHAPEL HILL
marriott.com/rduah
919.969.2800 | 214 W. Rosemary St, Chapel Hill
123 rooms. Two blocks from UNC and one block from Franklin St. restaurants and bars. Inviting firepit, outdoor patio and local art. The AC Kitchen’s European-inspired breakfast features fresh croissants, sweet and savory egg tarts, sliced prosciutto and cheese, fruit and more. Evenings, visitors and locals alike gather in the AC Lounge for small plates and signature cocktails.
ALOFT CHAPEL HILL
aloftchapelhill.com
919.932.7772 | 1001 S. Hamilton Rd, Chapel Hill
130 rooms. Located in the East 54 mixed-use development with shops and restaurants at the corner of Hamilton and Raleigh Roads. Enjoy hand-crafted cocktails in WXYZ lounge and billiards in re:mix lobby, work out in the recharge gym and splash in the salt-water indoor pool.
THE CAROLINA INN
carolinainn.com
919.933.2001 | 211 Pittsboro St, Chapel Hill
185 rooms. 7 luxury suites. Enjoy newly refreshed guest rooms with the warmth and charm of an historic property while incorporating a contemporary touch and modern amenities. Updated lobby and meeting space. AAA Four Diamond property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Taste authentic Carolina cuisine at the Crossroads Chapel Hill Restaurant.
THE COLONIAL INN
colonialinn-nc.com
984.798.4455 | 153 W. King St, Hillsborough
28 rooms. Boutique hotel, with indoor and outdoor event spaces, and a bar serving North Carolina’s best Hillsborough-inspired craft cocktails and local southern beer, wine, and spirits. Dine at Spencer’s Tavern for lunch and dinner Monday – Saturday, as well as brunch and dinner on Sundays. Visit website for dining options.
Photo: Donn Young
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT
marriott.com/en-us/hotels/rduch-courtyard-chapel-hill
919.883.0700 | 100 Marriott Way, Chapel Hill
169 rooms, including 36 suites. Minutes from the University and next to the UNC Friday Center. The hotel restaurant, The Bistro, serves Starbucks coffee and breakfast. In the evening, meet friends or colleagues for a drink at their bar. Outdoor lounge with fire pit, indoor pool and fitness facility. Business center and three meeting rooms.
DURHAM SKYLAND INN
919.237.3131 | 5400 US Hwy 70 W., Durham (Eastern Orange County)
31 rooms. Six pet-friendly acres, outdoor salt-water pool, a playground and picnic area along with a complimentary continental breakfast.
GRADUATE BY HILTON CHAPEL HILL
hilton.com/en/hotels/rdugcgu-graduate-chapel-hill/
919.442.9000 | 311 W. Franklin St, Chapel Hill
69 rooms, including 5 suites. Located in the heart of downtown Chapel Hill, the Graduate hotel guest rooms are dressed in shades of Carolina Blue with touches of Greek Revival and nods to the region’s natural beauty. The front desk forever flashes the score of the 1982 NCAA Championship game. Stop by the Trophy Room, their signature restaurant, for a local brew and tasty bites.
HAMPTON INN & SUITES CHAPEL HILL- CARRBORO/DOWNTOWN
chapelhillcarrborosuites.hamptoninn.com
919.969.6988 | 370 E. Main St, Carrboro
142 rooms, including 56 suites. LEED Silver certified Hilton hotel located in downtown Carrboro within walking distance to Chapel Hill and the UNC campus. Amenities include complimentary hot breakfast, a luxurious outdoor pool with spacious deck, and fitness facility. Meeting space. Ground level retail and dining connected with adjacent parking deck.
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
hiexpress.com/hillsborough
919.644.7997 | 202 Cardinal Dr, Hillsborough
83 rooms, including 7 suites. Newly renovated property. Outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, 24-hour coffee in the main lobby, breakfast bar and business center. Near downtown historic Hillsborough. Easy access to I-40 and I-85.
HYATT PLACE CHAPEL HILL
hyattplacechapelhill.com
919.929.9511 | 3690 S. Columbia St, Chapel Hill
110 rooms. Nestled on the edge of Southern Village. Guests can enjoy an outdoor pool located on the second level, 24-hour fitness room, breakfast bar, and grab-and-go market, coffee and cocktails. Close to shops, restaurants, community park and walking trails. 1,740 sq. ft. of meeting space.
MICROTEL INN & SUITES BY WYNDHAM HILLSBOROUGH
wyndhamhotels.com/microtel
919.245.3102 | 120 Old Dogwood St, Hillsborough
71 rooms, including 11 suites. Nicely furnished rooms, free wi-fi, on-site guest laundry, free breakfast. Near downtown historic Hillsborough. Access to I-40 and I-85.
OYO HOTEL DURHAM (EASTERN ORANGE COUNTY)
oyorooms.com/us/54840/
919.504.9255 | 3220 Kuber Blvd, Durham
43 rooms. Surrounded by acres of fields and woods, the property has an open garden area in its vicinity. Free wi-fi and guest laundry. Conveniently located off of I-85.
RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT
marriott.com/rduhl
919.933.4848 | 101 Erwin Rd, Chapel Hill
108 rooms, all suites. Spacious studio or one and two bedroom suites complete with full kitchens or kitchenettes and stylish bathrooms. All suites have 37-inch HD LCD TVs. Free hot breakfast buffet. Game room, fitness center, outdoor pool, and putting green. Meeting space.
SHERATON CHAPEL HILL HOTEL
sheratonchapelhill.com
919.968.4900 | One Europa Dr, Chapel Hill
172 rooms and 4 suites. Marriott property with modernized renovated rooms, many with balconies. Dine at Blue Corners Bistro & Bar serving tapas-style plates or try the Coffee Bar-Bar with small bites and fresh coffee. Fitness center, outdoor pool. Meeting and event spaces comprising more than 20,000 sq. ft. including a dynamic, landscaped outdoor deck of almost 7,000 square feet.
THE SIENA HOTEL
sienahotel.com or marriott.com/rduak
919.929.4000 | 1505 E. Franklin St, Chapel Hill
79 rooms including 12 suites. An Italian boutique hotel, The Siena has renovated rooms, fitness equipment, meeting space and public area and is pet friendly. Home to Il Palio, the only AAA Four Diamond Italian Restaurant in the state and a farm-to-fork Italian delight serving breakfast and dinner. Visit the cozy bar. (At press time, property is closed while undergoing renovations. Visit website to follow progress).
TRU BY HILTON CHAPEL HILL
hilton.com/en/hotels/rduceru-tru-chapel-hill/ 984.291.7200 | 1742 Fordham Blvd Chapel Hill
98 rooms. Chapel Hill’s newest hotel. Rooms have digital keys and 55-inch TVs. Enjoy their 24/7 snack shop, free wi-fi, breakfast and game area. They have pet-friendly rooms, a fitness center and business center.
HOTEL AMENITIES
AC HOTEL DOWNTOWN CHAPEL HILL
ALOFT CHAPEL HILL
THE CAROLINA INN
THE COLONIAL INN
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT
DURHAM SKYLAND INN
GRADUATE BY HILTON CHAPEL HILL
HAMPTON INN & SUITES
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
HYATT PLACE CHAPEL HILL
MICROTEL INN & SUITES
OYO HOTEL DURHAM
RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT
SHERATON CHAPEL HILL
THE SIENA HOTEL
TRU BY HILTON
RV PARKS
SPRING HILL PARK
springhillpark.com
919.967.4268 | 110 Coachman Rd, Chapel Hill
Check for hotel parking fees.
68 RV sites. Safe, clean, wooded and quiet. Convenient to UNC and Duke Hospitals. Full hook-up sites (30 amp & 50 amp). Self-contained units only. Propane fill station. Hi-speed internet. Pets allowed. Daily and monthly rates.
TRIANGLE RV PARK
trianglervparknc.com
919.695.3337 | 5909 Wilkins Dr, Durham, Eastern Orange County
70 RV sites. Open year-round. Offers telephone, cable hookups, Wi-Fi, public laundry facilities, play area, vending machines, business services in office, hiking trails, and RV parts and repair. One month minimum stay.
Around every corner are interesting things to do — museums, gardens, tours and more.
Things To Do And See
GARDENS
COKER ARBORETUM
ncbg.unc.edu/cokerarboretum
399 E. Cameron Ave Chapel Hill UNC Campus
919.962.0522
Open daily, dawn to dusk.
Serene walking paths take you past wildflowers and trees in this 5-acre gem on the UNC campus with open lawns and shady benches. Arboretum changes with the seasons. New 300-ft. native vine arbor and replanted landscape in progress.
FREE.
MONTROSE GARDEN
montrosegarden.org
320 St Mary’s Rd, Hillsborough 919.732.7787
Open October-May
Guided tours by appointment. Tue, Thu, 10am, 24 hour notice required.
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the grounds include 19th century buildings, a rock garden, scree garden, extensive woodland plantings, and sunny gardens with unique color and planting schemes. $20 per person.
Group tours of 6 or more available at other times.
NORTH CAROLINA BOTANICAL GARDEN ncbg.unc.edu
100 Old Mason Farm Rd Chapel Hill
919.962.0522
Open year-round Tue-Sun, 9am-5pm.
One of the largest native plant botanical gardens in the Southeast. See regional display gardens, herbs, native habitats, diverse carnivorous plant collection, children’s wonder garden, nature trails, nature art (indoor gallery), plant sales and gift shop. Education center with exhibits, reference library, auditorium and classrooms. Mid-September to early December enjoy the annual Sculpture in t he Garden exhibit.
FREE
Photo: Steven Paul Whitsitt
MUSEUMS
ACKLAND ART MUSEUM ackland.org
101 S. Columbia St, Chapel Hill, UNC Campus 919.966.5736
Wed-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, 1pm-5pm; Second Fridays, 10am–9pm.
Your local museum with a global outlook, situated at the corner of campus and community with a permanent collection of more than 21,000 works of art spanning all cultures and time periods. Year-round special exhibitions and art activities for all ages. FREE.
