For Kids

North Carolina Botanical Garden

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100 Old Mason Farm Rd (off US Highway 15-501)
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3375

Directions

phone (919) 962-0522

Open year-round Mon.-Fri., 8am-5pm; Sat., 9am-5pm; Sun., 1-5pm; and Apr.-Oct., one hour later on weekends.

The largest natural botanical garden in the southeast, consisting of nearly 800 acres of preserved land with nature trails, carnivorous plant collections, aquatics and herb gardens. Also offers revolving exhibits of paintings, quilts and other media, plus sculpture in various sections of the botanical collection. Free guided tours of the display gardens every Sat (Mar-Nov), 10am. Parking. In October 2009, the garden opened the new 29,000 square foot “green” Education Center which includes an auditorium, classrooms and gift shop with outdoor patio space and native plant landscaping. Ask about guided tours of the Education Center.

North Carolina Collection Gallery

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In the Wilson Library, Polk Place at South Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3930

Directions

phone (919) 962-1172

Open Mon.-Fri., 9am-5pm; Sat., 9am-1pm; Sun., 1-5pm; closed major holidays. Guided tours every Wed. at 2pm and by appointment

Guided tours every Wed at 2pm and by appointment; self-guided at other times. Eclectic collection of artifacts and exhibits related to North Carolina and University history, including the library and furnishings from Hayes Plantation in Edenton and the Sir Walter Raleigh Rooms featuring English paneling and furnishing from the late 1500s and 1600s. Free.

Occaneechi Indian Village

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Foot of Cameron St (on the Eno River),
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

phone (919) 304-3723.

Open daily during daylight hours.

The Occaneechi Village, near present-day Hillsborough, sits along the banks of the Eno River. It was one of the last palisaded (walled) American Indian villages visited by European explorers in the latter part of the 1600s. The current site displays an information kiosk, a portion of the log palisade wall (stockade fence) and two historically accurate dwellings that were used by the Occaneechi ancestors. In partnership with Orange County and the Town of Hillsborough, the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation rebuilt this portion of the Village as an educational display.

Parks, Lakes and Reservoirs

Directions

Orange County has a long list of local, regional and state parks with facilities, equipment and activities for children, inlcuding swimming pools, plus several lakes and reservoirs for picnicking and other family activities. For details, see the Sports & Recreation section under What to Do & See.

Triangle SportsPlex

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101 Meadowlands Dr (off US Highway 70)
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

phone (919) 644-0339

Open Mon.-Sat., 5:30am-10pm; Sun., noon-7pm.

Recently remodeled, the facility now offers a new fitness center with a bird’s-eye view of the ice skating rink (NHL-size open year-round), aquatic center (with three pools), meeting room, tanning, pro shop and snack bar. Walk-in and member pricing, costs vary by activity. Senior discounts. Parking. Picnicking.