Hillsborough (North Carolina)

Before being discovered by European settlers, Hillsborough was home to several Native-American groups including the Eno, Occoneechi, and Siouan tribes. White settlers founded Hillsborough in 1754. Almost immediately Hillsborough, became a place of political and social importance. There were many pre-Revolutionary War tensions during the 1700s and the town was even used as a base for British General Charles Cornwallis in February of 1781. During the American Civil War, Confederate general Joseph E. Johnston camped just outside of Hillsborough. In the 20th century, Hillsborough became a place well-known for its stock car racing, and was even home to Occoneechee Speedway, one of NASCAR's first two tracks. The remains of Occoneechee Speedway can still be visited today.

• Visitors Center

  phone: +1 919 732-7741
  address: 150 E King Street
  Located in the Historic Alexander Dickson House, offers information, brochures, exhibits, and a small gift shop.

By air

The nearest commercial airport is Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).

By car

Hillsborough is easy to get to by car, located on Interstates 40 and 85 and US Route 70.

By bus

From Chapel Hill, take the 420 ($2.25, early morning and late afternoon) or the OCH ($2.00, late morning and early afternoon). The ODX ($3.00, early morning and late afternoon) from Durham is also an option, though it confusingly stops in different locations depending on the time of day. These routes run Monday–Friday.

The central historic area is small enough to walk around.
Local bus service to other parts of town is provided in the form of the free Hillsborough Circulator, which runs Monday–Friday.

• Burwell School Historic Site

  phone: +1 919 732-7451
  address: 319 N. Churton St
  The Burnwell School Historic Site is the remains of what was a pre-Civil War school building. Visitors can take a tour and learn how students were educated in the 1800s. Many social events are also held there including lectures and book readings and signings. Elizabeth Hobbes Keckly was enslaved there at one point, she would later become a businesswoman, author, and confidante of Mary Todd Lincoln.

• Orange County Historical Museum

  phone: +1 919 732-2201
  address: 201 N. Churton St.

• Old Orange County Courthouse

  address: N. Churton and E. King Streets
  An 1844 courthouse, located at the center of town, with lots of other historic buildings nearby.

• Old Town Cemetery

  address: N. Churton and W. Tryon Streets
  A cemetery established in 1757, with 184 graves of many of Hillsborough's most notable individuals.

• Hog DayHeld on the third Saturday of May, Hog Day is celebrated in Hillsborough with a festival, music, barbeque and more. More than 100 arts and crafts vendors come to show off their work. 35,000 people have attended the festival.

• Last Friday, during the summer, on the last Friday of every month, bands and artist meet downtown for the Last Friday festival. Music is always being played along with art being sold on the streets.

• RiverwalkA pleasant walking path along the Eno River, located south of downtown Hillsborough.

• Sportsplex

  phone: +1 919 644-0339
  address: 101 Meadowlands Drive
  Ice skating and more!

• Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area

  phone: +1 919 383-1686
  address: 625 Virginia Cates Road
  Hiking, guided events with rangers, and more!

The Visitors Center and Orange County Historical Museum have gift shops with books and souvenirs.

• Bandido's Mexican Cafe

  phone: +1 919 732-8662
  address: 122 S. Churton Street

• Jack's Country Restaurant

  phone: +1 919 732-7022
  address: 121 Rebecca Drive

• Panciuto

  address: 110 S. Churton Street

• Radius Pizzeria

  phone: +1 919 245-0601
  address: 112 N. Churton Street

• Cup a Joe

  phone: +1 919 732-8056
  address: 120 W. King Street

• The Wooden Nickel Pub

  address: 105 N. Churton St

• The Inn at Teardrops

  address: 175 W. King Street

• Chapel Hill – a nearby college town centered around the University of North Carolina. Originally not much bigger than Hillsborough, Chapel Hill has grown to more than 50,000 people and boasts sports, restaurants, museums, shops, and a beautiful university campus.
• Durham – home to the prestigious Duke University, museums, a small historic downtown, a major performing arts center, and trendy bars, cafes, and galleries.