CAROLINA BASKETBALL MUSEUM goheels.com
Ernie Williamson Athletic Center 450 Skipper Bowles Dr Chapel Hill, UNC Campus 919.962.6000
Mon-Fri,10am-4pm; Sat, 9am-1pm; And on selected game days. This 8,000-sq. ft. museum features new technology, artifacts, updated historical panels and videos, plus years of team memorabilia and championship trophies. Call for group visits of 25 or more.
FREE
THE NEST AT THE NORTH CAROLINA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM ncchildrensmuseum.org/ the-nest
Located in the preschool wing at Binkley Church. 1712 Willow Drive, Chapel Hill 919.933.1455
Open Tue-Sat.
Designed for children birth to 5, The Nest invites families to play, learn, and imagine together. The space includes hands-on exhibits, art and maker activities, and sensory-friendly options to support all kinds of learners. Visit website for admission costs.
WILSON LIBRARY library.unc.edu/wilson South Rd
Chapel Hill, UNC Campus 919.962.3765
K ENAN FOOTBALL CENTER AND CHARLIE JUSTICE HALL OF HONOR goheels.com
Bell Tower Dr Chapel Hill, UNC Campus
919.966.2575
Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm.
A multi-media history of Carolina football with photographs, awards, trophies and artifacts on display. See the largest ram sculpture in the world and the Charlie Justice statue outside. FREE.
MOREHEAD PLANETARIUM & SCIENCE CENTER moreheadplanetarium.org
250 E. Franklin St Chapel Hill, UNC Campus 919.962.1236
View award-winning planetarium shows, live science demonstrations, explore interactive exhibits, wander the Gift Shop, or participate in a special program. Check website for days and hours open, calendar of events and admission cost.
Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. Closed major holidays. Historic Wilson Library welcomes visitors to explore the North Carolina Collection Gallery and rotating exhibitions that highlight materials from the special collections. Three historic rooms, along with permanent exhibitions, provide an immersive look at the history and culture of North Carolina and beyond. FREE.
ORANGE COUNTY
HISTORICAL MUSEUM
orangehistorync.org
201 N. Churton St Hillsborough 919.732.2201
Mon-Sat, 11am-4pm; Sun, 12pm-4pm Wed by appointment.
Permanent exhibit looks at Orange County from indigenous settlements through the twentieth century. Events and changing exhibits. Second floor Kids’ Space, a handson gallery for ages 3+, resembles life in downtown Hillsborough in 1823. FREE, but donations are accepted.
HISTORIC SITES
ALEXANDER DICKSON HOUSE visithillsboroughnc.com
150 E. King St, Hillsborough 919.732.7741
Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm; Sun, 12pm–4pm; Closed major holidays.
Late 18th-century Quaker plan house. The site also includes an office used by Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston in April 1865 and an 18th and 19th century medicinal and herb garden. Houses the Hillsborough Visitors Center which features a gift shop, a folk art gallery, and a short film on the town’s history. FREE.
AYR MOUNT
jenrette.org/ayr-mount
376 St Mary’s Rd, Hillsborough One of North Carolina’s finest Federal-era plantation homes (c. 1815), built by William Kirkland of Ayr, Scotland. Carefully restored and exquisitely furnished with period antiques, Chinese export porcelain, Waterford crystal and original family pieces.
Grounds and trails open to the public daily at 9am during daylight. Headquarters for the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation.
GUIDED TOURS:
April - November.
Thur & Fri, 1pm, 2:30pm, Sat, 11am, 1pm, & 2:30pm. Advance ticket purchase required. $20 per person.
Children 6 and under, free.
BURWELL SCHOOL HISTORIC SITE burwellschool.org
319 N. Churton St, Hillsborough 919.732.7451
Wed-Sat, 11am-4pm; Sun, 1pm-4pm.
Learn about the antebellum girls’ academy which operated here from 1837-1857 by Anna and the Rev. Robert Burwell. Be inspired by life of Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly, the former Burwell family slave who secured her own liberty in 1855 and became a confidant and dressmaker to First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln.
SELF-GUIDED TOURS FREE.
GUIDED TOUR: 60-90 minutes for a minimum of 5 and up to 15 people. $10 per person. Two-week notice required for scheduled tours.
HORACE WILLIAMS HOUSE preservationchapelhill.org
610 E. Rosemary St, Chapel Hill 919.942.7818
See website for days and times open to the public.
The house, built in 1854 retains its original architecture including woodwork, floors, ceilings, and mantles. Art exhibits, music concerts, and special events. FREE.
MOOREFIELDS moorefields.org
2201 Moorefields Rd, Hillsborough 919.732.4941
This 1785 historic home listed on the National Register of Historic Places was built as the summer home of Alfred Moore, a US Supreme Court Justice and a founder of UNC. Set in 70 acres of gardens, trails, woodlands, and pastures. The home was restored and maintained by artist Edward Draper-Savage until his death in 1978. The house today is owned by the Friends of Moorefields, a 501(c)(3) organization.
Moorefields is open to the public on Thursdays 11am – 4pm. Guided tours that day are available at 11am and 2pm by advance registration online. Cost is $10 with age 12 and under free. The one-hour tour includes the house and grounds, gardens and cemetery. Visit website for other events.
OCCANEECHI REPLICA VILLAGE
(At press time, closed with plans to rebuild) Call the Visitors Center at 919.732-7741 for information about reopening.
visithillsboroughnc.com/things -to-do/replicavillage
Off Cameron St in downtown Hillsborough. Home to a reconstructed 17th-century Occaneechi village on the banks of the Eno River, near where the tribe had an actual village 300 years ago. See a palisade, four ati (huts), work arbor, fire pit, lean-to and cooking table. FREE.
PERFORMING ARTS
THE ARTSCENTER artscenterlive.org
400 Roberson St Carrboro
919.929.2787
Mon-Fri, 9am-9pm; Sat-Sun,10am-5pm.
Plays, comedy, improv, music, youth education, the art school and gallery. Tickets online.
CENTER THEATER COMPANY centertheatercompany. com
300-G E. Main St, Carrboro Youth theater company with shows, improv, karaoke, classes, workshops, summer camps and more.
FOREST THEATRE
ncbg.unc.edu/visit/battlepark-forest-theatre
123 S. Boundary St / Country Club Rd Chapel Hill, UNC Campus 919.962.0522
Open daily, dawn to dusk. On the south-western corner of Battle Park, you can explore the Koch Memorial Forest Theatre, a stone amphitheater with over a century of history. Hosts the summer Paperhand Puppet Festival, and more.
ORANGE COMMUNITY PLAYERS ocpnc.com
Community theater in Hillsborough.
PLAYMAKERS
REPERTORY COMPANY playmakersrep.org
150 Country Club Rd Chapel Hill, UNC Campus 919.962.7529
Box office: Tues-Fri, 12pm-5pm; 90 minutes prior to curtain.
North Carolina’s premier resident professional theatre celebrating 50 years of transformational performances in 2026. Plays are September to April, plus Summer Youth Conservatory. Performances are Tue-Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2 pm. Visit website for tickets.
MEMORIAL HALL/ UNC CAMPUS carolinaperformingarts.org
114 E. Cameron Ave Chapel Hill, UNC Campus 919.843.3333
CPA Box Office:
Available by phone weekdays 12-5pm, excluding holidays. Will call is open one hour before performances. Located in the heart of the University’s historic campus, Memorial Hall’s performances include jazz, classical, dance, world stage, American roots, urban voices, student performances, community groups and more. Costs vary by performance.
Additionally, the CURRENT ARTSPACE + STUDIO
123 W. Franklin St Carolina Square Chapel Hill
Located in the Carolina Square development, this venue is part of Carolina Performing Arts. Costs vary by performance.
UNC DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC music.unc.edu
145 E. Cameron Ave Chapel Hill, UNC Campus 919.962.1039
Visit website for concert dates and times. Department occupies three principal buildings: Kenan Music Building, Hill Hall, and Person Recital Hall.
SONYA HAYNES STONE CENTER FOR RESEARCH IN BLACK CULTURE AND HISTORY stonecenter.unc.edu
150 South Rd Chapel Hill, UNC Campus 919.962.9001
Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm.
One of the preeminent centers in the nation for the critical examination of African and African American diaspora cultures. Includes museum, art gallery, library, theater, performance spaces, classrooms, meeting facilities and more.
Photo: Andrew Eccles
Stretch your legs and hit the great outdoors. Enjoy the natural beauty of Orange County on the trails, courts and in our parks.
The Great Outdoors
TAKE A HIKE
Visit Eno River State Park and Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, the tallest point in the county. ncparks.gov
THE HILLSBOROUGH RIVERWALK
A 3-mile trail which winds along the Eno River from Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area through downtown Hillsborough and is part of the state’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The main entrance is at the Eno River Parking Deck at the end of Nash and Kollock St. hillsboroughnc.gov/ community/recreationfacilities/riverwalk
THE HISTORIC OCCONEECHEE SPEEDWAY TRAIL
Walk the historic one-mile dirt track that many of the great NASCAR legends raced on from 1949-1968 at 320 Elizabeth Brady Rd in Hillsborough. Open to the public daily during daylight hours. Part of Eno River State Park. ncparks.gov
PRESERVES & FORESTS
Get back to nature in our woodlands and nature preserves.
• CAROLINA NORTH FOREST facilities.unc.edu/ carolina-north-forest
• BRUMLEY FAMILY NATURE PRESERVE triangleland.org
• JOHNSTON MILL NATURE PRESERVE triangleland.org
SOCCER
Orange County’s Soccer. Com Center is at 4710 W. Ten Road in Efland. orangecountync.gov
BICYCLING
There are miles and miles of bike trails to enjoy. move.unc.edu, or townofchapelhill.org or carrboronc. gov/721/biking
GOLF
Play a round of golf at the newly renovated UNC Finley Golf Club, uncfinley. com, or Hillsborough’s Occoneechee Golf Club. occoneechee.com
DISC GOLF
Play at UNC’s Carolina Disc Golf Club, Chapel Hill’s Southern Community Park or Carrboro’s Anderson Community Park. campusrec.unc.edu or visit the town’s recreation websites.
