Major Attractions:
Old Orange County Courthouse (1844):
Corner of E. King and Churton St, Designed and built by Capt. John Berry, native brickmason, architect, and legislator. A Greek revival structure cited as Historic American Buildings. Details of woodwork and stair brackets came from Asher Benjamin�s pattern books on which Berry drew heavily. The Courthouse is still in use for County Judicial Business.
Alexander Dickson House:
150 E. King Street. The Orange County Visitors Center operates from this late-18th century Quaker-plan house. It was moved from its original location (1 mile southeast of
Hillsborough) to its present location in the heart of the historic district.
Ayr Mount:
376 Saint Mary's Road. 1815 Federal-era plantation house, restored and furnished with period antiques and fine art. Guided tour. The estate includes the one mile long Poet's Walk. March 21-December 20.
The Burwell School:
319 N. Churton Street. Site of Rev. and Mrs. Burwell's School for Young Ladies from 1837-1857. Site includes c.1821 frame house with 1848 additions, brick music building, brick necessary house and formal gardens. Guided tour.
Ruffin-Roulhac House:
101 E. Orange Street. Hillsborough�s Current Town Hall once belonged to Chief Justice Thomas Ruffin. The early 19th century house has notable interior woodworking and is surrounded by several outbuildings.
Gardens:
Chatwood Gardens
1900 Faucette Mill Road. A nationally acclaimed, English-inspired country garden featuring perennial borders, woodland and kitchen garden, and a world-famous collection of heritage roses. (919)643-2514.
Helen's Garden:
150 E. King Street. Located beside the Alexander Dickson House, (919) 732-7741.
Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail:
East side of Elizabeth Brady Road. Located on the site of the Occoneechee Speedway (1948-1968), this 44-acre natural area features three miles of trails along the Eno River and around the 1-mile track that is the only surviving speedway from NASCAR's inaugural 1949 season. (919) 732-7741.
Montrose Gardens
320 St. Mary's Road. Nationally known gardens begun in the 19th Century by Governor and Mrs. William Alexander Graham. Large gardens, specimen trees, rock gardens, woodlands, scree garden, sunny perennial borders, and several 19th century outbuildings. (919) 732-7787.
Occaneechee Indian Village:
E. Margaret Lane, behind the Orange County Sheriff's Dept. Reconstructed 17th century Occaneechi village on the banks of Eno River, near where the tribe had an actual village 300 years ago. (919) 732-7741.
Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area:
Virginia Cates Road entrance, off Orange Grove Road. Occoneechee Mountain is the highest point in Orange County at 867 feet and has been recognized as one of the most important natural areas in the Triangle region. The various habitats found on the mountain support species that are rare and significant in this region. With 124 acres of land and nearly two miles of trails, visitors can experience wide variety of the area's natural surroundings and wildlife.
Churches:
Dickerson Chapel AME Church:
100 E. Queen St.
First Baptist Church:
201 W. King St. The Baptists, originally housed in the old courthouse began this building in 1860. Designed by WM Percival of Raleigh and built by D, Kistler, this church is another of Capt. John Berry's brick buildings. The free-standing tower of Romanesque design contains doors leading to the gallery, possibly meant for slaves. Rounded arches appear over interior windows, over the door leading to the Baptistry, and in the hard-carved beams of the high, open ceiling.
Hillsborough Presbyterian Church:
102 W. Tryon St. More Information.
Hillsborough United Methodist Church:
130 W. Tryon
St. Matthew's Episcopal Church:
210 St. Mary's Road - The historic first St. Matthew's Church, a Church of England edifice, was built before 1768 at Tryon and Churton streets. It burned about 1793. The present church was organized and built in 1824 on lad given by Chief Justice Thomas Ruffin.
Other Areas:
Orange County Historical Museum:
201 N. Churton Street. Museum exhibits explore Orange County's history, featuring Colonial weights and measures (the only complete set in the U.S.), portraits of notable Hillsborough figures, and memorabilia from the Colonial, Antebellum, Civil War, and Industrialization eras. A second-floor gallery showcases a different local artist each month. Tues-Sat 11am-4pm, Sun 1pm-4pm. Winter hours (Jan.-March):Tues-Sat 12noon to 3PM, Sun 1-4PM. Closed major holidays. Free. (919) 732-2201. More Information.
Poets Walk:
376 St. Mary's Road. Situated on the grounds of Ayr Mount, an 1815 plantation estate, Poets Walk is a mile long trail that meanders through the meadows and woodlands of the property. The path follows the Eno River, passes the ruins of an old tavern, and parallels the Old Indian Trading Path. Open daily. Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec 9am-5pm, Mar, Apr, Sept, Oct 9am-6pm, and May-Aug 9am-7pm. Free. (919) 732-6886.
Triangle Sportsplex:
The area's only ice-skating rink, which is also a full-service athletic club, with two large pools that host state-wide swimming competitions. There is a full fine of exercise equipment, a staff of personal trainers, a large aerobics room, a child care facility, a massage therapy area, and tanning booths. To entertain the younger set, there is a kiddy pool and a number of youth-oriented activities, such as roller blade hockey games and summer camp programs.