Museums & Gardens

Multiflora Greenhouses

1623 New Sharon Church Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278

phone (919) 732-3630

Open Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm; Sat, in-season only (call first).

One of the largest commercial flower, plant and vegetable greenhouses in North Carolina. Its state-of-the-art, automated greenhouses with heated concrete floors and computerized climate-controlled systems take up five acres, comparable to more than eight football fields.

Niche Gardens

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1111 Dawson Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

phone (919) 967-0078

Open Mon.-Sat., 9am-5pm; Sun. hours are seasonal (please call ahead).

A quiet, delightful nursery and garden where you can learn about wildflowers, perennials, shrubs, vines, grasses, gardening for butterflies and wildlife, and see unique garden art. Guided tours Sat., 10am (spring and fall). Picnics, garden club visits and bus tours welcomed. Parking. Picnic tables and benches.

North Carolina Botanical Garden

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

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 more than 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 2008, the garden began construction of a new “green” Visitors Center to include an auditorium, classrooms and gift shop.

North Carolina Collection Gallery

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

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.

Occaneechi Village Restoration

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

phone (919) 304-3723.

Open daily during daylight hours.

This Indian village was reconstructed with a palisade (stockade fence), huts, cooking site and sweat lodge, just as it was in the general area during the late 17th century when Indian tribes in south central Virginia and western North Carolina used it along their trading path.

Old Orange County Courthouse

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North Churton and East King Sts (Downtown)
Hillsborough, NC 27278

toll-free (877) 732-7748; phone (919) 732-7741

Open Mon.-Fri., 9am-5pm; closed major holidays.

This outstanding example of Greek Revival architecture was designed and built by John Berry in 1844-1845 and features details of woodwork and stair brackets from Asher-Benjamin’s pattern book. (The Courthouse is still in operation for county judicial business.)

Old Playmakers Theatre

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East Cameron Ave (next to South Building)
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3230

phone (919) 962-1132

Built in 1851 as Smith Hall, this Greek-revival structure, was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1974. It was designed by renowned 19th century architect Alexander Jackson Davis. During the Civil War, the Union Army briefly stabled horses here. Originally built as a library and ballroom, it served briefly for classes and was converted to a theatre in 1924, the first state university building dedicated to American folk dramatic art.

Old Well (The)

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East Cameron Ave (facing South Building)
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3475

phone (919) 962-1630

Open daily, dawn to dusk.

In 1897, UNC President Edwin A. Alderman initiated the redesign of the original ramshackle shelter, which had been the primary source of campus water for more than a century. When it was finished, the new Greek Revival structure was so beautiful that it quickly became the unofficial symbol of the University. In 1954, it was given added beauty with brick walks, plantings and benches. Students traditionally earn good luck when they drink from The Old Well on the first day of classes.

Orange County Historical Museum

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201 North Churton St (Downtown)
Hillsborough, NC 27278

phone (919) 732-2201

Open Tues-Sat., 11am-4 pm, Sun., 1-4pm.

Located on the site of North Carolina’s 1788 Constitutional convention, museum interprets the history of Orange County from pre-settlement period through the 1950s. Collection includes the only complete set of Colonial weights and measures in the U.S. and the desk of Governor Thomas Burke. A second-floor gallery features special exhibits on local history. Suggested donation, $2.

Reba & Roses

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112 Baldwin Rd (off St. Mary's Rd)
Hillsborough, NC 27278

phone (919) 644-2677

Open Mar.-Dec., Tue.-Sat., 9am-5:30pm; Sun., noon-5pm; closed Mon. (Jan.-Feb.).

A greenhouse and garden specialty shop with 56-acre farm and 200-ft. chicken house built in the early 1800s that features display gardens (flowers, plants and herbs) and an assortment of decorative garden art and larger-than-life sculpture. Tours available.