TENNIS & PICKLEBALL
Play tennis or try your hand at the fastest growing sport in America -pickleball- a combination of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. chapelhillpickleball.org, chapelhill.picklesandplay. com
ICE SKATE
Lace up at the Orange County Sportsplex. oc-sportsplex.com
SKATEBOARD
Check out the newly renovated Chapel Hill Homestead Skatepark at Homestead Park or the Hillsborough Skate Spot in Cates Creek Park. hillsboroughnc.gov/ town-map
For additional information about parks, greenways, trails, bike routes and other recreation opportunities contact:
CHAPEL HILL PARKS AND RECREATION DEPT 919.968.2784 | townofchapelhill.org
CARRBORO RECREATION AND PARKS DEPT 919.918.7364 | carrbororec.org
ORANGE COUNTY DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE, PARKS & RECREATION 919.245.2600 | orangecountync.gov
WATER FUN
Spend late March – late October weekends boating, kayaking, fishing, and birdwatching on and around the water at University Lake and Cane Creek Reservoir. owasa.org
SWIMMING
Take a dip at the A. D. Clark Pool, Homestead Aquatics Center, Chapel Hill Community Center Pool in Chapel Hill or the Orange County Sportsplex in Hillsborough. townofchapelhill.org oc-sportsplex.com
CAR RACING
Hear the roar of engines at the Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, the fastest 3/8 mile track in the nation. ocstrack.net
DOG PARKS
Hillsborough’s Gold Park, Chapel Hill’s Southern Community Dog Park and Homestead Dog Park and Carrboro’s Henry Anderson III Community Dog Park. Visit recreation websites for other dog walking locations.
DISC GOLF AT ANDERSON PARK, CARRBORO
UNC’S FINLEY GOLF COURSE, CHAPEL HILL
Experience farm fun in Orange County! Enjoy u-pick adventures, tours, and festivals at some of our favorite local farms.
Down On The Farm
CHAPEL HILL
LAVENDER OAKS FARM
The place to gather family and friends for farm visits, tours, culinary lavender events, weddings, special events, and summertime lavender picking. Shop at their Lavender Boutique. lavenderoaks.farm
SPRING
HAVEN FARM
The ultimate destination for animal encounters, outdoor fun, tractor rides, and hands-on experiences. You can cuddle with goats, feed farm animals, gem mine, do arts & crafts, face paint and more. There are numerous seasonal events. For adults, enjoy Paint & Sip Wine Nights, Bingo, Trivia, Murder Mystery events or axe throwing at the farmory. springhavenfarm.com
UNION GROVE FARM
This farm is embracing regenerative practices and precision farming to cultivate a new, seedless, thin-skinned Muscadine table grape. Take a Regenerative Farm and Vineyard Tour or experience the joys of sheep herding. Visit the Center for Regenerative Agriculture. Sip on Blue Heeler Coffee. At present, there are plans for a distillery and culinary garden. There is a wedding and event barn venue and farm accommodations. uniongrovefarm.com
1870
FARM
Visit on select dates for special events and open farm days. Explore the grounds, meet the animals, hang out with chickens and goats, ride a pony, pan for sparkling gemstones, get dirty in the gardens, go fishing and much more. 1870farm.com
EFLAND
THE BARN AT LLOYD’S DAIRY FARM
This 700-acre century farm is primarily known as a wedding and corporate event venue with a 15,000 square foot barn, but it also produces hay for a nearby horse farm and soy beans. It is also the home to the Tarheel Antiques Festival, Orange County Feargounds and Elfland Christmas Festival. lloydsdairy.com
THERE’S
Photo: SP Murray
SPRING HAVEN FARM
BARN AT LLOYD’S DAIRY FARM
HILLSBOROUGH
BROKEN SPOKE FARM
Head here for all types of fruits and vegetables at their farm stand. Enjoy seasonal markets including a Holiday Market and try their soft serve twist ice cream cones such as fig & maple, lemon & blueberry, hazelnut & chocolate, passionfruit & vanilla, mango sorbet & coconut and more. facebook.com/broken.spoke. farm.NC
ENO RIVER FARM
Enjoy seasonal fruits, veggies, flowers, plants, and homemade ice cream year-round. Pick your own strawberries and blueberries. Take a wreathmaking class. enoriverfarms.com
RAMBLERILL FARM
Here Saturday Slowdown includes shopping local vendors, walking the woods and gardens or visiting the goats and chickens. Bring a picnic and stay awhile. ramblerillfarm.com
WOODCREST FARM & FORGE
A small family farm that sells all-natural meat and produce, and hosts blacksmithing classes, camps, craft classes and events.
woodcrestfarmnc.com
MEBANE
PLUCK FARM
Pluck Farm grows a wide mix of fruits, herbs, and cut flowers on 57 acres in western Orange County. It’s also home to Steel String Brewery’s production space, and many of the ingredients grown here end up in the beer. Native plant gardens, seasonal blooms, and a 22-hole disc golf course are open to the public, along with walking trails through fields and woods. The farm hosts numerous special events, music, food trucks and more.
steelstringbrewery.com/ pluckfarm
CEDAR GROVE
CEDAR GROVE BLUEBERRY FARM & BOTANIST AND BARREL
In northern Orange County you can visit the South’s only natural cidery – the first producer of Petillant Natural ciders – crafting real Southern ciders, fruited sours and wines with local, sustainable and organic fruits.
At Botanist and Barrel, 105 Persimmon Hill Ln, Cedar Grove, book your guided tastings and tour online. Enjoy food trucks, music, special events, and more.
During the summer pick your own naturally grown blueberries at Cedar Grove Blueberry Farm. botanistandbarrel.com and cedargroveblueberry.com
ENO RIVER FARM
CEDAR GROVE BLUEBERRY FARM
BOTANIST & BARREL
Orange County brims with history, culture, natural beauty — and even a few ghosts! Explore it your way with group or self-guided tours. Check out these Popular tours below.
Guided Tours
CHAPEL HILL
UNC CAMPUS
Take a 90 or 45-minute “Carolina Sense of Place” tour from the UNC Visitors Center at 134 E. Franklin St. FREE.
TO REGISTER: unc.edu/visitors/explorecarolina
CHAPEL HILL GHOST TOUR
A US Ghost Adventure Tour. Explore the town’s most haunted and historic locations by night. Hourlong tour leaves from the steps in front of Ackland Art Museum at 101 S. Columbia St.
Check for times. Adults are $26, Age 7-17 are $17 and six and under free. Call or text (919) 245.2349. usghostadventures.com
NORTHSIDE HISTORICAL TOUR
“Histories of Home” audio tour is designed to be listened to while walking through the Northside neighborhood, historically Chapel Hill’s largest black community. The Marian Cheek-Jackson Center is at 512 W. Rosemary St, Chapel Hill. jacksoncenter.info/soundwalkz
TRIANGLE WALKING TOURS
“Chapel Hill Historic Churches”, “Ghost Walk”, “True Crime” and “LGBT History” tours leave on select Saturdays from Rougarou, 108 Henderson St. $15.
TO REGISTER IN ADVANCE: trianglewalkingtours.com
NORTH CAROLINA BOTANICAL GARDEN
Tour the display gardens on second Saturdays, MarchNov at 10am. Also tour Coker Arboretum, UNC’s 5-acre garden on select third Saturdays 11am. Both tours $6. Group guided tours available at other times.
TO REGISTER: ncbg.unc.edu.
UNC COKER ARBORETUM TOUR
Photo: CHOCVB
HILLSBOROUGH
HISTORIC HILLSBOROUGH WALKING TOUR
Guided tours leaving from the Hillsborough Visitors Center at 150 E. King St on select Saturdays at 10:30am, March – October. $10 per person. Free self-guided tours. Visit historichillsborough.org or visithillsboroughnc.com, or call 919.732.7741
MOOREFIELDS
Guided tours on Thursdays at 11am and 2pm, $10 per person and 12 and under free with advance registration.
Also Historic Landscape Tours, Wildflower Walks, Wild Bird Walks and Flora Walks. Last Sundays Open House Tours from May –Sept, 1pm – 4 pm. Free, but $5 suggested donation. 2201 Moorefields Rd. moorefields.org
HAUNTED HILLSBOROUGH TOURS
Experience spooky, verified tales told by your “deceased guide” Enoch Pugh (b.1735 - d.1771).
Adults $20, Seniors/Students/Military $15. 10% off for parties of four or more.
TO REGISTER: hauntedhillsborough.com 336.538.3117.
