Visitor Attractions

Niche Gardens

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1111 Dawson Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Directions

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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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 Memorial Day to Labor Day, open until 6 pm on weekends. The Garden's paved visitor parking lot will be closed and locked after hours.

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-Oct), and first Sat (Nov - Feb) at 10am. Parking. The garden’s LEED Platinum 29,000 square foot “green” Education Center includes an auditorium, classrooms and gift shop with outdoor patio space and native plant landscaping. The Nature Trails are open until dusk, but visitors must park in the gravel “Overflow Lot” if they wish to stay on the trails after the 5 p.m./6 p.m. closing time, when gates to the paved lot are closed and locked. Guides also lead tours of the environmentally friendly Education Center once a month on Saturday at 1:30 p.m., providing a behind-the-scenes look at the unique features that make this one of the most efficient buildings in the state of North Carolina.

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 by appointment.

Guided tours 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. Rotating exhibit space as well. Free.

Occaneechi Indian Village

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

Directions

Email at OBSN Tribe

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.

Old Orange County Courthouse

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

Directions

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 Theater

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

Directions

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 theater 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

Directions

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

Directions

phone (919) 732-2201

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

Located on the site of North Carolina’s 1788 Constitutional convention, the museum interprets the history of Orange County from pre-settlement period through the 1950s. Its 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. Free, but donations accepted.

Ruffin-Roulhac House

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101 East Orange St (Town Hall)
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

phone (919) 732-1270

Open Mon.-Fri., 8:30am-5pm. Closed major holidays.

Built in 1821, the house was enlarged with the east rooms and a central two-story hall in 1830. In the 1860s, it was purchased by North Carolina Chief Justice Thomas Ruffin, who died in the house in 1870. Ownership remained in the family (his daughter married a Rouhlac), and the kitchen, pantry and conservatory were added in 1908. In the 1920s, the house was shuttered and nailed tight.

The house and outbuildings were completely restored in 1974. At that time the house was converted to offices for the Town of Hillsborough and that mix of new and old continues today.  Parking.