Sports & Recreation

Sports in Orange County revolve mostly around the Tar Heel basketball, football and other teams for obvious reasons, but outdoor activities are very big here, too, because the county and towns have a long-standing commitment to the preservation, development and promotion of parkland—25% of the county's nearly 400 square miles is undeveloped—including nature preserves, parks and playgrounds, walking trails and bicycle routes and paths, not to mention state parks and lakes and reservoirs. In addition, there are numerous opportunities for personal athletic activities, e.g. biking, fitness, golf, swimming and even ice-skating year-round.

Chapel Hill Tennis Club

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402 Westbrook Dr
Carrboro, NC 27510

phone (919) 929-5248

Chapel Hill Women’s Workout Company

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1728 Fordham Blvd (127 Rams Plaza)
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

phone (919) 929-7474

Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA

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980 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

phone (919) 442-9622

Community Center Pool

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120 South Estes Dr (Community Center Park)
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

phone (919) 968-2790; recorded info (919) 685-8316

Call for hours.

The parks department has said that “in all probability, the pool will be closed for extraordinary maintenance from November 2006 through the summer of 2007”. The parks department offers a number of other programs and activities at the center. Call for specific details, times and costs.

Curves for Women

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1129 Weaver Dairy Rd (Timberlyne)
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

phone (919) 932-3202

Curves for Women

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104 Carrboro Plaza
Carrboro, NC 27510

phone (919) 968-3202

Curves for Women

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610 North Churton St (Downtown)
Hillsborough, NC 27278

phone (919) 245-1500

Dean E. Smith Center

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Skipper Bowles Dr (UNC campus),
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8500

phone (919) 962-7777.

Open Mon.-Fri., 8am-5pm, and for special events.

Opened in January 1986, this is the third largest on-campus arena in the country, with a seating capacity of 21,750 for basketball games and 21,500 for concerts. The facility also houses the offices of the UNC Athletics Department (see below). Cost varies by event. Parking.

Eno River State Park

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6101 Cole Mill Rd
Durham, NC 27705

phone (919) 383-1686

Open 8am-9pm (May-Aug.); 8am-8pm (Apr. & Sep.); 8am-7pm (Mar. & Oct.); 8am-6pm (Nov.-Feb.); closed Christmas Day.

More than 3,900 acres of natural beauty along 14 miles of winding riverbanks. Wilderness areas feature hiking, back-country camping, fishing, canoe access and nature programs. Three areas in Orange County are Cabelands (on Howe St off Sparger Rd), Fews Ford (Cole Mill Rd) and Pleasant Green (on Pleasant Green Rd). Parking. Pets allowed on leashes. Picnicking.

Finley Golf Course

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Finley Golf Course Rd (off Raleigh Rd, NC Highway 54 East)
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8500

phone (919) 962-2349

Open daily.

After a recent $8-million facelift by famed golf course architect Tom Fazio, each hole now has five tee boxes, allowing the course to be played from 4,981 yards to a tournament-level 7,187 yards (although it has the standard four par-5s and four par-3s). Also offers driving range, putting green and lessons. Call for green fees and reservations.

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Did You Know?

Orange County offers a wide range of spectator and recreational sports and leisure activities, and is home to the fastest 3/8-mile oval stock car race track in the U.S.