CARRBORO
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN CARRBORO
Self-guided walking tour of Carrboro. Download at: carrboronc.gov/2491/ walking-tour
ENOCH PUGH GUIDES HILLSBOROUGH HAUNTED TOURS
MOOREFIELDS
UNC CAMPUS TOUR
NORTHSIDE HISTORICAL TOUR
TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL
MOOREFIELDS
HAUNTED
HILLSBOROUGH TOURS
WINTER SPRING
JANUARY
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. WEEK OF CELEBRATION diversity.unc.edu
CARRBORO FILM FESTIVAL carrborofilm.org
FEBRUARY
CAROLINA JAZZ FESTIVAL music.unc.edu/jazzfest
MARCH
COSMIC RAYS FILM FESTIVAL cosmisraysfilmfest.com
APRIL
UNC SCIENCE EXPO moreheadplanetarium.org/program/expo
REVOLUTIONARY WAR LIVING HISTORY DAY historichillsborough.org/revwarday
TARHEEL ANTIQUES FESTIVAL (SECOND EVENT IN OCTOBER) tarheelantiquesfestival.com
CARRBORO EARTH DAY CELEBRATION & CARRBORO OPEN STREETS carrboronc.gov
TAR HEEL 10 MILER tarheel10miler.com
PIEDMONT FARM TOUR carolinafarmstewards.org/piedmont-farm-tour
CHAPEL HILL GARDEN TOUR chapelhillgardenclub.net
MAY
CARRBORO DAY carrboroday.com
PRESERVATION FEST (MAY OR JUNE) historichillsborough.org/preservationfest
UNC SPRING COMMENCEMENT commencement.unc.edu/spring-commencement
FREIGHT TRAIN BLUES CONCERT SERIES musicmaker.org
CARRBORO BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL facebook.com/carrborobluegrassfestival
CHAPEL HILL GARDEN TOUR
LIVING HISTORY DAY
SUMMER FALL
JUNE
CHAPEL HILL CARRBORO SMALL TOWN PRIDE chapelhillarts.org/festivals-events/smalltownpride/ carrboronc.gov/2706/pride-month
CARRBORO CHAPEL HILL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION carrboronc.gov/2714/carrboro-chapel-hilljuneteenth-celebrat
4TH OF JULY - CARRBORO
JULY
JULY 4TH CELEBRATIONS AND FIREWORKS town websites or visitchapelhill.org
PUPPET FESTIVAL
AUGUST
PAPERHAND PUPPET FESTIVAL (THROUGH SEPT) paperhand.org
PFIESTA EN LA CALLE carrboronc.gov
SEPTEMBER
EFLAND RURITAN RODEO eflandruritanclub.com
HANDMADE PARADE (SEPT OR OCT) hillsboroughartscouncil.org/handmade-parade HOG DAY hogday.org
SCULPTURE IN THE GARDEN (MID-SEPT – EARLY DEC) ncbg.unc.edu/visit/exhibits/sculpture-in-the-garden
CORNFIELD MAZES AT MCKEE FARMS (LATE SEPT – EARLY NOV) mckeecornfieldmaze.com
CARRBORO MUSIC FESTIVAL carrboromusicfestival.com
OCTOBER
BIKEFEST RURAL HERITAGE TOUR facebook.com/nctarwheels
MOOREFIELDS BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL moorefields.org
FESTIFALL ARTS MARKETS chapelhillarts.org
WEST END POETRY FESTIVAL carrboronc.gov/2781/west-end-poetry-festival
SALT & SMOKE & SOUND FESTIVAL saltsmokesound.com
ORANGE COUNTY FEARGROUNDS feargrounds.org
RIVER PARK CONCERT riverparkconcert.com
NOVEMBER
ORANGE COUNTY ARTISTS GUILD OPEN STUDIO TOUR ocagnc.org
DECEMBER
MY FAVORITE THINGS carolinainn.com
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS, UNC nchsaa.org
HILLSBOROUGH HOLIDAY EVENTS visithillsboroughnc.com
CHAPEL HILL HOLIDAY EVENTS chapelhillarts.org
CARRBORO HOLIDAY EVENTS carrboronc.gov
SOLSTICE LANTERN WALK + MARKET hillsboroughartscouncil.org/solstice
MORE FAMILY
MOVIESONTHEGREEN
2ND FRIDAY ART WALK
CARRBORO & CHAPEL HILL
Rain or shine, enjoy art, music, poetry, performances and more at numerous venues evening hours during the 2nd Friday of the month. See venues on website. townofcarrboro.org/885/2nd-friday-art-walk
THE BAZAAR CRAFT & ART MARKET
CARRBORO
Select Sundays, Spring and Fall at Carrboro Town Commons. Shop handmade creations, awesome eats and drinks, music, body art, fairy hair and hula hooping facebook.com/thebazaarus
FRIDAYS ON THE FRONT PORCH
CHAPEL HILL
Select Fridays, Spring and Fall from 5-8pm on the lawn of the historic Carolina Inn. Relax with area live music, food and fun. carolinainn.com
LIVE MUSIC AND MOVIES ON THE VILLAGE GREEN
CHAPEL HILL
Spring – Fall on the Southern Village Lawn. visitsouthernvillage.com
WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS AT LA VITA DOLCE
CHAPEL HILL
Chapel Hill’s mid-week mingling, sipping, and live music. 5-8pm on the patio. visitsouthernvillage.com Mid-April to mid-September
LAST FRIDAYS & THE ART WALK
DOWNTOWN & WEST HILLSBOROUGH
Last Fridays of March – Nov, 6-9pm enjoy music, performances, poetry, dance, market makers, living arts, art walk, family-friendly activities and more. hillsboroughartscouncil.org/last-friday
CONCERTS IN THE COURTYARD
HILLSBOROUGH
Enjoy free seasonal concerts at The Colonial Inn. Bring blankets and chairs. colonialinn-nc.com
THE BAZAARCRAFTANDARTMARKET
Town ofCarrboro
Southern Village
FAMILY FUN!
TOUR OUR MURALS
CARRBORO & CHAPEL HILL
MUSICATCOLONIALINN
Grab a Mural Map from the Welcome Center and take a self-guided walking tour and get the story behind the colorful murals.
TAR HEEL ESCAPES
CHAPEL HILL
Unearth clues, crack codes, solve puzzles to make your great escape. tarheelescapes.com
DIY
KOALA CRAFT
601 W. Rosemary Street, Unit 107, Chapel Hill. koalacraftnc.com.
SAY IT WITH GLASS
101 Two Hills Drive, Unit 180, Carrboro. sayitwithglassdesigns.com
GLAZED EXPECTATIONS
205 W. Main St, Suite 104, Carrboro. glazedexpectations.com.
A PURR-FECT DAY WITH CATS ON FRANKLIN STREET
CHAPEL HILL
Discover the charm of Cat Tales Cat Café, a two-story, cage-free lounge where you can spend one hour socializing with adorable, adoptable cats from the partner non-profit Cat Tales Rescue NC. Reservations are for guests seven and older, though families with children under seven can book the entire room for a private visit.
The café also offers a variety of beverages, including coffee, beer, and wine, as well as ice cream, and features a retail shop with catthemed goodies. A perfect spot to relax, enjoy treats, and meet furry friends during your visit to downtown Chapel Hill. $13 weekdays | $15 on weekends. 431 W. Franklin S. cattalescatcafe.com
FOR MORE EVENTS visitchapelhill.org/events
Tar Heel Escapes
Colonial Inn
Orange County’s
How A Small North Carolina Settlement
Became A Beacon Of Education, Innovation, And Community
As America celebrates its 250th birthday in 2026, Orange County, North Carolina embodies the nation’s transformative journey. From Hillsborough’s courthouse square to Chapel Hill’s Franklin Street, to Carrboro as a textile center, this region has both witnessed and shaped the American story.
1752-1776:
COLONIAL ROOTS RUN DEEP
Named in 1752 for William V of Orange, the county initially honored British royalty — evident today in Hillsborough’s King and Queen streets. But local farmers called
PRINCE WILLIAM V OF ORANGE
Regulators were al ready challenging unfair taxation be fore 1776, making Orange County a crucible of demo cratic ideals from the start.
Historians in the 19th century recorded that the county was named to honor William V of Orange, son of Princess Anne and William IV.
250-Year Journey
1788-1789:
FOUNDATIONS OF DEMOCRACY AND LEARNING
Hillsborough hosted fierce constitutional debates in 1788, while Chapel Hill made history in 1789 when the University of North Carolina was chartered, later opening as America’s first public university. This wasn’t just educational—it was revolutionary thinking about who deserved knowledge and opportunity.
“...Chapel Hill made history in 1789 when the University of North Carolina was chartered, later opening as America’s first public university.”
1800s-1969:
GROWTH THROUGH STRUGGLE
The bronze statue, known as Silent Sam, stood in McCorkle Place on the UNC Campus for over a century.
Orange County remained primarily agricultural through the 19th century, but education set it apart. Even during the Civil War, the university endured. Moving into the 20th century, a proposal in 1908 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and approved by the UNC Board of Trustees, was to erect a monument known as Silent Sam on the UNC campus. It was completed in 1913 to commemorate UNC stu dents who perished in the Civil War. After many years of people
speaking out, students and community members pulled down the Silent Sam statue in 2018 during a time when people all over the country were arguing about whether Confederate monuments should stay up or be removed. A pivotal moment arrived in 1969 when Chapel Hill elected Howard Lee as the first African American mayor of a majority-white Southern town since Reconstruction— signaling the county’s willingness to expand its vision of leadership.
Howard Nathanial Lee (born July 28, 1934) is an American politician who served as Mayor of Chapel Hill from 1966-1975.
1970s-1987:
CULTURAL RENAISSANCE AND CHAMPIONS
Orange County bloomed as a cultural destination. Cat’s Cradle became legendary, James Taylor immortalized the area in “Carolina in My Mind,” and basketball coach Dean Smith brought national attention while championing civil rights.
In 1982, Michael Jordan sank the championship-winning shot for UNC’s first NCAA men’s basketball title in 25 years.
Celebrating alongside fans was newly arrived professor Aziz Sancar, whose groundbreaking DNA repair research would earn him the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
In 1987, Orange County, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill created a 35,000-acre “rural buffer” to prevent suburban sprawl— demonstrating remarkable foresight about balancing growth with conservation.
Honoring The Past, Inspiring The Future
As America approaches its 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026, communities across the country are taking time to reflect on their role in shaping our shared story. Here in North Carolina, Orange County — home to Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough — will mark this national milestone with a series of events, exhibits, and special programs that honor our past and look ahead to a bright future. From the Revolutionary era to the present day, Orange County has been a place of learning, innovation, and progress. It’s where the nation’s first public university took root, where artists and activists have found their voices, and where stories of resilience continue to inspire.
In 2026, the community will celebrate through music, history, art, and togetherness — including local fireworks and Independence Day festivities in Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro. Visitors and residents alike are invited to join in the celebration, explore historical exhibits, and participate in programs that reflect the spirit of freedom and unity.
To commemorate this historic moment, the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau will release A Gathering of Voices: Celebrating Orange County’s 250 Years — a landmark publication capturing the people and places that have shaped our county’s journey.
Contact the Visitors Bureau at info@visitchapelhill.org for a copy of A Gathering of Voices: Celebrating Orange County’s 250
July 4, 2026
Learn more about statewide celebrations throughout 2026 at:
THE OCCANEECHI BAND OF THE SAPONI NATION: FIRST PEOPLE, ENDURING PRESENCE
Along the Eno River once stood a thriving Occaneechi village—home to Siouan-speaking people who traded, farmed, and lived in balance with the land long before the American Revolution. As the new American nation fought for independence, the Occaneechi and neighboring tribes fought for survival. Through loss, migration, and change, they held on to their language, kinship, and sacred relationship to this land. Rebuilt through the efforts of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, the Town of Hillsborough, Orange County, the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, and local citizens, the replica village stands today as a reminder that history did not end with the Revolution—it continues.
1990’S-2018
INNOVATION AND INCLUSION
As the Research Triangle boomed, Orange County became an innovation hub. The rural buffer ensured thoughtful development as biotech firms and UNC Hospitals expanded. Traditional farms and farmers’ markets remained vital, showing how tradition and innovation could coexist.
