Visitor Attractions

Our attractions are broadly divided into the three categories to the left, but individual facilities have their own unique features and characteristics. Museums, for example, include a new children's museum, a nationally renowned art museum, a planetarium and science center (where NASA astronauts trained), several sports museums and more. In a nutshell, there's something for everybody, and the best way to discover what appeals to you (and your family or friends) is to explore them, starting with their descriptions.

Ackland Art Museum

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South Columbia St (off East Franklin St)
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3400

Directions

phone (919) 966-5736

Open Wed.-Sat., 10am-5pm; Thurs. until 8pm; Sun., 1-5pm.


The permanent collection of over 15,000 objects includes the art of Asia, Africa, Europe and America, with works ranging from ancient times to the 21st century. The Museum holds the most significant collection of Asian art in the state and one of the largest collections of works on paper in the Southeast. Long known for its strength in European painting and sculpture, the Ackland has recently added additional emphasis to the building of its collection of 20th-century and contemporary art. Admission is free.

Alexander Dickson /House

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150 East King St (Downtown)
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

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

Open Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm; Sun, noon-4pm; closed major holidays.


Late 18th century Quaker-plan house was moved from its original site 1-1/4 mi. SE of Hillsborough and restored. An adjacent garden displays traditional 18th and 19th century plants used for cooking, medicine and dyeing cloth. The site includes an office used by Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston before he surrendered his troops to Union Gen. William T. Sherman at nearby Durham Station in April 1865, which ended the Civil War. Parking.

Ayr Mount and Poet’s Walk

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376 St. Mary's Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

phone (919) 732-6886

Open for guided tours (Mar. 21 to Dec. 20) Wed.-Sat., 11am; Thu.-Sun., 2pm; other times by appointment.


One of North Carolina’s finest Federal-era plantation homes (c. 1815), built by William Kirkland of Ayr, Scotland. Carefully restored and exquisitely furnished with period antiques (Duncan Phyfe and Charles Honore Lannuier), portraits by Ezra Ames and James Wollaston, Chinese export porcelain, Waterford crystal and many original family pieces. Occupied by four generations of the family until 1985. Owned by Classical American Homes Preservation Trust. A National Trust Partner Place. $10 per person. Group rates available. Free parking.

• Poet’s Walk: Open daily (year-round), 9am-5pm (till 6pm, Mar, Apr, Sep & Oct; till 7pm, May & Aug; till 8pm Jun & Jul). One-mile walking trail meanders through woodlands and pastures along the banks of the Eno River, with views of the Kirkland family cemetery, the old tavern foundation and the Indian trading path. Picnic tables under hardwood and pine trees. Dogs allowed, but must be on leashes. Trail is free and open daily year round.

Battle Park

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Country Club Rd (near Battle Ln)
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3375

Directions

phone (919) 962-0522

Open daily, dawn to dusk.


A 93-acre wooded park with pedestrian trail system and small picnic areas adjacent to the Forest Theatre. Named for University President Kemp Plummer Battle, who cleared paths and built benches here in the late 1800s. The North Carolina Botanical Garden cares for the park and has been working to restore trails, bridges and the natural forest system.

Burwell School (The)

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319 North Churton St (Downtown)
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

phone (919) 732-7451

Open Wed.-Sat., 11am-4pm; Sun., 1-4pm; closed mid-Dec. to -early Feb. and major holidays.


Site of the Rev. and Mrs. Burwell’s School for Young Ladies from 1837-1857 and home to the prominent Collins family during the Civil War. The site offers free docent-led and self-guided tours, new exhibits, a variety of cultural events, and engaging and innovative programs for children and young adults. Parking.

Carolina Basketball Museum

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450 Skipper Bowles Dr (off Manning Dr)
Chapel Hill, NC 27599

Directions

phone (919) 962-6000

Open Tue-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 9 am - 1 pm, plus other times on home game days.

(Photo by UNC Athletic Communications, Jeffrey Camarati)

This new 8,000-sq.ft. state-of-the-art museum honors the rich tradition of Carolina Basketball. Located on the first floor of the Ernie Williamson Athletics Center, the museum features a “Game Day” theme where visitors enter a theater for pre-game build-up, then into the main museum space where they can visit interactive displays and view memorabilia from Carolina’s storied program on the UNC court. A 32-ft. tower accents one corner and will allow fans to make their own call on great Carolina plays. The “Month of March” rooms highlight the ACC and Carolina’s NCAA Tournament successes.

Museum Parking is located across the street in the metered spaces of the Williamson Lot during regular business hours. Overflow parking is available in the Rams Head deck for an hourly fee. The Rams Head is next to Kenan Memorial Stadium on Ridge Road. Public parking on game days is located in the Rams Head, Jackson and Cardinal decks for $8 per vehicle. To schedule group visits of 25 or more call (919) 843-9921.

Coker Arboretum

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East Cameron Ave at Raleigh St
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3375

Directions

phone (919) 962-0522

Open daily, dawn to dusk.


This five-acre garden was created on the UNC campus in 1903. It contains more than 500 species of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Two prominent features are the 300-ft. native-vine arbor and a recently installed stream cascade. Free 1-hour guided tour departs from the stone gathering circle on the Cameron Avenue side of the arboretum at 11 am on the 3rd Saturday of each month (March - November). Limited parking is available on a first-come first-served basis; call 962-0522 for details.

Dean E. Smith Center

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

Directions

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 Men’s Basketball Program. Cost varies by event. Parking. (Photo by UNC Athletic Communications)

Eagle Masonic Lodge #19

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142 West King St (Downtown)
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

eaglelodge19@hotmail.com

Open by appointment.


Chartered in 1792, Eagle Lodge meets in this Greek Revival building designed by state architect William Nichols and built in 1823 by John Berry. It’s a cube that measures 40 ft. in width, depth and height, with walls of solid brick. Through its history, the building has also served as an opera house, unofficial town hall and Civil War hospital.

Forest Theatre

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Country Club Rd (near Battle Ln)
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3475

Directions

phone (919) 962-0522

Open daily, dawn to dusk.


Outdoor drama was first performed here in Chapel Hill’s Battle Park in 1916 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. The site was chosen by William C. Coker, who also developed Coker Arboretum nearby in 1903. The theater was rebuilt in the early 1940s. University and community groups continue to perform here in the warmer months. Woodland trails into the 93-acre Battle Park start here. Site of summertime Paperhand Puppet Intervention Festival.

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Did You Know?

Ayr Mount Historic Site is one of North Carolina's finest Federal-era plantation homes, built in 1815 and lovingly restored and furnished in the period.