The new millennium brought diverse growth. Chapel Hill’s expanding Asian population added Mandarin-speaking communities, while other growth has come from India, Korea and Mexico. Since 2005, many refugees have arrived in Orange County from places such as Burma/Myanmar, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, El Salvador and others.
Orange County continues to move forward as an inclusive and welcoming community for everyone where all people belong.
Today, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has a student population of more than 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. You will find students from all 50 states and 80 counties.
Chapel Hill was home to the Near + Far Festival at 140 West for a few years beginning in 2018. It was a local celebration of global cultures recognizing diversity through the arts, performances, food, music and more. Other festivals celebrating various cultures continue in our local communities today.
Franklin Street has a long history of activism intertwined with UNC, marked by civil rights protests like the 1960 sit-in by the Chapel Hill Nine at Colonial Drug Store, and more recent demonstrations concerning issues like the Vietnam War, free speech, and other social justice causes. The street has been a central gathering place for protests, with its history of struggle and triumph memorialized at sites like Peace & Justice Plaza that was dedicated in 2009.
STEVEN PAUL WHITSITT
JOHNNY ANDREWS
MARION
POAST WOLCOTT
TODAY: A LIVING
LABORATORY
As 2026 approaches, Orange County stands as a living laboratory of American possibility. Franklin Street still erupts when the Tar Heels win, but today’s celebrations include voices speaking dozens of languages. Local bookstores host poetry readings, restaurants serve everything from barbecue to dim sum, and research labs push medical boundaries while historic sites preserve colonial architecture.
Orange County’s story mirrors America’s own: where high ideals meet human imperfection, where progress comes through struggle, and where community is built one shared experience at a time. As fireworks illuminate 2026, Chapel Hill and Orange County proves the most powerful American story isn’t about where we’ve been, but where we’re going.
blends historic charm with a forward-looking, creative energy. Streets are alive with live music, bustling markets like the Carrboro Farmers’ Market and Weaver Street Market and community continues to grow. Carrboro is not just a place to live, but a place to thrive—a town where everyone can truly “Feel Free.”
is a small town with big ideas—where historic streets meet cutting-edge arts, scenic trails, and a vibrant, inclusive community. Guided by thoughtful growth and sustainable innovation, Hillsborough honors its rich heritage while embracing new opportunities for culture, creativity, and connection.
Orange County is positioned for thoughtful growth, preserving its farmland, forests, and small-town character while supporting sustainable development, local businesses, and outdoor recreation. Strategic planning aims to balance expansion with the county’s natural and rural heritage, ensuring a vibrant future for its communities.
— HAPPY 250TH, AMERICA —
ORANGE COUNTY IS READY FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER.
Carrboro
Hillsborough
UNC Hospitals continues to be on the cutting edge of medical technology forging a path to tomorrow’s medical miracles.
As fireworks illuminate 2026, Chapel Hill and Orange County proves the most powerful American story isn’t about where we’ve been, but where we’re going.
Getting there is part of the fun. Easily get where you are going...and back again.
Here, There & Everywhere
AIRPORT
RALEIGH-DURHAM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
2400 W. Terminal Blvd, Morrisville I-40 at Exit 284 or 285
919.840.2123 | rdu.com
Airport is located 25-30 minutes or 18 miles east of Chapel Hill. Find information on parking, ground transportation services, taxis, shuttles, Uber and Lyft. Pick up is outside baggage claim at each terminal. rdu.com/ground-transportation
TRAIN
AMTRAK
800.872.7245 (USA-RAIL) amtrak.com
Closest stations are Durham, Cary, Raleigh and Burlington.
BUSES
GREYHOUND
800.231.2222 greyhound.com/bus/chapel-hill-nc flixbus.com
2000 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill
Greyhound and FlixBus now partners with NCDOT to bring four daily trips to Chapel Hill. Eubanks Road park-and-ride lot, just off Interstate 40, where riders can take a Chapel Hill Transit bus into town. Piedmont Pass NC Bus Service goes from Asheville to Raleigh with a stop in Chapel Hill.
CHAPEL HILL TRANSIT
chtransit.org or download Chapel Hill Transit App FARE-FREE bus transportation throughout Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and UNC.
ORANGE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
919.245.2008
Runs: Mon-Fri, excluding County holidays. Find route information for the Hillsborough Loops, Orange-Alamance Connector and Orange Chapel Hill Connector at orangecountync.gov/1532/fixedroutes
GOTRIANGLE
919.485.7433 (RIDE) gotriangle.org
Regional transit provider serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas with routes that serve Hillsborough.
ALSO OPERATES THE ROUTE 420: Hillsborough-Chapel Hill, Mon-Fri, which serves north and downtown Hillsborough, Durham Tech Orange Co. Campus, downtown Chapel Hill and UNC Hospitals.
Photo: Paul Dingham
TAR HEEL EXPRESS
PASSES: $10 KIDS 5 & UNDER: FREE
Bus service to UNC home basketball and football games, and other major events on campus. Purchase passes at the lots or online. townofchapelhill.org/government/departments-services/transit/tar-heel-express eventpass.justpark.com/town-of-chapel-hill/listings/events
FOOTBALL
CHAPEL THRILL
TO/FROM KENAN MEMORIAL STADIUM
SOUTHERN VILLAGE
OFF US HWY 15-501 SOUTH 90 MINUTES BEFORE AND 45 MINUTES AFTER GAMES
FRIDAY CENTER
OFF NC HWY 54 EAST 4 HOURS BEFORE KICK-OFF, 2 HOURS BEFORE TIP-OFF 45 MINUTES AFTER GAMES
BASKETBALL
TO/FROM THE DEAN SMITH CENTER
CAROLINA COFFEE SHOP
DOWNTOWN CHAPEL HILL 4 HOURS BEFORE KICK-OFF, 90 MINUTES BEFORE TIP-OFF 45 MINUTES AFTER GAMES
Find parking on parkonthehill.com
3
4
7
8
5]
PARKING IS FREE...
• AFTER 6PM AT STREET METERS
• AFTER 8PM AT ALL LOTS AND DECKS
• ALL DAY SUNDAY
• SATURDAYS IN JULY AND DECEMBER
FOR PARKING ON UNC CAMPUS:
ON-STREET METERS
$2 | 8am-6pm. Free after 6pm. Free on Sundays.
All pay stations accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and coins. Rosemary/Columbia Lot, Wallace Deck, and Rosemary Deck pay stations accept $1 and $5 bills. 9
11
THE PARKMOBILE APP
12
125
$1/hr
$2/hr
$18
$30 special event parking
150
Use ParkMobile Zone 4468 or the Digital Pay Station near their iguana. Parking on weekends is free unless lot reserved for a special event. CHAPEL HILL/ORANGE COUNTY WELCOME CENTER 308 W. Franklin Street Chapel Hill
Available
Enter
Across from the Century Center, behind Cliff’s.
Available after 5:30pm M-F Weekends, 24 hrs.
Behind Acme. Follow the municipal signs and enter the lot off E.
Gravel
Access to deck behind Hampton Inn is off E. Main St and Boyd St. Public parking levels 3-5.
Discover local boutiques, artisan gifts, vintage finds, and Carolina keepsakes—all with the friendly, one-of-a-kind spirit that makes shopping here a true local experience.
Shop Till You Drop
CHAPEL HILL
DOWNTOWN CHAPEL HILL
Start your shopping excursion on Franklin Street. You’ll find boutiques including Julian’s, UNC memorabilia shops and jewelry at Lightyears Jewelry or Creative Metalsmith. On W. Franklin Street, visit Target and more in Carolina Square and wander to the gift shop Glass Box, grab some wine in DB Sutton’s shop Uniquities and hit Rumors on N. Graham Street.
MIDTOWN MARKET
Houses Flyleaf Books and SallyMack Gifts at corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and Hillsborough Street.
TIMBERLYNE SHOPPING CENTER & CEDAR FALLS COURTYARD
At 1129 Weaver Dairy Road find the NEW Crazy Alan’s Emporium, Chelsea Theater, The Crystal Garden with crystals and gemstones and handcrafted jewelry, Town & Country Hardware and Goodwill Industries
EASTGATE CROSSING
This shopping center flooded during 2025 storm Chantal. At press time, shops that have reopened include Great Provisions Co, Trader Joe’s, winestore, Olmaz Jewelry and J Crew Factory with more to come. Other service stores and restaurants are there. Check websites before visiting to determine up to date status. Ample parking at 1800 E. Franklin Street location. kiterealty.com/properties/ eastgate-crossing
THE
VILLAGE PLAZA, ELLIOTT SQUARE AND THE GALLERIA
Shops in the Blue Hill District along S. Elliott Road between E. Franklin Street and Fordham Blvd. Find Staples, Whole Foods Market, Womancraft Gifts, Purple Puddle Flowers & Gifts, Lark Home Apparel and Whilden Clothing.
EAST 54
Environ Way at Hwy 54 between Hamilton and Finley Golf Course Rds. Open air shopping plaza with dining, drug store, salons, pharmacy, boxing club and The Stock Exchange anchored by Aloft Hotel.
MEADOWMONT VILLAGE
Off Raleigh Road (Hwy 54
East). Includes shopping at Monkee’s of Chapel Hill and JMcLaughlin and Harris Teeter, plus several service stores. meadommontvillageshops. com
UNIVERSITY PLACE
201 S. Estes Drive is anchored by Silverspot Cinema and Stoney River Steakhouse & Grill. Home to The Frame and Print Shop, fitness gyms, Harris Teeter and more. Find several restaurants, open-air retail and flexible programmable outdoor space for public art, entertainment, community events and permanent venue for Chapel Hill Farmers’ Market. universityplacenc.com
SOUTHERN VILLAGE
Offers restaurants, Glee Kids, Wentworth & Sloan Jewelers, entertainment and services anchored by Weaver Street Market, Lumina Theater, and the Hyatt Place Hotel Center Village on the Green on Market Street off 15-501 South. visitsouthernvillage.com
MY MUSES CARD SHOP IN CARRBORO
Photo: SP Murray
HILLSBOROUGH
DOWNTOWN HILLSBOROUGH
Local gift shops, vintage and antique shops line Margaret Lane, Churton and King Streets in the heart of the historic district in downtown Hillsborough. Visit 108 Churton, Carlisle & Linny Vintage Jewelry, Dwell, Re-Invintaged Home Decor & More, Vesta Home Life Clothing, Uniquitiques, Say Wear Boutique and Melissa Designer Jewelry. Don’t miss Annie & Arthur Arts, Hillsborough Yarn Shop and Dual Supply
HAMPTON POINTE
Off I-85 Exit 165 and Hwy 86, find Home Depot and a Wal-Mart SuperCenter.
VIETRI
For more than 40 years, Vietri has been off Hwy 70 Business at 343 Elizabeth Brady Road. Shop Vietri Outlet Store which features discontinued, slightly flawed, and one-of-a-kind Italian hand-crafted dinnerware, glassware, flatware and accessories. vietri.com/pages/vietrioutlet-store
CARRBORO
CARR MILL MALL
At the corner of N. Greensboro and Weaver Streets is a beautifully restored former textile mill (built in 1899) and home to numerous local specialty shops, restaurants and adjacent to Harris Teeter, CVS and Weaver Street Market
Find books at Golden Fig, beads at Firefly, Ali Cat Toys, clothes and accessories at Sofia’s Boutique, Narrative & Co, The Fragrance Shop, cards and gifts at My Muses Card Shop and much more. carrmillmall.com
MAIN STREET
Start with Peel Gallery on Rosemary Street. Moving to Main Street from east to west find FRANK Gallery, Fleet Feet and more. Visit This & That Gallery and on W. Main Street don’t miss North Carolina Crafts Gallery.
CARRBORO PLAZA
NC Hwy 54 West and W. Main Street features 30 stores including Dollar General, Ferguson Home, r.r. kicks, Food Lion, restaurants, pharmacy, service stores and other businesses.
SOUTH GREEN
501 S. Greensboro Street offers restaurant, retail and office space that is currently home to Beer Study, Carrboro Yoga and other service businesses southgreencarrboro.com
ALII CAT TOYS - CARRMILL MALL, CARRBORO
UNC FAN GEAR
FLYLEAF BOOKS- CHAPEL HILL
WOMANCRAFT GIFTS
womancraftgifts.com
250 S Elliott Rd, Chapel Hill 919.929.3300
NORTH CAROLINA CRAFTS GALLERY
nccraftsgallery.com
212 W. Main St, Carrboro 919.942.4048
FRANK GALLERY
frankisart.com
370 E. Main St, Ste 130, Carrboro 919.636.4135
PEEL GALLERY
peel.gallery
708 W. Rosemary St, Carrboro
ENO ARTS MILL GALLERY
artsorange.org/enomill/ 437 Dimmocks Mill Rd #17, Hillsborough 919.245.2129
(Anticipate reopening in Spring 2026)
HILLSBOROUGH GALLERY OF ARTS
hillsboroughgallery.com
121 N. Churton St, Hillsborough 919.732.5001
HILLSBOROUGH ARTS COUNCIL GALLERY
hillsboroughartscouncil.org/giftshop
102 N. Churton St, Hillsborough 919.643.2500
MARGARET LANE GALLERY
maragretlanegallery.com
121 W. Margaret Ln, Hillsborough 919.296.8938
SALTIRE GALLERIE
saltiregallerie.com 209 Burnside Dr, Hillsborough 919.996.0424
SKYLIGHT GALLERY
skylightgallerync.wordpress.com
102 W. King St, Hillsborough
THOMAS STEVENS GALLERY
thomasstevens.com
126 W. King St, Hillsborough
THE LITTLE MARKET
instagram.com/thelittlemarkethillsborough
118 N. Churton St, Hillsborough
FRANK GALLERY
Photo: SP Murray gallery
SPECIALTY SHOPS SAMPLER
JESSICA
Get it fresh from the farm at our area’s famous farmers’ markets. It doesn’t get any fresher than this!
CARRBORO FARMERS’ MARKET
carrborofarmersmarket.com
TOWN COMMONS
301 W. Main St, Carrboro 919.280.3326
Apr-Oct | Sat 7am - 12pm | Wed 3pm - 6pm
Nov-Mar | Sat 9am - 12pm
CHAPEL HILL FARMERS’ MARKET
thechapelhillfarmersmarket.com
UNIVERSITY PLACE PARKING LOT
201 S. Estes Dr, Chapel Hill 919.533.9496
Apr-Oct | Sat 8am - 12pm | Tues 3pm - 6pm
Nov-Mar | Sat 9am - 12pm
ENO RIVER FARMERS’ MARKET
enoriverfarmersmarket.com
FARMERS’ MARKET PAVILION
144 E. Margaret Ln, Hillsborough 952.412.5940
Apr-Nov | Sat 8am - 12pm
Dec-Mar | Sat 10am - 12pm
A website that connects you to farms in Orange County!
The visitncfarmstoday.com website connects you to agricultural assets of Chapel Hill and rural Orange County. Find farms that are open to the public, pick-your-own locations, farmers’ markets, local goods, restaurants that source food locally, and agricultural events. Immerse yourself in the bounty.
SEARCH ORANGE COUNTY ON THE WEBSITE www.visitncfarmstoday.com For more agritourism information, see VISITCHAPELHILL.ORG/AGRITOURISM
Orange County has long been a culinary destination... just wait until you see what we bring to the table.
Who’s Hungry?
A Visit To The Farm
RESTAURANTS ARE
AMERICAN
ACME FOOD & BEVERAGE CO
110 E. Main St 919.929.2263 acmecarrboro.com
BREAKAWAY CARRBORO
410 N. Greensboro St, Ste 160 984.234.3296 breakawaync.com
BRUNCHES
133 W. Franklin St 919.240.4522 mimosasmademedoit.com/ chapelhill-nc
CAROLINA BREWERY
460 W. Franklin St 919.942.1800 carolinabrewery.com
CAROLINA COFFEE SHOP
138 E. Franklin St 919.942.6875 carolinacoffeeshop.com
CROSSROADS CHAPEL HILL 211 Pittsboro St 919.918.2777 destinationhotels.com/ carolina-inn/crossroadschapel-hill
FOUR CORNERS
175 E. Franklin St 919.537.8230 fourcornersgrille.com
GLASSHALFULL
106 S. Greensboro St 919.967.9784 glasshalfull.net
GRATA DINER
200 N. Greensboro St 919.240.7000 gratadiner.com
HAWTHORNE & WOOD 3140 Environ Way 919.240.4337 hawthorneandwood.com
HEEL AND HORN CRAFT
KITCHEN & BAR 1502 E. Franklin St 984.999.4826 theheelandhorn.com
OAKLEAF
310 E. Main St 984.234.0054 oakleafnc.com
ONE40 SOCIAL
140 W. Franklin St, #190 919.525.3275 one40social.com/
RAISING CANE’S
101 E. Franklin St 919.325.3092 raisingcanes.com
SNOOZE, AN A.M. EATERY
1800 E. Franklin St 984.316.8910 snoozeeatery.com
SWEETGTREEN 122 E. Franklin St 984.363.2089 sweetgreem.com
TANDEM CARRBORO 200 N. Greensboro St 919.240.7937 tandemcarrboro.com
TOP OF THE HILL
RESTAURANT & BREWERY
100 E. Franklin St 919.929.8676 thetopofthehill.com
THE TROPHY ROOM
@THE GRADUATE HOTEL 311 W. Franklin St 919.442.9000 graduatehotels.com/chapelhill/restaurant/trophy-room
VENABLE CARRBORO BISTRO 200 N. Greensboro St 919.904.7160 venablebistro.com
WEDGEWOOD CHEESE BAR 100B Brewer Ln 984.278.2967 wedgewoodcheesebar.com
ZAXBY’S 127 E. Franklin St 919.636.4757 www.zaxbys.com/
A SIAN
CHINESE/JAPANESE/THAI/ VIETNAMESE / KOREAN/ MALAYSIAN
AKAI HANA JAPANESE 206 W. Main St 919.942.6848 akaihana.com
BONCHON
205 E. Franklin St 984.234.0788 bunchonchapelhill.com
CHAM THAI
370 E. Main St 984.999.4646 chamthainc.com
GOURMET KINGDOM CHINESE 301 E. Main St 919.932.7222 thegourmetkingdom.com
CHAPEL HILL = CARRBORO = HILLSBOROUGH =
Photo: SP Murray
HAWKERS
201 S. Estes Dr, #400A 919.415.1799 eathawkers.com
HIBACHI & COMPANY
163 E. Franklin St 919.903.8428 chapelhill.hibachicompany.com
IZA WHISKEY AND EATS
370 E. Main St
919.869.7322 izaeats.com
JADE PALACE RESTAURANT
103 E. Main St 919.942.0006 myjadepalace.com
JUJUBE
1201 Raleigh Rd 919.960.0555 jujuberestaurant.com
LA MONTAÑA
370 E. Main St 919.869.7336 eatatlamontana.com
LANTERN RESTAURANT
423 W. Franklin St 919.969.8846 lanternrestaurant.com
LUCHA TIGRE
746 Martin Luther King, Jr Blvd 919.914.6386 luchatigre.com
MINGA KOREAN
1401 E. Franklin St 919.933.1773 min-ga.com
NOMAD
122 W. King St
984.217.0179 thenomadnc.com
OISHII SUSHI BAR & RESTAURANT
1129 Weaver Dairy Rd 919.932.7002 oishiiroll.com
PARIS BANH MI CHAPEL HILL
407 Meadowmont Village Circle 919.408.1006 parisbanhmi.com
PHO HAPPINESS
508-A W. Franklin St 919.942.8201 phohappinessnc.com
RASA INDIAN & JAPANESE 1826 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd 919.372.0005 rasaindianjapaneserestaurant. com
RASA MALAYSIA 410 Market St 984.234.0256 rasamalaysiach.com
ROAD TO MYANMAR 147 E. Franklin St 919.537.8030 roadtomyanmar.com
SIAM ZAP PHO 1129 Weaver Dairy Rd 919.903.8280 siamzapphonc.com
SPICY 9 140 W. Franklin St 919.420.3193 spicy9chapelhill.com
SUSHI NIKKO 104 Highway 54W Bypass 919.240.5046 sushinikkonc.com
Scan to know more. or visitchapelhill.org/ restaurants
THAI STATION RESTAURANT
201 E. Main St 984.234.3230 thaistationnc.com
WHEAT 143 E. Franklin St 919.914.6737 wheatchapelhill.com
ZAYKA INDIAN GRILL AND BAR 105 E. Franklin St 919.240.5484 zaykauncchapelhill.com
BBQ & SOUTHERN
DEAD MULE CLUB
303 W. Franklin St 919.969.7659 deadmule.squarespace.com
HILLSBOROUGH BBQ COMPANY
236 S. Nash St 919.732.4647 hillsboroughbbq.com
JACK’S COUNTRY RESTAURANT 121 Rebecca Dr 919.732.7022
HILLSBOROUGH BBQ
Photo: SP Murray
FOUR CORNERS
175 E. Franklin St 919.537.8230 fourcornersgrille.com
MERRITT’S GRILL
1009 S. Columbia St 919.942.4897 merrittsblt.com
RISE SOUTHERN BISCUITS & RIGHTEOUS CHICKEN
310 E. Main St
919.929.5115 risebiscuitschicken.com
ROOT CELLAR CAFE & CATERING
750 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd 919.967.3663 rootcellarchapelhill.com
SUNRISE BISCUIT KITCHEN
1305 E. Franklin St 919.933.1324 sunrisebiscuits.com
SUTTON’S DRUG STORE
159 E. Franklin St 919.942.5161 suttonsdrugstore.com
THE FLYING BISCUIT CAFÉ
201 S. Estes Dr 919.537.8974 flyingbiscuit.com
TOWN HALL GRILL
410 Market St 919.960.8696 thetownhallgrill.com
WOODEN NICKEL PUBLIC HOUSE
113 N. Churton St 919.932.0134 thewnp.com
CAJUN
ROUGAROU (IMBIBE)
108 Henderson St 919.636.6469 108henderson.com
DELI
NEAL’S DELI
100 E. Main St 919.967.2185 nealsdeli.com
NEW HOPE MARKET
6117 NC Hwy 86 South 919.240.7851 newhopemarketllc.com
STEVE’S GARDEN MARKET & BUTCHERY 610 N. Churton St 919.732.4712 stevesgardenmarket.com/ hillsborough
THE FLYING PIEROGI DELICATESSEN
101 Two Hill Dr, Unit 140 919.869.7036 facebook.com/kidkielbasa
TRU
114 Henderson St 919.240.7755 trudeli.com
BLUEBIRD
601 Meadowmont Village Cir 919.213.9882 bluebirdnc.com
LA RESIDENCE RESTAURANT & BAR
202 W. Rosemary St 919.967.2506 laresidencedining.com
GREEK/ MIDDLE EASTERN
GRK YEERO
169 E. Franklin St 919.240.7622 grkyeero.com
KIPOS GREEK TAVERNA
1800 E. Franklin St 919.425.0760 kiposchapelhill.com
MEDITERRANEAN DELI & CATERING
410 W. Franklin St 919.967.2666 mediterraneandeli.com
TALULLAS MEZZE LOUNGE & BAR 456 W. Franklin St 919.933.1177 talullas.com
WHITE SAUCE GRILL & BAR
104 W. Franklin St 919.240.4865 facebook.com/ whitesaucegrillandbar
INDIAN/HIMALAYAN
BHARATH CAFÉ
1704 E. Franklin St, Ste A 984.444.2966 bharathcafenc.com/ bharathcafefranklin
CHIMNEY INDIAN KITCHEN & BAR
306 W. Franklin St 984.234.3671 chimneyindiankitchen.com
CHOLANAD RESTAURANT & BAR
310 W. Franklin St 800.246.5262 cholanad.com
LIME AND LEMON INDIAN GRILL & BAR
100 Meadowmont Village Cir 984.234.3409 lnlrestaurant.com
KOLAPSI INDIAN CANTEEN
200 W. Franklin St, #130 919.240.4754 kolapasi.us/chapelhill
MOMO MASTER RESTAURANT
110 N. Columbia St 919.903.9051 momosmaster.com
TANDOOR INDIAN RESTAURANT 1301 E. Franklin St 919.967.6622 tandoorindian.com
VIMALA’S CURRYBLOSSOM CAFÉ 431 W. Franklin St 919.929.3833 curryblossom.com
ITALIAN & PIZZA
411 WEST 411 W. Franklin St 919.967.2782 411west.com
ALPHA PIE 157 E. Rosemary St 919.240.5794 alphapiepizza.com
AMANTE PIZZA 300 E. Main St 919.929.3330 amantepizza.com
ALFREDO’S PIZZA VILLA 900 Willow ( University Place) 919.968.3424 alfredospizzavilla.com
ANNA MARIA’S PIZZERIA 104 Hwy 54 919.929.1877 annamariasnc.wordpress.com
ANTONIA’S 101 N. Churton St 919.643.7722 antoniashillsborough.com
BOMBOLO 764 Martin Luther King, Jr Blvd 919.914.6374 bombolochapelhill.com
BRENZ PIZZA - BLUE 3120 Environ Way 919.636.4636 brenz.com/locations/chapel-hill
HILLSBOROUGH BAKESHOP & PASTA CO 110 S. Churton St 919.732.6261 hillsboroughbakeshop.com
I LOVE NEW YORK PIZZA 106 W Franklin St 919.968.4224
IL PALIO RISTORANTE 1505 E. Franklin St 919.918.2545 ilpalio.com (in Siena Hotel undergoing renovation)
ITALIAN PIZZERIA III 508 W. Franklin St 919.968.4671 italianpizzeria3.com
MAGONE ITALIAN GRILL & PIZZA 1129 Weaver Dairy Rd, # F 919.904.7393 magoneitaliangrillpizza.com
NAPOLI PIZZERIA & GELATERIA 105 E. Main St 919.667.8288 napolicarrboro.com
OSTERIA GEORGI 201 S. Elliott Rd 919.375.0600 osteriageorgi.com
PIZZA CORNICIONE 230 S. Nash St 919.245.8566 pizzacornicione.com
BLUEBIRD
POP’S PIZZERIA
1822 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd 919.932.1040 pops-pizzeria.com/pages/ home.aspx
PIZZERIA MERCATO
408 W. Weaver St 919.967.2277 pizzeriamercatonc.com
SAL’S PIZZA & RISTORANTE 2805 Homestead Rd 919.932.5125 salspizzaofchapelhill.com
SERRATORE’S PASTA & PIZZA
112 N. Churton St 919.296.9900 instagram.com/ serratorespastaandpizza
TESORO
100 E. Weaver St 919.537.8494 tesorocarrboro.com
THE AUTOSTRADA PIZZA & PANINI
200 N. Greensboro St 919.904.7043 autostradacarrboro.com
CARRBURRITOS TAQUERIA 711 W. Rosemary St 919.933.8226 carrburritos.com
COLORADO BURRITO 122 S. Churton St 336.269.8613 Find on Facebook
COSMIC CANTINA 118 E. Franklin St 919.960.3955 cosmiccantina.com
FIESTA GRILL 3307 NC Hwy 54 West 919.928.9002 fiestagrill.us
EL RESTAURANTE IXTAPA
162 Exchange Park Lane 919.644.6944 ixtapa.homestead.com/ homepage.html
KAHLOVERA MEXICAN 504 Meadowmont Village Circle 984.999.4537 kahloveratacos.com
LA HACIENDA 1813 Fordham Blvd 919.967.0297 lahaciendamex.com
LOS ALTOS 126 W. King St 919.241.4177 losaltosrestaurantnc.com
MONTERREY MEXICAN GRILL 104 NC Hwy 54 919.903.9919
1722 Fordham Blvd 919.969.8750 letsgotomonterrey.com
SOUTH & LATIN AMERICAN
BARTACO
201 S. Estes Dr 910.807.8226 bartaco.com
THE LATIN EFFECT
504 W. Franklin St 919.240.5367 thelatineffect.com
LUNA ROTISSERIE AND EMPANADAS
307 E. Main St 919.537.8958 lunarotisserie.com
STEAKS
BIN 54 STEAK & CELLAR 1201-M Raleigh Rd 919.969.1155 bin54chapelhill.com
FARM HOUSE RESTAURANT 6004 Millhouse Rd 919.929.5727 farmhousesteakhouse.com
STONEY RIVER STEAKHOUSE AND GRILL 201 S. Estes Dr 919.914.6688 stoneyriver.com
VEGETARIAN & VEGAN
VINNY’S ITALIAN GRILL & PIZZERIA
133 N. Scotswood Blvd 919.732.9219 vinnyshillsborough.com
WEST HILLSBOROUGH PIZZERIA
600 W. King St 919.245.8915 westhillsboroughpizzeria. com
WILLIE’S PIZZERIA & RESTAURANT 670 N. Churton St 919.568.5614 williespizzeriaandrestaurant.com
MEXICAN & SPANISH
ARMADILLO GRILL 120 E. Main St 919.929.4669 armadillogrill.com
BANDIDO’S 159 ½ E. Franklin St 919.967.5048 bandidoscafe.com
PRÓXIMO (Spanish Tapas) 173 E. Franklin St proximonc.com
PUEBLO VIEJO
370 S. Churton St 919.732.3480 puebloviejohillsboroughnc.com
QUE CHULA
140 W. Franklin St 919.903.8000 quechulatacos.com
XOLOS TACOS + TLAYUDAS 300 Market St. #124 919.240.4024 eatxolos.com
SEAFOOD
SARATOGA GRILL
108 S. Churton St 919.732.2214 thesaratogagrill.com
SQUID’S RESTAURANT & OYSTER BAR 1201 Fordham Blvd 919.942.8757 squidsrestaurant.com
COCO BISTRO & BAR 101 Glen Lennox Dr 919.883.9003 cocochapelhill.com
SPOTTED DOG 111 E.
SPOTTED DOG - CARRBORO
VIMALA’S CURRY BLOSSOM CAFE - CHAPEL HILL
QUE CHULA- CHAPEL HILL
ROUGAROO - CHAPEL HILL
Photo: SP Murray
coffee & tea
CARRBORO
GRAY SQUIRREL COFFEE COMPANY
360 E. Main St, #100 graysquirrelcoffee.com
KRAVE 105 W. Main St 919.408.9596 facebook.com/kravekava/
LANZA’S CAFE 601 W. Main St, Suite C 919.967.9398 lanzascafe.com
OASIS
200 N. Greensboro St 919.904.7343 oasisbotanicallounge.com
OPEN EYE CAFÉ 101 S. Greensboro St 919.968.9410 openeyecafe.com
HILLSBOROUGH
BLUE HEELER COFFEE MOBILE TRAILER Corner Dairyland and Rocky Ridge Roads uniongrovefarm.com/ blue-heeler-coffee
CUP-A-JOE 112 W. King St 919.732.2008 hboro-cupajoe.com
BEAUTIFULLY BLENDED COFFEE
3419 US 70 W. #103 Efland 984.253.8950 beautifullyblendedcoffee.com
CHAPEL HILL
1922 BY CAROLINA COFFEE SHOP 140 E. Franklin St 984.999.4195 carolinacoffeeshop.com
CAFFÉ DRIADE 1215 E. Franklin St 919.942.2333 caffedriade.com
CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY 1408 E. Franklin St 919.968.3735 cariboucoffee.com
DRIFT COFFEE KITCHEN 111 S. Elliott Rd
PERENNIAL
QUICKLY
STARBUCKS
YAYA
CARRBORO
THE AUTOSTRADA
GELATO& COFFEE
Carr Mill Mall
200 N. Greensboro St 919.904.7043 autostradacarrboro.com/ gelato-coffee
EVEN DOUGH BAKERY
203 W. Weaver St 984.314.6522 evendough.net
PELICAN’S SNOBALLS
505 W. Main St 919.410.2415 pelicanssnoballs.com
QUE RICO PALETAS & ICE CREAM 104 Hwy NC 54 instagram.com/ quericocarrboro
HILLSBOROUGH
KIM’S BAKE SHOP
111 N. Churton St 919.265.4988 downtownpies.com
LA MUÑECA ICE C VREAM
131 Mayo St 919.241.4266 facebook.com/ lamunecanc
MAPLE VIEW ICE CREAM COUNTRY STORE
6900 Rocky Ridge Rd 919.960.5535 mapleviewfarm.com
MATTHEW’S CHOCOLATES
104 N. Churton St 984.245.9571 facebook.com/ matthewschocolates
THE TOWN SCOOP 113 W. King St 743.205.9824 On Facebook
WHIT’S FROZEN CUSTARD
240 S. Nash St 919.245.8123 whitscustard.com
CHAPEL HILL
BEN & JERRY’S 102 W. Franklin St 919.967. 9068 benjerry.com
BRANDWEIN’S BAGELS
505 W. Rosemary St 919.240.7071 brandweinsbagels.com
COLD STONE CREAMERY
131 E. Franklin St 919.914.6193 coldstonecreamery.com
CRUMBL COOKIES
133 W. Franklin St 984.261.2222 crumblecookies.com
DUNKIN 1509 E. Franklin St 919.530.0053 dunkindonuts.com
GUGLHUPF BAKE SHOP
1800 E. Franklin St 919.914.6511 guglhupf.com
H&H BAGEL 239 S. Estes Dr hhbagels.com
INSOMNIA COOKIES
145 E. Franklin St 919.336.0637 insomniacookies.com
JENI’S SPLENDID ICE CREAM
223 S. Estes Dr 919.391.9376 jenis.com
LA VITA DOLCE 610 Market St 919.968.1635 lavitadolcecafe.com
LE MACARON FRENCH PASTRIES
140 W. Franklin St#120 984.234.3023 facebook.com/ lemacaronchapelhill
SHAKA SHAVE ICE 431 W. Franklin St, Suite 120 facebook.com/Iheartshaka
THE YOGURT PUMP 106 W. Franklin St 919.942.7867 yogurtpump.com
TONYA’S COOKIES & BAKESHOP
400 S. Elliott Rd 919.903.8087 tonyascookies.com
YOPOP FROZEN YOGURT 1129 Weaver Dairy Rd 919.537.8229 facebook.com yopopchapelhill
MAPLE VIEW COUNTRY STORE
So many options await you to explore — from arcades, sports bars and breweries, to well-crafted cocktails, ...your fun begins right here.
Breweries, Bars, Clubs & Pubs
CARRBORO
ATLAS COCKTAIL BAR
118 E. Main St atlascarrboro.com
B-SIDE LOUNGE
200 N. Greensboro St 919.904.7160 b-sidelounge.com
BEER STUDY
101 Two Hills Drive, Suite #130 919.240.5423 facebook.com/beerstudync
BELLTREE SPEAKEASY
100 Brewer Lane 984.234.0572 belltreecocktailclub.com
BRU’S PUBLIC HOUSE
370 E. Main St, #110 919.869.7071 bruspublichouse.com/ carrboro
DINGO DOG BREWING COMPANY
410 N. Greensboro St, #150 dingodogbrewing.com
HAW RIVER TAP & TABLE
300 E. Main St, #C 919.391.6788 hawrivercarrboro.com
ORANGE COUNTY SOCIAL CLUB
108 E. Main St 919.933.0669 orangecountysocialclub.net
SPEAKEASY
100 E. Main St 919.914.6209 speakeasycarrboro.com
STEEL STRING CRAFT BREWERY 106A S. Greensboro St 919.240.7215 steelstringbrewery.com
STEEL STRING BREWERY AT PLUCK FARM 6901 NC Hwy 54, Mebane 984.215.1173 facebook.com/pluckfarmnc
CHAPEL HILL
BAXTER BAR & ARCADE
108 N. Graham St 919.869.7486 baxterarcade.com
BLUE HORN LOUNGE 125 E. Franklin St 919.903.8008 bluehorn.bar
CAROLINA BREWERY 460 W. Franklin St 919.942.1800 carolinabrewery.com
CLOUDS BREWING STORM CELLAR 157 E. Franklin St cloudsbrewing.com
DEAD MULE CLUB
303 W. Franklin St 919.969.7659 deadmule.squarespace.com
FOUR CORNERS 175 E. Franklin St 919.537.8230 fourcornersgrille.com
FRANKLIN MOTORS BEER GARDEN
601 W. Franklin St 919.869.7090 franklinmotors.net
GOODFELLOWS
149 1/2 E. Franklin St 919.960.8685 goodfellowschapelhill.com
GROWLR GRLZ
300 Market St, #102 facebook.com/growler grlzsouthernvillage
HE’S NOT HERE
112 1/2 W. Franklin St 919.942.7939 hesnotherenc.com
LAPIN BLEU
106A N. Graham St 919.869.7157 instagram.com/ lapinbleumidway.com
MAX’S TIN CAN
201 E. Franklin St instagram.com/ tincanchapelhill/
LOCALLY MADE CRAFT BEER
Photo: Donn Young
MIGHT AS WELL
BAR AND GRILL
206 W. Franklin St 984.234.3333 mightaswellbar andgrill.com
ONE40 SOCIAL
140 W. Franklin St, #190 919.525.3275 one40social.com
PANTANA BOB’S
300 W. Rosemary St 919.942.7575 facebook.com/ pantanabobsch
PUDDIN’S BEER SHACK
512 W. Franklin St 919.904.7659 instagram.com/ puddinsbeershackch
RAMS CORNER
431 W. Franklin St 919.914.6003 ramscorner.com/
ROCKS & ACID WINE SHOP 712 Market St rocksandacidwineshop.com
SIDETRACK LOUNGE 5906 Millhouse Rd 919.928.5035 instagram.com/sidetrack_lounge
STILL LIFE
159 E. Franklin St 877.590.5478 clubstilllife.com
THE CASUAL PINT
201 S. Elliott Rd 919.967.2626 chapelhill.thecasualpint.com
THE CAVE
452 1/2 W. Franklin St 984.234.3025 caverntavern.com
THE CRUNKLETON 320 W. Franklin St 919.969.1125 thecrunkleton.com
THE GATHERING PLACE 157 E. Franklin St 984.999.4548 thegatheringplacegames.com
THE KRAKEN 2823 NC Hwy 54 West facebook.com/ krakenbarchapelhill
THE LITTLE GEM BAR 630 Weaver Dairy Rd, #102 833.327.5420 facebook.com/littlegembar
THE NORTHSIDE DISTRICT 403 W. Rosemary St 919.391.7044 thenorthsidedistrict.com
HILLSBOROUGH
LAPIN BLEU- CHAPEL HILL
Photo: Sallie Scharding/Design+
Live music is at the heart of Orange County’s vibrant culture. From Chapel Hill to Carrboro to Hillsborough, you can catch performances almost any night of the week.
Live Music
CHAPEL HILL
LAPIN BLEU
106A N. Graham St 919.869.7157 www.instagram.com/ lapinbleumidway.com
LOCAL 506
506 W. Franklin St 919.942.5506 local506.com
SIDETRACK LOUNGE
5906 Millhouse Rd, Chapel Hill
919.928.5035 instagram.com/sidetrack_lounge
THE CAVE
452 1/2 W. Franklin St 984.234.3025 caverntavern.com
THE KRAKEN
2823 NC Hwy 54 West facebook.com/ krakenbarchapelhill
JAZZ AT THE SPEAKEASY - CARRBORO
JOHNNY WAKEN AT THE KRAKEN - CHAPEL HILL
CARRBORO
CAT’S CRADLE
300 E. Main St 919.967.9053 catscradle.com
SPEAKEASY
100 E. Main St 919.914.6209 speakeasycarrboro. com
HILLSBOROUGH
NASH STREET TAVERN 250 S. Nash St 919.245.1956 facebook.com/ nashstreettavern
THE
AT SONARK FARMS 5292 Sonark Lane 919.452.9849 sonarkfarms.com
YONDER: SOUTHERN COCKTAILS &
114 W. King St 919.283.2368 yonderbarnc.com
SALLIE SCHARDING/DESIGN+
CHARLES LATHAM AT THE CATS CRADLE - CARRBORO
